Exercise Anyone???

Hi All: I was just curious as to what type and how much exercise you are getting in at this stage. I try to work out at least four days a week and do 20 to 30 mins cardio and then 20 mins of weights. I usually do 5 days and some weeks I get in 7 when I feel extra energized! For the month of June, I have decided to challenge my self and work out twice a day at least 3 days a week and then once a day for 2 days. No particular reason for doing so. I have 3 months working with a personal trainer from having the surgery so I go there before work. Because I get up late some days, I don't always get the best work out so, the afternoon work out will complement the morning work out. So...what's your routine? Do you ever vary it up? How often??? Do you feel it makes a difference in your weight loss? I don't feel that it makes much difference but I actually enjoy working out now. Well that's all folks! TTYL

Hey there Steph! I have been really good about going to the gym at least 6 days a week for an hour. They have some kick a$$ classes that make me want to pass out when I am done, so those keep me motivated. If it is a class day, I take the one hour class and split, if it is a non-class day, I do 30 min cardio (treadmill or elliptical) and 30 min of machines and hand weights. Honestly, I don't think it makes much difference in the weight loss, and I am still pretty squishy around the middle, but I know I am losing the inches and my legs are stronger as well as my arms. I can really see the results in the arms and calves and lower thighs. Plus, it is addicting after a while and I love buying the work out clothes. Crystal

Hi Crystal!! You are so right in that exercising is addictive and my cousin commented that other day when we were shopping was all I was looking at was work out clothing!! I see a big difference in my arms I almost have some muscle definition! lol And my thighs are just squishy and I know will have lots of loose skin but I will take the loose skin anyday over the filled out thunder thighs I have right now!!

Hi Stephanie, I have been walking 2 miles a day with a friend who had her surgery 5 weeks after mine. So we have plenty to talk about. I also do my elliptical 3 times a week and sometimes put on my music and line dance. Hopefully no one comes in the house when I do that. I also work part time as a nanny so get exercise chasing a baby around all day. I am sure it must be helping with the inches as my new clothes I bought a month ago are getting too big. I am on a stall right now and getting discouraged. That's it for me. Roxanne

Chasing the baby is a lot of cardio!! Lol And do be discouraged with the stalls...you know that is just part of it and it will pass eventually. Keep on line dancing those calories off and don't worry about it! enjoy this journey that we are on so we can look back and say how interesting it was!

Hey Stephanie! I need to mix it up some too! I was really good about exercising a couple of weeks ago, everyday actually. Now I'm about 3-4 times a week. I don't see much difference either?? Go figure huh? I usually walk/jog for 30 minutes though.

Sounds good to me!! I can't jog at all..I feel so clumsy!! lol But that is on my to do list!

Stephanie- I am very leery of upping my exercise at this point. I know it would do me good- but I have to be realistic about what I can maintain doing. With all 5 kids home for the summer (including the triplets) my exercise is going to have to be more movement related than aerobic or weight bearing. I did do a toning tape 4x's last week and i think that helped me a little with my previous month of 1-pound losses. I just know for me- previously- I would get into this 2 hour a day routine and then not be able to keep it up- dreading my 2 hours and then avoiding it completely and the weight would just come back on because I would eat the same amount and not burn the calories. I totally see- or maybe a better way to say it is- feel the difference of just 2 weeks of exercise. I am more aware of my body, more confident and I think a tiny bit more toned- if that's possible. When I put the triplets in the pool I did hang on the edge and kick hard for 5 minutes and as embarrassed as I am to admit this- I felt it. So I guess it's the little things that I'm trying to vary... Holly

Holly; I can understand what you are saying. My problem was always the eating..I used to work out and be gung ho about it would not change my eating or actually I would increase the amounts I was eating and would not loose weight. I actually had a work out class I did last summer for 12 weeks consistently and guess what..I gained weight!! Go figure. So I have been pretty consistent with working out and now I have my tool to help with the portion control part so I am more excited about exercising **at least most days** I am sure the kids will keep you extra busy and have you exercising all day long!! Take it easy!

Hey Stephanie, I have had positive experiences with exercising, and this comes from a lady that hated to work out. I try to go the gym at work at least 4 times a week, and then work out at home when I can. At the gym I attend classes (kickboxing rocks) for 45 minutes, or do a stenght-n-motion class, elliptical, and some weights. I have not noticed a significant weight loss persay that can be contributed directly to exercising, but I CAN tell you it has made me feel better and helps me with food selection. The way I feel about it, is after I sweat my ass off for an hour, do I really want that piece of bread, do I want a cookie from a birthday celebration at work? NO. I'm not going to waste 500 calories that I just burned on that. Anyhow, I hope this helps you. I have used this method to create my own restriction (my band has not yet been filled and Im going on 18 weeks post op. Im not bragging at all, Im merely giving kudos to physical activity. Do what works for you, but continue to challenge yourself, you are so worth it. ~Moni