BigViffer

@@BigJnav3 - I've been going through this thread again just looking back on where I was just a few short months ago. And I noticed that I hadn't really commented on your accomplishments. (not that you were holding your breath waiting for it!) Looking back at your before picture, it looks like you are really starting to pack on the muscle! Some very impressive gains man. I bet you're proud; and damn right you should be. That being said, don't get carried away and get a sport injury like us old men on the forum.

Oh man, just wait... it gets so much worse! I kept having stabbing pain in my @ss when sitting for more than 30 minutes. I started looking up symptoms on the internet. (Never do that!) I thought I had some sort of butt cyst. Turns out it is pretty normal for bariatric patients to think there is something wrong when it's just normal. I seriously thought my tailbone was trying to escape through my ass-crack.

I've been really working on my back the past couple of months. Unlike the rest of the muscle groups though, it's really difficult to see progress there because well... it behind you. So I thought I would take a few pictures so that I could see how I was progressing. I don't it's looking too bad! There is not much I can do about the extra skin as of yet, but I think it would look even better if that were gone.

lol, priceless! Oh, and much appreciated. Always can use a good chuckle.

@@Dub - far be it for me to knock anyone's ride, but don't you have a bad back also? If so, you really need to think about how sitting with your feet extended in front of your hips is going to affect your back. The one thing I hear over and over from people is how comfortable a cruiser is; but for me they are an agony. Even now my legs will go numb if I sit with my feet extended in front of me. Another bad thing (if you have a bad back) about cruisers is the fact that you have nothing to absorb the bumps in the road other than your butt and spine. For many people that have lumbar issues, I recommend UJM's or adventure style bikes. Upright seating position with your knees at about a 90 degree bend. That way your legs can absorb some of the repeated impacts. That all being said - if having a cruiser is a dream you have always had, then dammit! Get a cruiser! You ever want to talk bikes, I am all about it! I was supposed to take my MSF Rider Coach test this year, but as always life is getting in the way of my passion.

@@SleevePerry Hot Damn! Show off the gams! Seriously though, looking real good and you should feel good about your accomplishments.

... oh man... must resist temptation... You do realize it is taking all of my considerable self control to refrain from asking a totally hilarious and entirely adult question about that statement, don't you?

No worries Babbs. Only reason I put it here is because sometimes our machismo makes us lose sight of where we started. Women are welcome to post in this thread.

Not a NSV, but I thought my fellow riders would like to see this pic. A friend of mine was running at the ECTA Mile in Wilmington OH this weekend. Was hoping for 200+ mph, but sadly fell short and only hit 190 something. His bike is a 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14 with 33K miles! The dude rides all the time!

Something in my head kept coming back to your question, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Then I realized what it was; you are only 5-6 months post op! Dude, take it easy and take it slow. And definitely don't take any supplements without clearing it with your surgeon! I'm not going to wag my finger or shake my head at you, but please don't get carried away this soon in the recovery. We are in this for the long haul. This isn't a race to some weird VSG finish line. And if there were a finish line, there is no trophy. So you have nothing to prove to anyone and so much to gain by playing it safe.

@@dmedic72 - jesus dude... now that I am back at a PC and see your pictures, YOU ARE KILLING IT! Way to take full advantage of our second chance bro.

I feel like I should clarify/qualify my last post. Before all my injuries and I got really fat, I used to use supplements. Pretty much everything they said would increase my performance I took at some time. All it did was make me push myself harder to try and see results faster. This time I vowed that I would go purely old fashioned. Clean eating with slow and hopefully steady results. I don't want to try and find a shortcut because it caused ME problems last time. That may not be an issue for anyone else. If anyone is looking at me as an example, remember this; I am only trying to live healthier and get lean. I am not going for any weight lifting nor fitness records. I want to feel good in everything I do physically. Lean and lithe is my goal. I want to be able to lift my body weight in the deadlift, squat, and at least one honest to god chin up. That's it. Set a reasonable and attainable goal and stick to it.

Just Water for me. I don't take any supplements other than an Fiber bar pre-workout and dense Protein post. That could be chicken or a Protein Bar. I just don't believe the marketing behind supplements since I work in advertising. I asked my surgeon (he's a lifter too) and he didn't use anything either. Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling

For me it was at least 3 months. You are going through the grieving process. Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling

Most of what has been said is pretty good, so I'll let them stand on their own. I do want to clue you in on a place that was a lifesaver for me. There is a business called The Vitamin Shoppe that when you buy the Protein powders, it is guaranteed you will like it. Doesn't matter the brand or if it was on sale/clearanced. You buy a big-assed tub of it and only make one shake and find you don't like it; take it back for a full in-store credit. The one that I go to has a very knowledgeable staff. I told them I had the sleeve and needed to find a powder that didn't make me want to gag. I probably went through 4 different brands before finding Gold Standard. Now when I go, I buy whatever flavor sounds good to me without the worry if I don't like it I'll be stuck with it.

Hmm... That pic makes my waist look thick. Here is one after changing: Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling

I was telling my wife how I was having a good arm workout today. So she asked for a picture while I was at the gym. Then I remembered this thread and I thought I would post it. As you can see in the picture, I am still in love with the bands! I can do a full set of 8 of 100lbs curls with the straight bar, but there is nothing like the pump you get from the bands.

I just answered this question recently, so I am just going to paste the links: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/365483-men-and-muscle-loss/#entry4129930 http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/353597-male-before-and-after-pictures/page-16#entry4128408 Feel free to look at the few pictures in my gallery too.

@@jenn1 I agree with @@Renkoss in regards to oatmeal. My surgeon recommended oatmeal as a healthy carb. It helps with regularity too which we all know is an issue for people post surgery. I know you weren't playing food cop, only looking out for the best interest of newer members I do also want to say that just because it is a good carb, we should be eating it every day. I like to have oatmeal and shredded wheat about once a week for the Fiber benefit and the energy from the carbs.

I'm in this boat with you guys. I work out a lot and with pretty high intensity. I am pretty solid everywhere. However, I feel like a shar-pei dog. My belly skin can be pulled out and tugged to the left or right and almost folded! Only thing I can do is shake my head at the fact. It's my own fault for getting as big as I did. No amount of exercise will get rid of it nor make it taut again. It's not painful in and of itself, but it does get pinched sometimes and I am constantly getting ingrown hairs on my stomach and waist. Those are a real problem. Another problem is that the solid muscle underneath curves outward from belly hanging all those years. Same thing with my lower ribs, the push out from being in that place for so long. My surgeon said it's not an issue as far as health is concerned, only aesthetic.

Damn... killjoy!

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend hot yoga for beginners like us. I go to a local rec center. Most of the people there are seniors or young people curious about yoga. I have no clue about the options in a monster city like New York Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling

I need to make that my sig line!

Sweet! I'm about to be 42! What do I get??!

If I am correct in my thinking, Bikram Yoga is the correct name for hot yoga, is it not? I have not done hot yoga, but I understand how the heat would loosen muscles for the stretches. There are two things to be aware of though: 1st - we don't know your yoga proficiency so forgive me if I state the obvious. A prolonged session of really deep stretchs will leave you in agony the day after. I would describe it as rigor mortis for the living. The heat will allow you to get a bigger stretch than you would normally so you can over extend yourself thinking you are OK. 2nd - how are you at hitting your Fluid intake goal? Hot yoga has to be at 100+ degrees! In my regular yoga class, it is not uncommon for me to drip sweat. I would be a puddle in a hot yoga class. If you are not really well hydrated that day, you are risking dehydration, muscle cramps, heat stroke... and something else I am sure. I really enjoy yoga and I know there is benefit to doing it, so I hope you are able to take a yoga class. Is hot yoga the right one just now? That I cannot say for sure. Best of luck to you!