Good job Dee Dee!!! Here is me today: Stability Ball Back Extension: Set 1: 17 reps | Set 2: 17 reps | Set 3: 13 reps Lat Pulldowns - wide grip: Set 1: 15 reps @ 70.0 lbs | Set 2: 15 reps @ 70.0 lbs | Set 3: 15 reps @ 60.0 lbs Set 4: 15 reps @ 60.0 lbs Prone incline Dumbbell Shrug: Set 1: 15 reps @ 40.0 lbs | Set 2: 15 reps @ 40.0 lbs Dumbbell Biceps Curl - standing: Set 1: 15 reps @ 20.0 lbs | Set 2: 15 reps @ 20.0 lbs Dumbbell Hammer Curl - standing: Set 1: 15 reps @ 25.0 lbs | Set 2: 15 reps @ 20.0 lbs Triple-Extension Step Ups - dumbbell: Set 1: 15 reps @ 20.0 lbs | Set 2: 15 reps @ 20.0 lbs Straight Leg Dead Lift: Set 1: 15 reps @ 75.0 lbs | Set 2: 15 reps @ 75.0 lbs Lying Bent Leg Raises: Set 1: 37 reps Straight Leg Raises on Bench: Set 1: 37 reps | Set 2: 37 reps Yard work, and a dump run Mike

Thanks Mike. Good to say hi, even though I'm not active on here anymore. I'm glad this forum is so active, even if I suck. YOu look great! ~Annie

Hey folks! It's me, Annie. I know I never post here anymore...but I still think about you guys. Just thought I would post a ONE YEAR POST OP UPDATE on me. Can you believe it? This year has just flown by...and it's been so positive. Let's see...the nitty gritty is: I started on 8/12/04 with a weight of 307 BMI: 56.2) measurements as follows: waist: 49 bust: 53 hips/belly (same): 67 upperarm: 18 thigh: 37 calf: 18.5 neck: 17 Today, I weigh 167 (BMI: 30.5 3 more pounds til I'm just overweight ) (I freakin dropped 7 pounds in the last 2 days after about 5-6 weeks on a plateau ) my measurements are: waist: 35 (-14, and might I add, smaller than my thigh was pre op) bust: 41 (-12) hips/belly: 46 (-21) upperarm: 11.5 (-6.5) thigh: 24 (-13) calf: 14.5 (-4) neck: 14 (-3) I wear size M T-shirts, 16 in pants....and I am shopping for plastic surgery planning on doing it next year once I gather time off (switched jobs in June)and some funding I am looking into getting The Works: Lower body lift/belt lipectomy/ thigh lift-TT combo...whatever you want to call it. I have approx. 10-15 lbs of skin/fat around my middle/panni that the 2 plastic surgeons I have consulted with and my original surgeon all say will not budge with even my best efforts in the gym/kitchen. Also need a breast lift and upper arm lift/bat wing removal. The good news is that without implants, I will still be at least a full C/small D depending on how that goes. I definitely didn't want implants but I would feel strange with no boobies after living with huge ones my whole adult life. Ok...so that's the nuts and bolts....the truth is, I still work out, and love it, but my life is so much busier lately that while it's definitley a priority, it's not the Main thing anymore. I bought a treadmill and I really like having the option do do that or elliptical in addition to weights. I actually hired a trainer for 3 sessions to mix it up a little and it was money well spent. She showed me some more ab exercises and ways to use my equipment for variety. I feel like I learned from her and got re-invigorated. I have lost strength (so, obviously some muscle) but I still feel strong and healthy if that makes any sense? My boyfriend Thomas thinks that some of my strength t loss is just my perception in that I have less mass and less weight to put into my movements...like with moving furniture, etc. I lift lighter than before, but more reps and still sweat and feel pumped afterwards. I love the way my body feels. I feel like after plastics I will have even more athleticism, without the boob/belly hanging stuff.... Life.... I changed jobs, from a desk job to back on the bench (Medical Technologist) both because I was sick of my old job and also because I felt like sitting on my butt all day was a waste of time. I like being active and it's just a better way for me to live. I wear sneakers to work now because I up walking/running around for 10-11 hrs now. Plus, I make 15% more Boys. Well, one boy. Thomas. (he's 6'8" and I'm 5'2" :haha) Best friend for the last year or 2. We met online, "dated" briefly, then became buddies. We've been seeing each other as a "couple" since late April. It's awesome. He's a great cheerleader, very Very giving of himself. And, he's a Chef and once or twice a week we cook dinner and we always make sure it's lo/no carb, low fat, high protein, and it's always very very yummy. Last night was Scallops with chili oil over field greens with avocado puree (in the Magic Bullet, thanks Earl ) and he roasted banana peppers and stuffed them with 2% string cheese. Melty Spicy Good. I ate 2 bites of a pepper, 2 huge scallops, and a bunch of greens. YUM. On a serious note, I've been fighting depression (real depression, devoid of any reason...life is good, right?) lately, been in touch with my doctor, and going to see a therapist this week. I have some stuff to process, but I'm optimistic that I can face it and deal with a lot of it to find ways to cope that work for me. It's weird, on paper...life is awesome, but I still have days where I am sooo sad an dblue. Some is clearly hormonal, but some of it is more serious. I'm getting the help I need, though. Anyway...this turned into a waaaaaaaaay long chit chat....just wanted to share my news. Hope everyone is doing great. xxoo, Annie

What Earl said WALK!!!!!! after doc releases you, you can begin to SLOWLY build a routine. But after just walk and rest, get your head straight, walk, learn to use the tool, walk.

Hi guys! I'm new on this board, but I had a couple of questions for some of you. I'm still pre-op, but have a membership to an awesome gym and am quite looking forward to going back after surgery. I'm having laparoscopic RNY, and wanted to know if I'll be allowed to do abdominal toning. I know you're at more risk for a hernia if you have an open incision. I'm considering slowly but surely starting a weightlifting routine to curb the excess skin (although I know it will not completely prevent it). Do you guys have any suggestions?