I need help!!!!

Hi all, I need help finding motivation to exercise!! I have all the equiptment, (treadmill, step bench, videos, etc), but I just look at it all like it is foreign material. I am a little over a year post op and I am down 98 lbs. I am in a size 10/12 but I need to lose a bit more and tone up. I have a lot of saggy areas and I know I should exercise. I even postponed my 1 year checkup appt with my surgeon because I am afraid he'll know I don't exercise!! Help me find the strength or whatever it takes to do it everyday. I say I'm going to, then I don't. What is wrong with me?? If anyone has some advice, please let me know. Thanks and hats off to all of you who know the secret to success!! Michele Tessmer

Hi Michelle! Oh can I relate!! Exercise motivation is just no where to be found in my life! I try to motivate myself to go to the health club, and if I am successful in getting myself there, I absolutely love it! But to get my body there is a struggle! I want to find a "buddy" to exercise with, someone to motivate me, but so far no luck. Do you have anyone that can keep you accountable for doing your exercise? I know a lot of people online use www.fitday.com to record their progress, so you might want to try that. You will be able to see how many calories you burned doing your exercises. Sometimes just that is a motivator! Please don't skip your 1 yr. appt. with your doctor, believe me they understand and only want to be there to help you succeed. It is important to have your lab work monitored at this point and get some direction from them as to what to expect during the next 6-12 months. I think the key to long-term success is continuing to follow-up as prescribed! So just know you are not alone! Maybe we can email each other to help keep us more motivated!! Take care, Traci

Michele, I am 12 weeks post op so exercise is still somewhat "new" to me. Being able to walk without struggling for air is a real revelation. I do go through days where I dont want to walk, but I set aside my lunch hour for it. I set up a course around my building and I just walk it. Some days I really dont want to, but I make myself anyway. I dont think it is willpower, I still have 70 pounds to lose and I plateaued with 50 pounds lost. That is frustrating. I have a network of friends who have had this surgery or are scheduled to have it. Talk to people and join a support group. That is the best advice I can give. I would even be willing to trade emails if you want so we can keep each other going. My email is [email protected] I hope to hear from you. Anne