A little background. Started out at 366 lbs at 6' at age 61. Lapband was my choice at that time and had LP surgery in July 2009. Did pretty well although the larger lapband that was used was a 15 cc and we never could get it tight enough to give me restriction. Lost 83 lbs. Had left hip surgery in May 2010. Rehab from that was to start a walking routine. Gained back about 35 lbs thru July 2011. Lapband just wasn't working as it never was tight enough to restrict my intake. Scheduled VGS conversion for mid-Aug. 2011 and surgeon wanted me to lose as much of the 35 that I gained before surgery. I had seriously begun Power Walking to lose the weight. 3-6 miles per day at about a 16 min/mile avg. Morning of surgery at clinic I got on the scale and had lost it all. VGS surgery went really smoothly and my recovery had started. 2.5 weeks Post-Op I participated in an 8k/5mi Run/Walk with my walking buddy Jolly and finished it in a personal record avg/mi time. 15:16 min/mile. Hoooray!!! Have kept up my walking routine thru the Fall along with rigorous hunting actvities.

Here's the WOW moment. Since July 17th 2011 I have now covered 208 miles. I use a GPS program on my smartphone to track and monitor my activities.(RunKeeper). My avg times have continued to drop and now I am walking at about 14 min miles and have actually done a couple of walks at under 14 mi/mile.

I feel so good and healthy right now. All my health indicators are fantastic. Weight has dropped to 235 for a total loss of 131. Blood workup has me in the normal range of everything. BP is actually a bit low now and they are taking me off my BP meds.

I couldn't feel better. I still have 35 lbs to go but with my walking and exercise routine I am sure I can attain that goal also. I plan on participating in a half dozen or more Run/Walk event this summer. I just wanted to let all of you know that it can be done and you can get an exercise routine to work for you. Start small and slow and it will naturally increase with time and weight loss. Good luck in your journey.

Wow you are awesome!

Well folks I have just rolled over the 280 mile marker with my power walking. I attended a meeting last Monday for registration in the Lansing, MI Half-Marathon. I will be walking this race so don't look for me in the top 5 finishers. But, I will be leading the pack in the walking group. There will be about 12-1500 participants so this will be a new one for me. I am so looking forward to the challenge. My training regiment must be modified to get me ready to participate.

I have walked 10,5,5, 8, 3 and 5 miles in my latest walks. My times have been on the low end 12:11 min/mile average and the highest in the 10 mile . . 14:11 min/mile average. But, basically my 5-8 mile walks have been hanging right around 13 min/mile. If I can continue to walk at this pace from now until April 21st I will feel very confident in completing the 13 mile course in approx 13 min/mile average. This would be great.

For those of you just starting out "Get Moving" . . slow and short distances at first and then increase one or the other as you get stronger and "lighter".

I am still a bit nervouse about setting such a high goal for myself but shooting "LOW" guarantees you of failure and I will not accept that. I will compete in this race and my training for the race will help me lose the last 30 lbs that needs to come off. That is my goal also. . . . lose an additional 30 lbs in two months before the race.

Here's the results of my latest 8 mile outing . .

Here's the route for the 13 mile race(RED) and my recent 10 mile outing((green)

I will keep you posted on my times.

Right on PapaBob!!! You ROCK!!!

How about a little update. . Haven't walked since last weekend. Papa Bob has "Runners knee" . . or basically an inflamed ligaments of the left knee. The ones that run up under the kneecap from the lower leg. Comes from strenuous running or in my case walking where you are training for long races and have over done it a bit. Prognosis. . Will heal itself if you ice the knee, stay of as much as possible, DON'T TRAIN for couple of weeks, take LEVEL to help with pain and try not to flex the knee until it heals. I am 1 week into healing and almost pain free. Will stay off of it til next Sat before I think of walking/training again.

I guess I am not 25anymore . . LOL

How about a little update. . Haven't walked since last weekend. Papa Bob has "Runners knee" . . or basically an inflamed ligaments of the left knee. The ones that run up under the kneecap from the lower leg. Comes from strenuous running or in my case walking where you are training for long races and have over done it a bit. Prognosis. . Will heal itself if you ice the knee, stay of as much as possible, DON'T TRAIN for couple of weeks, take LEVEL to help with pain and try not to flex the knee until it heals. I am 1 week into healing and almost pain free. Will stay off of it til next Sat before I think of walking/training again.

I guess I am not 25anymore . . LOL

Well darn! Heal well and fast PapaBob.