Who knew 3 years ago that on September 24, 2023, I’d be crossing the finish line after 12 hours, 33 minutes and 38 seconds of hard work in the Chattanooga Ironman! Since February 5, 2021 I have stayed focused, followed the plan, and worked hard to lose a 160lbs. And those decisions are got me here!

I share this not to brag or seek attention, but to show others who have questions or doubts of what is possible! If you have or are considering proceeding with bariatric surgery, go into it with the decision and desire to live life differently moving forward! The old way doesn’t work for us wired the way we are! You have to want to do better and be better for this to work! The surgery is a tool for change! It’s going to be difficult, you’re going to face temptation, you’re going to tip toe back in the old life… but discipline, consistency and effort is the way forward! You deserve it! But you also deserve to give your self grace when mistakes are made along the way! But know that one poor choice doesn’t define your path forward, it’s just about trying to make a better decision the next time. Ok, off my soapbox…

Good luck everyone and keep fighting the good fight!

5 hours ago, kmac1 said:

crossing the finish line after 12 hours, 33 minutes and 38 seconds of hard work in the Chattanooga Ironman!

What a great accomplishment following WLS. Very inspiring!! Way to go!!

So very well done. Brilliant effort. It really takes determination to have made it to where you are. I love it when you said that we are going to tip toe back into the old life. This is so true for me. Old habits and poor choices snuck back in but got myself back on track this week and got some good results.

Yes. We fight the good fight. ?

Outstanding accomplishment!

Good luck,

Tek

Thank you for sharing this, it helps.

You should be proud and you have the right to do a little bragging too!

That is an AWESOME ACCOMPLISHMENT!! Your hard work and dedication to your plan make you equally awesome.

Thanks for being an inspiration to us!!!

Thank you everyone! The coolest part about the whole experience, despite being tired and hurting, I felt so thankful and fortunate to be there Three years ago I would have scoffed at the idea of doing something like this or made a self deprecating joke to hide the fact that I thought it never would have been possible.

I'm scheduled for RNY January 3rd. My concern right now is that I'm able to work out pretty good every day, and getting stronger, more lung capacity for swimming. I'm worried that the 2 week liquid diet and the following months of low calorie will really interfere with this progress. Any advice on how to manage it in a practical manner? I was thinking possibly higher weights, lesser cardio? Right now I'm walking with handweights and swimming laps for an hour.

Edited November 11, 20232 yr by Lily2024

Kmac1 awesome job! I hope you took pictures and journaled your triumph! You worked so hard for your health!

Lily2024 to quote Dory the fish from “Finding Nemo,” “keep swimming!” Your first goal is to get as healthy as possible to ease through the health helping surgery. The surgery will honestly help you lock in your healthy lifestyle. We all need to heal physically from the surgery itself, then slowly build back the strength and endurance.

It’s the journey not the finish line. I bet even kmac1 has some other goals to accomplish. Good health and living isn’t a one and done deal. But it sure is nice to celebrate the significant goals achieved. (Because we all know life is hard and it’s the little moments that make it sparkle) well done kmac1!

Lily2024 first, congrats on making a positive life changing decision. My advice to you is if you go into your RNY with the strongest foundation possible then that is the best case as you have weeks of lower calories and activity. That said, there can be arguments made to which is better: weights vs cardio? I think a balanced approach between the 2 is always prudent. At the end of the day, the best workout plan is the one you stick to! So most importantly stick with what you enjoy so you are motivated to stay committed to the plan and pick back up when your recovery plan allows. Hope that makes sense. Generally I work out 5-6 days a week which involves mix of weights and cardio. Training for the Ironman, I spent most time focusing on the 3 disciplines: swim, bike and run. In hindsight, I wish I would have made strength training more of.a priority in that process to help with foundational strength
and recovery. But I chalk that up to lessons learned!

Learn2cook: thank you and yes I have plenty of pictures of my progress. Journaling is an area of which I need to improve but I have started jotting down some notes. 

As for other goals, yes! My current goal is to get back to normal or whatever my new normal is. It’s funny how life hands you tests along the way. On 10./29, I suffered from an Ischemic stroke where clots hit 2 parts of my brain. Turns out I have a hole in my heart that’s a birth defect. I have my issues but it could’ve been much worse. A blessing was going into the stroke being in such good health. Had I still been obese, I may not be here today. So now I need to channel my Ironman attitude into putting in the work towards my recovery. So my fitness journey isn’t over but surely has taken a Detour. But attitude and effort are the only things I can control so I will do what it takes.

Good luck in your journey!