AMayo1

I like Yoga and I did go for several years, but as my weight increased, I became embarrassed to go. I found the stretching and relaxation techniques great for the stress of the work week. I have had difficulty with balance all of my life, being called a klutz many times (I think I have a minor undiagnosed issue with it) so I have difficulty with the poses. Once I get banded and get to a point that I do not feel embarrassed to be in a class I look forward to getting back into it. I think finding a good instructor is key, yoga should not be a hybrid Americanized aerobics class, at least in my opinion.

I like biking better then Running. For me it is a matter of knee and back pain. The compressive forces of running bother them, biking does not. I have not hiked in awhile and I hope to get back into it, but when I did, I did not seem to bother my back or knees. As was said above, bike shorts help as well as gel seat covers that you can buy for $20 at Walmart.

What is the policy on Coffee, in the pre op and in the post op? I love coffee so much that my partner is Colombian.

Because you like anal sex does not make you gay. It is an erogonous zone, some people enjoy having it stimulated. Just becuase a straight man enjoys anal sex with a female partner does not mean he would enjoy it with a male partner. The most improtant part about anal sex is being relaxed enough and comfortable enough with the partner so that you are not clenching down there. Not all gay men like anal sex,I have several gay male friends that are turned off by the idea of anal sex... that does not make them straight. So a straight male who can relax and enjoy it with his girlfriend or wife, would not be sexually stimulated or relaxed enough to enjoy it with another male. This topic has come up several times in Dan Savage's columns and podcast.

Thanks for the help, you guys are all inspiration for us newbies,

Congrats and keep up the good work. I know that the group that I am going to requires a 10% body weight , weight loss before they schedule the surgery. I have a 32 pound weight loss ahead of me.

I am in the preop period. My pcp agreed to write the letter for my insurance company. I go to the orienation meeting 2 weeks from tonight

Sounds like a good idea. I promised myself a new tattoo when I hit my goal weight.

it is good to see that people are having a good experience at Ellis, I go to the orientation meeting on the 23rd of this month

Try increasing the number of days to the gym and alternate your weight training and cardio days. If you are doing both on the same day you are not getting the full benefit of both. With the weight training try to look at doing more free weights then machines. Also try to modify the exercises so that you are using an exercise ball as you base. If you are using machines and go to free weights, cut the amount of weight that you are doing by half on the first try and go from there. When using free weights vs. machines you pull in more muscles groups known as stabilizers and you are actually burning more calories. On the elliptical you may want to try increasing the amount of time or increasing the level that you are performing. Also try different profiles on the elliptical to try and change things up, such as going in reverse if the machine has it. Our bodies start to adapt to what we are doing which is why it is always good to switch up your exercise routine every 3-4 weeks.

Congrats on the weight loss. I am heading to my orientation meeting in a few weeks and am excited to progress from there.

It is in Schenectady NY

ll my life has been a struggle with weight. Last year was an extremely tough year for me with the lost of my best friend to cancer, due to the depression following that I put on even more weight. I have been through Xenical, dieting, exercise, weight loss challenges at Gold's gym. I went to my PCP who thinks I would be a good candidate for the surgery and he feels that my insurance company would cover it. I am signed up for the orientation meeting on June 23 at Ellis Hospital. Nervous but exited at the same time.