Post Op new to BMI over 50

Hi Everyone, I was invited to post to the BMI over 50 forum after I posted on the WLS Grads forum board. I had roux en y open surgery Jan 24, 2003.  My lowest post op weight was 465lbs & that was well before my first year anniversary. In June 2005 I weighed 538lbs. On my most recent visit to my surgeons's office I weighed 571.8lbs. I had pneumonia in Feb & spent a few days in the hospital. When I went to the hospital I weighed 560lbs. So it was then I decided I have got to do something about this before it gets worse. I also came home back on oxygen 3 litres 24/7. When I was well I joined the YMCA & started going March 4th.  When I first began using the Nustep Stepper I barely could do 20 mins. Now I make sure I do no less than 60 mins & 10,000 steps before I go home. The longest I've been on it is 75 mins. My current time goal is to do 90 mins. So I figure my only obstacle is what I eat. And how much. I went to my first ever support group earlier this month. I've also started keeping track of what I eat in a little diary. And I have measuring cups ^& spoons to measure what I do eat. I figure by doing this it will give me a clear picture of just how much I do eat. Also when I go to the YMCA my workouts are stored on their fitlinxx network. I've been going 3 - 4 times a week since I joined. One of the staff members at the YMCA spoke with me yesterday & said that as soon as I get into the pool the weight will come. And exercising in the pool will be easier on my joints. I like the machine I'm using. Only thing is sometimes my ankles & right knee bothers me, but I try to ignore it to meet the goals I have set for myself. Even when I come home I try to walk around when in the past if in pain I would have stayed in bed. And yesterday ... yesterday was just bad all around. I wasn't having a very good day. I found myself upset because I didn't make it to the gym Tuesday night. Upset again later on before I went to bed. Then again in the morning with my breakfast. Then after that I was upset & worried because I thought my new cat Kalie got outside & ran away. Later on in the afternoon she was seen sitting by my bed. Turns out she was just hiding really well.  Then I got upset during dinner & after so I went to bed more or less. Spmetimes I feel like I can't or not allowed to get upset or mad because when I do feel mad or upset my Mom gets upset with me too & it just drives me insane! I think I'm done ranting & venting for today. I'm finding myself posting more than I ever used too on the boards. Just not quite sure where I fit in. What I want? A good meal plan to follow. Support of my family. I'm really enthusiastic about going to the YMCA to do my exercises. But feel like sometimes they don't want to take me or are too busy, tired or lazy to go. I don't want to lose my motivation. That could be the worst thing for me. Sometimes I feel so frustrated by myself & when things just don't seem to go right...  Thanks for reading. Thanks for any help or suggestions you may have for me. Crosses my fingers & hoping for a better Thursday. Oh PS Can you believe it snowed yesterday. Sprin & it snowed. I love watching it fall but am terrified of walking on it & falling on my butt & not being able to get up. I plan on going to the gym today but the ground is still covered in snow. Well time to go get ready. Cyas later Marilyn

Hi, Marilyn!  I'm so glad you decided to pop over to this forum - I'm the one from the other forum who suggested you might find a good, supportive fit here.   Kudos to you for your new exercise habits - keep up the great work.  Exercise helps you in several ways.  First, it burns calories.  Second, it helps build some muscle, which bumps up your metabolism.  Third, over time it will help you move better and feel better in general.  Pay attention when you're having pain -- you may need to adjust some of the things you're doing to prevent injuries.  Also, if you are comfortable in the water, I would encourage you to try the water exercises or water aerobics - whatever's available at the Y.  Because the water supports your weight, you can exercise harder in the water than you can on the land without hurting your joints.   Using a food journal is a great way to stay accountable.  I've been keeping a food journal for about 2 years now, and it's a very valuable tool for me.  Have you checked out the online journals that are available at fitday.com, thedailyplate.com and/or sparkpeople.com?  Lots of folks here use those online tools to help track their daily food intake.  They calculate your calories, fats, carbs, proteins, fiber, etc., so you don't have to do manual calculations yourself.   Finally, measuring your food is a great idea until you have a solid idea how much a portion is.  I still weigh and measure some things, because it's too easy to underestimate and my pouch holds a lot more these days.   That's all from me for now, but I really wanted to welcome you to this forum.  Please keep us posted on your progress, and let us know what we can do to support you!!!!   Good luck on your continuing journey -  Kellie

Thanks Kellie, I haven't yet tried any of those online food journals. Would be great to find one that can keep track of your exercise too. I will go check out some of the links you posted. Thanks for all your help & for your suggestion to post here. Marilyn

You're welcome, Marilyn!  I know sparkpeople.com has an exercise tracking function, but I don't know about fitday.com or thedailyplate.com.  I'm sure you'll find something that meets your needs!   I look forward to hearing about your progress -  Kellie

hey there! welcome to the board! i think you are definitely on the right track with your diet and exercise. i read your blog a little, and i saw that you mentioned you might need another surgery. are you talking about the duodenal switch/biliopancreatic diversion? that is the original surgery i am having.. if you're interested at all, you should check out the duodenal switch board here on OH as well. it was from my research and spending time talking to everyone there that i decided on DS. it affords the most excess weight loss and sustained weight loss of all of the bariatric surgeries. it was a tough choice to make, but i feel like i am doing the right thing! keep going with your walking. it will pay off!

Hi Marilyn, Welcome to the BMI over 50 board, we are very glad to have you and are a very supportive group of people who understand where you've been and what you are struggling with.  Congratulations on your exercise progress, and your motivation for exercise.  I am very impressed that you get your 10,000 steps in, I haven't managed that on a regular basis yet.  I do completely agree with Kellie though, don't ignore pain while you exercise.  It would be VERY beneficial to you to consider adding water exercises to your routine because your weight is supported, its easier on your joints, and you can achieve better range of motion and flexibility, and that, in turn, may ease some joint pain.  If you are in pain don't push through it, listen to your body and find something else that your body can do.  Also, at home you can possibly look into some free weights/dumbells to exercise your arms and build muscle, which uses more calories than fat.  At the YMCA you may want to find out which of the circuit training machines would work for you in terms of building some core and upper body strength as well.  If you are just walking you aren't giving the top half of your body an opportunity to build muscle also.  Another possibility at home might be an arm bike, where you can sit and pedal with your arms.  With food, I think its very smart that you are re-examining what and how much you eat.  There are several people on this board who are quite knowledgeable about nutrition.  If you would like to keep a food diary and post what you eat on our daily food log, please feel welcome to.  We might be able to give you some pointers, better options, or new food ideas.  Several good online calorie trackers exist, and I've tried most of them.  My personal favorite is thedailyplate.com because its free and because it has a lot of foods already stored.  Also you can add new foods to the database so that you, and anyone else, can access the information later.  It also has a weight tracker and an exercise tracker (but beware, I think it over-estimates the number of calories burned for physical activity by 30-50% BUT the nice thing is that it figures calories burned based on your weight).  The heavier you are, the more energy you use for the same amount of physical activity.  I wish you all the best and hope you continue to post here and become part of our "little family" - its such a tough journey, but at least we can all go through it together and cheer ourselves on.  EVERY little victory is something to celebrate.  This isn't just about weight, its about becoming the healthiest person mentally and physically that you can be.  Jenn

Hi Marilyn! Nice to meet you.  Sounds like you are really motivated with the exercise - way to go. And yes, I can imagine it snowed yesterday -- we had it here in Oregon as well.  We have had a ton of snow this year and I am soooo ready for good weather. Shirley

Marilyn,  Welcome to the BMI over 50  Board i'm sure you'll love this place as much as I do!  Congratulations on your exercise,  your amazing with that!. I agree with the other  posters that its very important you listen to your body! If you hurt yourself its only going to hinder your exercise so  try not to over do it.   The pool is an awsome idea.  My local hospital has a wellness center that has a pool where the floor comes up and then lowers you into the water for physical therapy. I know if you have a script your insurance will pay for it (usualy) If you need some help with food choices there are some really smart girls on here that post most days and have really balanced meals and I my self should pay more attention to them and follow what they do! maybe we can try together?  posting everyday helps you stay more aware and makes you think before you eat.   I look forward to getting to know you, :) Estelle

Hi Marilyn and welcome. Congratulations on making a start. Exercise is key for me too and it is something I haven't done much of lately. Plus I quit smoking and know I have gained. I had been avoiding getting weighed, but today when getting into the car I felt squeezed. I thought hubby (short lil thing that he is) had left the seat up. But nooo, I just got fatter.

Sigh.

I need my OH friends to help me get back on track.

- Patty

greetings marilyn welcome to the bmi over 50 board! the group here is nice, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable.  you've already gotten some good advice in previous responses, so i guess i'll just  introduce myself...i'm deb, 3+ years out from open rny. single, 51 yrs old, no kids, lots of pets. i started with a bmi of 66, now it's 25.  i'm happy to meet you, and hope to see you around here often! deb