FOUND??? THE ELUSIVE ENDORPHINS???

hi all: about a month ago a posted a question, hoping to find out what endorphins feel like. i may be , but i think i've found mine. and i thought i'd share what they feel like since i had no idea a month ago and figure maybe someone else might like to hear what i've found. first of all the little critters are elusive. it takes me almost ten minutes before i feel anything - that's why i guess i couldn't before - i wasn't able to stay on track that long ( to my surgeon) secondly i put a wind chime and a small tv in front of my treadmill. the tv distracts me and keeps me from getting bored. the wind chime reminds me to BREATHE. the deep breathing seems to help release the elusive endorphin. thirdly, i don't sweat buckets - like i used to. now, i get a 'sheen' of perspiration along with goosebumps. then i feel the rush or inner sense of well being that i've always heard described but never felt. it makes me feel that i want the workout TO CONTINUE. it lets me LOOK FORWARD to it enough that i don't dread getting back on the treadmill (as much). thus far, it's not all that. but it is enough for me to go back and keep trying, and for that i am truly grateful. so now i'm asking the board - am i right? are these the elusive endorphins? do they get better and better as you keep exercising (please say yes) thanks for any and all input. HAPPY NEW YEAR dorthe

Hi Dorthe! Endorphins??? Cool!!! Being an overweight woman for the past 20 years..I learned to roll my eyes at the "fitness freaks" that would talk about how the work-out gives them "a high" Beings that exercise was never my thing...I could never understand how people can get up early in the morning...and hurry off the the gym or brave the elements to go work-out. I think you have discovered another key element in this thing they call weight loss surgery.....exercise can turn into a delight!!! That is great news...of course for me right now...getting up to go to the bathroom sends my heart palpitating. Because of my blood thinners that I am on for my blood clot..the doctors don't want me jumbling around..as it may cause the blood clot to travel to places like the heart or the brain. I am happy to report the loss of 35 lbs which disappeared by itself. I wish the rest of my weight-loss would come this easy...Of course it won't..but pretty good for almost 6 weeks out! Congrads to you Dorothe....You have come a LONG way baby! Hugs, Virginia aka Ginger

hi ginger: 35 lbs in six weeks is AWESOME. i'm glad they're proactively treating your blood clot, girl. the meds don't make for a pleasant experience, but you'll get past this challenge, i'm sure, and be ready to move on to the next step on your journey. i remember thinking after surgery, when i had a cast on my broken leg, that i was blowing my 'window of opportunity' and my journey would not be a great one. but if i can get past that and find success, i know you can too. just please take care of yourself for right now - PLEASE. thanks for the kudos, ginger. i truly appreciate it. dorthe

Hi Ginger: I wanted to say I know how those blood clots feel, they are not great no matter where they popup in the body. Are yours in your legs? I had 3 bouts with blood clots after I had my ovaries removed, it was caused by the HRT (homone replacement treatment), they tried 3 different times, and 3 different times I was in the hospital with clots. The 3rd time I told them they could keep there HRT, I did not want any more clots. Now, on the 9th of Jan, when I have my WLS they will be putting filters in the main arteries in both legs, since I have the past history with clots. Wish you a speedy recovery from the clots, and just take your time, you are doing great with the weight loss. And, Dorthe, YES you have found the mighty endorphins, aren't they great? I have an imbalance and some time those dorphins just kick in by their little ol' self and put me on a natural high, great isn't it. Everyone I hope you had a great New Year and a safe, healthy, Blessed rest of the year. Hugs, Lynda

Hi Lynda, Yes, my wonderful blood clot was found by a CT scan in the lower right lung. While I was still in the hospital after wls. I don't have a clue if it is dissolved or not....5 more months of testing .....my Coumiden testing keeps reading too high....it's kinda like a trial and error type thing. I guess it will be easier to treat when I am off these antiboitics...which will be TOMMORROW...Oh, and BTW none of you lovely SMO friends volunteered to take my meds for me!!! (You know I'm kiddin' right???) Gotta liven things up around here. Lynda, best of luck with your upcoming wls...I just know your come through with flying colors!!! Keep us up to date! Hugs, Virginia aka Ginger (DOWN with Blood Clots!!!)

(((((((((((((DORTHE AND GINGER)))))))))))))))))))) You guys are both AWESOME I have a feeling that 2006 is going to be YOUR YEAR!!!!! I am truly grateful to have met the both of you!! willby

Willby! You have been such a great friend and support to me whenever I seemed to need it! You made me cry cutie! Here's to a new year 2006 of staying positive about EVERYTHING in our life! Love, Ginger

Dorthe, I'm glad you've embraced what I've been preaching. Exercise has myriad benefits far beyond aiding weight loss. I drive away from the gym every day feeling as if I can do anything. That matters far more to me than what the scale says. Best of luck. Kasey 365/210 (nonop)

Dorthe, Woohoo, sounds like you found some endorphins! There is a good news/bad news thing to endorphins and exercise. The good news is, yes the endorphins keep getting better and you can actually feel addicted to them so that you can't bear to miss exercise! I'm there right now for the first time ever!!! The bad news is, to keep getting the high from the endorphins and getting the real fat burning and body training in that you need, you must keep challenging yourself with harder things. So, for instance, if treadmill is your exercise of choice, gradually increase the speed and the incline until you do sweat buckets again. I also have to highly recommend adding in strength training 2 to 3 times a week. I meet with a trainer once every 6 weeks. He then gives me a new very challenging routine. I always think I'm going to die the first couple of weeks, then gradually by the end of 6 weeks it gets easy and it is time to meet with him again, then he challenges me again. I can really feel how my fitness is improving! Lori 384/263.5/168