Posts Tagged ‘Dr. James Atkinson’
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
Dear Team GBI,
In this guest entry to our Special Edition Marathon Blog we’d like to further introduce you to our two ½ marathon team captains, Vicky and Moises Diaz. As fellow GBI patients, the Diaz’s are looking forward to sharing their healthy weight loss journey as well as a 13.1 mile victory with each team member! Read on to hear more from Vicky and Moises.
Happy Training!
GBI
Vicky
My name is Vicky Diaz, and I am married to Moises, my love of over 17 years, my strength in my weakest moments, and my “WHIP” on those days when I just don’t want to exercise, and that used to be NEVER!!! Ha!
In November of 2010 I attended a seminar held by the Gastric Bypass Institute and it showed me that I was on my way to being morbidly obese. That month I began a 6 month mandatory training on how to be mindful of nutrition. I was weighing 291lbs.
By June 9, 2011, I had already lost approximately 15 lbs (the recommended amount necessary for the surgery, according to my insurance). Today, August 16, 2011, (2 months and 7 days later), I weigh 240lbs. To say it has been easy would be a lie, but my life has changed drastically these past few months. The day Dr. Atkinson performed the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy became a day that I will always celebrate. It has given me a new lease in life. Ever since that day, I have continuously lost pound after pound and I feel free, light and capable of conquering the world.
Today, I am looking to walk in the Las Vegas Half Marathon, something I would have never thought I could do. In the past, exercise was not a priority in my life. Today it is; especially with Moises by my side, (hence the name “THE WHIP”). When I heard that Prudence was leaving GBI, Moises and I volunteered to head up the half marathon team. We had never done anything like this, but we felt that we could be an inspiration to all of the people, who like us, had never thought about exercising or much less walking in a marathon. I was always the one with excuses, never making time for me, always taking care of others before taking care of myself. Today, I come first, and it feels good.
We are very excited to be part of this group. I am enjoying the thinner me and I am looking forward to reaching my goal slowly but surely. Weight loss has not become an obsession, I don’t obsess about things, but I have made me my #1 priority.
~Vicky
Moises
My name is Moises Diaz, and I am Vicky’s husband.
My classes began one month after Vicky started the program. Because of my determination, I had lost approximately 80 lbs on my own by the time my surgery was scheduled. Many people (including my insurance) thought that I did not need the surgery, but as you all know, once I started eating again I would put the weight back on, as I had in the past several times. I knew I needed the final “tool” to control my disease.
On August 1, 2011, Dr. Atkinson performed my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. That first week I lost 18 lbs. Today, my wife and I began training for the ½ marathon that will take place on December 4, 2011.
It is going to be exciting to be part of something of this magnitude. Especially for Vicky who isn’t one to exercise much; but I am pushing her (gently) and she is doing great. I have always been inclined to sports so it comes in easier for me, I love riding my bike, hiking and I enjoy walking and exercising, especially Kick Boxing, Zumba and working out with Shawn T videos like “Hip Hop Abs”. I don’t have a six pack yet, but I know that soon, I will.
I am looking forward to the training with the Gastric Bypass Group. It may take us the entire 4 hours to cross that finish line at the Las Vegas Marathon, but together, we will make it.
~ Moises
We look forward to the training season and getting to know each of you!
Vicky & Moises
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Tags: Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Moises Diaz, obesity, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, Vicky Diaz
Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon |
Friday, October 15th, 2010
Hi Marathon Team,
The GBI staff wants to congratulate you on making it to the halfway point of your marathon training! This week the Group Training run is 9 miles and that in and of itself is quite the feat. We know that deciding to train for a half marathon requires extreme amounts of dedication and perseverance. We’re here to give you a clap, a cheer and that extra push you need to get you through to race day in early December!
Below please find 7 Reasons to Complete A Half Marathon to help encourage you for the next couple of weeks. We hope you enjoy these short tidbits of inspiration and look forward to seeing you on race day!
7 Reasons to Complete a Half Marathon
1. It will help you to get your body in the best shape of your life
2. It will help you to become more energetic and productive in your everyday life
3. It will teach you how to set goals that are achievable
4. It will provide a sense of accomplishment each time you run
5. It will test your determination and endurance
6. It will give you confidence to take on other life-changing goals
7. It will help you put yourself and your health first
Your biggest supporters,
Dr. Atkinson, Dr. Soong, Dr. Tice and Prudence
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Tags: Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Las Vegas Weight Loss Doctors, Marathon Training Tips, team fitness
Posted in Bariatric Surgeons, Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support Groups |
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
Team GBI,
As we move into week six of our training and our mileage continues to build, it is becoming more important that you build cross-training days into your weekly schedule. Take time this week to research and even test out cross-training activities that you can incorporate into your routine.
What is cross training?
Cross-training activities include most any workout outside of walking or running. These exercises provide conditioning, reduce stress on the muscle groups used during long or short run/walks, allow gentle recovery of these muscle groups and assist in building up your overall body strength. Most cross-training activities for those training for a marathon or ½ marathons should be thought of us active recovery or low impact training days.
Why cross-train?
Participating in a cross-training activity will help maintain momentum in your physical activity while resting from a walk/run. Trying new cross-training workouts will also decrease the chance of burnout. In addition, as mileage increases, is it important to continue to build strength in your upper body (shoulders, neck, etc.) as these muscles tend to tire easily as long walk/runs progress. Most cross-training activities strengthen muscles, joints, bones and help improve balance, coordination and flexibility.
It is important to note that cross-training days are not meant to replace rest days or fill in as short walk/runs. Allocate individual days each week for activities such as swimming, yoga, Pilates or using the row, elliptical or stair master machine. Try to stick to workouts that are soothing to your muscles and joints. Volleyball, tennis and aerobic dance for example add extra strain to your joints and may lead to an injury.
What classes, workouts or machines have you tried on your cross-training days? Share what has worked best for you by commenting below!
See you all Sunday!
Safe Training,
Team GBI
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Tags: bariatric patient, cross-training, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, strength training, team fitness
Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon |
Friday, October 1st, 2010
Congratulations – the GBI ½ Marathon Team has successfully made it to the end of the 5th week of training! And this Sunday we are jumping our long walk/run up from 6 miles to 8 miles. While the mileage continues to increase over the next several weeks, consider asking yourself the following questions:
What is your overall goal with your participation in the ½ marathon? For example, you might be working to complete your first long-distance course, shave a few minutes off of last year’s time, or to commit to a training routine that will continue after race day. Stay mindful of this personal goal for motivation throughout the remainder of the season.
Have you selected your official training/race day shoes? As mid-training approaches, try to find the pair of sneakers that works best for you and stick to that pair for the remainder of the season. If you are purchasing new shoes, break them in during the shorter 60 minutes walk/runs before wearing them during long sessions.
Are you prepared for varying weather conditions during your trainings? As the fall temperatures settle in, dress in loose layers that can be removed (tied around your waste, left at the starting line, etc.) during your training. Keep in mind the possibly cool temperature of race day and test different clothing items to see what works best for you.
We look forward to the continued success of Team GBI as our 13.1 mile course nears! As always, please feel free to ask questions about your training either during our trainings or by commenting below.
Keep up the great work, train safely and we’ll see everyone Sunday morning!
Your GBI Team
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Tags: Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, team fitness, training footwear, training for weather conditions, training goals
Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon |
Thursday, September 30th, 2010
Do you ever wonder why we encourage stretching before all exercise? Stretching prior to training helps your muscles become looser and can decrease the chances of injury and muscle soreness. Stretching helps to increase your flexibility which can amplify your stride, rate and pace. Pre-training stretching is also a great time to focus your mind and set an intention or goal for your walk/run. However, you should also be careful while stretching. If it’s not done properly, it can cause injury rather than prevent it. Here are some simple rules to remember when stretching:
#1: Stretch slowly and do not bounce when stretching. Bouncing can pull or tear the muscle you’re trying to stretch. Muscles should be stretched gradually. Stretch slowly and hold each stretch for 30 to 40 seconds.
#2: Do not go overboard. Hold a stretch when you start to feel tightness in the muscle but never stretch to the point of discomfort and pain. Stretching should feel good!
#3: Develop a stretching routine. Start with the muscle groups that are most important to your workout and move your way through the remaining muscle groups. At the end of your workout, perform the stretches again in the same order.
Once you have completed your walk/run or cross training exercise, it’s just as important to do a post-stretch. While your initial thought might be to sit and relax (especially as we get into longer walk/runs in the coming months), your muscles will be tight from exercising. Take the time to reflect on your workout during your post-stretch. Ask yourself questions about your performance and make goals for your next walk/run.
Stretching doesn’t need to be only about your muscles, use it beforehand to set goals for your workout and afterwards to congratulate yourself. Your body will thank you in the end!
Happy training,
Team GBI
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Tags: benefit performance, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, stretching, team fitness, training stretches
Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon |
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Team GBI,
Welcome to Part 2 of my series on bariatric tips for our ½ marathon training! In my last post, I reviewed hydration requirements as well as general nutrition guidelines. Keep in mind that nutrition and hydration preparation are just as important as the actually training itself. Consider how your body would feel if you did not train for the ½ marathon but decided to participate at the last minute. Proper nutrition or the lack of proper nutrition can affect your body in the same way. As our mileage continues to rise, consider the long walk/run nutritional plans below!
Preparing for Long Runs
The definition of a long run is considered to be 10 miles or longer or runs that last more than 90 minutes. For people who are walking rather than running, I would consider a long walk any training that lasts more than 2 hours.
Prior to Long Runs:
- Start proper hydration the day before (not just after) a long run.
- Eat 2 – 3 hours prior to your long runs. You do not want to eat anything that will be too heavy or take a long time to break down. Try a shake with milk and fruit to up your carbohydrates or, if you have the time and can get up early enough, try yogurt with berries or crackers with a protein source.
After Long Runs:
- Ideally within 15 minutes after a long run you’ll want to replenish glycogen storage. This will help to prevent muscle fatigue and to keep you on track with training.
- If you are consuming sports beans during the training, it is likely that you will not need to replenish glycogen afterwards. (Remember you should not be consuming any sports beans until you have been on the track for a minimum of two hours.)
Remember to pay attention to your body if you get leg cramps. Cramping can be due to dehydration as well as depleted electrolytes or glycogen storage. The body can learn to tap into fat cells to utilize energy once glycogen storage is depleted. Our bodies have up to 800 grams of glycogen storage. If your body is not used to tapping into your storage you may feel tired the first few times but then your body will learn to efficiently utilize the storage of energy you already have.
As always, listen to your body and it will tell you what it needs. Please feel free to post a comment or a question on this series about nutrition and hydration.
Happy, Healthy and Safe Training!
Prudence
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Tags: bariatric patient, benefit performance, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, marathon nutrition, Marathon Training Tips, pre-race nutrition, Prudence Ticknor, team fitness
Posted in Eating, Half Marathon Training, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon |
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010
Hello Team GBI!
Our training for the ½ marathon is off to a wonderful start! As we continue to train please be mindful of appropriate nutrition for bariatric patients. To help, I’ve put together a two part series to discuss hydration, nutrition as well as specific nutrition recommendations for long walk/run trainings.
Hydration
The number one concern while training is being able to stay hydrated throughout your workout. Once you allow yourself to feel thirsty it is almost impossible to get properly hydrated. The key is to make a hydration schedule and drink appropriate amounts of fluids throughout the day.
We recommend that your baseline is 64oz. of water plus 12 oz. of additional fluid for every 20 minutes of exercise. Be sure to take the time and do the math! Staying properly hydrated will make one of the biggest differences in how you feel during your training and after. It will also help your pace during the training as well as your performance on race day!
Water is the drink of choice for trainings up to 60 minutes. During all trainings over 60 minutes, you need to add some type of sports drink to replenish your electrolytes (mainly sodium and potassium). Look for sports drinks that are low in sugar. A great way to start is by filling your water bottles up with a 50/50 mixture of water and sports drink. It is important to remember that this is only needed for your actual training days when you exceed 60 minutes of exercise.
General Nutrition Guidelines
As our training continues, keep in mind that the key is to listen to your body. Your body will tell you if you are not getting enough carbohydrates – you will feel the difference in your energy. What your body will require will depend on your current physical ability as well as how hard you train. The harder you push yourself, the more food energy you will need to maintain that same physical energy level. Remember that the main nutrients missing during training is your electrolytes: potassium and sodium. Simple changes such as using milk in your protein shakes instead of water or adding salt to your food can add the additional potassium and sodium that your body requires.
Be sure to consider the following guidelines:
- Stay with the recommended 3 meals per day at 4 oz. plus one additional protein shake to start. If you find you are feeling hungry or light headed throughout the day, you may need to change the items in your meals.
- Start by trying new food items before deciding to add additional food.
o Replace water with milk or even whole milk
o Consume different types of fruit or add peanut butter to your fruit to increase your carbohydrates and calories
- Review your eating habits and replace light or low fat foods with their regular versions (i.e. yogurt, milk)
If you continue to feel hungry and/or light headed after following the guidelines above, you may need to add an additional protein shake or bar to your diet however, I do not recommend adding an additional meal. As always, please feel free to ask specific questions as they arise!
Happy, Healthy and Safe Training!
Prudence
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Tags: bariatric patient, benefit performance, carbohydrates, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, endurance, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, marathon nutrition, Marathon Training Tips, pre-race nutrition, Prudence Ticknor, team fitness
Posted in Eating, Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon |
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
Team GBI – welcome to the end of week 4! This weekend we are stepping up our long walk once again as we work to achieve 6 miles at Sunday’s group training! As our weekly mileage continues to climb and we check off short walks, strength training and cross training days, are you keeping track? We recommend keeping a personal log of your workouts as the details of each may assist you in the journey to the Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll ½ Marathon!
While your log may be as simple as checking off the weeks on the training schedule or adding a star to activity days on your calendar, consider including the following details:
Date, time of day, mileage/time/activity completed
Give yourself a boost by looking over the past weeks and noting the amount of effort and achievement already completed. Keep this progress in mind when working to conquer new hills and increased mileage.
Weather, track, trail, and type of terrain
Maybe the trail around your neighborhood is more difficult on windy days or the hills at the park are easier to tackle on your short run/walks rather long run/walks. By logging these details, you will be able to see how your stamina is affected by different conditions and plan future trainings accordingly.
Mood, inspirations
Have you experienced a particularly fun or effortless training session? Recognize what motivations or events during your day may have contributed to your positive mental energy.
Clothing, nutrition, training gear used
By including details in your log about the clothes worn or the food consumed on a day of training, you will be more able to realize what works best. Stick to using these items.
Whether your log is more detailed or to the point, becoming mindful of each training can assist you – all the way to the finish line. Let us know what type of log you keep by commenting below!
Happy & Safe Training,
Team GBI
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Tags: bariatric patient, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, las vegas, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, training log
Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support Groups |
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Are you a fan of training to music? Not everyone is, however; making training mixes can be extremely motivational when you need that extra push. Music can make that sometimes dreaded training much more enjoyable when you hear your favorite song on your iPod.
Studies have shown that listening to music can serve as a motivator, while allowing you to push away any negative feelings you might have during a specific training session. Sometimes, music can help you to improve your stride and your speed. Basically music can equal MOTIVATION!
When selecting your training music you should know that not all music is the same when selecting it specifically for training. Have you ever wondered why your body gets a jolt of energy when a specific song comes on? This is most likely because your body is functioning to the rhythm and pace of the music, otherwise known as the B.P.M., the song’s beats per minute. Professional athletes often use the songs B.P.M when selecting their playlists!
If you’re looking to start collecting playlists from your favorite athlete or if you’d like to create one from scratch, a great place to find music is on iTunes. Some professional athletes create workout and/or training music mixes that you can purchase. Just go to iTunes and search for your favorite athlete. You might be in luck and they may have a training playlist that consist of various artists that you can purchase. Or begin to start one or two of your own by gathering songs from your CD collection that get you pumped. In no time, you will have compiled a few songs that you can start training to.
Training for the ½ marathon should be an enjoyable experience whether you chose to train with or without music.
Happy training,
Team GBI
p.s. Post a comment on this blog with your favorite training songs and we’ll send out a list to the entire team.
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Tags: bariatric patient, beats per minute, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, las vegas, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, team fitness, training music, Weight Loss Support Groups
Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support Groups |
Friday, September 17th, 2010
Happy Friday Team GBI!
This Sunday’s five mile group training is just around the corner! As the weekend approaches and our mileage continues to build take a moment to review the run/walk and walk training tips below. Remember, whether you decided to run, walk, or run/walk your way to finish line, the goal is to do your best, prevent injury and most of all have fun!
Run/Walk Tips:
As running is a high-impact exercise, you may consider a run/walk technique as you work through your training. Walking breaks will allow your muscles time to recover which can help you to finish training stronger and even feel less fatigued afterwards. The following tips can help keep your training on track if you decide a run/walk technique is for you:
- Be sure to warm up your muscles by walking for approximately five minutes before you stretch and start your course to reduce the risk of injury. Stretching after running can also reduce soreness and muscle cramping.
- Set run/walk goals for each training. To start, you may choose to alternate one minute of running and one minute of walking. As your training and endurance improve, challenge yourself to increase the distance or time of each segment.
- When walking between running segments, focus on maintaining a strong pace as to avoid losing momentum.
Walking Tips:
More and more, marathon walking is increasing in popularity. Walking can be easier on the body than running and therefore allows runners who may be less experienced, complete and even compete at a long distance course. If you have chosen to walk for the duration of our training as well as on race day, consider the following pointers:
- As you walk, focus on your posture by keeping your back straight (not arched), relaxing your shoulders down away from your ears and bend your elbows at 90° angle to avoid your hands and fingers from swelling.
- Walk consistently. As you progress through the 14 weeks of training, your physical stamina will build thus allowing you to complete the 13.1 mile course with ease.
- Start each walk at a comfortable pace and increase your speed as your body warms up. Overtime, your average pace will increase as your endurance and strength improves. (However, remember that while you are on short walks, the focus is on 60 minutes of activity rather then distance or speed.)
Keep in mind the importance of listening to your body’s cues whether you decided to walk or run. There will be days that your body can be challenged as well as days that you’ll need to push less and allow yourself to recover. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
We look forward to seeing you at this weekend’s team training!
Team GBI
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Tags: bariatric patient, Dr. Darren Soong, Dr. James Atkinson, Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas, Half Marathon Training, las vegas, Las Vegas Half Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon, Marathon Training Tips, run/walk training technique, walking a marathon
Posted in Gastric Band Institute Events, Half Marathon Training, Physical Activity, Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Weight Loss Support Groups |
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