Post ops - Do you remember? Exercise....UGH!

Hi Lisa J I can remember all too well that feeling of pain and even shame when I first started going. And it never failed I always seemed to end up between skinny chick A and twiggy gal B on the treadmills LOL! Oh well, now I'm so focused on what I"m there for I ignore the others, pay attention to the routine the trainer gave me and git er done! LOL. You'll feel better soon and dare I say you might even begin to LOVE working out! I'm so excited that your committed to going back.  BTW before my surgery everytime I stood up after sitting for awhile or upon waking in the morning I'd stand up and feel like someone jammed a knife into each foot, I don't have that anymore, hopefully yours will go away too. Your day will be here before you know it. 

Lisa Joy! I so remember that - and still do, since I'm still bigger than most at the gym.  The whole point is - is that the gym isn't just for people who are fit - it's for everyone looking to make a change in their life and better themselves.  So like everyone else said - good for you for going and for planning to go back - just focus on you and why you are there and let all those feelings be a motivator to keep you returning. I have to share about an experience that I had when I was early on in my gym going.  I was by far the biggest person there - probably twice the size of anyone else there - or at least that's how I felt.  However, one day, there was this one woman working out - she was literally skin and bones. She wore just a sports bra and spandex shorts and I could count EVERY rib on her front and back.  The funny thing is that the moment we both saw each other for the first time - the look on both of our faces was somewhat of disgust.  I think we both thought the other was rather disgusting - so it goes to show you that extremes on either end will get people looking at you and everyone judges (even as hard as we try not to). Just remember that you're there for YOU and no one else matters! Good luck!

Lisa You probably feel like most of us have at one time or another! I know the feeling of going to the gym and having everyone stare at you it is a feeling that there is got to be a better way which you realized yesterday! Good luck in your journey Jim

LisaJoy (mind if I call you LJ?  lol...)  I must say, I'm thoroughly impressed that you're doing the gym thing!   I used to belong to a NW Raquet & Swim, and I LOVED LOVED LOVED going there every morning before work!  (WTF???) I'd alternate between swimming and a Nautilus routine. Then I got a different job, and it wasn't so convenient anymore.  I honestly haven't been back to a gym since, and that was dang near half my life ago.   Now I live in a small town NW of the cities, and it was only 2 months ago that a SNAP Fitness opened up a reasonable drive from home.  I haven't joined yet, I'm concerned about not getting there frequently enough to justify the cost (seriously?  I am booked 4 of the 5 nights this week, and I have to find time to help my son with his homework, too!)  But I know that if I'm going to keep dropping the weight and firming things up, I NEED to incorporate some kind of regular exercise routine.  I'm not a slug, I do a lot of stuff (went tubing Saturday evening - YEE HAW!!!), but I need to focus on particular areas of my anatomy that I'm not thrilled with.  Like my muffin top.  argh.... I SALUTE YOU for your determination to do the right thing for your body!  Had I known you had that gene going for you, I'd have made a point of rubbing up against you Saturday!    

Congrats on maintaining your resolve to go keep going.  I know it isn't easy.  In fact.  about a year ago, I had a bad experience at a gym, and ended up giving up on it.  I had the male receptionist smirk and roll his eyes when he was calling over my intro trainer.  And the intro trainer would not listen to me when I was telling him how my body was feeling, and it took 3 days for me to be able to lift my arms to head height.  The muscles were so locked up, they hurt to even have have a sheet, or the sleeves on my shirts brush on them.  I felt like crap, and even though I loved the aqua classes, I gave up and quit.  I wish I hadn't.  I wish I had just pushed through.  It's not like it was the first time anybody had ever made me feel like a slug, but I couldn't get myself to give this place my hard earned money.  I so badly want to get into aqua classes again, but it's doesn't seem to be in the cards for the near future.    I do have a treadmill, and a recumbant bike, and a fitball with video at home, but sometimes it would be nice to be with other people when I'm working out.  Maybe when I get my new school schedule settled, I should start looking around again.  There's a new LA fitness club going in by my work.  I could look into that. On the brighter side, my body is already so much happier with my loss so far.  I don't have the same pain as I did pre-surgery in my ankle and knees.  My hip still gets a little sore, but hey, I've got a long way to go yet.  I can almost bounce on occasions when going up or down stairs.  I don't mean just the jelly rolls bouncing, I mean my whole body springing up and forward from the thrust of my legs!  It's pretty cool.  And my stamina is way up.  the last time I had that moment of disgust was when I took my presurg photos.  all those things you listed went through my head, and I cried hard for a bit.  But I'm leaving that person behind.  soon she will cease to exist.   WEll, this turned into kind of therapy for me.  turns out my hormones are going a little wacky this week.  Sorry bout that.  But I do sincerely congrat you on your mindset, and wish you the best of everything as you work your way through the process. 

LisaJoy, first I want to say Welcome to the board - I haven't been able to be here much lately because of work schedule, but it is nice to "meet" you.  Second - good for you for committing to going back.  Yes, I remember what that was like - not all that long ago for me, but it is so much more fun now that I have lost some of the weight.  It is really important to keep up with the exercise thing too.  I haven't been able to go to the SNAP fitness at work since the 3rd of December, and I haven't lost anything since then either.  I haven't gained anything, which is good, but haven't lost, and haven't felt as good, energetic, etc. since then.   Keep it up, and soon you will enjoy the workout, or at least not HATE it!