Question:
Just some good news to share!
I always love these kinds of posts so I thought I'd share some of my good news for a change following a truly excruciating month-long plateau. Thursday night I desperately needed some beef jerky (because my protein was low, according to my latest blood test) and my always-exhausted but very sweet boyfriend didn't feel like accompanying me to the grocery store. It struck me that this was an opportunity to try something I've been flipping around in my head recently. I decided to try to run there...which is saying a lot for me. I exercise hard everyday but I haven't run in at least 12 years. I wear a DDD bra even now and I've got arthritis everywhere. We were both unsure if I could actually achieve a vigorous run to the end of the block without collapsing, but I've been working out hard for months and decided it couldn't hurt (too badly) to give it a try. The run was only about a half mile roundtrip and to my genuine astonishment I did it. Made confident by this minor, though shocking success, I decided to run the following morning. I threw on the first pair of shorts I've owned in 10 years and ran and then, like Forest Gump, just kept on running. Good Friday indeed! Of course it was excruciating and harder than I remembered but I ran an entire mile and a half without stopping. Had it been a race or a race for my life, I most certainly would have come in last or dead, but it was a major triumph nonetheless. I felt exhilarated! Thrilled, I ran Saturday morning, too. Over the course of those three days I broke a month long plateau and lost another 3 pounds. I thought I was done! I also fit into a size 8 pair of jeans, wore a bathing suit (borrowed from my skinny sister) in public, and discovered that I weigh LESS than it says on my driver's license. And that weight was a WHOPPER of a lie a few years ago. All in all a very satisfying weekend. What a difference a few thousand dollars, a major surgery and 7 1/2 short months can make! Please share your stories with all of us (we need them!!) and have a great week! And try something you didn't think you could do. The results can be truly astonishing! XOXO Jen — jenpatalano (posted on April 12, 2004)
April 12, 2004
Jennifer,
What an inspiration you are. I am about 18 months out and to be honest I
hadn't tried running yet. I am going out this evening when I get home and
give it a try. I am down to about 130 pounds so there is really not reason
to not try other than "I haven't run in YEARS"!!! Keep up the
good work and thanks for the little push.
Deb D.
— debbie11092002
April 12, 2004
jen congratulations on you cool weekend. I am one yaer post op and the
first time I went running I was so wobbly on my feet I actually fell and
banged myself up pretty bad, and to make matters worse I didn't tell my
husband I was going running and it was at night. I was in big trouble when
I got home. I'm still running and with great succsus, just be safe and
don't over do it. love Jodie
— Jodie S.
April 12, 2004
I was in orthopaedic shoes before WLS. Now, I'm getting ready to run my
first 10K race (I'm sure I'll be at the back of the pack, but I'll just be
happy to finish). It *can* be done!<P>Be sure to get some good
running shoes before you get too caught up in it, though -- you'll want to
take good care of your feet!
— Suzy C.
April 12, 2004
I'm soo happy for you! And happy to hear your story as most recently, I
too, have been longing to run. Why? I don't know. Have I ever in my life
ran before? No, so I still question my will to run. Thus far all I've done
is talk about it, maybe because I am not sure how to run, or maybe because
I think I'll look stupid "trying" to run. But you know what, I'm
going to do it. Thanks for the inspiration.
— Dee ,.
April 12, 2004
Hi there, Jennifer! Congrats on your very brave experience. I am one of
those chickens who used to think that if I run, it should be used when
running away from someone! LOL. The last time I did any true kind of
running, I was 9. I get tempted to try but I am terribly afraid of getting
black eyes, I am still larger on top. But seeing that you are as well,
maybe that will motivate me to attempt it. Thanks for sharing your good
news! Vi open RNY 9/23/02 down 140 lbs.
— Vi F.
April 12, 2004
Jen, WAY TO GO! Congratulations. I am proud for you.Keep up the good work.
Janice VBG 215/125 at goal.
— betterfitness
April 12, 2004
Congrats Jen!! Since lossing weight, I also started having strange
thoughts of jogging...I have never jog before - I guess I thought that was
an exercise only for thin people. Well, for my New Year's commitment, this
year, I started jogging! I am up to 3 miles a day and to my amazment, a
couple of weeks ago, ran in my first 5K race!! But the best part, the
weight has starting falling off again! Who would have thought!! Good luck
with continuing your new lifestyle!! Danette
— Danette C.
April 13, 2004
Congratulations. I have not had my surgery yet but I am going to add
running to my list of things I want to do when I lose weight. I haven't
done that since I was a child. I bet it will be an incredible rush. Thanks
for sharing your inspiring story.
— Donna F.
April 13, 2004
Hi, Jen. congratulations and thank you for sharing your story. It is very
encouraging. I am 3 mo post op and down 60 pounds. I am feeling much
better, but I have been on a plateau for about 3 wks. and it is such a
downer. It's stories like yours that get us through the tough times. Hey
I'm happy to be able to buckle my seat belt without the extension. I'm
flying on 4/22 and hope I won't need an extension on the plane either.
Keep up the great work. Blessings,
— Carolyn B.
April 13, 2004
Jen, that is wonderful. You are so right we should really share our
"magic moments" with each other. Your story really brought a
smile to my face. :-)
— Vida W.
April 13, 2004
Thanks so much for your comments everyone! What a lift you've given me
this morning as I sit in my windowless ant-infested nonprofit office
working my poor sagging tailfeathers very nearly off (for a great cause, of
course). I'm so glad we all have one another to inspire us and make us
feel something close to normal, maybe even better than normal, maybe even
Special. I just ran again this morning and I ran yesterday after work. It
isn't easy, especially the black eye part discussed by an earlier poster,
but when it's done and the swelling has gone down, wow am I proud. Keep up
all of your outrageously hard work and please don't forget to share your
stories. I love to hear them. XOXO Jen
— jenpatalano
April 13, 2004
Wow Jennifer!!!! You have inspired me to run!!! I have been toying with
the idea in my head for the past couple of months and about a month ago, I
had to run a few steps to cross a street and, lo and behold, it didn't hurt
my knees, ankles, or any other part of myself and it actually made me feel
"light on my feet". I'm going to put on some running shoes and
go out there and test myself. Thank you!!!!!
— [Deactivated Member]
April 13, 2004
Well Jennifer "moma said life was like a box of choco-lites", but
she never said we had to eat them eh? KEEP UP THE RUNNING IT DOES A BODY
GOOD - get good supportive sneakers and garmets so you don't stress your
joints or body.
— Anna M.
April 13, 2004
Totally Awesome Jennifer....I've wanted to try running but have been
hesitant, but since reading your post I'm going to try it myself. I think
it's fantastic that you finally, "Got Your Box of Chocolates"!!!
Deborah
— Deborah
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