I was wrong, I should have listened, don't make the same mistake.
Those of you that know my story, know that I followed my doctor's advice to the letter in every respect except one, I never followed the exercise plan. I had a million excuses; I didn't have time, I didn't really know what to do, I was losing just fine without the exercise, the list is endless. I really, really hated even the idea of exercise. Really, really hated it, from the bottom of my heart.
I lost of my weight quickly without the exercise and was able to maintain the weight loss. For those of you that don't want to exercise, this part must sound great. Here is the kicker, even though I was thin, I was still not healthy. My heart rate was too high, my aerobic conditioning was non-existent, and I had lost the tiny bit of muscle I used to have, through the losing weight part of the journey. I looked good, but thin. I had some skin hanging from my arms and my inner thigh, but really, visually, I was fine. Inside, health wise, not so much. My balance was off and I had very poor flexibility. I would get tired easily, not as easily as before the weight loss, but still too soon for my age and worst of all, I was losing bone density, and this would eventually lead to a huge problem.
I can't really tell you what finally kicked my butt into gear, I think it was mostly hearing my doctor preach this at me every single month, for the past three years. I think I finally got tired of putting my fingers in my ears, and going "la la la la la" whenever the subject of exercise was brought up. I don't know what the final straw was, but three months ego, I hired a personal trainer to work out with me twice a week.
In just the three months, I can see dramatic results. I have so much more strength, flexibility, endurance and power than I had before. My arms and thighs look much better, and I feel more energized, almost euphoric sometimes. I am seriously getting addicted. I do a full body workout with my trainer twice a week, and I do cardio on my own four times a week with one day off. The only down side so far is that I need to eat way more food to balance out my metabolism and I am still learning how to do this correctly. I don't want to lose any more weight, so this part is still a work in progress.
What I am trying to tell you, is that this is not as bad as I thought it would be, it is actually kind of, well...fun. You can do it and don't be like me and wait until you are a few years out, do it now, do it today.
I lost of my weight quickly without the exercise and was able to maintain the weight loss. For those of you that don't want to exercise, this part must sound great. Here is the kicker, even though I was thin, I was still not healthy. My heart rate was too high, my aerobic conditioning was non-existent, and I had lost the tiny bit of muscle I used to have, through the losing weight part of the journey. I looked good, but thin. I had some skin hanging from my arms and my inner thigh, but really, visually, I was fine. Inside, health wise, not so much. My balance was off and I had very poor flexibility. I would get tired easily, not as easily as before the weight loss, but still too soon for my age and worst of all, I was losing bone density, and this would eventually lead to a huge problem.
I can't really tell you what finally kicked my butt into gear, I think it was mostly hearing my doctor preach this at me every single month, for the past three years. I think I finally got tired of putting my fingers in my ears, and going "la la la la la" whenever the subject of exercise was brought up. I don't know what the final straw was, but three months ego, I hired a personal trainer to work out with me twice a week.
In just the three months, I can see dramatic results. I have so much more strength, flexibility, endurance and power than I had before. My arms and thighs look much better, and I feel more energized, almost euphoric sometimes. I am seriously getting addicted. I do a full body workout with my trainer twice a week, and I do cardio on my own four times a week with one day off. The only down side so far is that I need to eat way more food to balance out my metabolism and I am still learning how to do this correctly. I don't want to lose any more weight, so this part is still a work in progress.
What I am trying to tell you, is that this is not as bad as I thought it would be, it is actually kind of, well...fun. You can do it and don't be like me and wait until you are a few years out, do it now, do it today.
You are exactly right about exercise! I used to hate it, too, but am finally getting to where I look forward to it. I do fun things like swim and dance, and always feel sooo much better afterwards. Plus, I want my son to see me having fun being active so he doesn't grow up thinking exercise is a chore. Post surgery I'm finding that it makes me feel like I'm taking a more active role in my weight loss journey, which feels good, too.
Tina
Follow my journey at www.TinaRebooted.com Blog, Recipes, Product Reviews, and more!
I've noticed I'm either working out daily or not at all. There has to be a balance somewhere!
My doctor initially said no exercise now he is saying to step it up. It's hard with all the travelling I do but not impossible. Most of the hotels I stay in have a gym.
So...OT but curious, do you drink while you eat? Or still follow the 30 mins rule?
I'm trying Elina! I think I have the exact same aversion as you and there have been some factors that kept me away from exercising right after surgery (personal health issue) but for me I am trying to learn not to view "activity" as exercise. I like swimming so I try to go to the indoor heated pool in my complex (going this evening as a matter of fact). As I sit here typing I am multi-tasking by couponing and getting ready to go to the grocery store and do so shopping and then come back and tomorrow making some good food for the week for me.
Yesterday I cleaned, washed dishes, washed clothes, etc. and I notice now, more than ever, I have A LOT more energy to do those types of things where as in the past it would have taken me a whole MONTH to get around to them. Heck I even don't mind walking down and taking out the trash as opposed to toting it to the car and then driving down to dump it.
I guess what I am saying is that, at least for me who started this journey at over 400 pounds, I am learning to love activity and exercise anyway that I can get it but I have to get the mindset out of it's "exercise" and just think of it as having fun in some way. Last weekend for the FIRST TIME EVER IN MY LIFE I went to a Belly Dance fitness class. I look forward to going again next weekend (they were closed this weekend due to the holiday coming up). I just notice now that things are moving much easier for me in terms of flexibility, etc. and I love it. Sometimes I walk so fast I almost feel that I can't keep up with myself and I know it's because I am so much lighter on my own two feet. My feet and ankles don't swell anymore and I don't wake up feeling completely exhausted in the morning like I used to.
And you know what...I was definitely "working out" prior to surgery. Like most things I got bored after a while. I don't mind the weight training piece (I loved that actually) that I was doing that definitely helped with my initial pre-op weight loss, it's the cardio and the idea of walking on a treadmill or outside or anything in that gym at all that just bores me to death. But yet again I am trying to change my attitude...I figured out how to add more music on my mp3 player and I am now kinda excited to go back and ride the stationary bike and listen to some good songs. And you know what...the thing is...as long as I am moving. I may not be the fastest right now, or be able to endure the longest...but after 30 years of not moving my body...it sure feels good to be able to do something with it other than lounge around watch tv (which...don't get me wrong...I still love to do haha).
Ok so I know I am and have probably been rambling but thank you for posting this because I guess it's been in my head and I've been needing to get it all out for a while anyway. And if I decide NOT to go swimming tonight...I can promise you I am DEFINITELY heading to that gym and gunning for that stationary bike.
Yesterday I cleaned, washed dishes, washed clothes, etc. and I notice now, more than ever, I have A LOT more energy to do those types of things where as in the past it would have taken me a whole MONTH to get around to them. Heck I even don't mind walking down and taking out the trash as opposed to toting it to the car and then driving down to dump it.
I guess what I am saying is that, at least for me who started this journey at over 400 pounds, I am learning to love activity and exercise anyway that I can get it but I have to get the mindset out of it's "exercise" and just think of it as having fun in some way. Last weekend for the FIRST TIME EVER IN MY LIFE I went to a Belly Dance fitness class. I look forward to going again next weekend (they were closed this weekend due to the holiday coming up). I just notice now that things are moving much easier for me in terms of flexibility, etc. and I love it. Sometimes I walk so fast I almost feel that I can't keep up with myself and I know it's because I am so much lighter on my own two feet. My feet and ankles don't swell anymore and I don't wake up feeling completely exhausted in the morning like I used to.
And you know what...I was definitely "working out" prior to surgery. Like most things I got bored after a while. I don't mind the weight training piece (I loved that actually) that I was doing that definitely helped with my initial pre-op weight loss, it's the cardio and the idea of walking on a treadmill or outside or anything in that gym at all that just bores me to death. But yet again I am trying to change my attitude...I figured out how to add more music on my mp3 player and I am now kinda excited to go back and ride the stationary bike and listen to some good songs. And you know what...the thing is...as long as I am moving. I may not be the fastest right now, or be able to endure the longest...but after 30 years of not moving my body...it sure feels good to be able to do something with it other than lounge around watch tv (which...don't get me wrong...I still love to do haha).
Ok so I know I am and have probably been rambling but thank you for posting this because I guess it's been in my head and I've been needing to get it all out for a while anyway. And if I decide NOT to go swimming tonight...I can promise you I am DEFINITELY heading to that gym and gunning for that stationary bike.
HW: 475, Consult WT: 450.5 **Lost 63 lbs pre-op** SW: 387.5 M1: -31, M2:
Check out my blog about my journey so far: http://breakingoutbebe.blogspot.com
You are heroic. It is tough to start from the higher weight, but you are making it happen. I LOVE the belly dancing idea, I want to try this too. If you hate the walking, do the weigh lifting without breaks, that also gets your heart rate up. The swimming also sounds fantastic. I love, love, love your attitude.
Most Active
Recent Topics
