Fairbanks Friends :) LONG

Hi all!  This is a long post geared around exercise and requesting your input. I'm not selling anything I promise, lol!!  I'm an Army wife and we are stationed at Ft. Wainwright.   Please feel free to close it if I've already lost your interest. 

In March of 2008, after years of battling morbid obesity, I decided to undergo Lap-Band surgery.  I was well aware that statistics showed that my ultimate success or failure was directly linked to my own personal fitness.  I asked my surgeon about a fitness program geared towards people in my situation and it was suggested I ask the gym for assistance building a program.  I met with the trainer for a fitness assessment and even the intensity required for the assessment was to much for my body to handle.  I was unable to leave my bed for several days.  I had the desire to become fit but was unfamiliar with the equipment in the gym, intimidated and afraid of being judged, and on my own.  I did not return to the gym until I had lost nearly 100 pounds.  I was lucky enough to find a love of fitness despite the previous lack of it in my life.  I spent many hours figuring out how to use the equipment on my own, searching online to build a program I could manage, and struggling with my form.  I was frustrated and angry that there was no one to help me.  I vowed that I would do something to make a difference.  Now that I have completed my certificate in Personal Training, I intend to do just that.  I believe that a fitness program is the cornerstone to success and each and every Bariatric Surgery program should offer one.  I hope that by implementing this program I can show an improvement in both the initial and long term weight loss statistics and help others to develop a love of fitness.

It is my goal to create an individual exercise program, to be used in conjunction with your current Bariatric Surgery protocol, to help ensure long term weight loss success.  Your program will be designed to take in to account your personal physical and emotional limitations and help you to overcome the hostile climate the fitness world and gym scene can seem to present.   Data suggests that the most successful Bariatric Surgery Patients are those who discover a love of fitness early in their weight loss journey.  My goal is to slowly introduce you to the fitness equipment, teach you proper technique, and help you build a program that suits your own needs (long and short term); while building self confidence, endurance, and strength.  This will be a very low stress, judgment free program that  focuses on your emotional and physical well being; rather than on your ability to excel at fitness challenges.  I will be available to help you in either a gym or home setting and will offer some group programs as the weather improves and we can gather outdoors. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas on implementing the program, how you think it might benefit you, or if you'd even be interested in taking part in a program geared towards and presented by someone who has undergone bariatric surgery.  Thanks for taking the time to read my post and forward on your thoughts!!

Kari

  I think you have a worthy goal.I racewalk and since my Realize band surgery have really toned up. I hope you can find people that will work with you. I have had the MOST success while walking with a friend we motivate each other. In 1 year I have went from a size 18 pants to a 10/12 and shirt size 1x shrits to12/14. Bra 44dd to38dd. This is because I had motivation from friends and family but mostly myself.