Abdominal training is nothing new, but if you spend any time watching TV or flipping through magazines, you are well aware of the numerous abdominal exercise devices that are touted as the latest and greatest. Despite all the advertising and fads, the best abdominal exercises require little or no equipment. While this list is not comprehensive, these exercises are great for developing abdominal strength, and they won’t cost you a dime!

PRIMARY MUSCLES INVOLVED: Rectus Abdominis

Beginner Level: The Crunch (unweighted and weighted)

Preparation/Setup: Lying supine on the floor/mat, cross your arms across your chest and flex your knees, placing your feet flat on the floor. If performing a weighted...click here to read more. 

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I had been talking passionately about the obesity “Walk on the Capitol” for months at my support groups. It was scheduled for my 36th wedding anniversary, but my husband, Bob, didn’t mind me going because he knew it was something I cared deeply about. However, when Bob became terminally ill with cancer and had to enter hospice care, the walk was the last thing on my mind.

The night before the walk, I got a call from Heather O’Connor, an OH Support Group Leader in training. Heather and I had been working with Jen Rosen, another leader in training, on support groups in Delaware. Heather was calling to offer me an OH T-shirt to wear at the event. I explained why I couldn’t attend, but Heather encouraged me to go and told me she would rearrange her schedule to go with me. Bob overheard the conversation and also urged me to go. My daughter Debbie, a RNY patient and support group member, told me she would stay with her dad so I could participate. How could I say no? I called Heather back, and we made our plans.

The day of the walk was busy, and Heather and I were on our way to DC when I realized I had forgotten my bag with the directions. We decided to wing it. We at least knew how to find the Capitol!

It was about 6 p.m. when we arrived in the area. After a chat with a DC policewoman and about 16 blocks of walking, we found the right spot. We handed out support group cards, and Heather even took the OH shirt off her back and gave it to someone who had never heard of ObesityHelp. About 45 minutes later, the buses started coming. People streamed in from everywhere. I had never seen so many people in one place. It was amazing!

After the speakers gave their addresses, everyone just walked and talked. There were thousands of people from support groups of all kinds, all there for one cause. As we progressed, walkers at the end met those at the beginning and formed a two-mile circle.

It was an event to remember. Best of all, Heather and I forged a bond that day in DC. We are now not just Obesity Help Support Group Leaders, but friends, and we’re part of something wonderful: an unbroken circle of support.

Are you interested in becoming a Support Group Leader? Maybe you are looking for a Support Group in your area?  Click here to find and learn more about ObesityHelp Support Groups.

At the end of May, OH held a one-day event at the Crowne Plaza Detroit Metro Airport in Michigan. Co-sponsored by Dr. Ayoub Sayeg and Dr. Michael Pleatman, the event featured WLS post-op and motivational speaker Laura Preston, addiction counselor Jason Wilkinson, fashion consultant Indigo Zuri and Lifetime Fitness. Hosting the day’s festivities was local celebrity and WLS post-op William “Big Will” Elijah, and vendors (including Astute Artistry, Progressive Counseling, P2Styles Fashion Consulting, Lifetime Fitness, Sayeg Plastic Surgery and AchievOne) offered everything from complimentary eyebrow tweezing and dermabrasion to discount Lifetime Fitness memberships. Free samples were provided by Kay’s Naturals, Profect and AchievOne.

The best part of any OH event is the wonderful people in attendance. OH member Jenn said, “We had a great day learning and mingling.”

In late July, OH partnered with Pittsburgh’s Magee Women’s Hospital for a fantastic one-day event featuring sponsor Dr. Dennis Hurwitz of Hurwitz Center for Plastic Surgery. Also presenting was Dr. Anita Courcoulas, who shared the bariatric surgery outcomes research she is conducting with the National Institute of Health. Other presenters included Certified Professional Coach Lynn Meinke, WLS post-op Laura Preston, Fashion Fit Formula and OH’s fitness expert Jeremy Gentles. The day concluded with our first ever $1000 gift card door prize, which went to attendee Megan Hill.

OH’s Support Group Summit in Minneapolis was a jam-packed evening of fun at the Mall of America. Attendees heard from relationship expert Dr. Kathleen Nickerson and shared their “wow” moments during a support group session led by Liz Sorlie and Sandi Pulis. Members made new friends, hooked up with area support groups and enjoyed the thrills of the amusement park.

Don’t miss out on your chance to join us when OH next visits your region! It’s a great time for fun, friends and the opportunity to learn more about what it takes to succeed on your WLS journey!

OH Events Calendar

Sept. 20th - Phoenix, AZ

Featuring Dr. Steven Gitt, Dr. Eric Schlesinger, Fitness Expert Jeremy Gentles, Dr. David Seaton, Zumba Fitness and more.

Oct. 4th - Philadelphia, PA

You have laughed with Beth (MeltingMama) and salivated over the recipes of Michelle (Eggface). Come meet them in Philadelphia where they will be reviewing products and whipping up recipes in a way only they can do! This event also features Dr. Dennis Hurwitz,  Motivational Speaker Bo McCoy, Certified Professional Coach Lynn Meinke, Fashion Fit Formula, WLS Post-Op Ramon Lopez, Fitness Expert Jeremy Gentles and more! 

If you are coming to meet Eggface and MeltingMama in Philadelphia, use the following promo code and receive 50% off admission:

Philadelphia Promo Code: MeltingEgg08

Oct. 11th - Falls Church, VA

Featuring Dr. George Bitar, Psychotherapist Merle Cantor Goldberg, Relationship Expert Dr. Kathy Nickerson, Fashion Fit Formula and Fitness Expert Jeremy Gentles. Hosted by Support Group Leader Jackie Thodos.

Nov. 1st-2nd - Los Angeles, CA

Our 10-year anniversary celebration! We’re giving away two weight loss surgery procedures! Featuring Dr. Timothy J. Katzen, Dr. Dennis Hurwitz, Dr. Siamak Agha, Dr. Guillermo Alvarez, OH Members Eggface (Michelle Vicari) and Melting Mama (Beth L. Sheldon-Badore), Debbie Wong, Psychotherapist Lindsay Riccardi, Relationship Expert Dr. Kathy Nickerson, Motivational Speaker and Former Mrs. USA Dr. Tracy Kemble, Fashion Fit Formula and Psychotherapist Dr. Connie Stapleton. Weight Loss Surgery Giveaway sponsored by Dr. Alberto Aceves. Additional sponsorship by St. Mary’s Medical Center & Delano Regional Medical Center.

If you are coming to meet Eggface and MeltingMama in Los Angeles, use the following promo code and receive 50% off admission:

Los Angeles Promo Code: PoachedEgg08

Nov 15th-16th - Houston, TX

Featuring Dr. Bob Basu, UGH Bariatric Program and Dr. John LoMonaco, Dr. Guillermo Alvarez, Motivational Speaker and WLS Post-Op Yvonne McCarthy, Fashion Fit Formula, Psychotherapist Dr. Connie Stapleton and others.

Dec. 6th - San Ramon, CA

Featuring Dr. Thomas McNemar, Motivational Speaker and WLS Post-Op Ramon Lopez, Fitness Expert Jeremy Gentles and more!

Keep checking in for updated information at www.Obesityhelp.com/events.

Weight loss surgery is constantly changing as we learn more about the mechanisms of weight loss. Many of the changes are being driven by surgeons who aren’t afraid to innovate, such as Eldo Frezza, MD, MBA, FACS, a professor at Texas Tech University Health Science Center in Lubbock, Texas, and author of Slim the Italian Way—A Weight-Loss Surgeon’s Guide to Losing Weight. Dr. Frezza has put a relatively old procedure—vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG)— to a new and controversial use: gastric banding with stomach reduction (GBSR).

How exactly the VSG began is not certain, but it has a long history. According to Dr. Frezza, surgeons in Japan used a similar technique in the treatment of tumors in the 1980s. There is reference to a similar operation in France in 1993. Many people believe that VSG as we now know it was started in the 1990s by the internationally renowned bariatric surgeon Michel Gagner, MD, FACS, FRCS.

Dr. Frezza explains that the VSG operation differs from some of the other popular weight loss surgery methods because it involves the removal of a part of the stomach. Dr. Frezza says, “This is a very important concept. For instance, in the vertical banded gastroplasty, we staple parts of the stomach, but the stomach remains inside the abdomen. In the case of the sleeve gastrectomy, however...click here to read more!

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These OH members have set difficult goals and met them! Meeting goals like these takes plenty of hard work and commitment, so we applaud these terrific people and their successes!

Sonja Hoff

I had my RNY surgery September 4, 2003. My diabetes and cholesterol were out of control and off the charts, and I hurt all over from carrying all that weight. I lost 50 pounds before surgery and 90 pounds after surgery, a total of 140 pounds. I am wearing a size 6. Who would have guessed? Not only was my goal reached, but far more importantly I have kept the weight off for four years now. Losing the weight has always been somewhat easy, but keeping it off has never worked until now. Now I have even been doing some modeling. Can you believe a fat person would ever be asked to be a model as a thin person? I never would have!

Pinalope

When I was younger, I used to not only love to go horseback riding; I even worked at a local ranch as a groom and guide. Horseback riding was a passion of mine. There was just nothing quite like riding on a brisk autumn day through the woods.

I don’t really know why I stopped riding... but I do know what kept me from starting again: my weight. I had gained from 147 pounds to 290 pounds (I was 268 on the day of surgery in 2004). Although I knew it was still possible for me to ride, I was afraid to even try.

One of my goals was to be able to go riding again. I finally started to get back into it during the summer of 2007! I am thrilled! I have missed it so much. I’m hoping to someday be able to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning my own horse. My husband had never ridden before in his life, now he is addicted to it too!

We should never allow our weight to keep us from enjoying the things we love, I know this now. I am now determined to live life to the fullest. I hope to try new things this summer, things that you’d never imagine someone who is afraid of heights would do. I promised myself that I’d go parasailing. I also want to try zip-lining!

Gwen

It has been two years, one week, and six days since my surgery, and I have never felt better... I have reached my ideal weight goal. I was 290 pounds and I am now at a steady 137. I feel so great about myself and the work that I did to get where I am. I want everyone who is struggling with themselves and this surgery to see and to know that change is possible.

SHARE A GOAL ON ObesityHelp.com! 

It’s easy to create and share your goals with other members.

1. Go to www.obesityhelp.com/goals and log in to your account.

2. In the “My goal is to …” box on the top right, type your goal. (example: run three miles)

3. Press the button that says “I’m going to do this.” You should see a list of similar goals.

4. If you see a goal you like, click on the link that matches. (example: Run three miles)

5. On the page for that goal, you will see a button that says “I want to do this too.” Click it.

6. Press “Save”.

Not a member of ObesityHelp yet? Get access to all of ObesityHelp's great features by joining today!

Of course, losing weight after bariatric surgery has many important health benefits; however, one drawback that many people experience is sagging excess skin, which can cause functional as well as aesthetic issues for patients. Body lifting procedures are a common solution to this problem, but it also affects the appearance of the face.

After a patient loses a massive amount of weight, the soft tissues in his or her face descend and lose their fullness. Forehead and cheek lines become more prominent, eyebrows droop, lips become thinner and less defined, and blood vessels and bone structures are more visible (Figure 1).

These facial changes can make you look angry, tired, haggard and much older than your years, and dealing with this image of yourself can lower your self-esteem and even lead to depression. Thus, some WLS patients turn to physicians to reverse the aged appearance associated with massive weight loss.....click here to read more. 

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Faith Thomas

Username: thomfai
Weight Loss: 73 pounds
Method: Lap-band

The Lap-band has offered me a gift that I can open up every day when I look in the mirror and see a new me transforming before my eyes!

Jennifer Dykstra

Username: jen31905
Weight loss: 112 pounds
Method: RNY

After having surgery, I am more confident and energetic. I finally get to shine and feel that I am as beautiful on the outside as I am on the inside!

Barry McCabe

Username: boilermn65
Weight Loss: 164 pounds
Method: Laparoscopic RNY

I never realized just how much my weight affected me until I lost the weight. Now I have more energy and can walk, run, move, breathe, sit in movie seats more easily and just plain live!

Shelli Gonzales

Username: Shelli405
Weight Loss: 174 pounds
Method: Laparoscopic RNY

Having this surgery has been truly a blessing and has given me back my life! God is good! I love my new body and my new outlook on life!

Not a member of ObesityHelp yet? Get access to all of ObesityHelp's great features by joining today!

For 10 years, ObesityHelp has been committed to helping you find success, whatever success may mean to you. We asked OH members to tell us what success is to them, and here are their responses and their usernames. Meet these and other great people online on ObesityHelp’s forums....

General happiness, satisfaction, goals met, value to others. -Kristi H.

My success comes from treating myself and others as well as I possibly can. -Jean M.

Doing things I couldn’t before. Realizing I control the weight, the weight doesn’t control me. -melliemel

Measuring my success by my own yardstick and not someone else’s idea of what that should be. -Prek-3

Dodging the RNY/ Lap-band bullet in favor of the duodenal switch. -Rockne

...losing the weight and claiming my health again, so that I can hold arms full of grandbabies and run after them and love them to bits and pieces. Who knows? Maybe even some great-grandbabies! -cheynne03

...I can set a new goal because I’ve met my old one.
TLtrim

Living for today, no matter what it brings; forgetting about tomorrow, wouldn’t change it if I could; and looking forward to the future, as it can only be better than yesterday and today...
deborah D.

Crossing my legs, comfortably.
-kzkmama

...when my 11-year-old beams at me, whistles and says how proud of me he is. -nikki_n00

Living one day at a time and being a healthy, happy person.
sgen87

...realizing that there’s always more to learn. -Elena

It will be when I can chase after my 4-year-old son, shop in a regular-size store, not have to worry whether I fit in between two things, and having better self-esteem!
AnnR

...never being the first person who is too tired or too overheated to have fun. -valgroce

...being visible again, instead of being “that fat person”. I’m here! I’m here! -Bonnie D.

...fitting in seats at Wrigley Field and buying one-size-fits-all pantyhose for $1 !
biggeekgirl

...feeling comfortable in my own body, nothing beats that!
Flor_Bellas

...participating in life instead of watching from the sidelines!
DianaR

...standing out because I’m tall and I look nice instead of being the fattest person in the room!
Leslie

Being able to play tag with my daughters.
Lloyd S.

Looking in the mirror and finding it reflects a woman of strength and compassion.
Amanda-DS

Finally having my outside to match my inside, and feeling comfortable in my own skin for the first time in my life!
Lori Black

Not hating to look in the mirror.
kvp

Looking in the mirror and liking who is looking back at you.
jeannie115

Knowing in your heart that you’ve given it your best effort.
Jeannie

I spell success: “Duodenal Switch”...the most successful weight loss surgery currently available.
Beam me up Scottie

To never forget where you came from and always remember where you are going.
Elaine C.

...clawing and scratching your way back up when you fall - even if it hurts!
Jenny R

Success is what you get when you have quit making excuses.
Success is what you find when you have exhausted all of your failures.
No one ever achieved success without trying.
Haven

Not living life on the sidelines and finally enjoying all beauty around us.
Melissa F

...finally being happy with ME, and realizing only I can make myself happy!
Sherry S.

Not a member of ObesityHelp yet? Get access to all of ObesityHelp's great features by joining today!

Members like you asked, and OH’s network of professionals answered!

Question

My best friend is considering weight loss surgery because my surgery was so successful. Why do I feel so jealous? - Michelle

Answer

Michelle,
For most of us, particularly when our weight loss surgery has been successful, it is a very special thing to encourage others that we care about to make a similar health- and life-changing choice. That’s why it can feel so jarring and confusing when feelings of jealousy enter the picture. Be assured, the feelings are not unusual. You didn’t mention how far out from the surgery you are, and that may make a difference, but, that said, there may be a number of reasons for these feelings.

Perhaps for you, weight loss surgery has felt like a very special and almost unique gift. Remember a time as a kid when you had something very special that your best friend wanted a part of. Remember the feeling of “It’s MINE—and you can’t have it!” That may give you some ideas about what is happening now. It didn’t mean that you were selfish, but it did mean that what you had was very special for you. Well, this may be a similar “mine” feeling.

Perhaps there is something about your success that has made you feel different and unique, that has made you stand out and get attention. Particularly in the beginning, when all of that encouragement is really important to compliance and new life changes, it’s a normal reaction to want to remain in that special position and not want to share the “limelight” with your best friend. After all, there were so many years you may have stayed in the shadows and now is your time to shine. So, not really wanting to share that position—including feelings of jealousy—isn’t really unusual.

Maybe even more important are the feelings of competition that we as women all share. What if your best friend is even more successful than you were? What if she loses more weight, becomes healthier than you, begins a significant relationship, becomes the center of your group’s attention? What if you regain weight and she doesn’t? All of these things are possible, and, for almost everyone, those feelings of competition could cause jealousy. All of this said, your feelings don’t mean that you are a bad person or even a bad friend. The feelings of wanting exclusivity with your surgery as well as feelings of completion exist for most of us.

For now, try to put the feelings aside. Share with your friend the good, bad and ugly of the surgery so that she can make the most informed and best decision for her. Remember how important support was to you after surgery. She will need your friendship, and, as the years pass, you may also need her support during the difficult post-surgical times that may occur in the future. For all of us, support is one of the keys to long-term success. If she chooses surgery, you will be in a wonderful position to support each other on the journey, leading to more successful forever health and deepening friendship.

Merle Cantor Goldberg, LCSW, DSCW, CEDS
Psychotherapist

Question

How much exercise a day is considered adequate for a beginner? I weigh 360 pounds and find walking painful, so it’s hard to keep going after a few minutes. - Kathy

Answer

Kathy,
Even beginners will have different abilities and limitations, so the answer to this question will vary from case to case. In your case, performing small amounts of exercise each day is a great place to start, while also keeping in mind that exercise is cumulative. In other words, it is not necessary to perform all of your exercise in a single session.

Instead, you can perform multiple shorter sessions each day and get the same benefits. Maybe you can comfortably walk 30-60 seconds at a time; that is fine. Just start by doing this two or three times a day and each week make small increases in either the number of sessions you perform each day or the duration of each session.

Something else to consider is the form of exercise you participate in. Since you mentioned that walking causes pain, you may want to perform an alternative form of exercise such as water aerobics (if you have access), recumbent biking, seated resistance training or one of a variety of other exercise choices that do not require you to stand supporting your entire body weight with your feet.

Perhaps that most important thing of all is to find something you enjoy. If you dread participating in the form of physical activity you have chosen, your chances of continuing are pretty slim. If you can find something you enjoy, it will go a long way for long-term success.

Jeremy Gentles, CSCS
Fitness Expert

Remember, while the professionals contributing to Ask OH are highly skilled and well-qualified in their fields, they don’t know all of the details of your personal situation. OH Magazine and the professionals contributing to Ask OH make no promises, guarantees, representations or warranties, expressed or implied, and assume no duty or liability with regard to the information contained herein. Discuss the answers you receive and any further questions you may have with your personal healthcare team.

When ObesityHelp members were asked to nominate fellow members as an “inspiration,” Shelley, a.k.a. jakes_mom03, sent an email saying her inspiration was “hands down: PK!” Theresa, known as “Plumpkitty” on the OH boards, is a fixture on ObesityHelp.com, and is what Shelly calls an “amazing person.”

Theresa has lost 187 pounds, and is enjoying an active life at a svelte 140. She discovered OH before her September 2006 surgery. Surgery left her mostly bedridden for a while, which meant she didn’t do much web surfing, but that all changed when she was able to get up and around more easily. She says, “Around January of 2007 I discovered the RNY board and fell in love with the people there. I enjoyed the debates, discussions and questions that filled the boards. I quickly went from ‘lurker’ to posting addict over a couple of months. By my six-month ‘surgiversary’ in March, I had a strong connection with many other OHers and had finally found my place on earth.”

Theresa has since racked up thousands of hours posting on ObesityHelp.com. Most of her posts describe her post-op life and what works and doesn’t work. Many of them are meant to be silly in the hopes that they will cheer people up (including herself!). In the end, though, Theresa aims to be helpful to others that may find her online.

Theresa’s health has improved dramatically over time and her life has changed immensely, but she doesn’t take the little things for granted: “I lead a very simple life. My major accomplishments are likely dull to the average Jane, but to me they are pretty huge.” Among her accomplishments are house hunting and then buying a house, caring for her mother after a serious heart attack and flying to Florida to meet other OH members for her first cruise—none of which would have been possible before surgery.

Theresa claims her biggest accomplishment is “living a healthy life without the constant struggles of being morbidly obese.” While that is truly a wonderful feat, Shelley might beg to differ, because making a positive impact on the lives of others is one of the most amazing accomplishments anyone can ever hope to achieve. Theresa has done that time and again.

Visit Theresa online at www.ObesityHelp.com/member/plumpkitty/.

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