What do you do??

Ok, I'm finding I have a hard time sticking to the exercise part... so I'm curious, what do you do for exercise? Kat

I like Curves, it is a 30 minute workout Susan

Hi Kat Well I am with you on that one. Man I really hate to exercise. Expecially walking. That is what my surgeon recommends. NO let me rephrase that. DEMANDS that we do for exercise. Seven days a week for 30 minutes each day. He starts them out right off the bat. Also Curves is a great exercise program. I use to go there three times a week when I had lost a lot of weight back in 2002 doing Akins. However if you are really big like I am again it is hard sometimes getting on and off of the machines, but in that case you just do what you can. I plan to start going again once I have my surgery. So you might check it out. Sometimes they will give you a couple of free times to go so you can see if you will like it or not. They also run specials from time to time where it is free to join. Anyway good luck if finding what works for you.

I've actually been thinking about Curves too for when I'm released to it. I guess I should have changed the wording of my post... "My surgeon recommends XYZ, but I need something to I can get 'into' enjoying for the long term... what do you guys do?" I'm not an idiot, and I know I have to take it easy for a while... but I CAN plan ahead and look for something a bit more fullfilling than just staring at the neighbors houses as I walk circles around the block.

Hey Kat, Since I use up so little of my lunch hour at work these days, I take a half hour walk around the building(s). Sometimes I go alone, sometimes I convince a friend to join me. I'm not a morning person and work 9:30 to 6:30 at a desk, so by the time I come home I'm ready for dinner and pooped from staring at a computer screen all day. So...the walk mid-day really helps keep me going and breaks up the sedentary day. It's starting to get hot here in AZ, so I haven't decided what I'll do instead of walking outside

I love walking I think thats the best exercise ever Tema

I am "banned" from the gym until May 1st (my account was put on medical leave). I had surgery on the 12th, and my surgeon's office told me not to do anything too strenous for 6 weeks. I know that I don't walk nearly enough... I would rather be on the treadmill at the gym! Wendy

We are only allowed to walk during the first 6 weeks post-op. I would ask your doctor what would be ok to do at just a few weeks post-op. I hear that swimming or walking in the water is the first and best thing to do after surgery. That is what I plan on doing although I also have a stationary bike and weight bench plus bands for variety. Sherry

Yes I am only allowed swimming or walking, and even that not heavily exertional. I was mostly looking to see who might be doing walking groups near me or maybe some other options I hadn't thought of. I hate walking... too boring... the swim thing might work in a class where I have some socializing too, but if I had to do it in my own pool, meh, again, boring. While exercise is a necessity, I know myself and if it's not at least somewhat stimulating mentally... I'll eventually not comply, no matter how earnest my desire when starting out.

Until the physical limitations lift, you might hafta reach a little to make exercise more fun for you. Ask a couple girlfriends or co-workers to walk with you. Walk with family. Make a game out of it. If you have kids, play eye-spy or 20 questions. Listen to music or an audio book if you can. Use the time to make mental grocery or other shopping lists. Drive to a park and walk there. Or walk in the mall so you have more to look at, not to mention window shopping. I've been permitted to use a recumbant bike. If there's one available to you, maybe you could read or watch tv while doing it. A half hour, 45 minutes, or however long you've been advised to exercise isn't really all that much time. The bottom line is exercise isn't always going to be fun or interesting, but to make the most of this incredible tool we have you might just have to suck it up and just do it. Eating isn't the only habit we have to change! It's hard. And I struggle with it too. I'm hoping that as I get lighter and it's easier to move around, I'll look forward to it a bit more.