Two words: Runners' Trots? -Beth Very Impressed.

So, You all know that I'm dreaming of becoming a runner. And I did my first 5k back on Mother's Day. Well, it hasn't been the easiest going since then. Work and weddings and moving in my sweetie has gotten into my way and so I have not been as religious about my runs as I need to be. My next big goal is to run the Twin Cities 10 mile event as part of the Twin Cities Marathon. This is a total possibility, but as it is a very good distance for beginners, and yet nice and long for people who don't want to lose their life to marathon training (hello - 4 hour runs for marathon training!) it is VERY popular, and ergo hard to get into. Well, anyway, last night my run club the ******g Lazy *****es Club (FLBC) Running Club decided to cheat and go to the free Running Room run club. (They're every Wed night at 6:30 pm and Sunday mornings at 8:30 am). They have many different levels including "I suck, please take mercy on me" and have a loving policy of "no man gets left behind" - so even if you're going uber slow, walking off a charlie horse, or just aren't feeling the groove - someone will keep you company as you finish out at whatever pace you can muster. I really liked the run club - and Free is my favorite 4 letter F word. . .(Well. . .one of them anyway). What I found out is this: 1. They have a training class that will teach me how to run so I will be TOTALLY prepped for the Twin Cities 10 mile run in October. 2. If I sign up for the class I'm guaranteed a spot in the TC 10 run - since Running Room Sponsors it. *squee!* No dealing with the Lottery (yes my friends, so many people want to run this beautiful course that several hundred get rejected every year) 3. Signing up for the class (which I DID!) gave me a free running shirt (uber cute too, light purple) that wicks sweat and makes me look and feel like a real runner. 4. The class meets on Thursdays at 6:30, and runs with the free run clubs on Wed and Sunday too. So now I'm scheduled to get my runs in at a time that is convenient and with a group of people who are supportive and will keep me motivated. 5. There's a 5k run for the Aquatennial on July 20th. Signing up is only 17 bucks, and I got a free running shirt (another one!) just for signing up at the store (these shirts are like 30 bucks, so this is a good deal). A 5k is what my normal Wed training run is anyway, so I basically just bought a shirt 6. My sweetie and running club are planning on doing all this with me. 7. Apparently this is the BEST way to get prepped for Grandma's Marathon next year. When I told my run leader of that being my big goal he said - You can TOTALLY do it! This will put you on plan to get it done - even the time off for plastics healing shouldn't disrupt it, as long as I'm steady the rest of the year. So - I'm doing a 5k on July 20th, I'm registered for Running Clinic to teach me how to become a better runner, and I'm guaranteed a spot in the Twin Cities 10 Mile run in October - I just have to send in my registration and 50 bucks. GO ME! Did I mention I frickin LOVE this surgery? ~Lara

Preop High: 400+ Surgery Weight: 355 Lowest Seen Weight: 186 Current Weight and Goal Weight: 190 I'm 6'3" tall - so I'm a "heavyweight" even though I'm in size 10/12. I exercise 30 minutes every day - just walking. I do vigorous exercise at least 2 times a week - more often 3-5. I run, bike, powershop, have relations (hey, every workout counts!), hike, powerwalk, or other. (Move my girlfriend seems to be my most frequent recent workout! - 3 flights of stairs in the dog days of summer anyone?) I don't think I'm losing another lb until I start training hardcore for my 10 mile run in October. . .yes I know I'm getting started on that now. . . - 3 miles tonight). I lost in fits and starts the whole way down. 3 weeks nothing, 1 week WOAH LOSS! 3 weeks nothing, 1 week CRAZY LOSING - the whole ride down. Now I'm riding the maintain train. Don't really care if I lose another lb. For me it's all about adjusting my diet to my activity level. On days I don't work out my body analyst says I get 1800 calories (I have a high metabolism). On days I do work out I get 2400 calories. (Yum!) I throw up 2-3 times a week. . .with the occasional week off for good behavior. It's not that predictable other than - eating too fast, not chewing enough, overfill or too high of a fat content all seem to set me off. I blame myself when it happens, but since it's mostly just the foamy/gloppy jellyfish looking stuff I don't worry too much about it. I get in my water and my vitamins daily. I want plastics in December - circumferential body lift and hooter install. (Full Bs are the dream). Wish all the best, ~Lara

Louanne, I kind of stick to a schedule I eat breakfast between 7:30 and 8, which is either a cup of oatmeal (I like the apples and cinnimon reduced sugar kind) or my old reliable carb countdown yogurt. I eat lunch about 1:00 pm and dinner between 4:30 and 6. I do not really snack but if I am still hungry before I go to bed I may grab some cheese and crackers, or small bowl of cerial. Again this is not a planned schedule just seems to be my daily routine. Lori

Amen and Amen! I agree with everything you said! Back when I was last regular on this board, Beth was doing a "what did you eat today" post that helped me to be accountable in a "semi-public" forum. I don't suppose we have enough regulars now to do that though. Anyway, maybe I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the warm reception. Ronda