I'm Below Average

I found some statistics on line that suggest that the average waist size of an American male is 37". Today I am wearing a size 36" jeans and they are a little big. I guess that means I below average. That is a first for me.

Other good news today... I passed my motorcycle license test today. I am now a licensed driver. I even rode my new bike home from the testing center. I was a bit nervous as we've had some rain and the roads were slick. I was also concerned about riding on the interstate. All went well though. I am looking forward to this new adventure on the open road.

As a result of the events in the paragraph above, I have a new drivers liscense with a new picture. WOW I look different.

Until later...
Ride on,
Marc

Wow Moments

I went to my sleep study Doctor last Friday (I'm having a study done tonight, Monday), and when the MD came in we talked about my weight loss etc. Over the years, I never really knew my highest weight, because I stopped weighing for several years. The MD started flipping through my chart and told me that the highest weight they had recorded was 370 lbs. WOW, the highest I knew was 360 lbs. On the day of surgery I was 351 lbs. Today, I am 241. Pretty amazing huh?

I bought a motorcycle this weekend. I've never had one before. It is a 1981 Honda CB750 Classic. I got it from a guy that was strapped for cash and need to sell the bike bad. I got it for $150.00. Yep that's right, $150.00. Yes, it runs. It runs good, and is looking much better with the elbow grease I am putting in. It didn't have a key, so I had to remove the ignition switch and have a key made. It cost me $22 to have two keys made. By the time I get everything fixed that needs fixing, I will have $300.00 in a really nice bike.

I guess I have officially begun my mid-life crisis.

Ride on,
Marc

Down Some More

I'm now down to 242 lbs. for a total loss of 109 lbs. since March 23, 2006.

Post more later.

Marc

Just Keep Running

I ran a complete mile today without stopping!

I had been really struggling with my stamina and decided to slow down a bit and see if that helped. It did! I was able to go much further than before.

After running the mile, I continued with the normal walk/run regimen.

It has been a good day,
Marc

Hellish Halloween

The Halloween sweets got the best of me. I sampled many of the chocolate delights in my kid's stash of candies. I think they were even better than I remembered. I felt some guilt for doing so, but not much.

This morning I was on the treadmill and ran further than I had previously without stopping. Then I continued with my walk/run regimen. I know my heart is getting stronger. It feels good to have my health returning.

On another note. My wife's work has a big celebration dinner this Thursday night at the local art museum. It is a suit and tie affair. So, I had to buy a suit. I am between a 44 and 46 regular coat and a 36/38 pant. I started out at a 58 coat and a 50 pant. Pretty cool huh?

Party on Wayne,
Marc

Update

It was a VERY busy weekend. It was supposed to be busy, just in a different way. My kids play soccer and both were to play this weekend, one in an all day Saturday and Sunday tournament. Due to bad weather on Friday, the tournament and other games were cancelled. YAHOO! FREE WEEKEND...sort of.

I had planned to take today, Monday, off to install an underground fence for our dogs. We decided to get a jump start on it Saturday. We got it all done. There was LOTS of up and down, bending over and on my knees work. I was a bit sore the next day, but not too bad at all. I also pressure washed part of the house. It was a beautiful day outside and we sure didn't waste it.

On another not, my sleep apnea must be improving because my c-pap is beginning to drive me crazy when previously, I could not sleep without it. The pressure has been waking me up and giving me serious dry mouth. I have a self adjusting machine, but apparently It is still too much. I have an appointment with my sleep MD later this month. Hopefully we will schedule another study and sooner rather than later I will be ridded of my machine. Oh what a happy day that will be.

That's all for now,
Marc

You Can Comment

I know there are folks reading my Blog, because they tell me occasionally. If you read, how about commenting every once in while so I can tell who is around.

Thanks,
Marc

Made if to the Century Mark

As posted previously, I had my fourth adjustment some two weeks ago. I then left town to help rebuild homes in Mississippi and finish off the week with some R&R at the beach. I did not have access to any scales so I didn't weight myself. When I returned home, I didn't make it to the gym until Tuesday of that this week. That is where I officially weigh myself. When I did, I was so please to see that I have finally made it to one of my mini goals and lost more than 100 lbs. Actually, as of today, I have lost 102 lbs. That means I have 23 more to go to make it to my initial goal weight and 48 to my dream weight.

I am still training for this 5K race in December. I am worried that I am not going to have enough stamina to run the entire thing. I am not worried about completing the race, I just don't know if I'll be able to run the whole thing. I am going to keep training and work a little harder at it for the next 5-6 weeks and see where I am then. I will be excited to complete it running or walking. It is certainly a far cry from 8 months ago when I got winded walking to the mailbox.

Take care all,
Marc

Fourth Adjustment

I had my fourth adjustment yesterday. I am up to 8cc's in a 10cc Vanguard band. No problems at all. Last night I had a bowl of chili for dinner and this morning a small bowl of Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal. I'm pretty tight, but not uncomfortable.

I have lost 2/3 of the weight I want to lose. I'm pretty darn happy with my results thus far.

Take care,
Marc

Do the Scales Lie?

I got on the scales at the gym this morning after working out. They say I am down to 249, which would mean I broke the 100 lb mark. I should be jumping for joy, but I'm actually a bit suspicious that the reading wasn't accurate. If it were true, it would mean that I've lost 5-6 lbs since Monday. Highly unlikely.

So, I'll wait to celebrate until I confirm with another weigh in on Friday.

Have a great day,
Marc

Need an Adjustment

Seems the stories of others enjoying bad food has begun to rub off on me. I've made some poor food choices in the last two weeks. My MD says that when people begin to make bad choices it is usually a sign that it is time for an adjustment.

So I scheduled one for Friday. I have pretty strong break through hunger between meals that cause me to snack too often. But that is the beauty of the lap-band...instead of giving in to the hunger, I can have the band adjusted and do away with the hunger.

I am so close to losing 100 lbs. I am at 97 lbs gone. I know that this adjustment will put me over the edge.

I continue to train for the 5K race in December. I am able to run about 40% of 3.2 miles. I stagger walking and running. I don't have the stamina to fun for longer periods yet, but in intervals I am getting better. I just have to increase the running time and decrease the walking time until I am able to run the whole race.

Sounds fun huh?
Marc

Six Month Band-iversairy

Six months ago today I had surgery. It has been a great ride. I am so pleased with how things have gone thus far. As of today I am down 97 lbs. I feel better. I have more energy. Having lap-band surgery is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Many know that I am training to run a 5K race in December in Knoxville, TN. I have been on a walk/run training schedule increasing my run time weekly. Today I actually complete the distance of a 5K (3.2 miles). It took 45 minutes and I ran about 1/3 of it. In my opinion, this is a huge accomplishment. Six months ago I was the guy who had the philosophy that I only ran if someone larger than me was chasing me.

I'm pretty darn tired now in my after lunch daze, but I must say I am quite proud of how far I have come in six months. I am looking forward to the future.

It is a beautiful day,
Marc

My Secret...Stay Busy

People always ask me what my secret is for having such great success with lap-band. I always tell them I try to follow the band rules the majority of the time and I exercise regularly. There certainly is no secret in that.

If I had to say there was a secret to my success, it would be staying busy. Before surgery it was not uncommon to take a day off of work and sit in front of the TV all day long eating junk non stop. Part of it was that I had NO energy and that creates a cycle of lethargy...eat junk...feel tired...get depressed...eat junk...feel tired...get depressed...you see the pattern.

Thankfully that pattern can be reversed and another cycle created...eat healthy...feel better...have more energy.

What I find now is if I have time to sit and do nothing, I naturally want to eat. So, I try to stay busy. I have even picked up an additional part time job to earn a little extra cash, but it helps me stay focused on my weight loss goals by keeping me busy.

Hopefully I will be able to incorporate other kinds of down time into my life that don't lead to food. But for right now, I'm staying busy.

Peace,
Marc

Still losing

As of today, I am down 92 lbs. I have gone from 351 to 259. My pants have gone from a 48-50 inch waist, to a 38 inch waist. I have gone from 3XL shirts, to plain old XL shirts.

Feel good,
Marc

Exercise

You know, I never thought in a million years that I would look forward to exercise. Don't get me wrong, there are things I would rather do, but on the whole I am learning to enjoy it. There are even times that I get frustrated when I can't go to the gym. i guess I'm learning to like the endorphin rush that comes with exercise.

Typically I start out with a 5 minute cardio warm up on the treadmill or bike. Next I do light weights focusing on toning my upper body. I usually throw in some ab work of some sort. Then I get on the treadmill and go for 40-45 minutes. Currently I am running one minute out of every five. I'm going to up it to two minutes out of five next week. When I am done, I stretch some and then go to the pool and the hot tub to stretch some more and relax a bit.

A full workout takes me 1.5 to 2 hours. If I'm in a hurry I modify and cut out the weights and pool time. Then I can trim it down to an hour.

I knocked out my workout this morning and believe it or not we do not have soccer practice or any meetings tonight. So...a peaceful night at home is on my horizon.

Peace,
Marc

Bugs Me, Big Time

It is a mixed blessing...something I have looked forward to, but on the other hand frustrates me.

Almost every person I come in contact with comments on my weight loss. Usually I am pleasant and answer their questions, make small talk, etc.

However, lately I have noticed a feeling welling up inside me. So often people will say, "you look great, I'll bet you feel better, I'm so proud of you". Instead of hearing the compliment, I often hear, "you looked like crap a few months ago, you must have felt absolutely terrible, you were a huge disappointment to us all." I know this is extreme, but I want to make a point. I have lost a lot of weight, but who I am as a person hasn't changed. My accomplishments in life are still the same. I'd like to think that pre-WLS I was more than just the sum of all my weight on the scales. I'd like to think that my value and what people are proud of me for is who I am and the difference I have made for others along the way.

I know this may sound whiny. It's kind of like the movie star that craves notoriety and and then complains that they have no private life.

Can I have it both ways? Can I allow people to be proud of me for my weight loss accomplishments and expect that they also recognize me apart from WLS.

Just a few of my thoughts today,
Marc

Five Month Post-Op Before & After Photo

Busy

I've just been busy...that is why I haven't posted in while. I've picked up a part-time job. I'm helping custom paint motorcycles. Well, mostly I sand, and sand, and then sand some more. Anyway, I needed to make some extra cash...and so that's what I am doing.

I did make a BIG decision this week. I decided that I needed to take my exercise to the next level and begin training for the 5K Jingle Bell run, a local holiday fun run in my home town. I've never run a race in my life. Why not start now?

Hopefully I'll get some pictures put up this weekend. Sunday is my five month bandiversairy.

Until then,
Marc

Big Weekend

It was a BIG weekend for the Gamble family. First off, last Friday was the first day of school for my girls, and...it was also my youngest daughter's seventh birthday. That evening we had a rehearsal dinner to go to for a wedding of a close friend. Both of my daughter's were in the wedding. Thankfully the rehearsal dinner food was protein heavy and band friendly.

Saturday was the wedding. My girl's had appointments all day, hair, nails, pictures, etc. I on the other hand had very little to do. I went to the gym in the morning, lifted weights, did the stair climber, hopped on the treadmill and even ran for two whole minutes of the 20 I spent walking. Because of boredom, I switched to the bike and finished up my cardio exercise.

Late afternoon I got ready for the wedding. I found an old suit in my closet that I thought I try on. The last time I wore it was before my oldest daughter was born. She is 11 going on 12. I looked good even if I do say so myself.

At the wedding I got to dance with both of my girls and even danced with the bride for one song. It was a great evening.

Saturday we finally had Erin's birthday party at the pool. It was a great way to finish off a fun weekend.

Peace,
Marc

Trip to Disney

We just returned from a week at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. My wife, two daughters, and I went. We did all four parks with and extra day in the Magic Kingdom. It was FANTASTIC! We had a BLAST! I wouldn't trade the time with my girls for anything in the world.

I found WDW very friendly for large people. I'm not as large as I once was, but I'm still pretty big. I didn't have any problems on any ride at all. I was able to find appropriate food choices at most places. Although, I did enjoy several treats throughout the week (the Mickey ice cream bar is to die for). We walked and walked and walked, so I definitely got my exercise in.

The true test came today when I went to the gym to workout. I couldn't wait any longer so I went and jumped on the scales and believe it or not, I lost 10 lbs while at Disney. I LOVE MY BAND!!!!