As I mentioned in my first post, I had my sleeve gastrectomy in Belgium on April 30th. The trip, hotel stay and surgery cost me about 1/3rd what it would have cost me had I had my surgery here in the United States. Well, Imagine my shock yesterday when I opened a letter from the Belgian hospital. In it, they told me that they were refunding me ?2,400!!! That is about $3,400!!! Apparently, while working and living in the Netherlands as a rebellious 18 year old in the 1990's, I was contributing to the Benelux national insurance scheme. I did not know that. Who cannot use $3,400 in these hard times? I am very happy with my surgery. I have lost 73 lbs since I had it. I am up to running 6 miles daily now and I lift tons of weight. I am at 262 right now and it is my goal to get to 200 lbs by this time next year. Hurrah!!

Sounds good to me. Where do I sign up for a $3400 refund? :blushing:

Congratulations on on your amazing progress. Keep up the good work! :drool5:

Thanks Oregon Rose. To get $3,400 that you are not expecting is nice. I am just glad that something is going my way for once. I am determined as hell to be very fit. My goal is one hour of running daily, followed by one hour of weightlifting after work. I run the 6 miles in 42 minutes right now, but as I get better, I will be able to run further faster. My doctor was shocked when she checked my blood pressure. She compared it to what it was and said "I think my sphygmomanometer is broken". That was when I told her what I had been doing. My blood pressure went from 132/87 to 104/62. It is amazing what running can do.

Wow, Henry, I would have been pretty darned excited to open that letter too! And, it sounds like you are doing great with the sleeve, congratulations!

Were you ever a runner before?

Hello Attitude. No, I was never a runner. I did not engage in frequent exercise. But I am addicted now. I lifted weight for 2 hours and 30 minutes yesterday. That was after my run.

Congrats on the weight loss, the refund, and the fact that you're now addicted to exercise ... keep up the good work - you'll be at goal before you know it.

I was never athletic as a kid either, but now I am a triathlete with less than 17% body fat.

I have never run but would love to!

I can walk on the treadmill but running actually kinda intimidates me..... what is the easiest way to start......?

The Couch to 5K program!

Couch to 5k - C25K Running Program

Thanks Mac you are always so helpful!

The elliptical cross trainer is a lot easier on the joints than running.