I splurged and bought a new bike on Saturday, got a lighter weight 21 speed aluminum frame bike that is a LOT easier to peddle than my old steel frame 6 speed Schwinn.

2 years ago I used to bust out in a sweat in making the effort of getting up and going to the bathroom, now I'm peddling a bike for 10 - 30+ miles down our city trails with not much more effort. I'd do more in the evenings but the durn sun sets too fast for me! I leave work and hit the city pool, swim for an hour (120 25 yd laps) and then head home, grab a bite and hit the trails on the bike.

If anyone asks 'Was weight loss surgery worth it?" The answer is YES , it was worth it. It was worth the miserable pre-op diet, it was worth all the money (I'm self pay), it was worth the misery post-op, it was worth the hair loss, it was even worth the kidney stones I got from too much Calcium and not enough Water, it's worth the saggy skin and other weird things. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

If you're reading this and haven't done it yet or are just considering it, my advice is to DO IT. Believe me, it's worth it.

Edit: 9-3-12 So finally a pic, not very flattering but it'll have to do:

Hi Rootman, I am jealous, I want a new bike! Congrats to you! I agree 100%, this surgery was soooo worth it, I feel like a new person....I AM a new person!

I feel your enthusiasm Rootman. I am a bike fanatic. I got 6 bikes and 2 more frames hanging in my garage, and cycling is my preferred method of exercise. Enjoy your new bike.

And he didn't even post a pic of it.

I splurged and bought a new bike on Saturday, got a lighter weight 21 speed aluminum frame bike that is a LOT easier to peddle than my old steel frame 6 speed Schwinn.

2 years ago I used to bust out in a sweat in making the effort of getting up and going to the bathroom, now I'm peddling a bike for 10 - 30+ miles down our city trails with not much more effort. I'd do more in the evenings but the durn sun sets too fast for me! I leave work and hit the city pool, swim for an hour (120 25 yd laps) and then head home, grab a bite and hit the trails on the bike.

If anyone asks 'Was weight loss surgery worth it?" The answer is YES , it was worth it. It was worth the miserable pre-op diet, it was worth all the money (I'm self pay), it was worth the misery post-op, it was worth the hair loss, it was even worth the kidney stones I got from too much calcium and not enough Water, it's worth the saggy skin and other weird things. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

If you're reading this and haven't done it yet or are just considering it, my advice is to DO IT. Believe me, it's worth it.

Beautifully put. Conld not have said it better.

I have been afraid to ride a bike for several years now and I do want one. I was always fearful that one of the pedals would snap off behind all 284lbs I was carrying on it...not to mention the seat oh the seat with not enough cushion was murder. Now, I am looking forward to going out and shopping for a bike...me.. shopping...for a bike!! I can't wait.

You are a real inspiration, Rootman!

Was weight loss surgery worth it?" The answer is YES ,

Rootman

nice to see you, its been awhile

congrats on your new bicycle - you sound so happy, and proud

the 3rd paragraph you wrote - should be mandatory for anyone who is thinking about having the sleeve, people that are pre-op - those who are dealing with stalls, and those who have had problems before, during or after wls, and anyone else i didn't include

actually, i think that covers all of us at one time or another

Rootman, inspiration to me?- i don't know i, don't want to give you a swelled head

congrats on your continued success

best

kathy

Btw, why do guy bikes look better than gurl bikes - personally speaking. I do kinda favor the guy bikes. And any suggestions on what brand-speed-bells&whistles to look for when shopping?

Please post a pic of your new toy...please

My fella got me a new bike for valentines day. Sadly, I want to pass out after only a few minutes of riding. I know he is disappointed that I haven't used it more. I am pre-op and can't wait to be able to get back on my bike!

Beautifully put. Conld not have said it better.

I have been afraid to ride a bike for several years now and I do want one. I was always fearful that one of the pedals would snap off behind all 284lbs I was carrying on it...not to mention the seat oh the seat with not enough cushion was murder. Now' date=' I am looking forward to going out and shopping for a bike...me.. shopping...for a bike!! I can't wait. [/quote']

You won't snap off a pedal at 284 unless you're jumping off a building. I have ridden century rides at the 300 pound mark. I'm right about that weight now but not in as good of shape as I was back then, but I still ride 20 miles at a time. So don't be afraid. And a cushy seat is not what you want. Good cycling shorts with a good chamois (pad) in them are worth their weight in gold. If you're not into spandex, they make mountain bike shorts that look like regular shorts but have the chamois inside. They will improve your riding comfort tremendously.

@Butter - thank you

think i'll get me a pair those cycling shorts.

i will not be afraid to wear them anymore

So cool. Thanks for sharing!! I cannot WAIT until I can go on bike rides next spring. I'm so uncomfortable and self conscious now that I can't get into a rhythm, but bike riding be on my list of top 5 ways to get/stay fit post-op. I already told my teenager that I'm taking the brand new bike that's in our shed that she's ridden like twice. Though, I'd love one of those cool looking cruiser bikes. LOL

Thanks guys, you really made my day reading the posts.

Btw, why do guy bikes look better than gurl bikes

I guess cause they seem so much more logical with he straight tube rather than the angled or curved tube. I see MANY women on the trails riding "boys" bikes. Since I seldom see a rider in a skirt the need for the "cutout" isn't really there any more. Every place I've seen has mostly men's styles and a few token womens bikes for the die hards that just insist on having a "real" girls bike.

personally speaking. I do kinda favor the guy bikes. And any suggestions on what brand-speed-bells&whistles to look for when shopping?

I didn't look real hard but I looked at a few shops. You can get a decent bike for a few hundred $$$, you can get a GOOD bike for about $500 and there is no real reason to get a real high priced bike unless you're really going gung ho. I paid $430 for mine, it's a Giant brand ( http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/ ) and I got it at my local Lewis and Clark Outfitter.

Get something that has a suspension on the front forks and a suspended seat post (piston in the tube). I've been told The rear suspension bikes with a big shock on the rear don't really work that well and are more of a gimmick and they waste a lot of energy by bobbing up and down as you peddle. I don't know for sure but that's what I was told by a few people who really appear to know bikes.

I'd go to a bike shop and be measured for a bike rather than just guess and pull one off a rack that looks "right" at a department store. Generally the more speeds the more the flexibility, you don't go through all of them in sequence and generally keep the front derailer in 2nd or 3rd unless really climbing a hill. Everyone has their own cadence (peddles pumps a minute) that just seems to work out and is most comfortable and the more gears it has the more likely you are to stay in that sweet spot and have the most energy hit the ground per revolution. Mine is a 21 speed. 6, 7 or 14 are popular.

There are a lot of different types, the type I got was called a hybrid, not mountain bike not comfort street bike but a combo. It has a large diameter aluminum tube frame for strength and lightness and larger tires for grip and comfort. Lightness is key as the more the bike weighs the more energy it takes to just move the itself, let alone your body too. Really expensive ones are made out of carbon Fiber and cost thousands and have narrow little tires and hard seats. Not advisable unless you are really skinny and plan on putting hundreds of miles a week on the bike.

If you're really not sure about biking being for you get a cheap department store bike and try it for a while. If you really get in to it then sell / give / donate it away and go get a better one.

I'll try and get a pic tonight.

Thank you for the inspiration, and definitely for the suggestions on what kind of bike to get Rootman

Hey Rootman, here's some of mine. Don't laugh at my short shorts. The wind was blowing them up.

The second one is my wife on my Dahon folding bike.