Weight Loss Surgery Forums

If you just happen to have a little dust on your running or walking shoes, chances are you won't for very long after reading these inspiring stories by OH members who are training for, striving for, and for some, accomplishing one incredible goal: Their goal is to run a 5K!

Some OH members may have set their goal to run a 5K for personal fitness accomplishments, still others for a sense of community, or to raise money for a certain charity. Whatever their reasons may be for wanting to run a 5K, they are proving that with the right clothes, a good pair of running shoes, and a lot of hard work and determination, anything is possible. And for those still in the midst of their running goals, there is yet another message: Never Give Up!

We asked OH members who set their goal (in the OH Goals System) to run a 5K, to share their thoughts and experiences, and even their struggles within their journey to reach the very goal that they may have set two years, one year, or just a few months ago. We thank them for sharing their journey as their insights, their very words, will help to inspire us all to be the best we can be within our own weight loss journey and in reaching the personal goals we have set for ourselves.

To all of you still working on reaching your 5K Goal-we are here cheering you on!

And to all of you who have accomplished your 5K goal-congratulations! Well-done friends!

OH MEMBERS SHARE THEIR 5K GOAL EXPERIENCES

Michael Peckman
"For someone who once weighed 506.5 pounds to be able to run a 5K was the ultimate goal of mine. I now weigh around 290 pounds and feel the best I have in my entire adult life.

I achieved my goal of running the B.A.A. 5K (http://www.baa.org/races/5k.aspx Boston Athletic Association – the same folks who run the Boston Marathon) on Sunday, April 15, 2012. I ran the race with eight other friends who all supported me and continue to support me on my weight loss journey, and came up with the idea of celebrating my success to this point by supporting me and running this event along with 6,000 other runners! My bib number was 2368, and I ran the race in 35:49. One of the coolest parts of the race was that it happened on the day before the Boston Marathon, the race course actually looped through Boston, and the finish line was the actual Boston Marathon finish line that was used the next day for the big race. What a feeling running that last two tenths of a mile to grandstands full of cheering people and through that famous blue finish line. Amazing!

A little about my journey to the race. I began training in October, 2011(8 months after RNY) at 343 pounds using the C25K.com program (highly recommended). I initially had trouble running for 60 seconds, and couldn't even imagine at that point being able to run for 30 minutes or more. Well after the nine week program, I was able to run for the 30 minutes and kept training right up until the race date. On race day, I was 296 pounds (another mini goal of mine to be under 300 pounds for the race!), and I still try to run three times a week for 2-3 miles at a time. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself running, never mind enjoying it! What a feeling! Like everyone always says, if I can do it, anyone can do it! I feel like I want to continue to train and keep going for a new PR on other 5Ks! Not sure if this journey will ever end now, nor do I think that I want it to!

Struggles: There were times when I didn't want to get up in the morning to train, but found that if only I pushed myself a bit and got myself into the gym that, once there, I was very happy that I did it. Definitely a reward of feeling great for pushing myself on those tough days.

Weight loss surgery was no easy decision for me. In fact, it took two major health events to happen almost a year apart before I decided I needed to take control of my life and go forward with weight loss surgery. It was by far the best decision as far as my health that I have ever made in my life, and I would do it over again a thousand times. I am now managing my oldest daughter's softball team (undefeated with two games left!) and assistant coach for my younger daughter's team, and am loving every minute of it. The girls have trouble keeping up with me now, and I honestly was not able to do this and be this active just this time last year. I am literally full of life now, and there is no stopping me. I honestly feel like I can do and accomplish anything!"

Kimberleyann
"I am still in process of training for a 5K. I am following a C25K program on my phone. I have almost completed week three and not experiencing any difficulties yet, except that I am stalled since starting the program. I have a 5K planned at the end of June with my husband."

Nikki2092
"I reached my goal with the 5K three months after my surgery; it was a turkey trot YMCA Thanksgiving race. I finished in 46 minutes. I am participating in a family fun 5K this weekend. I enjoy the people at these races. I do not strain myself during these times because I do not want to injure myself. It is just a new activity to add to my lifestyle change. I would recommend this type of goal for anyone if only to change mind set and keep activity in the forefront of our minds."

SaraR
"I have not reached my goal yet. I have postponed the goal until I build up more endurance. I injured my foot during week three of the C25K program. It took five weeks to heal, so I turned to biking instead. The C25K program is a great way to build yourself up to running, but please be careful. Take care of your body, go slow, and try to decide if you should try other less intensive activities before you move up to the C25K program. There is the 'Ease Into 5K' program as well if you are set on running a 5K."

Paul C
"I achieved my goal of running a 5K. For me, this was a different goal than completing a 5K. When I set out to complete a 5K, it was just to finish the distance, but it was the first step in getting to my goal of running a 5K. I set my goal to run a 5K as a result of doing a Christmas time 5K with my then 9-year-old son. He beat me in my second, and his first, 5K. This was the point where I realized I was not, and hadn't been, a very good role model to my family. Even though I had already had surgery, walked and tried to run daily, I just wasn't the role model I knew I could be, so I set the goal of actually running the entire 5K distance.

I chose the first 5K I would run for two very different, but equally motivating reasons. The 5K I chose was a time qualifier for Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race, the world's largest 10K, which had become my next goal. The bigger reason was that it was in support of childhood brain cancer, and my cousin's teenage daughter had just completed her last round of chemo for brain cancer. In Las Vegas, they have the Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer Foundation, and my family had completed that annual 5K with a massive turnout in support of my cousin's daughter, starting Team Kenzie for that 5K. I was unable to participate due to the fact I live on the other side of the country, but I said the first 5K I ran would be in support of Team Kenzie. Well, I actually did run the whole 5K. It wasn't easy for me, and at many times I wanted to quit, but I knew that if I quit I would be letting myself down. So I pushed through and finished running my first 5K 33 minutes and 23 seconds after I started. My wife and two sons were at the finish line smiling like I had never seen them smile. I knew that I had accomplished more than a 5K goal, but was on the path to being the husband, and more importantly the father, my family could be proud of.

I am always on a journey to reach a fitness goal even before I achieve my current goal. As I approach a current goal, I have already put in place my next goal. As I got close to achieving my 5K goal, I set a new goal to do a 10K and as the 10K approached, I set my goal to do a half marathon. My next goal to accomplish that I am currently working towards is to complete a Half Ironman Triathlon (70.3). This goal will be completed on Sept 30th, at which point I will start training for my goal after that, which is the Louisville Full Ironman (140.6).

Struggles: I have had many struggles along the way and still struggle with a number of things. My two biggest struggles are diet and injuries. As a WLS person, we are told to focus on protein and eat a protein forward diet, but when doing endurance length events, such as these, the danger of not enough carbs and not having the proper fuel to get us through a race or even training session becomes a reality. Weekends will see me running up to 13 miles or cycling 40+ miles, all of which require fuel. I try and tailor my diet to what I have tomorrow or the day after, rather than what I have done. But this is a daily battle as I typically train for 2-3 hours a day, 5-6 days a week.

The support in the post-op nutrition really doesn't exist for people that undertake this type of lifestyle and we are pretty much left to figure out what works on our own. There is a small community of post-ops that have taken this lifestyle, and we rely on each other for information and guidance, but for the most part, we are isolated from the WLS community at large because our dietary needs are not typical post-op needs.

My other struggle is injury; anything from over training to torn hamstrings due to inadequate diet and recovery. The drive not to fail is powerful. I ran my last half marathon with what I believed was a leg cramp. I didn't want to quit and fail, so I pushed through. Two days later, I was at the ER and informed I had a partially torn hamstring not a simple cramp.

I learned very early on that in my new life I didn't need to let a number on a scale define who I was. My accomplishments and the person I have become is so much more than a number on a scale. I don't focus on my BMI, but admit I do have a weight that I am happy at and strive to maintain. I have learned that life is so much more about existing and that when we are out living life and experiencing what we never believed possible, we will have a positive influence on those around us.

In my journey for a healthy and fit life, I have become a role model for my family and friends. I have friends who aren't WLS people setting their goal of finishing a 5K and asking my help to do it. I am a role model for my children, and my oldest would rather go run a race with his dad than sleep in on a Saturday.

I have learned that none of this would have been possible without the support of those I now influence. As for shout-outs to those who helped get me to the point I am in my journey, they are numerous. Dr Paul Macik I owe my life to. He believed I was able to change my life and preformed my RNY. Lynne Winnie from The Atlanta Bariatric Center has become a friend in my journey. Paula Duncan from Northside Hospital Forsyth Support Group calls upon her resources to try and get me the advice and guidance I need to obtain my goals, however crazy she believes they may be. The biggest shout-outs need to go to my fellow post-ops from the Exercise and Fitness forum:

- Dan Benintendi, four time Ironman finisher.
- Jillian O'Malley, multiple Half Ironman and Ironman finisher has encouraged and advised me on my journey to these goals. She even drove five hours to compete in and cheer me on in my frst Triathlon.
- Andrew Micelli, Ironman and triathlete. Inspires and reminds me that with the work, we are able to achieve our goals.
- Bill McArthur, who I train and race with on a regular basis. If we are in a race together, I know I will hear him cheering me on at some point. Usually as I approach the finish line, he is chilling out already having finished.

All have blazed the trail and show what is possible if we work hard enough."

ACBbrown
"When I first started my weight loss journey, my goal was to start running, and a 5K was the first milestone/goal I set along the way. A month prior to my surgery (after losing 85 lbs pre-op), I walked a 5K event, and at that point, I told myself that next year I would come back and do the same event and run it. During the course of that year, I worked my way up to running. It was difficult because after being 420 lbs my knees and feet had some issues, so I could not be as consistent as I wanted to be, but I kept at it, and ultimately was able to run a 5K distance. I registered for the same event, but decided to go big and registered for a 10K distance with the thought of running the first 5K and walking the rest. But, not only did I run that 5K, I ran the whole 10K course. Goal accomplished plus some! It was by far one of my best moments to cross the finish line and realize that in one year, I went from barely being able to walk a 5K to running a 10K. It has been a struggle to balance nutrition for weight loss versus supporting my fitness endeavors, and while my weight loss may have been slower than some, I am very proud of the fitness levels I have achieved. I try to encourage everyone to be active because not only does it help with weight loss, it's very motivating to see what we can do with our bodies, and see what we can accomplish when we set goals. For those of us that start out as super morbidly obese, there are no excuses why we can't become athletes if that's what we want.

Here is a link http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/fitness/4529070/My-first-race-event-with-OH-peps-ACBbrown-and-eFernandez/ to a race report from the exercise and fitness board with the story and some pictures (I am the one in the green tank top – there is a finish line picture). It's been incredible to meet friends from OH to join me and encourage me in meeting my goals.

Cheryl W.
"_Yes_, I did achieve my 5K goal, and actually went beyond and ran my first 10K right before Thanksgiving. That was at 11 months post RNY. Since then, I've been doing bupkis. I don't know why. I haven't reached my goal weight either. I got within seven pounds and then quit trying. Again, don't know why. I feel great, I feel normal, even at a category considered overweight. I am disappointed with myself for not having reached my goal weight.

I am working out in a half-hearted manner, and I'm trying to get motivated to train for another 10K. Honestly, running is the fastest way to burn calories and get the workout over with. I don't really like to exercise, but I feel so much better when I do. I usually train at my apartment gym, get up at 5 a.m., and workout 4-5 days per week before work. I'm older, over 50, and the knees start to twinge, so I baby them a bit. I try and jog three days per week, cross train on the elliptical or bike the other days, and do the weight machines.

I've tried to bribe myself for motivation. It doesn't work. I just reward myself regardless if I achieved my goal. I've tried to punish myself too. It doesn't work. I take the punishment (like doing something I hate... cleaning the bathroom or such).

What I think works best for me is to commit to my goal to someone else (just OH online doesn't do it, cause I can ignore y'all). But if I get someone to commit to an event and do it with me, like a 5K, then I strive not to disappoint, and I will put in the effort for someone else, but not myself. How does that make sense? I don't know.

I moved from the town where I had my surgery, so I don't have a support group now. In fact, no one knows in my new circle of co-workers that I was obese. Now, I'm just a regular pudgy girl who dresses up even when the dress code is super casual (because I can, stuff fits, and I never could before!).

So, it's still a struggle for me. I still "diet" in that I cycle through periods of logging every calorie and exercise, then go off plan and eat tons of carbs and a bit of wine. Then I get disgusted and go back to the "diet" cycle. Not as an extreme of a yo-yo, but there's still the yo-yo mentality in my psyche. I now know what is meant by the RNY as a tool. It's not the absolute solution, but it does keep me in check. I can't binge like I used to, so I do have a physical stopping point that I hadn't in the past. But what it isn't is instant skinny, and losing weight and maintaining the loss is still a lot of effort. Maybe too, I'm disappointed that this hasn't been the perfect solution, so that's why I've been off OH for a while. I'm not at goal, and I don't know that I have it in me to get there. Then again, maybe I need to get back more often to get that kick in the pants needed to push it to the finale."

Camille
"At surgery I weighed 330lbs. I started running at 220lbs. My workouts were mostly on the elliptical up until then. I did five to six miles on the elliptical. I always wanted to be athletic and that has been my focus throughout this weight loss journey. I set my sights on running and a 5K was my big first goal.

I began on the track at the gym. It takes 14 laps to make a mile. So I would walk a lap, then run a lap for a mile. After a week, I was running the entire mile. Three weeks later I was running 3.2 miles all the way. It took me an hour and 15 minutes but it was progress! Along those few weeks my knees were getting sore. I was really worried. I had the great fortune to have met a seasoned marathon runner with 40 years experience at my gym. Her name is Soyla and she is from Puerto Rico. She told me to only run twice a week and to do the rest of my training on the elliptical which has no impact. She said to make sure I got plenty of protein and to take Glucosamine Chondroitin. She also told me that when I run, I should concentrate on having my thighs carry most of the impact and use them for speed and strength. Her advice was GOLDEN! It worked like a charm! I even do Zumba now and have no joint issues at all!

On April 21 of this year, at 186lbs., I ran my first official 5K. My 13 year old daughter, Ariel, ran with me and we had such a great time! My aim was to run the whole race and finish. I not only achieved that, but I finished with my best time ever at 47 minutes and I wasn't last! I had tears streaming down my face as I crossed that finish line. People were cheering and my daughter was proud of me! Just to brag, Ariel came in 2nd in her division! They only had three winning places in each division and I found out later from one of the race officials, that recognized me at my gym, that I was 4th in my division. Yea, I cried again! I am going to run another race next month and I just cant wait!

One of my favorite exercise routines right now is Zumba. I still run three times a week and I still work out on the elliptical almost everyday, but I also Zumba almost everyday. It is SO MUCH FUN! I highly recommend it especially to folks who just hate to exercise. You can burn 500 to 1200 calories in an hour of just moving and dancing and smiling!

I hope that you find my story useful and I hope that it inspires at least one person out there! Set your goals, dream BIG and work steadily to get there. My "Mantra" when I'm working out is: I had to change my anatomy to achieve my goals so GO HARD OR GO HOME! I challenge myself daily and I'm living my dreams!"

A Shout-Out To My Surgeon!
"My surgeon (Dr. Sajani "Sunny" Shah) from Tufts Medical Center in Boston is hands down the most incredibly talented surgeon, and one of the most amazing women that I have ever met. She has made this journey as easy as it possibly could have been, and was there to answer any questions and help me out over every obstacle along the way. Even with some complications immediately following surgery, I always felt that she had the situation under control and that no matter what would get me through it. I highly recommend anyone in the Boston area considering weight loss surgery make a call to the Tufts Weight and Wellness Center and ask to speak with Dr. Shah. They won't be sorry! - Michael Peckman

"Dr. Landerholm is an incredible surgeon. My recovery was quick with no complications. This helped me get back on my feet and start feeling better sooner. His whole team, from nurses to nutrition and fitness, has always had my best interest at heart. So when it came time to postpone the dream of running a 5K, they urged me to pick up another goal, biking, which still can be difficult, but as the pounds melt away. When I do my daily rides, I get stronger and stronger. I hope to have the endurance to start the C25K program again soon." - SaraR

"I kick off the 'Sunday Morning Weigh In' on the Men's forum, so I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout-out to all my friends on the forum who have not only helped me through the hard times, but who inspire me each in their own unique ways!" - Michael Peckman