6 month appointment / exercise

I went for my six month appointment today. He said all of my blood work came back good. I am happy about that. I only lost 8.5 pounds this month. So he lectured me about exercise. He said I need to step it up. I walk 30 minutes a day at lunch and ride my bike for 20 minutes 5 days a week. What type of exercise are you guys doing? I am still 247 pounds and do not feel comfortable going to the gym yet. So if you have any suggestions that do not involve the gym I would appreciate it. I have lost 86 pounds since surgery and feel really good. I am not losing as fast as most people so I am thinking it must be the exercise issue. Thanks! Melissa

Exercise is hard for me because of my knees. I have been going to Curves, a womens only gym since I weighed in at 284. Believe me there are lots of others there that are heavier than me and of coarse many who are not. My surgeon told me swimming was excellent, which I know but cannot bring myself to get in a swim suit and go to the local YMCA. He also said that an excercise bike or bicycle would be easier on my knees and good excercise. I was doing the 30 minute Curves routine about 3 times per week and my surgeon told me to step up the intensity and the minutes and do 4 times a week. I tried that and my knee objected terribly. I have had a cortisone injection but don't think it is going to be enough to increase my intensity and time. I have a recumbant excercise bike that I have loaned my son and wife and don't think they are using it much so have ask if I can have it back. I am trying to reach a total loss of 100 pounds by Halloween ( have 4.5 pounds to go) and have been eating mostly fish and chicken. I like shrimp and eat that. I seem to lose better with fish and chicken. I buy the more expensive fish as I only need a little and my husband won't touch it!!! Hang in there, even 8.5 pounds per month is more than I would have lost before surgery, let alone keep it off. You are doing great. Julia

Thanks for your reply Julia. My daughter and I used to be members of curves before my surgery. At 350 my legs did not fit in all of the machines there. I know they would fit now. But I am a little leary. I know it is all in my head. I just don't lkie to exercise in front of other people. Best of luck on reaching your 100 pound goal by Halloween. I am just going to try exercising 7 days a week instead of 5 and maybe I will make losing a 100 pounds by Thanksgiving my goal. That would be 14 pounds in a month. Don't know if it is going to happen. But it will be great trying and my doctor would be so happy with that loss. Thanks! Melissa

Hi Melissa, I went to a support group meeting earlier this month and they spoke about resistance training with bands. I did a google seach for resistance training and found a web site that sells the brand Theraband, that is what they used with us at the class. There were also web sites giving you suggestions for the exercises that you do with the bands. I know I have been really bad with exercise the past couple of months, I need to get my butt back to the YMCA. I miss it so much, but my bed is so comfortable in the morning I don't feel like getting out of it.....lol. Good Luck with whatever you choose. Deanna

Thanks for your reply, I was doing the resistance bands. But I got out of my routine. I guess I will add that in three times a week also. I can totally relate about going in public in a bathing suit. Heck I don't even want to go to the gym in sweat pants and a t-shirt let alone a bathing suit. So the water excersice is out. I have a huge mountain behind my house. I think that I will try hiking it on Saturday and see how that goes and maybe do that on the weekends. That will give me 7 days of working out. Thanks! Melissa

I was walking for a while and then I got into this funk that I call depression and havent walked for a while. I cant afford a gym so that is out of the question. I need to start walking again if nothing else. I just need to get out of this depression funk.