11 month celebration - triathlon

Hi, my name's Laura. I had my surgery June 21st of last year. My 11 months is May 21st, so I've decided to celebrate it by competing in a triathlon. It's not those huge ironmans, but it's a start. I've been training 6 days a week for it, and can't believe the improvement I've seen! I'm currently down 110 lbs, have MAYBE 5 more to go. That's not including some extra, annoying skin that I'll probably have removed in the next year. That's another 5 lbs, I'll betcha. Last year I was 270lbs, now I'm down to 160, and I've become a bicycling geek. The swim portion of the triathlon has me panicked, because I've never swam with people before, but it's the first event, so I'll get it over with quickly. I'm a little creeped out by the fact that I'm enjoying running. I never enjoyed running before! It was always torture! Creepy. I have more energy that I know what to do with. I'm like a smurf on expresso. My poor partner can't keep up with me, so I've been SHOVED out of the house with stern instructions to "go work out and don't come back til you're tired!" I can't belive the difference this year had made. I started in 44 jeans (men's size), now I'm down to 31. That's a 10 in women's, isn't it? So I was a 24 or 26 I think before surgery. The worst part is my bra size. I started in a 44DD. The other day, I bought a bra that fits, and it's a 36B. A 'B'!!! Those can stop shrinking now, thank you very much. Of course, I'm also fighting major plateaus, since I'm so close to my goal weight. I'd like to just hurry up and lose those last 5 or 10 lbs, and call it done! I think a good portion of you know what I mean, because this is annoying! I plateau for a month or so, drop 5 lbs, plateau another month, drop 5 lbs. ERGH!! Anyway, wish me luck, I have less than a month to go, then I'll be competing against those skinny, athletic women who have been doing this for years, and I'm determined to kick the patootie of at least ONE of them!

Hi Laura....Good for you!!!! I wish I had to nerve to do the same or even just a Good Run....My sister entered herself in a Run just about 11 months after her surgery...She may not have come in first, but at least she finished.... I was so proud of her... Keeo up the good work. I just know you will drop the last of the weight you want to in all good time..And don't worry about all those skinny women who have been running for years...We(the ones who have nothing to gain, but self worth) know just how important this is for you....Good Luck. Karen RNY6-30/288-139-135 soon

Hi Laura, Hasn't it been a truly AMAZING 11 months! My surgery was a week before yours on June 14 and I'm down 140 pounds, from a size 24 to a size 4 pants and small tops. Like you my boobs deflated big time and I'm also wearing a size 36B bra now. But hey, look around the gym and see that all athletic women have small chests. And yes, we can refer to ourselves as "skinny athletic women" now. We are lean, mean fat burning machines and we love to exercise....hahahah....I'm actually passing on my mid-day work out today and going out to lunch. Sometimes it's fun to shock the body and not work out on schedule. I actually have lost more weight than I weigh now, which seems very strange. I've lost 140 pounds and I weigh 136. I'm also down to losing the last 5 or 6 pounds. Actually I wouldn't mind even going a few pounds below my goal of 130 pounds to allow for that bloating we all get sometimes. Good luck with your training! You are an inspiration to all of us! Terry Coles 276/136/130 soon

Ok, quick update. I noticed online about a week ago that there was a triathlon pn May 7th in a neighboring town. So for grins and giggles I signed up. Today I had my first triathlon, and I didn't tank! After the swim and the bike, I was in 9th place, but I'm a rotten runner, so I ended up in 20th place out of 50 women. I'm content. I have a second triathlon in two weeks, and I'm excited about it. I enjoyed today a LOT, and can't wait to compete again. What a feeling! I could physically accomplish a triathlon and still feel good! Which is good, because I was scheduled to work today at 2:30 in the afternoon. So, I'm worn out, and ready to head to bed. But!! What a great day! I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome!