Exercise - a bit of reasurance for new and wannabe bandsters

I have recently had a few posts asking about my weight loss journey from people who were worried because they hated exercise. So I thought I would post my own approach.

First of all, let me say we should all exercise, whatever our size. It extends our healthy lives, improves the quality of life and also helps burn calories.

But I don't actually do any! I lost all my weight without any regular exercise routine.

This is not to say I lead a sedentary life. I am an active person and enjoy some forms of exercise like walking. But I don't do anything on a regular basis unless I have a particular goal in mind. For example, I will probably get round to some in a few months time as I have just signed up to a half marathon. So I am clearly NOT unfit! But I do not go to regular gym sessions or classes; I do not have exercise equipment at home; I go for a decent length walk perhaps once or twice a month.

I have done a few 5ks and I did go on the treadmill every day for about 10-14 days before the event.

I do do little things.  I never take the lift (elevator!) if I have to go up less than a couple of flights of stairs; I don't circle round looking for a parking place near to the supermarket; I walk into town when I need to go to the centre.

So I am not a couch potato! But IMO people do not need to worry if they hate the idea of a gym routine! You can do this without that! Whether you should is another matter! But you can!

Kate

Kate

I think my metabolism is F*** up because I wasn't losing weight until I started my routine.  Maybe after I lose all of my weight and just need to maintain I will be able to do that.  But unfortunately I'm not one of those lucky people that can lose weight by adding a few extra steps in their daily life (like walking up the stairs or parking far away from the store).  I wish I was....  

In the long run I consider myself lucky because I know I am getting healthier and healthier with all of this exercise.  My weight lifting is helping my bones and building my muscle to help with my metabolism.  I am starting to run now.  This will do wonders for my heart and lungs and brain.  I am enjoying the results of my exercise routine not the actual routine.   

So when I see someone that complains they aren't losing weight the first thing I do is suggest exercise because it worked for me. 

We are all so different! And I fully accept that exercise is beneficial.

It's just that some people get really worried. They read threads about high levels of daily exercise and think they have no chance of losing weight unless they commit to serious, daily routines. I think you are quite right when you say that you feel better for regular exercise. But some people simply cannot do it for physical reasons and some are, like me, exercise phobics!

I just wanted to give them a bit of reassurance!

Kate

No I understand and completely agree.  I didn't want to exercise.  Who wants to exercise when they are 100-200 lbs over weight.  Talk about uncomfortable and painful.  When The weight wasn't coming off...all the little tweeks to my diet weren't working ...I got frusterated enough that I didn't care anymore about my exercise phobia.  I just wanted to add that if all else fails give in and exercise!!!  It's so worth it...

I have to say, this is what I love about this forum.  You have two different people, both successful and different things worked for you both.  It really helps us newbies to hear of the different experiences.  I wish I could get away with no exercise, but I have a feeling that I am like you and better get my butt to the gym if I want to lose it (my butt that is)

 

Thanks guys!!

Ditto!!!!!

far

Bless You Kate!!!

I detest exercise but know I should do something and walking is my thing.

I have lost 28lbs so far with out exersice I KNOW I could lose more if I exercise and will get to that when my body doesnt hurt so much...

Hi Guys... I apprecaite any encouragement. from any perspective. My feeling is about exersize that it is critical to long term sucess. I lost 80lbs on atkins... AND exersize... mostly walking and exersize. I stopped exersize and stalled which has brought me to the lap band... I need physical interventing as to how much food I can consume. AND along side the change in diet/eating patterns I am going to start exersizine... I will have alot of skin left behind after I lose and i hear exersize is the best way to tone and tighten. I loved exersizing and feel good once i am doing it... I hated it mostly because it invoved(s) pain. I suspect that is why most hate it. But exersizing when you are obese will never be comfortable. It should be looked at as short term pain though... A phrase I heard... and live by...
Pain is weakness leaving the body.

I plan on exersizing and being as proactive as possible in this wls journey... why would anyone not do all they can once they have made a decision as serious as WLS...

THANKS so much for this dialogue! I am so glad for everyones input... for a newbie about to begin this journey... this makes the process exciting!

In many ways you are right! Exercise is critical to overall health. This thread was just to reassure people, some of whom cannot exercise for various reasons, some of whom just don't want to, that it is not 100% essential for weight loss!

You loved exercise before you got obese. There are many people, like me, who have never enjoyed exercise, even when I was young, slim and active! I would never recommend that anyone should not exercise! We should! But for those who hate the idea - don't panic! You might lose more slowly (although I lost all my excess weight in 15+ months, and I am post-menopausal so it is supposed to be harder, and have maintained with one blip for 3 1/2 years.

Kate

I will say that when we lived in England ( pre-band and much heavier) we were much more active.  It was easier to walk places than it is here and it is just what you did. I have to plan regular structured exercise/gym time here, though. :( I suppose if we lived in a bigger city it might be different.

I think this is a good post. I know sometimes we tend to freak out about the 'what-ifs'. Thanks for posting your experience. :)