My 2006 Ski Season already Planned.

I had my open RNY June 3 and am already planning next season's trips. They will be a week at Steamboat and a 4 day trip to Durango/Purgatory. Also throw in a couple of weekend trips to Wisconsin and Michigan UP. My goals are to ski all day, not just till lunch. Out west I want to be able to do 25,000 feet of vertical on intermediate and advanced intermediate slopes. I want to enjoy powder even if it is churned up. I want to have the strength and stamina to do this every day and not need a day off in the middle of the trip. Being four weeks post-op it may be too soon to do more than walk and some steps but I am looking forward to a good cardio and strengthening program. Anybody got a good ski conditioning program for post-op open RNY? Thanks, Rich

Hi Rich: I am pre op, having to jump through some more hoops for the insurance Co. I was hoping to have wls by Dec, it didn't happen. I have a six month diet and exercise program to go through for the insurance co. to accept it. If my phsyc had her s__t together, and gotten her report off to the surgeon on time, I could have been post op by now. The insurance co. changed its criteria on Dec 1. Any way enough about my problems. I am on the ski patrol at http://www.andestowerhills.com In Alexandria MN. nowhere near the better hills in Wis, but we do have several runs Let me know if you're ever in the area in the winter time. MN Dave Take care have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Ps as for exercises, I'd go with squats, walking, leg stretching, a good weight lifting regimen, wouldn't hurt also.

Thanks, David. You know a dedicated skiier when he drives 8 hours for 600 feet of vertical. I started with a personal trainer in mid September twice a week and he has me doing a lot of squats with arm movements using a medicine ball. When I started I had a hard time doing ten without a break. Now I do two sets of 40 at a quick pace and I just breath a little hard. My worst problem with these now is keeping the correct form. I also do a lot of step moves with that cursed medicine ball and he has me doing three sets of ten push-ups. When I started I could only do about ten from the knees but now I do most of them from the toes and go to my knees for the last 5-6. The rest of the upper body work is with 10-15 pound hand weights and a lot of twisting motions for the abs. I alternate my workouts with the trainer with one half hour on the eliptical machine - great for the thighs and hips, and one 45 minutes on the treadmill at 4% grade. I try to keep my heart rate above 117. Good luck on getting thru the hoops. I feel blessed that mine went thru so fast. I don't get to Mn. much but I will keep you in mind. Rich