Biggest post-WLS physical challenge

Hi all, I just celebrated my 2 year WLS anniversary and it's been an amazing and, for the most, joyous ride. I started my journey at nearly 500 pounds and I've been able to maintain my current weight of 215 for a year now and at 6'4", this appears to be my optimal weight. I've done a good job of staying focused on nutrition and exercise so I've converted most of my remaining fat to muscle. I, like most of us, struggle daily with head hunger issues. Anyhow, next Saturday I ride the Copper Triangle cycling event in Copper Mountain Colorado. One day with three mountain passes, 6K feet of climbing all at an elevation of between 10K to nearly 12K feet. A total of 80 miles of riding. Pretty brutal to say the least but it's been a dream of mine once I started cycling again. I've trained well for the event but this will be the single highest physical challenge in my life.  WLS is a true miracle. I thank the good lord daily for giving me a second lease on life. There are a lot of stories here on the board of us men accomplishing some amazing things after WLS.  Do you have a new dream (physical or other) which prior to WLS seemed unattainable? Wish me luck, fellas.  Boner 

Boner -  Man best of luck to ya.  Cant wait till I can do something like that.  It is a miracle. My new dream - to get back to lifting weights and getting cut.  Dont want to be a body builder, but want to be cut and defined.   Tired of being a blob! I'm only 4 weeks out.  Long way to go, but will reach it soon enough... Keep us posted on the outcome next week.

That's an attainable goal Sean. see Dave's pics. as for being cut, just depends on how you shrink up and how much lose skin is left. guys like Dx even lost their moobs so it is possible to look great again. do me a favor, don't rush, as you know lifting puts a hell of a stress on you. i waited some 4 months and then eased into it very slowly. i've lifted since i was a little kid but still, i took my time coming back after surgery. maybe start with full body circuits three times a week for six months. that's a good routine and then you can think of split routines after that. good luck.....carbonblob

Thanks Sean and best of luck in  your goal to getting ripped. Getting physically fit is hard work but the payoff is AWESOME!! Boner

Hey boner (uh...OK), congrats on your success and continued success to you.  I wouldnt call it a dream, but I hope I can accompli****  All of my life I wanted to learn to surf.  I live 10 minutes from the beach and one of my goals now that I am post op is to learn to surf.  I am most likely gonna take lessons this fall.  I dont know if i am agile enough to accomplish this but I am going to give it a shot.  I'll keep you guys abreast of my progress.  Be well. John

Thanks John,  Boner was a nickname given to me by a GREAT former poster here on the board --- Buckeye John from Ohio State. He game a bunch of us lowlifes monikers including Boner and Larry "The WAD" Perry.  Fun times!! Best of luck with your surfing goals. Hang ten for me. :-) Boner

Sounds like a challenge. Also sounds like a beautiful trip; you'd have been hard pressed to pick terrain more inspiring.  I'm jealous; most of my riding takes place in front of a TV. Best of luck to you, and congrats for getting this far.

Thanks ard! The sights, sounds and smells (disregarding the smells of my post-WLS contributions to nature) of cycling in the Rockies are indeed amazing. Come to think of it, my smells have been oftentimes been described as amazing as well. Keep hammerin' on the bike, Ard!! AND: Roll tide - I think Saben is going to be a great coach down there although it appears he is having somewhat of a difficult time fitting into the "family" so far. Boner 

Boner...... You Da Man!!!!!You own that bike and mountains..... give 'em hell Russ

Thanks Russ!! You have been so extremely helpful in my journey that I don't know how to repay you for your advice and encouragement. By the way, I have my follow-up tomorrow with the PS and I get to show her your "after PS" pics in order to compare them with my results. We'll see what she says.  Later, gator. Boner