Is Anybody Else...

Hello my WL Buddies! I wanted to share that I have joined CONTOURS EXPRESS. This is a workout gym for women. It's mostly pushing, pulling, and lifting weights. I'm trying to tone my muscles, hoping to get some of the hanging skin to spring back. Ha,Ha! But, the main reason that I joined, is to lose the rest of the excess weight that I have. I'm going to be having a Tummy Tuck in about 5 months, and I still have about 46lbs. left to reach my goal weight. If I don't get all of the way there, it won't be that big of a deal, but I want to get as close as possible. I feel awesome, and I never thought that I would! I wanted to know, if any of you have been exercising, too? And, has it helped? I love you guys! Take care. Jane 362/208

Hi Jane. I do not exercise. I know I should and I even have a treadmill at home but I am not disciplined enough to go down there and walk on it. I have been thinking about joining something but when I joined Curves I didn't go... i didn't like going by myself for one thing, the other thing is that all the machines are in a big circle facing inward and you basically stare at the person across from you the whole time you're working on that machine and then when you move to the next one, they do too! So, you stare some more... lol. And get stared AT! I know I sound goofy but I can't help it. Anyway... i'm glad that you joined... and I hope it works for you, I'm sure it will. Good luck on losing your last 46 lbs... i seem to be stuck at losing 82 lbs. I can't wait to get off this darned plateau (for almost 3 months now). Take care! Pam 309/227

Hi Jane, I've been exercising since 6 weeks after the surgery, and it has help immensely in toning and firming up as well as not having plateaus . I won't kid you that there is still some skin that needs tightening, but maybe when I can afford it I'll have a little nip and tuck too . I think you'll enjoy exercising, I'm amazed how much stronger I am without all the extra weight to lug around. It will boost your metabolism, but don't forget to have them measure your fat percentage, so you can see that sometime the weight hasn't changed but the fat percentage has gone down, meaning you've gained much more compact muscle weight and lost flabby fat weight. Good luck and let us know how you progress. Lucie

Hey Jane! I started walking within a week of coming home from the hospital and have continued to walk. I now walk about 2.25 miles in 30 minutes every morning and then about 3 months ago I started adding in other things like weight lifting, taebo and stretching. I have stuck with the weight lifting better than anything else (3 - 4 times a week). I had to try many types of exercise before I found things I would and could stick to. I have no proof that it has helped in the hanging skin department, but I know I have less hanging skin than many in my support group that haven't exercised. I am also one of the oldest in the support group and thought I would have more hanging than the others, just due to age. I feel better when I exercise now than when I miss a day. Good luck. Gail

Hi Jane! I was working out (walking a mile or 2) about 1 or 2 times a week on my own, but nothing structured or very hard. 4 weeks ago I joined 24 hour fitness (BIG chain of gyms out West) and signed up for personal training. I've been doing the personal training twice a week for 3 weeks now and LOVE it! It's really expensive ($300 for 6 sessions) but it totally keeps me motivated. I may not buy another group of sessions because of the money, but I have really enjoyed it so far! I have seen HUGE results already in 3 weeks. I go to the gym 5 days a week where I do my weights for 45 minutes, then 40 minutes of cardio (either eliptical, upright bike (recumbant is toooo easy) or treadmill) then sometimes I'll time it go I can take water aerobics after all that. I also take Yoga there once a week. I feel AMAZING! my body is so much stronger, it has helped so much with my energy levels and with falling asleep at night. I don't think working out with help with my excess skin, but it just makes my body look stronger and more toned instead of incredibly sloppy. Have fun!! Amy Lap RNY 10/22/03 5'9: 349/203/180???