I understand WLS surgery now...duhhhhhhhhhh

I have been real successful so far getting down 118 lbs. But, the weight loss has slowed to a crawl. I was only excercsing whenever I felt like it before...not all that often. Now, I realize once your body releases so much weight by low food intake, it wants to stop losing at some point. I think my point is now at 118 lbs and 8.5 months out for low weight loss in the future. Si, I am now walking 3-4 miles per day. I am at the crossroads with WLS surgery...this is how I see it. Will I be happy with the 118 lbs off or will I up the excerciseso I can get to goal because I watch my calorie in take closely. To get to goal.....with WLS you can not hope it happens, you got to make it happen. Diet control and calorie control is only a part of the game...the rest is excercise...not a 1/2 mile walk...or mile walk daily...but real movement like 3-4 miles a day. This only makes sense. The WLS surgery is to get most of the weight off.......the rest is up to us to get the rest of and and keep it off and excercise...real excercise is the key to getting to goal and staying there. Sorry, this WLS is not the easy way out. WLS just gave us the power to get our weight low enough, to be able to excercise...the rest is up to us. Will you be happy with some of the weight off or are you going to start an excercise program and do it regular to get to goal and stay there? Sandy in Tucson 340/222/150

Hiya Sandra, I know exactly what you mean. Some people seem to think its a quick fix and then thats it, what you end up with is what you get. I knew from early on though, even before surgery, after reading so many profiles and messages on here that I was going to have to work very hard and make some extreme lifestyle changes - and not just what I put in my mouth. I got an elliptical machine and I started using that in December 2004 - just 10 minutes the first day. Then, doing it 3-4 times per week I added a minute each day I did it until I got to 20 minutes. I hovered there for a few weeks and then I added 5 more minutes and a few weeks after that I added another 5 to get me up to 30 minutes. Then in March 2005 I started jogging. I was very very slow (my hubby could walk next to me as I jogged) I jogged for 30 minutes and got about 2 miles. As I continued I got to where I could do about 3 miles on the track in 34 minutes. I entered my first 5K in May and I finished in 34:33 which was 11:07 per mile. I ran my second 5K on 7/9 and finished in 29:33 which I think was 9:39 per mile. I now run 4 miles per day 4 days a week. When the weather is bad I have my elliptical. So yeah.... I know where you are coming from when you talk about exercise. It has definitely kept me losing, although slowly now. I am now 4 lbs from my personal goal (I am 3 lbs under what my surgeon thought I could get to) and I am feeling SOO great. I am healthy!!! I never really thought it would happen, but thanks to my Lord, it has. He has used this surgery to motivate me and get me healthy. God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea 223/127/123

I have noticed not many have replied to this post I made. Does it strike home? Does it make one think? I feel it is the truth and you are living proof of what can happen through diet control and excercise that gets your heart rate up. It is more difficult when you are 55, diabetic and hurt all over. But, I am still plugging along. Determination is my mind set. I made some new goals for myself yesterday. Less stepping on the scale and being upset all day...and more walking in my program for weight loss. There is is a 1/2 marathon here in Az-Phx, actually in Jan. PFChang marathon.....since I can not run I am am going to walk the 1/2 marathon in 4 hours or less, it is 13 miles. So, that is the goal now to get to the marathon and do it in 4 hrs or less and not pass out doing it. I am walking now 4 miles every other day and doing water aerobics. I have 6 months to accomplish the goal of walking in the marathon. The weight will have to move with that much walking getting ready for the marathon. So, basically I re-set my goals and it is not centered around the scales. I hope it works. Sandy in Tucson

Hi Sandra, Cograts to you for figuring it up and getting your body moving everyday!! I started working out at a gym as soon I was allowed to after surgery!! I love it!! My weight loss have slowed alomost to nil....but everymonth one number drops consistently and that's my body fat %!! So although I still fret about the weight at least I know I am eating right and exercising....doing everything I should be doing. I have 13 lbs to go for my PCP's goal and 20 to go for my personal goal!! I'll just keep plugging along and hopefully my weight will slowly fall off!! ~Summer 240/166/146-153

LOL yes you hit close to home for me. I have done so well with my weight loss. I'm 53 and have lost 110 pounds since November '04. I can see where I need to up the exercise though. Your post inspired me. You have the right spirit for the loss. Keep it up girlfriend. xoxo Alice From Dallas 285/175/175 11/10/04

I am absolutely thrilled with your successes. Just remember that some of us do all the right things (just like before surgery) and lose more slowly. For us we have to focus on feeling healthy. So I am so happy to hear you talk about that. Sometimes I have to stop visiting the web site because I start comparing myself to people who lose more or more quickly than I do. I love exercising, I use the gazelle with resistance pistons three times a week, and walk on the treadmill two times a week. I also work on abs every day. Healthy is wonderful.....my family is so proud of me, and I am so proud of myself. Bless you all for all your support, and success.