aroundhky

The feeling I get from my workout, especially the first few hours after I lift. I suppose it's the feel good hormones or whatever. Also like what "cowgirljane" said...the progress and success shows that the hard work pays off and keeps me coming back for more.

"Tinaree".....If you want to go.....go. I understand that it can be intimidating or at least the thought of going there, especially if it's something new for you. We're often scared or reluctant to try something unfamiliar or new. I can't speak specifically for your gym and the people there, but I would bet money that most people there will not judge you, or may not even acknowledge you. Not really like.....a you don't exist kind of thing. But more like most people are there to get something done and are too focused on what they are doing to have time to take in the scenery or judge others. And if there is someone there that does have that much time on their hands or basically has no life, well, why would you be worried about what they think anyway? I would approach it like that. It is good to have a trainer or someone familiar with the machines to go over them with you and how to use them, but at some point, try to own that part of your life, get motivated and like Nike used to say......"Just Do It". Before you know it, there will be "newbies" walking into the gym for the first time worried about what YOU may think of THEM and maybe you'll have an opportunity to help and support them.

I started lifting lightly about 3+ weeks post op, but was basically just going through the motions and to move around and do something other than walking all the time. My Dr didn't clear me until a little over 5 weeks post op, which at that point I started adding a little weight to my lifting. I wouldn't recommend it (light lifting at 3 weeks) for everyone and I was probably fairly lucky that I didn't injure myself. But since I had lifted for years and nursed injuries and recoveries from other past surgeries, I knew how to not push it in the weightroom until I was ready and cleared. Ex: at 3 weeks I would just squat the barbell which for me was basically so light I couldn't feel the weight so I knew I wasn't really straining. It allowed me to stretch and move around more than anything.

Whether someone thinks it's the whole condescending stereo-type thing or not with this article, TC (the author) makes a lot of valid points here. My opinion, the author is right on about almost all of it. The author also stated that guys are often the biggest "tools" in the gym, and I happen to agree that in general, that's usually the case. So I don't think this article intending to pi$$ off any women. My guess, TC had good intentions and notices why some women don't meet the goals they set out for and tried to help. I would go one step further and say that it seems he's (if the author is indeed a guy) advising women to actually not limit themselves to certain stereo-types and don't be afraid to venture into the so called....."men's area of the gym". I happen to second that sentiment.

Sounds good in theory and may end up being good or even great in application. As Ginger stated, I think some market research would be one of the first things to do, if not THE first...which your post shows that you're heading that direction. I'm not sure what the demographic is for WLS patients, but my guess is that it's growing and may be even more appealing down the road as perhaps the number of people who have had these surgeries increases. Alex here on this site may be able to give some useful information about this or at least point you in the right direction. I may be chiming in from way out there with this one and there may be a zero chance in haites here. But I'm wondering if some insurance companies could be brought in with all of this. I can't believe I'm actually promoting insurance companies, but some may be willing to approve this as follow up and long term treatment for patients after the surgery. They obviously know the benefits of exercise as it pertains to our health, so maybe this could be something like a co-pay for membership on the patient's part. Insurance companies may also be helpful as far as giving out some demographic information in regards to the market research component....if they give out that kind of info. "Elshaffer", sure can't hurt to follow up with this idea as I'm sure there would be some demand for WLS patients to have a place of common ground to meet and exercise alongside with other WLS patients. Like the Planet Fitness approach....a "judgment free zone". But just like PF, just excluding other "types" implies all kinds of judgment....maybe more of a "selective judgment free zone". I'm really interested now, so please let us know if you go further with this idea....sounds like it has potential.

For me, I'd say anything that doesn't have white flour or sugar in it. I would classify bad carbs as being high on the glycemic index and good carbs as being low on the glycemic index. So naturally there are bound to be some carbs in the middle....maybe some fruits like bananas? My favorite good (low glycemic) carbs are broccoli, unsweetened oats, quinoa, green Beans, almonds, brown/long grain rice, red potatoes (without condiments), carrots and maybe bananas right after a hard workout. But that's just my favorites and the carbs that my body likes.

GemiKniight.....it's good to hear that you are not too focused on the number on a scale. Just do all that yo do, work hard and the rest will fall into place. I'm close to your height as well and unless you want to look really skinny and have no muscle, you're right under 200 is probably way too lite. If you're happy with 240 or 250 and feel good and healthy, go with it. I've found my sweet spot is in the mid-230's as far as how good I feel and how strong I feel. Keep up the great work!

I'm not a bodybuilder per se, as strength/explosiveness and general well being are my main goals for lifting. But I do apply certain bodybuilding parameters (high reps and lots of time under tension) when I'm seeing a body part lagging for some reason. For example, I noticed a few months ago that my pecs (chest) looked a bit under developed. So now, I'll focus on chest work once a week using more of a bodybuilding lifting technique and those pecs are starting to come back in line with the rest of my muscles. So while physique is not my main goal from weightlifting, I still add in bodybuilding type lifts once a week or so. As for supplements, I think most are pretty bogus and a waste of money. Just my personal opinion, but aside from typical sleeve supplements, I do take fish oil a lot and sometimes creatine. The main things I would urge you to focus on are..... 1-Set specific goals you wish to accomplish from lifting and use that as motivation. 2-Work hard in the gym and even more important, work smart. 3-Eat to support your lifting efforts......some complex carbs along with Protein the first meal or two after your workout, etc. Wish you the best!!

wcn.....I was just answering the posters question with my own personal experience and yes, I've gotten mixed results with it .......regardless if you think I have or not. After the sleeve, I got back to my original strength goal without the use of it. I started using it some after I met my strength goals and currently using it now. I'm at about the same place I was without it. Is that to say it's not useful at all? Of course not. I think it helps me SOME with my individual workouts, but big picture, I can't see that it's helped me with strength anymore than not using it. So for ME.....it's not the be all and end all......my strength is just as good without it. But I still give it a try and for several months at a time and with different types of creatine. I have done quite a bit of research on the supplement.....for a few years in fact and it's recent advances......so I'm well aware of it. As far as what our body naturally produces......seems to me that it's still a good idea to practice moderation in consuming something in high quantities.....even if it is natural. Our bodies (liver) produce cholesterol naturally, but for me, I don't think it's a good idea to eat unlimited egg yolks, butter, sausage and deep fried chicken.

Well.....ok.......

Finished in 44 minutes. Certainly not like a regular road 5K.....obstacles, traffic and mud slowed me down......but it was a blast!!

I try to implement some "active recovery" to help move out the lactic AND still get a bit of a workout in. Ex: If I do heavy/intense squats on Monday, on Thursday I'll try to go a little less on the intensity scale and also go lighter. Monday: 5 sets of 4-6 reps to failure with usually a weight of around 415-425 or so. Along with other supporting/auxiliary lifts like lunges, straight leg deadlifts or extensions also going very heavy. Thursday: 3 sets of 6-8 reps but not quite to failure. On Thursdays, my legs are still usually sore from Monday's workout, but I'm able to get some movement and a light workout in to help push Monday's recovery along. Then come Monday, I'm ready for a heavy and intense lower body workout again. One thing I've noticed over the years, the time to recover takes a little longer than it did when I was in my 20's. So I think age is a big factor as well.

I have off and on. I've gotten mixed results. One thing to keep in mind if that it can make you gain a couple of pounds of Water, but not usually in a bloated kind of way and comes right back off once you stop taking creatine.

I go lift on my lunch break. My gym is right around the corner from my office, so I get a 45-50 minute high paced intense workout in. Then have a Protein shake at my desk and soon after that I will munch on some whole unsweetened oats. I'll do cardio about twice a week, one weekday afternoon and usually on Saturdays.

I work with a guy who does these type events....He loves them! Yeah, they are a little addictive. I think for me, the athletic events are fun, but the atmosphere is what makes me show up....bagpipes, genealogy and the like.

Warrior Dash this Saturday in North Carolina. This will either be my 3rd or 4th Warrior Dash....can't remember. Very fun and I'm not a huge fan of running and still love it! Oh yeah.....and participating in the Grandfather Mountain Scottish Highland Games in July. Linville, NC, throwing and flipping heavy stuff.

Fiddle, I second what Curvy said, you've done great, transformed yourself and picked up some great habits along the way...those are really good things. Curvy, last summer when I busted it to lose those last dozen or so pounds to get to "goal weight", I noticed a little sag then, but I also lost some muscle in the process. That 215 was just not a good weight for me. 230's is better for me...I have better/optimal strength and no skin issues....even though I'm guessing my Dr would want me to stay around the 215 mark.

It's a tough call and way too many variables to know for sure if it (fitness) helps everyone. For me, yes, I think it has helped some. But I was a rather low BMI'er (one of the many variables) before surgery and haven't lost as much weight as the typical sleever. I'm guessing it's a little harder for women to reap the benefits since typically they cannot add as much muscle as guys. Then there's the age variable and how long post op one is.......I'm 2 1/2 years post op and 41. As for my personal experience, I really haven't noticed any loose skin. One exception may be that when I'm a little dehydrated or my Water intake is low, every once in a while it seems my neck may have the slightest bit saggy look. But I can't tell for sure and wonder if it's the lighting or something else making me wonder if it's a little loose or saggy, but I usually don't see it or anywhere else on my body. Oh and sorry Fiddle, I forgot to answer about surgery. I've not had any plastic surgery or use any kind of lotion for moisturizing, but I've heard that can help.

"nmccarthy"......there are quite a few sleevers on this site that take lifting seriously and I feel that I am one of them. As some posters above have mentioned, lifting after surgery (when cleared by Dr) and getting in sufficient Protein are the two big key factors during that weight loss phase. You'll lose some muscle during the first couple of months post op during the rapid weight loss........nothing you can really do to stop muscle loss during that time. But lifting during this phase and concentrating on protein will lessen the amount of muscle you lose........making it easier to get back to where you want to be and less like starting from scratch. I was there, was down in the dumps about muscle loss right after surgery, but it could have been worse had I not lifted and cosumed adequate protein after my sleeve. About 7 or so months after my surgery, I was back to my pre-sleeve strength, but weighed about 60-70 pounds less, so it can be done. Good luck with surgery, I think you'll be so glad you got the sleeve!