macman

Congratulations, that is real progress!

6 miles today! Good way to begin the month!

Great Job!! You look great! i'll bet you have a lot more stamina for those workouts

I am also in for December. I will need to adjust my goals since surgery has finally been scheduled for December 23rd. Even so, I would like to shoot for 100 miles on my recumbent bike. Hopefully the sciatica will stay in check and allow me to exercise regularly

6 miles yesterday, finished the month at 101 miles!

I am having surgery on December 23. I thought about waiting but I have been working towards this for some time. It does mean Christmas will be quiet! We always made a big deal of the holidays and everyone came to our house. My adult sons will be visiting their in laws this year with a promise that next year we pick up where we left off. I plan on a quiet holiday with my wife

5 miles today, in between, a battle with a drumstick! Monthly total 95. I just might make 100!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I have not logged any exercise the past five days due to a flare up of sciatica. I will attempt to finish this month strong over the last couple days.

LOL!! Sorry for the confusion. I have two adult sons, 31 & 29. The oldest has a serious girlfriend, the youngest is married. My wife, is a saint. we have been married 34 years! No grandchildren yet, just a grand puppy!

I am also having surgery on December 23rd and planned a quiet Christmas. It does seem weird that no one will be at our house. the family usually comes to us, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We always try to make the Holidays special. But this year, there won"t be decorations, or favorite meals or any visitors. My two sons, with wife and girlfriend are going elsewhere. Since I should be released from the hospital on Christmas Eve, it has to be that way. But we have all committed to making next tear special again!

What a great picture your family at a great time of year! and congrats on the progress so far!

Hey Atlanta I finally have a date, December 23. I am still waiting on insurance approval but the surgeon is confidant along with my desire to get this done in December. Upper GI on the 3rd, Pre surgery testing on the 13th followed by the big day!

So far I have lost 35 pounds with a couple weeks to go

I us my fitness pal religiously to track food. I also have a fit bit which syncs well with it. I do not compensate for exercise or activity, I guess my philosophy is that I see the activity as a bonus. I do expect I will have to adjust protein intake in the future as I adjust exercise levels particularly with strength training.

Just wanted to weigh in on the pre op diet. I met with the surgeon on Tuesday. No pre op diet, just liquids only one day before. I asked why others were talking about 2 or 3 weeks pre op diet. His response was that because I have been in a six month program at the weight center in the hospital!, a pre op diet was not necessary. While losing 35 pounds, I have been shrinking my liver all along. They have paid very close attention. I have to weigh in every time I visit. I did not have a certain number of pounds to lose, rather just had to show that I could follow the program

Fiddle, I also have arthritis in my spine. Orthopedist told me to stretch out the spine and gave me some exercises. Some were mentioned earlier. Getting on my knees and arching my back is one that helps a bit. He also has encouraged me to swim, says it lengthens out the spine. Have not done that yet, maybe after Surgery. Hope the pain is manageable

Need to add 10 miles to my total, 93 for the month

Good Morning all! I need to add 18 miles to my monthly count. That brings it to 83 miles. I too have issues with hip pain. The chiropractor seems to think it has to do with my hip alignment, which is displaced because of how I walk. His adjustments seem to work, until things go out of whack again. I am a side sleeper and putting a pillow between my knees at night has helped. I am also doing the above stretches daily, and they also help

Hello all, I have an update. just finished all pre op requirements and met with the surgeon yesterday. We are all set to move forward. He will submit to insurance today (BCBS of IL). After approval Pre Op testing, upper. GI and EKG, and then surgery. He is confident it will happen in December but needs insurance approval to schedule. I will be having the surgery at UMass Worcester with Dr Czerniach.

Congratulations to both of you. Looking terrific!

Congratulations, you look terrific!

5 miles on the bike yesterday, 6 miles today for a monthly total of 76 miles

Fiddleman, I am still pre op, hoping for a surgery date in December. Right now am trying to establish good habits that I can use after surgery. But you"re right about trying to take advantage of the opportunity. Nothing like getting a little religion because of the second chance.

I have been traveling this week so I have not posted. But I have been able to keep working on the bike, even with all day meetings. That is a new one for me. Before taking on this challenge I would never pack the gym shoes and plan on exercise. 28 miles so far this week. Brings the monthly total to 65 miles.

I am on the other side of this issue as I am just finishing my six months. Insurance required a 6 month managed plan. The Hospital intentionally spread appointments out for me so I could do something every month. The first two months were single appointments, had an intake physical and saw the psych counselor. Month three got serious when I saw the NUT and began my structured diet. I had monthly follow ups with the NUT and exercise physiologist. I had to show I could stick with a program and lose weight, although not a specific amount. I have just finished the required pre surgical classes and have an appointment to see the surgeon on Tuesday. I am hoping for a December date. At times the six months dragged on. I have felt ready for the surgery for about a month now. But I have learned a lot in the mean time. It is the first time in my life I have stuck with a regimented exercise program and have learned a lot about nutrition. I have also tried a lot of foods that hopefully I will be able to eat after the surgery. I also have learned and tried to put into place routines with eating and exercising that should help me after the surgery. Of course it also helps that I lost 35 pounds along the way. I will say this forum has helped me understand a lot of the issues, concerns and successes that people are having. In the end I could do with shortening the requirement by a month or two but it has been time well spent.