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I have an arthritic back and a bum knee so walking long distances is difficult for me without a rollator or cane. This is how I get my exercise when I'm not at the YMCA pool. "Alinker" walking tricycles are powered by our feet, not pedals or motor. I try to do at least a mile or more daily--on pavement, not gravel! My cat often runs with me around my neighborhood and my friend's little dog sometimes runs with her or rides in her basket.
I’ve had mine for almost two years. I got mine before I started my weight loss journey even though I was well over the recommended weight limit. At first I could only go about 50 feet and my heart would be pounding and I’d be short of breath. There is a steep learning curve. In the beginning they are NOT EASY to ride. but people with Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, amputations & paralysis can use them successfully. I decided so can I! Now I can go 2 1/2 miles at one time but usually go about a mile. I tend to run rather than walk on the level but it's hard work to go up hills! I can go up moderate rises, but if the hill is steep I stand up and walk it or get off and push it. It gets easier with practice. I rode two miles today including a couple of hills. It’s a lot of fun, especially when my cat runs with me. My friend and I are planning to run a 5k next spring with the trikes. I haven't traveled with mine yet but my friend has. She rides hers right up to the jetway at airports and gate-checks it. Alinkers are mobility devices and are permitted anywhere wheelchairs can go. Unfortunately, they are expensive, about $2600 in the US, but they do have a rent-to-own and crowdfunding programs. Sometimes used ones can be found on eBay and elsewhere. A good 2-wheel bicycle is expensive, too, and electric ones are even more pricey. For more information visit the website at alinker.com and Alinker on YouTube. They have a member-only Facebook page also.

These are the ones I've been most eye-balling. As I mentioned, Kayaking is at the top of my list, BUT, I quit vaping for this surgery and have like $50+ dollars in credit at my vape store. I was bummed I was going to lose it. I hadn't been in for a while, and they moved a few doors down and expanded into a full-blown head shop. A head shop with a pretty extensive disc golf collection! PLUS, my college literally just installed a disc golf course behind the building that 95% of my classes are in. So that will be a thing, I'm pretty sure. I've always been wistful about those "Tough Mudder" type competitions. Like it looked so fun, but I was too out of shape for it. Maybe in a year or so I will be ready! I think, once I start really getting my walking game amped up, I'd like to do some 5Ks as well. Thanks for all the suggestions!

I'm sorry to hear that. I think you don't need to fight this issue. In my opinion, you should work with what you got. The best way to go is to use the laser hair removal procedure and be and don't fight with your body. You can look even cooler without hair, especially if you are going to raves. My friend is always doing the full laser hair removal procedure every 6 months, and he is completely fine. If you need a suggestion about a proper company that can help you with this procedure, let me know.

Have you looked into wigs? They make “half” wigs which basically just sit on the scalp and add volume but aren’t too heavy. There are some very natural looking hair pieces on the market that you wear until your hair grows back.


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My hair is a very light brown; it gets blonder over the summer. I used to always dye it a dark red or a really dark brown. I'd really like to do a super dark brown because it looks pretty.

I’m sorry, that must be hard! Have you considered going lighter, rather than darker? If you dye your hair dark, your thin roots may show more. I know you said you have tried shampoos, my stylist suggested ColorProf if you are up for trying another.

Roller skating sounds like a blast. They closed down our one roller rink during the pandemic and it's been demolished. Maybe I can look into inline skates - do they still make those? Also, I remembered I have like $60 credit at my vape shop I've been saving up and now I have to quit vaping - but they recently grew and now are more of a vape/head/FRISBEE GOLF shop. AND, they just built a brand new frisbee golf course just outside my building on campus so I'm feeling like the universe is trying to tell me something.

So I know this is “exercise” but it’s actually quite fun and engaging too, I bought an echelon bike and I take peloton classes with it. I find that the time zips by because the instructors are chatty, the music selection is good and it has a lot of variety. Plus the echelon bike is like 1/4 the cost of a peloton.

And for those who said they want to start running, I would have bet that mega millions jackpot I would never be able to run a mile in my life, but I bought a used treadmill off Craigslist and downloaded the couch to 5k app last year. Now I run at least 2-3 miles every day and have run in 5ks getting my time down to sub 28 minutes. It’s possible, even in your 40s and beyond!

I'm like you, I'd much rather "play" for fitness. I created a list of sports I want to try. Now this is my list and some you may hate the idea of, but perhaps some of them might appeal to you:
Archery Backpacking Boxing Disk Golf Fencing Golf Hang Gliding Kayaking Kitesurfing Martial arts Mountain biking Mud runs Orienteering Parkour Pilates Powerlifting Racquetball Repelling Rock climbing Rowing Sailing Scuba Diving Skiing – cross country Skiing – downhill Snorkeling Snowboarding Snowkiting Snowmobiling Squash Stand-up Paddle Boarding Swimming Tennis Trail Running Ultimate Frisbee Volleyball Windsurfing Yoga

I prefer being productive or having fun when I exercise too. When the weather doesn’t cooperate … I have a recumbent bike that I like using (and I can watch videos, movies or listen to podcasts or music while I cycle). I also pull up YouTube videos to mix up exercises indoors when it’s to hot outside. Swimming is usually good even on hot / humid days.

I try to alternate cardio and weights (use resistance bands or body weight exercises).

I play so, so much Beat Saber, probably 5+ hours a week. To mix things up and increase intensity, I step in time to the the music.
It takes a little finagling to set up on your machine, but there's a huge community of people who create mods and custom songs for the game. There's a style of song mapping called "fitbeat" that includes a lot more squats, dodging, and reaching to increase your effect, but I usually just play the sorts of music I listened to in high school and college.
I use exercise as mood regulation as well as physical health, so sometimes I like to pick music that fits my mood. (I have a lot of very loud metal songs for when I'm angry, lol.) But usually I make a "playlist" by searching my library of 300+ songs with whatever the first 2 letters of that days' wordle answer was.
If you're a numbers-focused person, on the Oculus there's a movement/calorie tracking app that I find very motivating. It's probably not super accurate because it only accounts for arm movement, but ... I like numbers.

That's fantastic that your brain is already making those switches for you. I know personally, I need time to make adjustments from old habits. I have been using the "Fabulous" App to help me make those changes gradually. My prep diet is seriously helping me focus and take the brain work out of it. I don't even want to think about what I'm going to do/eat after surgery - I just want it all planned out with various choices of what I can have already made. I vape about three puffs of cannabis at night to help me sleep. My surgeon didn't want me on NSAIDS any longer and he was totally and completely supportive of the cannabis. It really helps without any sleepy hangover in the morning.

Roller skating sounds like a blast. They closed down our one roller rink during the pandemic and it's been demolished. Maybe I can look into inline skates - do they still make those? Also, I remembered I have like $60 credit at my vape shop I've been saving up and now I have to quit vaping - but they recently grew and now are more of a vape/head/FRISBEE GOLF shop. AND, they just built a brand new frisbee golf course just outside my building on campus so I'm feeling like the universe is trying to tell me something.

Roller skating sounds like a blast. They closed down our one roller rink during the pandemic and it's been demolished. Maybe I can look into inline skates - do they still make those? Also, I remembered I have like $60 credit at my vape shop I've been saving up and now I have to quit vaping - but they recently grew and now are more of a vape/head/FRISBEE GOLF shop. AND, they just built a brand new frisbee golf course just outside my building on campus so I'm feeling like the universe is trying to tell me something.

I wish I was running, but I have an ongoing knee problem that I really need to get an MRI for. Have a horrible suspicion it may be osteoarthritis. So my desire to return to my non-gym "happy place" has been foiled. I do love the gym, and have yet to join the new local one after a recent house move. So my new low-impact activity is bike riding. I also love a nice walk (great for listening to podcasts), and have plans to re-learn to rollerskate. Because my heart never really left the 70s and 80s aesthetically, and if I was young, I'd be all over roller-derby.

Right now I'm getting my exercise by dancing in front of the air conditioner. Crank up the Bob Seger and let 'er rip!

I'm with you on that! I watch people run and wonder how they do that ? it looks like it would be fun though ??‍♀️

If you have a buddy, I like to play tennis for fun and good exercise. Sometimes basketball. Really any sport that you find fun is good exercise and keeps you moving.
I always wanted to be an avid runner but just cant. haha Even after loosing a ton of weight and being the most fit of my life I just CAN NOT RUN!

I'm not sure dream running counts, but it sounds like a nice dream! Because it's been so hot and we can only have one air conditioner running at a time, I've been going to bed early with my husband and naturally waking up at 5:30am (I am usually a stay up until 2-4am type night owl). I'm thinking I'll keep it up next semester and avail myself of the pool at the college before my morning classes. I love swimming, and once I'm cleared for it, I think it will be good way to get some exercise in. Plus, I'll be able to justify the ludicrous "activity" fees I pay every semester!

The only exercise I have done is a bit of walking, and recently I bought a kayak and I now kayak for around 2 hours once a week when my shifts allow. I dreamt last night of running on the beach does that count as exercise? ?? I had big plans of joining the gym etc but it hasn't happened yet.

My bypass is scheduled for August 3rd. I'm nervous and have a LOT of changes to make before then. I need to quit vaping, and on the 20th, I need to start my diet changes. It's taking a lot for me to not keep thinking I should eat XYZ because I won't get to have it again. On the flip side, I think my brain is already getting engaged because I'm finding myself turning down sugar and not finishing everything on my plate.

My incredibly kind neighbors prepared my "last supper". It was unreal.
Filet mignon. Lobster tail. Cheesy potatoes. Roasted Brussels sprouts. And for dessert? Spiced chocolate pot de creme. I'm still dreaming about that meal...today is Day 3 of my 2-week pre-op diet.

My bypass is scheduled for August 3rd. I'm nervous and have a LOT of changes to make before then. I need to quit vaping, and on the 20th, I need to start my diet changes. It's taking a lot for me to not keep thinking I should eat XYZ because I won't get to have it again. On the flip side, I think my brain is already getting engaged because I'm finding myself turning down sugar and not finishing everything on my plate.

I went all out like you are thinking and bought all this stuff and didnt use a thing. I didnt get cleared for pills until I was off the soft diet. If you have questions about this please ask your nutritionist/dietician if you have questions. Don't do what I did by spending money on stuff you will not use. I had all these chewable crap that I hated and can't return. Don't be afraid to ask or reach out to your particular group doing your surgery.

I agree with the above posters.
Usually your Dietician will give you info about what your clinic wants you to take. My clinic is pretty basic on supplements. A bariatric vitamin twice daily, plus two 500 mg of calcium citrate, and the one thing they're different than most about is monthly B12 injections for the first year post op. Plus depending on your labwork post op, your vitamin/supplement regimen may change. Iron often has to be adjusted.
Currently I take Bariatric Fusion chewables, but they're pretty gross. ? I feel like I'll be switching to capsules very soon post op. I'm going to try Once Daily Bariatric Choice multivitamins. Any one else try these yet?