Woman on board! posting for male friend

Gentlemen, I usually don't invade your domain,   I would probably not like some of the lanuague used here so if I stay out of your locker room  I'm not offended! 
I have a male neighbor and friend who has had  the rny and he has a ? that I think you gents can answer better. He and his wife are not computer folk and Mickey  has severe  dsylexyia  and doesn't read.  If you gents will give some advice  I'll retrieve it and pass it on to him  and then stay out of your domain.

(mickey talking here)
Morning men.   Jo tells me you might be able to help out here.  I'm  59 day of surgury weighed in at 389.  I did real well through surgury and recovery and am still doing well with the diet and weight loss.  Today I tipped the scales at 305.  My problem  is I can't exercise because of severe arthritis in the back hips and knees. It is very painful to be on my feet .  I am doing water exercises with a bunch of old ladies  but I need more  exercise  to take full advantage of this oppurtunity  to get healthy.  
 Can someone give me some advice on exercises I can do sitting till I get more weight off and can be on my feet more please.     The wife and I cannot afford exercise machines right now  so I need some that  I can do on my own.    I  do appreciate  any assistance you might be able to give me and will follow any advice you can offer.

Howdy Mickey,

For only about 10 bucks at WalMart you can get a set of resistance bands. They're like large rubber bands with handles. If you look around, you can get one with an exercise plan, or have your friend print one out from an online source. These won't help much with your cardio, but they're great for strength and flexibility training while in a sitting position.

You may also check with your surgeon's office. Mine works closely with a physical rehabilitation center. They frequently refer people there for alternative exercise regimens and are quite often covered by insurance.

Hope this helps.

--Jake

Hey Mickey,

Congrats on your weight loss to date. Keep up the great work. Here's an interesting article I found on exercise and arthritis.

Introduction to Exercise

You may think that exercise and arthritis do not go hand in hand. If so, you would be mistaken. It was thought for many years that if you had arthritis you should not exercise because it would damage your joints. Now, however, research has shown that exercise is an essential tool in managing your arthritis.

Regular, moderate exercise offers a whole host of benefits to people with arthritis. Mainly, exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness, builds strong muscle around the joints, and increases flexibility and endurance. But it also helps promote overall health and fitness by giving you more energy, helping you sleep better, controlling your weight, decreasing depression, and giving you more self-esteem. Furthermore, exercise can help stave off other health problems such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

Starting an exercise program can seem like a daunting proposition. The important thing to remember is to start slow and make it fun. It is always good to start with flexibility exercises, which are basically stretching exercises that will improve your range of motion and help you perform daily activities. Once you feel comfortable you can move on to weight training and endurance exercises such as bicycling. You may be reluctant to exercise because you are in such pain. If this is the case you may want to start with a water exercise program. In the water your body's buoyancy reduces stress on your hips, knees, and spine. An exercise program can include anything from walking around the block, taking a yoga class, or playing a round of golf.

Whatever exercise program you decide on you should always consult with your doctor before starting out. Two other types of health professionals that can help you develop an exercise program that fits your specific needs are a physical or occupational therapist. A physical therapist can show you the proper techniques and precautions when performing certain types of exercise. An occupational therapist can show you how to perform daily activities without putting additional stress on your joints and can provide you with splints or assistive devices that can make working out more comfortable.

Here's a link to the Arthritis Foundation's web pages on various exercise programs. Looks like an excellent resource to me.

http://www.arthritis.org/programs.php

Best of luck in your WLS journey and welcome to the locker room, Mickey.

Boner

Hey Mic,

For some people who are wheel chair bound and also $$$ are a issue (hey thats most of us!) try using can goods different weights work your arms simple curls but try to do 4 sets 12 rep.'s increase weight as you progress but try this twice a day. Also you can take a empty gallon milk jug tie a rope on the handle the other end on a old piece of broom handle cut about 12" while sitting start twisting the stick which will crank the the rope around it and lift the milk jug keep adding water to the jug as it becomes easier. Good Luck! C'ya Bob

Really swimming, before or after that class with the older women would help.  This make sound strange, but I would lose weight after WLS by working hard around the house.  Taking it easy when my body told me to.  But things like gardening works the heart and muscles.  We see all these people in their 80's and 90's who don't exercise...and wonder "Why are they living so long"??  Gardening...Brian

MIckey,

Great advice from Brian when he said,

"Really swimming, before or after that class with the older women would help." 

The only thing better in my opinion would be:

Really swimming, before or after that class with the YOUNGER women....  

I think some people just don't understand how arthritis in your hips and knees can preclude you from doing most exercises.  I've been trying for 7 years to come up with exercise that helps me.  I can only walk brief distances even with a cane or with a rollator.  By the way, a rollator (silimilar to a walker except that it has 4 wheels, a seat, and brakes) for someone your size should go for about $150.  I have one and it gives me some mobility, but my arms get very sore.

I've mentioned over the past 2 weeks that I'm buying a tricycle that supports 750 lbs.  It looks like a good old child's tricycle and not like the type built on a bicycle frame with bicycle tires.  You can take a look at it at http://kaz-usa.com/Trike.html .  I'm buying the Large Trike which costs $310 plus $55 S&H and box fees.  My brother travels and ships his bike wherever he goes and said that's a very cheap S&H and box fee.  I ordered mine on Sat night and it's supposed to ship on 08-14, Thurs.  My brother has volunteered to assemble it for me.  I intend to let the guys on this forum know how it works out.

I don't even intend to pedal it.  I just want something that I can sit on and scoot around on.  Think of moving around on an office chair except I'd be able to go forward with ease.  The model I'm getting has a seat height of 22 inches ( my rollator seat is at 19 inches) and the handle grips are 34 inches above the ground.  I did find out that all 3 of the adult models--the Low Rider, The Large Trike, and The Super Large Trike -- can each support 750 lbs.

Let your neighbor know that I have a similer problem and I use an exercise Ball with resistance bands I was started on this by a therapist and it is supposed to strengthen your core muscles by just keeping your balance on the ball.
I was also able to purchase a stability stand for the ball that has 3 feet that stick out from the support that you can attach the bands to for different exercises. the stand came with a ball and dvd instructions for exercises which really helped. it was from weider equipment.Thank you for comming on line to help yopur neighbor.
Warm water therapy is also great for those of us with severe arthritis. Mickey just remember as the weight comes off the exercising will get easier. My surgery isnt scheduled until 11-06 and I can do most of the exercies on the cd.
Good luck and God Bless
Indianasteve

Yojo....thank you for helping a brother out..

MICKEY!!!!!

welsome to the mens board...

Dude...exercise comes in differnet ways...and it never someas as fast as we want it to....

Ok if you have a wheel chair...skoot that mother up and down the drive..as mush as you can do....using a water bottle as a hand weight...while you are watching tv...(you know have to buy nothing...) water bottle can of corn..dishwasher soap is heave as a mother, for arm exerices...

On public access here in Houston..there is a show...Sit and be Fit...this is stretching exercises from the saftey of your chair...

you have a good start...pretty soon, youwill be asking Dave in Japan..for ideas....

bests

Russ