UConn Support Group Update

Last night was so great. We had this women from Storrs come to talk to us about (groan) exercise. But this was different. She didn't TELL us what we should do, she just talked to use about using a pedometer to tell us how much we walk. We "should" shoot for 10,000 steps a day. The pedometer she had was pretty cool. This is the website. http://www.walk4life.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=87 She also showed us how to use these therabands. I guess what I liked about her the most was, she geared her talk to pre op AND post op people and didn't treat us like we should all pay for gym memberships and sweat our brains out. She did advocate water therapy since so many of us have bad knees and backs. I guess I am so used to feeling inferior when it comes to exercising and this women made me feel normal. Know what else was great? There was a women there Marita, she is only 5 weeks out and she just glowed. I found myself giving her a big (gentle) bear hug just because she made it to the group meeting. Next meeting Kim is going to show us how to navigate the web for free samples of protein and bars. If you want to be on her weekly low carb recipe list, let us know. We are all here to help and support each other. I have never felt like I belonged anywhere in the past. When I came here to OH I felt like I came home. My gosh, I even got help like I never imagined for a rash! You are all wonderful people! I think, if I was never obese, I would have never met any of you. Funny how things turn out....... Cheryl

What a sweet note!! It sounds like a nice group up there. I finally bit the bullet & joined the gym - ugh. I'm so out of shape from (1) being fat and (2) being on my butt for 2 months after having complications, so I was scared. But they gave me a complimentary personal trainer for 2 sessions and luckily they gave me this guy, Giles. He's been in the country from the UK for 8 months, and he's not like a typical musclehead guy. He studied physical therapy so he's really big on posture while you're doing things, and he gave me some really, really gentle ab exercises (I still can't do any twisting or lifting in the ab area because of my open wound which, it appears, will be 100% non-existent in about a week! ). He even did really amazing stretches with me. If he wasn't married I'd take him home with me!!!! He did mention that gyms here need to make it safe for people who actually need to go to the gym, not just people who are already buff. I hope I can get myself to keep going!!!