Exercise????

Great post on the advantages of weight lifting.

One thing that wasn't mentioned is that weight lifting also helps prevent bone loss.  This is especially important for women.

As we lose weight, we are putting less stress on our bones and therefore there can be loss.  I'm a case in point.   I had a bone density scan in 2009, showed my hips at 111% .. very good, no bone loss at all.

This year, after losing 190 lbs, my bone density show my hips at 95%.  The doctor said if I hadn't been lifting weights, I'd be in much worse shape.

So, along with cardio, it's a good idea to do some kind of weight bearing exercise.

I'm the original couchpotato who has learned to like exercise. I started with about 15 minutes of elliptical and 15 minutes of walking a couple of weeks after I was banded (my best friend started sooner). I'm up to 30 minutes of elliptical and 30 minutes of walking at greater inclines and resistance on each machine. I also participate in 5-10K's and have really enjoyed those. It gets easier after you get into the habit and you will feel bad when you DON"T exercise. Good Luck! If I can like exercise, anyone can!

I am ashamed to say I didn't do any regular exercise. Still don't! I should for all sorts of reasons but I don't! Would I have lost faster? Maybe but all my excess weight (109lbs) in 15 + months was OK by me!

That is not to say I am a couch potato. I lead a very active life and every now and then I get carried away and do 5ks or even sign up for half marathons!! I don't really train for the 5ks but i will have to do something for the half marathon in September!

As for doing harm, a boxer (as in fists not kick boxing) asked this and was told that the only problem would be that it would be painful if someone hit him on the port as it is hard and would cause a bruise! But even that would be very unlikely to damage anything.

Kate