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Date: 28 Jun 2006 05:43:27
From:
Subject: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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Hi Everyone. I hope this post isn't inappropriate, but I feel like I
want to post this and see the responses. I'm 43, and on May 8 of this
year I had a (fialry mild) Cerebral hemmorage due to being obese,
smoking, and high blood pressure. I'm 5'8 and weighed about 270
pounds, smoked about 30 cigs a day, had high blood pressure, and almost
never got any exercise.
My doc said I had to loose weight, get some exercise, and stop smoking.
I adopted a run/walk plan, started eating healthier, and tried to quit
smoking. I started by trying to walk a mile, and had a tough time.
Ok, that's my history.
As of today, I've lost 14 pounds and am down to 2 cigs a day. This
morning, I did 2 miles (of 2 minutes walking followed by running for
1.5 minutes) at about a 16 minute/mile pace. And I felt GREAT. I'm
looking forward to increasing my running and getting healthier. Just
wanted to post this to brag a little I guess. Thanks to everyone for
all the good posts on here that have kept me motivated for the last
Month or so.
Jack in Bella Vista, Arkansas
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Date: 28 Jun 2006 09:17:10
From: Charlie Pendejo
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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Daniel-San wrote:
> the ONLY way to quit [smoking] is to want to quit.
So true. And what finally, in my 235th attempt (estimated), made me
truly want to quit - for years I was off and on with the smoking, even
overlapping some with daily running - was one evening when the missus
advised me to smoke that cigarette I was in the process of lighting,
but rather than talk or daydream or look at anything, to direct all my
focus on how the smoke was making me feel. What an eye-opener: I felt
totally gross, actively poisoned! And astonished that over the course
of a few decades of doing this, my mind, in the service of its
addiction, had always distracted me from noticing this.
Dunno if that'll help anyone else, but it's worth a shot.
OP - congrats on initiating big changes and sticking with them so far.
Keep enjoying the running and the incremental improvements in time and
distance and the way you'll feel better and better. And also heed the
suggestions for a little caution in not ramping up your mileage or
intensity too fast, being careful to run in shoes which work well for
you and are in good condition (you're likely to eventually get four or
five hundred miles out of each pair, but it's probably a good idea for
beginners with less developed muscles and a few extra pounds to retire
them considerably sooner), attending to aches and pains before they
become injuries which prevent you from running (and make it so much
more tempting to look to nicotine for stress relief). You'll sort all
this out as you go, along with whether and how things like stretching
and massage may help.
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Date: 28 Jun 2006 15:50:36
From: Daniel-San
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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<jack. wrote ...
> As of today, I've lost 14 pounds and am down to 2 cigs a day. This
> morning, I did 2 miles (of 2 minutes walking followed by running for
> 1.5 minutes) at about a 16 minute/mile pace. And I felt GREAT. I'm
> looking forward to increasing my running and getting healthier. Just
> wanted to post this to brag a little I guess. Thanks to everyone for
> all the good posts on here that have kept me motivated for the last
> Month or so.
Hey Jack,
Glad to hear that you're making some positive changes in your life. I'm but
a lurker here for the most part, but your post reminded me of well, me, so I
thought I'd chime in.
After 12 years of high-stress, grease chomping, ciggy smoking, and Kodiak
chewing restaurant management, I quit my job and started to make slow
changes. Last August, I weighed 271 pounds (6'1"), and couldn't get up a
flight of stairs without a bit of panting. After a lot of slow progress and
a lot of encouragement from "the boss", I'm down to about 220, tobacco free
since December, and running 30-ish miles a week. A long way to go, but a
long way gone, too.
Dump those last two smokes! get a box of the nicotine lozenges if you're
worried about getting all nutty. Carry one in your pocket (only one) and do
the ridiculous, but highly effective "I'll use it if I still want it in 20
minutes" game. After a bit, those 20 minutes will pass and you won't want
the thing. Remember, the ONLY way to quit (barring handcuffing or being in
jail, anyway) is to want to quit. The first day you go completely
nicotine-free is a very good day, indeed. Treat yourself to a new pair of
running shoes (or socks, or shorts, whatever) to celebrate. You'll have
earned it.
Good luck,
Dan
..suburban Chicago
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Date: 28 Jun 2006 15:30:00
From: Craig Pennington
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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jack.stewart@tyson.com wrote:
[snip]
> As of today, I've lost 14 pounds and am down to 2 cigs a day. This
> morning, I did 2 miles (of 2 minutes walking followed by running for
> 1.5 minutes) at about a 16 minute/mile pace. And I felt GREAT. I'm
> looking forward to increasing my running and getting healthier. Just
> wanted to post this to brag a little I guess. Thanks to everyone for
> all the good posts on here that have kept me motivated for the last
> Month or so.
Congratulation Jack. I started running 15 months ago and I've dropped
from 250 to 200, and my BP has gobe from Stage I Hypertension to normal
(116/62 this AM by my log.) Your weight will keep falling off without
much effort until you hit a natural balance. One thing I would suggest
is to *not* eat out regularly (make it a treat.) Bring lunch to work and
make dinner from scratch at home. Don't deny yourself foods you enjoy (I
have not-very-well-trimmed lamb on the grill once a week) but do make it
from scratch. Not only will this let you eat more, it's a lot cheaper so
you can afford all the damned running gear you'll go through (I *needed*
that HRM!)
One other thing on weight -- keep a *complete* calorie log for one week.
Weigh or measure all of your portions. Break things out into individual
ingredients if possible. This will allow you to identify stuff that is
high-calorie but maybe you could do without -- an example in my case is
mayo, I switched to mustard exclusively after doing this. Don't try
reducing calories during this week, it's just to make you more aware of
the foods you are eating.
And kick the smokes. As someone else already said, you're just
prolonging the pain. As a former 2+ pack a day smoker m'self, I can say
that cold-turkey is less painful in the long run (and more effective.)
Cheers,
Craig
--
Corollary to Clarke's Third Law:
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently
advanced.
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Date: 28 Jun 2006 07:38:02
From:
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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Great job Jack! It's amazing when you first get over that hump where
running isn't total torture. Now it's all about consistency. I highly
recommend signing up for a local 5k a couple months out from now. I
know it probably sounds intimidating. But really only a very small
fraction of people at these events are competing with anyone besides
themselves. It will give you a great excuse to keep going and a great
benchmark to judge your progress.
After you do that one, sign up for another couple months out from
there. Everybody's motivated a little differently, but this really
worked for me. Good luck!
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Date: 28 Jun 2006 07:06:25
From: John B.
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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jack.stewart@tyson.com wrote:
> Hi Everyone. I hope this post isn't inappropriate, but I feel like I
> want to post this and see the responses. I'm 43, and on May 8 of this
> year I had a (fialry mild) Cerebral hemmorage due to being obese,
> smoking, and high blood pressure. I'm 5'8 and weighed about 270
> pounds, smoked about 30 cigs a day, had high blood pressure, and almost
> never got any exercise.
>
> My doc said I had to loose weight, get some exercise, and stop smoking.
> I adopted a run/walk plan, started eating healthier, and tried to quit
> smoking. I started by trying to walk a mile, and had a tough time.
> Ok, that's my history.
>
> As of today, I've lost 14 pounds and am down to 2 cigs a day. This
> morning, I did 2 miles (of 2 minutes walking followed by running for
> 1.5 minutes) at about a 16 minute/mile pace. And I felt GREAT. I'm
> looking forward to increasing my running and getting healthier. Just
> wanted to post this to brag a little I guess. Thanks to everyone for
> all the good posts on here that have kept me motivated for the last
> Month or so.
>
> Jack in Bella Vista, Arkansas
Congratulations. I love to read posts like this. As a former
2-pack-a-day smoker (quit 23 yrs. ago), I can tell you that gradually
reducing your consumption only prolongs the torture of quitting. You're
no less addicted now than you were at 30 cigs/day. The only way to quit
is to quit. Just do it.
Good luck.
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Date: 28 Jun 2006 06:52:13
From: rick++
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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Thats the "secret" all we runners guard.
After the initial couple weeks of soreness it becomes a pleasure
to be moving. Our bodies were designed to be active.
For some this "pleasure" can lead to trouble. Some people
then try to run too much too soon and become injured.
Just be aware of signs of overuse and increase moderately.
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Date: 28 Jun 2006 15:49:31
From:
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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Thank you all so much for these great words of advice; stories of
success, etc. It's so great to hear this from people who have been
through it. I'll keep everyone aprised as to where I am - much much
much appreciated.
Jack
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Date: 29 Jun 2006 08:03:02
From: Newsdude
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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jack.stewart@tyson.com wrote in news:1151534971.467394.241690
@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> Thank you all so much for these great words of advice; stories of
> success, etc. It's so great to hear this from people who have been
> through it. I'll keep everyone aprised as to where I am - much much
> much appreciated.
>
Yep. I think a lot of us have been through it. I didn't have the smoking to
contend with, but I was up around 260 pounds on a 6-foot frame a few years
ago. About all I could do was run to the fridge. Diet and exercise brought
me down by 90 pounds in about 9 months. Thanks to running, I've kept it off
and stayed at a comfortable 170 pounds since then. And I completed my first
marathon last fall.
You can do it, too.
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Date: 29 Jun 2006 15:36:29
From:
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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nothing like a cerebral hemmorage to motivate you. good luck!
jack.stewart@tyson.com wrote:
> Hi Everyone. I hope this post isn't inappropriate, but I feel like I
> want to post this and see the responses. I'm 43, and on May 8 of this
> year I had a (fialry mild) Cerebral hemmorage due to being obese,
> smoking, and high blood pressure. I'm 5'8 and weighed about 270
> pounds, smoked about 30 cigs a day, had high blood pressure, and almost
> never got any exercise.
>
> My doc said I had to loose weight, get some exercise, and stop smoking.
> I adopted a run/walk plan, started eating healthier, and tried to quit
> smoking. I started by trying to walk a mile, and had a tough time.
> Ok, that's my history.
>
> As of today, I've lost 14 pounds and am down to 2 cigs a day. This
> morning, I did 2 miles (of 2 minutes walking followed by running for
> 1.5 minutes) at about a 16 minute/mile pace. And I felt GREAT. I'm
> looking forward to increasing my running and getting healthier. Just
> wanted to post this to brag a little I guess. Thanks to everyone for
> all the good posts on here that have kept me motivated for the last
> Month or so.
>
> Jack in Bella Vista, Arkansas
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Date: 29 Jun 2006 13:57:54
From: bluezfolk
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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jack.stewart@tyson.com wrote:
> Hi Everyone. I hope this post isn't inappropriate, but I feel like I
> want to post this and see the responses. I'm 43, and on May 8 of this
> year I had a (fialry mild) Cerebral hemmorage due to being obese,
> smoking, and high blood pressure. I'm 5'8 and weighed about 270
> pounds, smoked about 30 cigs a day, had high blood pressure, and almost
> never got any exercise.
>
> My doc said I had to loose weight, get some exercise, and stop smoking.
> I adopted a run/walk plan, started eating healthier, and tried to quit
> smoking. I started by trying to walk a mile, and had a tough time.
> Ok, that's my history.
>
> As of today, I've lost 14 pounds and am down to 2 cigs a day. This
> morning, I did 2 miles (of 2 minutes walking followed by running for
> 1.5 minutes) at about a 16 minute/mile pace. And I felt GREAT. I'm
> looking forward to increasing my running and getting healthier. Just
> wanted to post this to brag a little I guess. Thanks to everyone for
> all the good posts on here that have kept me motivated for the last
> Month or so.
>
> Jack in Bella Vista, Arkansas
Congradulations Jack. Thanks to running I saw the light about 24 years
ago, and never looked back. Hearing stories like yours makes me feel
great to be a runner. Keep up the good work, don't try to advance to
quickly.
Eric
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Date: 30 Jun 2006 12:59:44
From: Grizlie Zowtuc
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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Hay! JAck in
a 1000 mile journey always begins with the first step: con-grad on your
way back to health and life.
I am lot older now then when I first came to this group as grizzlies..
my highest was lowtuc as in strong and gym wise. butt I ended doing a
marathon on the record book and some half too:
5h20m,2h12m
web page went down or some thing....
well a half on record too:2h20,2h22m
now mostly bike ride and back pack...
I weight around 250 now.
and back then I was around in a gym and 205....
I don't pound the pavement to much now.
being 250.
I saw last night on the president party on local public t.v. . I
heard this ballet teacher on t.v. say. beet yourself on the bar or your
not going to improve......hit me were it counts.Thank-you.....wow. evan
if all the belts,catchers baseball gear and one chest pad for the back
too. and funny I woke up with a upper back sore....ha ha better
knighting the scrapes around the top.ha ha
jock itch null nob a sides.......
ha ha ha.......I wonder if jesus well like it if I walk around in a 2006
gear outfit....
going to church camp for a weekenders. ha ha ha.....
good luck Jack
leaders ten to 1....
I all used up
unowereim
time to party.............: >)
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Date: 30 Jun 2006 06:32:41
From: bluezfolk
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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jack.stewart@tyson.com wrote:
> aint that the truth!
>
> Thanks again to everyone. I've got a running log, will go cig free
> tomarrow morning, and got a pair of shoes from a running store. Also
> got some better socks. I also bought a book by Jeff Galloway and one
> by John Bingham that I enjoyed reading and had great tips in them as
> well. Thanks again and I hope everyone has a great 4th!
>
> Jack
>
> seatosummit28@yahoo.com wrote:
> > nothing like a cerebral hemmorage to motivate you. good luck!
> > jack.stewart@tyson.com wrote:
> > > Hi Everyone. I hope this post isn't inappropriate, but I feel like I
> > > want to post this and see the responses. I'm 43, and on May 8 of this
> > > year I had a (fialry mild) Cerebral hemmorage due to being obese,
> > > smoking, and high blood pressure. I'm 5'8 and weighed about 270
> > > pounds, smoked about 30 cigs a day, had high blood pressure, and almost
> > > never got any exercise.
> > >
> > > My doc said I had to loose weight, get some exercise, and stop smoking.
> > > I adopted a run/walk plan, started eating healthier, and tried to quit
> > > smoking. I started by trying to walk a mile, and had a tough time.
> > > Ok, that's my history.
> > >
> > > As of today, I've lost 14 pounds and am down to 2 cigs a day. This
> > > morning, I did 2 miles (of 2 minutes walking followed by running for
> > > 1.5 minutes) at about a 16 minute/mile pace. And I felt GREAT. I'm
> > > looking forward to increasing my running and getting healthier. Just
> > > wanted to post this to brag a little I guess. Thanks to everyone for
> > > all the good posts on here that have kept me motivated for the last
> > > Month or so.
> > >
> > > Jack in Bella Vista, Arkansas
On the subject of Running Logs, Check out www.coolrunning.com
I've been using it for about 5 years now and keep discovering new
things. In addition to running I also track my weight training and
yoga sessions and bicycling in it. You can graph anything you do.
Eric
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Date: 30 Jun 2006 05:35:52
From:
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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aint that the truth!
Thanks again to everyone. I've got a running log, will go cig free
tomarrow morning, and got a pair of shoes from a running store. Also
got some better socks. I also bought a book by Jeff Galloway and one
by John Bingham that I enjoyed reading and had great tips in them as
well. Thanks again and I hope everyone has a great 4th!
Jack
seatosummit28@yahoo.com wrote:
> nothing like a cerebral hemmorage to motivate you. good luck!
> jack.stewart@tyson.com wrote:
> > Hi Everyone. I hope this post isn't inappropriate, but I feel like I
> > want to post this and see the responses. I'm 43, and on May 8 of this
> > year I had a (fialry mild) Cerebral hemmorage due to being obese,
> > smoking, and high blood pressure. I'm 5'8 and weighed about 270
> > pounds, smoked about 30 cigs a day, had high blood pressure, and almost
> > never got any exercise.
> >
> > My doc said I had to loose weight, get some exercise, and stop smoking.
> > I adopted a run/walk plan, started eating healthier, and tried to quit
> > smoking. I started by trying to walk a mile, and had a tough time.
> > Ok, that's my history.
> >
> > As of today, I've lost 14 pounds and am down to 2 cigs a day. This
> > morning, I did 2 miles (of 2 minutes walking followed by running for
> > 1.5 minutes) at about a 16 minute/mile pace. And I felt GREAT. I'm
> > looking forward to increasing my running and getting healthier. Just
> > wanted to post this to brag a little I guess. Thanks to everyone for
> > all the good posts on here that have kept me motivated for the last
> > Month or so.
> >
> > Jack in Bella Vista, Arkansas
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Date: 30 Jun 2006 04:43:24
From: Ed Prochak
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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jack.stewart@tyson.com wrote:
> Thank you all so much for these great words of advice; stories of
> success, etc. It's so great to hear this from people who have been
> through it. I'll keep everyone aprised as to where I am - much much
> much appreciated.
>
> Jack
Congratulations.
Now to help keep it up, the only suggestion you haven't heard yet is:
Start a running log.
Nothing fancy. Just record when you run and whatever else you feel is
worthwhile. For you that might include whether you smoked that day or
not. Other possibilities are: time of day for the run, weather
conditions, your general health feelings (e.g. " legs felt very stiff
today from long airplane ride"), mileage(by miles, time, or both), race
results, PR (Personal Record) events like: "today I ran the full
30minutes, no walking!), and so on.
Interesting thing is it helps keep you motivated for the long term and
the short term.
So keep up the good work and remember
enjoy the run,
ed
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Date: 03 Jul 2006 05:23:34
From:
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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Update - today's my fist day completely cig free (although I'm using
the lozenges). I did 3.5 miles yesterday - mostly running for 1.5
minutes and walking for 2, but I switched around for a short while and
ran 2 and walked for 1.5. It was 90 degrees out, and it was pretty
tough. I'm talking today off to recover and will do a slow easy day
tomarrow - still feeling good!
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Date: 09 Jul 2006 01:04:49
From: Miss Anne Thrope
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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Psst, here's a secret they don't want you to know.........healthy people
die every day.
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Date: 09 Jul 2006 08:34:50
From: john stout
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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jack.stewart@tyson.com wrote:
> Hi Everyone. I hope this post isn't inappropriate, but I feel like I
> want to post this and see the responses. I'm 43, and on May 8 of this
> year I had a (fialry mild) Cerebral hemmorage due to being obese,
> smoking, and high blood pressure. I'm 5'8 and weighed about 270
> pounds, smoked about 30 cigs a day, had high blood pressure, and almost
> never got any exercise.
>
> My doc said I had to loose weight, get some exercise, and stop smoking.
> I adopted a run/walk plan, started eating healthier, and tried to quit
> smoking. I started by trying to walk a mile, and had a tough time.
> Ok, that's my history.
>
> As of today, I've lost 14 pounds and am down to 2 cigs a day. This
> morning, I did 2 miles (of 2 minutes walking followed by running for
> 1.5 minutes) at about a 16 minute/mile pace. And I felt GREAT. I'm
> looking forward to increasing my running and getting healthier. Just
> wanted to post this to brag a little I guess. Thanks to everyone for
> all the good posts on here that have kept me motivated for the last
> Month or so.
>
> Jack in Bella Vista, Arkansas
>
Good ya Jack
2 years and 2 months ago I was a 30 a day smoker who was puffed putting
the garbage out. I now run 20 -30 klm per week and go the gym 5 nights a
week. I am about to ride a pushbike for the Oxfam charity from Vietnam
through Cambodia to raise money for schools over there. I feel the best
I have ever felt and am 48 years old. Those last 2 ciggies a day seem
hard to stop but 2 or 22 is no different, you have to have none so the
brain forgets about them.
Good luck from Australia.... John.
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Date: 09 Jul 2006 09:59:26
From: Miss Anne Thrope
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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" Psst, here's a secret they don't want you to know.........healthy
people die every day."
Oops, I meant to say unhealthy people die every day. I guess all those
double-beef Whoppers are starting to erode my brain.
BTW, here's me and my friend shortly before his untimely death:
http://i6.tinypic.com/1zf22ah.jpg
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Date: 09 Jul 2006 17:57:08
From: Doug Freese
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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"Miss Anne Thrope" <missannethorp@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1152464366.601581.191190@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>" Psst, here's a secret they don't want you to know.........healthy
> people die every day."
>
> Oops, I meant to say unhealthy people die every day. I guess all those
> double-beef Whoppers are starting to erode my brain.
>
> BTW, here's me and my friend shortly before his untimely death:
I'm sure you're the one on top. :)
-DF
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Date: 10 Jul 2006 12:06:23
From: Grizlie Zowtuc
Subject: Re: Actually felt like a "runner" for first time
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32nd annuals cup races(sailboat)
tour d france race on oln now.(bike)
may the spirit be with you.
Lowtuc:)
Got to go!
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