It's amazing how the sleeve has changed my life!!! A year ago, I was 100 pounds heavier and was completely out of breath when climing a flight of stairs. I had my surgery 7 months ago and a week from Sunday I will be competing in my first triathlon (1/2 mile ocean swim, 13 mile bike ride and a 5K). Becoming a triathlete has been something I've aspired to do for about the past 5 years....but something that seemed so unattainable because I had such a hard time losing the weight and because I was so worried about what other people thought of me.

I'm super excited but anxious and nervous at the same time!! I just want to let everyone know that you CAN do anything you set your heart and mind to do!!! And for those of you that are just starting out on this journey....don't be afraid to jump!!! I have spent way too much of my life standing on the sidelines because of fear.

My sleeve surgery has never really been about the number on the scale....of course I still weigh myself more than I probably should and of course I'd still like to lose about 60 more pounds but if I didn't I would still be happy because I AM HAPPY. I'm happy not because of how much weight I've lost or what size clothing I wear, but because I'm living my life the way I've always envisioned it!!! YAY me!!!

Congratulations! Which one are you doing? I'm looking for my next tri myself.

I'm doing Breath of Life Ventura (which is organized by the family of the owner of the company I work for) on the 24th, Long Beach in Septembet and then SheROX San Diego in October.

Wow congrats, that's hardcore. I'm not a strong swimmer so I could never do something like that.

You are quite an inspiration!

[quote name=Lisa ' timestamp='1339632616' post='373537]

I'm doing Breath of Life Ventura (which is organized by the family of the owner of the company I work for) on the 24th, Long Beach in Septembet and then SheROX San Diego in October.

Well I think the SheROX is out for me :-). I don't think I'm "qualified". I absolutely got hooked on triathlons to the point where I train 5-6 days a week day, ride 100 miles per week, can open water swim for 2 miles, and run 10Ks 3 times per week. If only it weren't so d@*m expensive :-)!

Well I think the SheROX is out for me :-). I don't think I'm "qualified". I absolutely got hooked on triathlons to the point where I train 5-6 days a week day, ride 100 miles per week, can open Water swim for 2 miles, and run 10Ks 3 times per week. If only it weren't so d@*m expensive :-)!

Yeah, I'm not sure they'd let you race SheROX!! LOL!

I'm understanding how the triathlon addiction sets in!! And it has the potential to get me in lots of trouble when packages are constantly showing up via UPS and FedEx and my spouse works from home!! I'm thinking it'll be YEARS before I'm "allowed" to buy a tri bike

Wow congrats, that's hardcore. I'm not a strong swimmer so I could never do something like that.

NEVER say NEVER!! You'd be surprised by what you can accomplish when you tell yourself that you can do ANYTHING!!!

HOW EXCITING! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!! YOU ARE AN ATHLETE NOW! THAT IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even imagine - awesome! I am doing good with 40 minutes on the elliptical

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Congratulations, I'm one year out from VSG and have lost 110. Yesterday I registered for my first sprint triathlon. I train 5-6 days per week in the gym. I run, swim indoors and bike on the road. I strength train every day. My 5k time is a little slow, 38 minutes and I consider the run my weakest event. Any words of advice for a very new "Bariathlete"?

Congratulations again, I know what you mean about the scale, its not hear as important as my fitness goals.

Congratulations, I'm one year out from VSG and have lost 110. Yesterday I registered for my first sprint triathlon. I train 5-6 days per week in the gym. I run, swim indoors and bike on the road. I strength train every day. My 5k time is a little slow, 38 minutes and I consider the run my weakest event. Any words of advice for a very new "Bariathlete"?

Congratulations again, I know what you mean about the scale, its not hear as important as my fitness goals.

Your time is fine and it will get better with conditioning. If you want to, incorporate some speed work into your run training once or twice a week. These can be track work, doing 200s or 400s repeats. You sprint for 200 then jog for 400 for example. What happens is that your muscles get use to repetition so by varying the type and intensity of the workouts, you teach the heart to pump more blood per minute and deliver oxygen to the muscles more efficiently.

Thanks for the advice. I have been doing some intervals and I have gotten faster. I ran 2.8 today in 35 including 5 minutes of warm up walking. Immediately went into pool and swam 1000 yards and followed up with a leg workout. I'm slowly getting there but for the first time in many years I am considering myself an athlete.