WLS and Exercise

I am curious as too how many post ops exercise on a regular basis and could you have lost weight without exercising?
How do you think exercise has affected your weight loss?

Just wondering because honestly, I have never been an exerciser even when I was thin I never exercised at all. I was alot more active as far as my job and what not, but I don't like to exercise. Am I going to have to start on a regular basis?
Emily

I know that there are people who have lost most of their weight without exercising. The reason you would lose weight, is because you will, for the most part burn more calories than what you consume. However, as you lose weight, this will not always be so. The less weight you have, the less calories you burn.

I do exercise and I started right after surgery; I started with walking and I increased and added more to it as time went by. I now walk/sometimes run on a treadmill and walk outdoors, plus I do strength/resistance exercise at Tan & Tone America. Exercise will help you lose inches, look better and tone you up a bit.

I started exercising right after surgery because I wanted to get into the habit of doing so...I know that I am going to have to keep active for life, if I want to keep the weight off. And, keep in mind that as you lose weight, you will enjoy (or at least tolerate!!) exercise much more than you do now. It won't be so hard anymore, and you will have a lot more energy.

 

I exercise.  My surgeon said "frankly if you aren't going to exercise I don't want to do surgery".  We have to begin to develop good habits.  We are only getting a tool....a very good tool at that but we MUST do our part with exercise, good food choices, take our vitamins, drink the fluid and decide to do it for life.  People have been known to eat around any procedure eventually.  I have NEVER been one to exercise either but I never felt like it before.  I now go to Curves for Women about 3 days a week, walk about 3 days and use my stationary bike 3 or 4 days while I watch TV.  I can't say I ENJOY doing it but I do feel better and miss it when I don't.  I think it has helped me with the weight loss and toning. 

I try to get in about 45 minutes of something at least 4 days a week.  I started exercising a couple of months before my surgery so it's been hard to cut back like I have while recovering.  I think that's an important habit to get into to ensure maximum success with your new tool!!

My surgeon (same one as Fleemore) says if you aren't going to exercise then skip the surgery because it won't work.  Surgery is NOT a magic bullet.  You will have to move it to lose it.  I don't know that there are many of us that are just dying to go exercise but we do it anyway.  Find something you don't hate doing and do it!  I am enjoying water aerobics right now.  Sure beats the heck out of the treadmill.

I had a doctor tell me once that past the age of 30, there is only so much weight you can lose without excercise.  The good news is, you will enjoy it more as you lose weight.  I'm still not as "regular" an exerciser as I'd like to be, but I am sooooooo much more active than I was this same time last year and I find I move more just for "fun" than I have in years.

Okay I am always going to admit to be the LEAST compliant of all the WeightWise patients - with that said - YES I have lost a great deal of weight - almost 200# so far.  Was I SUPPOSED to be exercising during the past 26 months - OF COURSE - but DID I exercise - nope - not until the last 6-8 months have I actually exercised regularly.  Now, could I have had a better outcome - HECK YES!  I could already have been at my goal of 159 for a long time if I had followed the recommended rules.  I have always been the rebel in almost anything I do, so dietary and exercise wise - I could have done better.

I think the one thing that has to be said is this:  This is a LIFE STYLE CHANGE.  This is your moment to take all the things you have done in the past and FIX them!  With that said, I highly suggest that you go into this with your eyes wide open - follow the recommendations of your surgeon, dietitian, exercise physiologist, psychologists, etc.  Start correcting the bad habits NOW before you actually have your surgery!  It is hard enough to focus on food if you are trying to figure out exercise as well.

If I could change anything about my journey it would have been to follow all the rules COMPLETELY and without FAIL!  I love what my surgery has done for me and I love my surgeons for saving my life.  But I know that I have failed myself (in essence) that I was not 100% (or even 90%) compliant in following the rules.  I do NOT dwell on this fact, I accept it and move on because if I do not I will fall further into old habits and I will NOT accept that responsibility. 

This is truly a life style change and a forever decision.  Make the best of it and you will be rewarded GREATLY!  I love the new me, the confidence, the attitude and the new found calling to help others get through this journey.  I wouldn't trade it for the world!  Good luck in making your changes and in your personal journey!!!

thank you for your honesty. I have been thinking of joining curves but I don't know if I want to spend the money. I have joined a gym on 2 different occassions and wasted my money. I have been walking and that is very difficult on me, but I have been making myself do it a couple of times a week. I want to be successful after I have my surgery so I guess I will try to start exercising a little more.
emilyl

Find someone to go with you -- that might help. I don't like to exercise alone. It cost me more, but I told my daughter-in-law that I would pay for her to go to Tan and Tone with me and she agreed. for the most part, we go 3 nghts a week. We have a lot of fun together at it and it makes it a lot more enjoyable.

I exercise 7 days a week , i really feel you need exercise for many reasons , not only to lose the weight but also to tone your muscles , but that is my opinion.  For me it has helped in my weight loss a great deal . My doctor also recommends exercise , and he is the one that convinced me i needed to go everyday , i do 5 intense days and then 2 light days .  It helps the body and the mind i feel.