Carb Musings from a Two Year Post-Op Runner

It's no secret of how much I like to exercise (running, elliptical, weightlifting , pretty much anything but a group class - not into that much). As I've been training for a half marathon on November 21st, I had my last lonnnnnng run this past weekend and in the days proceeding, I could barely finish my 4-milers - what was this? I was doomed if I couldn't even do 4-miles, right? My friend (who also runs but has lost 75 lbs w/o WLS) encouraged me to eat more carbs.

No, I couldn't. I already eat around 150 per day and carbs are the devil -- right? But she has never counted carbs and has lost weight. So for three days, I averaged around 300-400 carbs per day and do you know that I ran for 8 miles on Saturday and didn't even feel fatigued? (the only reason I stopped and didn't do my planned 11 was b/c my cell phone rang and I had to go to work to handle an emergency -- another topic)...

Who knew? Carbs aren't the enemy!!!!! Refined carbs - not so good but apples, bananas, **gasp** even a baked potato, are good for us!!! I just thought this was an amazing revelation to me since we're all in anti-carb mode.

Got a couple questions.  My surgery was 8/23 and I lost alot of my wt b4 surgery.  Since surgery I go in spurts.  If I eat carbs I MIGHT loose 1 lb a week...very little carbs and I can loose 5-6lbs per week...my dietician says that we should be STRICTLY low carb for 12-18 months after surgery.  This is difficult for me because I am a carb person and actually my pouch feels better when I eat grits or baked potato as opposed to a protein meat.  How did you loose the bulk of your wt?...how many carbs did you eat when you were loosing?  Finding it hard to stay very low carb but not loosing when I don't...so confused and frustrated!!!  Thanks!

In weight loss mode, I ate no more than 100 carbs per day (usually around 60 or less and definitely more protein grams than carbs). But I also wasn't as active as I am now. yes, I did exercise but not as intensely or lifting as much weight.

Everyone is different but here's my advice: until you're super close to your goal weight (I used goal weight b/c 'goal' can mean many things) or unless you are super active, follow your dietician's advice. If I didn't exercise the way i do, I would gain in a heartbeat - you're intake and output have to have that right formula. Eat that protein sister!

I usually always have a banana before a weight lifting session. Either that or I have 1/2 at the beginning and 1/2 partway through. If you pay attention to your body, you can FEEL when your glycogen stores are gone.

so true my friend..so so true. It's amazing how in-tuned you become to your body in this process, too!

Interesting post.  I really try to treat carbs like the devil, but I do notice that a stall is broken when I have carbs..and even **gasp** simple carbs. 

I have been preparing for my first 5k post op (I participated in 5Ks preop and walked a 10K several weekends ago) and I find that I am dog tired lately.  I notice that I struggle through running days in a row when  I cut calories and carbs too low...

It's so true. When is your 5K?? WARNING: IT MAY BE COME ADDICTIVE!

It may become addictive? 

Shhheeeet...running is my drug now!  And the local running shoe store is my pushaman!!!

I have to avoid simple carbs. I don't avoid complex carbs, it's just that I am still at the point that I get very full on the protein and don't have a lot of room left for much else.

Well hell, I guess I need to start running to burn off all the damned Cheezits that I keep eating! My problem is, when I run, EVERYTHING BOUNCES...my boobs, my panni, what the heck can I do to control THAT? Is there some sort of miracle spandex device that I can buy? Help!