Hi to Everyone, 1st time poster on this message board

Has anyone discovered that if you don't evercise you don't lose? I had pulled a muscle in my upper inner leg and abdomen. It hurt so bad and the pain was a burning pain. Any way I recovered in 2 1/2 weeks but during that time I only lost 1/2 pound. Luckily I'm back exercising now and I am continueing to lose weight. Just was wondering if exercise affects any of you that way? I lost 61 pounds before surgery trying to eat like we would have to after surgery and I have lost 47 pounds since my surgery on 12-21-04. Just now realized we have our own message board. I'm glad to be here and hope to be reading more from you all soon. Mary S.

Welcome to December! You have lost SO much weight, that's wonderful! I can't comment on the exercise issue, since I'm not doing anything yet myself. But according to fitday.com, I do expend a lot more calories than I am taking in, just because of my jobs (teacher and realtor). But I have read many postings that say that exercise is very important, especially after the halfway point. Since I'm almost there, I'll have to start! (I actually bought a cheap reclining bike, since I find it so hard to get to the gym, but I haven't put it together yet!) Leslie 12/17 RNY 238/190/138

Hi Leslie, May be that is what is going on. I'm middle age and do not work outside of the home. I too have a reclining or recumbant bike. If you set it for the highest resistance and go slow on the speed you will burn more calories than if you don't. I started out at 10 on the resistance and about 5-6 miles per hour for 20 minutes. I started exercising in September 04. Now I ride 60 - 70 minutes at the highest resistance and I burned 847 calories today. I have increased my speed to around 10. Good luck with your new bike and thank you for your insight.

Welcome and great job on losing the weight. I work retail so I'm on my feet non stop all day so I think that helps me drop the pounds and let's not forget my trusty treadmill. Donna

Hi Donna, You are right, treadmills are great for exercising too. I guess it doesn't matter how we fit the exercise in, just so long as we do. Working Retail I imagine you get a lot of walking in everyday. I've been thinking about going back to work. I've been off for 12 years because of my back pain. But the pain is improving with each pound I lose. We have only 1 car and my husband works a lot. But I have been thinking about going back to work a lot lately. How much have you lost so far Donna? Mary S.

I have lost 74lbs since my surgery on 12/09/04. You take it one day at time and don't rush into anything real quick. I went back to work feeling wonderful, a live and full of energy, I thought I could take on the world. WRONG!!! I still have arthritis in my knees and my left knee really bothers so after being on my feet non stop, only sitting down for a half an hour break I could feel the stiffness and soreness in my knee. I have to realize that although I have lost 74lbs I still have a long ways to go before I have all the weight off. Donna

MARY! MARY! MARY! MARY!.... WELCOME DARLING, to the most wonderful place on OH! You are now inducted into the December Crew Team... which is a place of lovely people who inspire, encourage and support each other, on a daily basis (or at least 1 per week) My name is Vera, and known around these parts as the Crew Encourager! So, darling... sit back, drink a protein shake, and call this your new home. Do Post often, and remember.... ... we are here for ya! Vera 12/20/04 LAP RNY Proximal 343/298/? -45# (week 9)