Things always seem to come in waves and it seems like the last couple of weeks have brought lots of runners to our clinic. Tall, bone-thin athletes you ask? Why no! I’m talking about our Lap Band patients!
Some of you may have read my earlier post (if not, see it here http://blog.noscales.com/working-through-the-tough-times.html) about my recent quest to start running with plans to run the Little Rock half-marathon in March, 2010. Granted, my commitment came from the stupidity granted me by several Louisiana margaritas, but now that I’ve started slogging (that would be slow-jogging since I don’t think I can call what I do “running” per se) it seems like I’m part of a growing movement. Our Nashville Band group is running a 3K this month and the Mt. Pleasant folks got together a group for a 5K in October. A patient who happens to work as a nurse in a busy ER and is a grandma in her spare time, used the program “couch to 5K” to go from a complete non-exerciser, to a 30 minutes, 3-4 times per week runner and I think she’s planning on running in the Komen 5K next month. Look here for more information on this program http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml.
I bring all this up because I guarantee that before surgery none of these people would have ever considered running (and, yeah, I changed my mind – any movement above a walk – even if it’s a shuffle – is still RUNNING) as an exercise they could do, much less run in a public race. Yet here they all are, doing just that. I’ve exercised almost all of my adult life, but running still seemed out of my reach until I stopped messing around, picked out a program on the internet (http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/index.html) and just started doing it. Betty May’s daughter saw me at the gym after one of my runs and she had this look in her eye that said, “wow, please don’t die… I don’t know CPR!” But as ridiculous as I look with my beet red face, dripping sweat (no gentle glow here, folks) and dumb t-shirts, I’m still going out and trying to do it. And you know what? It’s actually kind of fun. Okay, not the chest pain part, but there is definitely a happy glow that comes with running that I’ve never experienced with any other form of exercise.
Walking is good, but by trying to run forces you to push your limits and not just stroll around and then being shocked when the scale doesn’t budge. Try it! You might just find yourself next to me at the gym. Just don’t make fun of me 
15. September 2009 at 2:16 pm
Thanks for the info on running. I have always wanted to run, but never really tried getting into it once I put on all of my weight. This has encouraged me to start trying again and stop making excuses!
15. September 2009 at 7:07 pm
I thoroughly enjoy your tips and I haven’t been through the lap band experience. I think you all offer great advise for everyone not just your patients. Keep up the good work!
15. September 2009 at 8:24 pm
Thanks, we have had people from the whole country visit and comment on the blog, so it is meant for everybody!
15. September 2009 at 10:56 pm
Be careful… before you know it, I’ll be at your house at 5:30am looking for a running partner
Go for it!
16. September 2009 at 7:39 am
Loved this blog…..I checked out Jeff Galloway website too. He has some good advice for beginners and experienced runners. Plan on getting his book and getting started. I have been walking but I really never had a plan in mind….he puts it into an easy to understand and follow plan…….thanks so much
16. September 2009 at 10:13 am
Yay!! I was exactly the same way, just kind of exercising without a plan. But once you’ve got a complete day-by-day, week-by-week guide, it becomes a no-brainer. All you’ve got to do is “bring it” to quote my favorite exercise guru, Tony Horton (of P90X fame)
17. September 2009 at 1:24 am
hey !!! I’m up to 45 minutes of slog time out of my 1.25 hours and 4.7 miles of exercise 3 times weekly, and every single time i add slog time and decrease walk time i am exhilerated. hurt… you bet it hurts, but i’m doing this, me, and nobody else !! the pain of accomplishment is so different from the pain of indifference it’s phenominal. everytime my foot hits the ground i pray for strength, and thanks to people around me, I HAVE TAKEN MY LIFE BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my fisrt race will be the quadrangle with my fitness trainer daughter, and i’m so excited, i also turned 55 last month, and i’m gonna live forever !!!!!
17. November 2009 at 9:43 am
I’ve always heard that running is bad for women. I can’t site my source on that, but over the years I’ve heard it a couple of times. Is this one of those myths started by some lazy woman?
17. November 2009 at 11:37 am
Hee! I’m thinking you may be right about that rumor’s source LOL. Running is actually an excellent exercise for women. Only weight bearing exercise- and weight bearing exercise that actually stresses the bones/joints a little at that (like fast walking or running)- will cause your bones to become stronger. Stronger bones mean fewer fractures and fewer joint replacements down the road.
And don’t forget that the #1 killer of women is not breast cancer, it’s heart disease! And running is an excellent way to lose weight and increase “good” cholesterol which will prevent heart disease.
17. November 2009 at 3:25 pm
I am wondering who said running is bad for women?
It sounds like the old joke:
“I’m from the Ice Cream Council of America. We have determined that your ideal weight is 400 lbs.”
27. November 2009 at 8:06 am
If my memory serves, I believe their argument was that it was not good for women’s reproductive system. But if you guys say it’s ok, then I’m good with it
27. November 2009 at 8:28 am
Sorry, you’ll need to come up with a better excuse to get us to go along with a reason why you shouldn’t run for exercise. Perhaps that if you go running you might be abducted by aliens from space?
10. February 2010 at 6:24 am
Hi Folks – I have had my band for just over a year now and have been training for triathlons since then. This year I’m looking to complete a 1/2 marathon, but I’m having trouble with nutrition pre & post long runs. I’ve had some serious lower GI issues after my runs (and once durring, it wasn’t a pretty site). I can’t seem to find info on the internet specifically for this question for people with lapband. Thanks!
11. February 2010 at 12:12 am
Let us check into this. We can’t imagine why the Lap Band should cause any difference in your GI tract absorption. The only thing that is changed is that your portion size for your meals is smaller than it was before your Band.
We have a friend who is an avid triathlete and we will ask him. Be patient with us if we can’t answer in the next day or two. We are traveling to your neck of the woods on the East Coast and given the blizzards we might be stranded in an airport for a few days
11. February 2010 at 4:44 pm
Thanks so much! I am wondering how long BEFORE I have an extended exercise session I should eat so that the food makes it’s way down to be useful and when can I refuel and with what?? I really appreciate you checking with your triathlete friend. Good luck with the traveling this week!!
14. September 2010 at 10:29 pm
I have a question. I’ve lost 75 pounds from having lap band surgery in Feb 10, and have began running about 3 months ago. I’m beginning to have pain in my adbominal area when running due to the weight of the excess skin around my stomach bouncing up and down. Is there any type of support garment available that I can wear to ease the pain? I asked a plastic surgeon, but his response was I needed to get that removed. At this point, I’m not eligible for a tummy tuck because I only had the surgery several months ago. Any advice?
13. October 2010 at 8:31 pm
You can try an abdominal binder. They should be available at any medical supply store. Good luck!