Question about Exercise

I'm a little over 4 months post-op and I've been trying to go to the gym every single day - even Saturday and Sunday. I have been faithful except for one day - last Friday when I was so exhausted I couldn't move.

I am currently 341 (455 - consultation, 442 - surgery) and I don't feel like I'm doing enough exercise. Currently this is my routine:

.5 mile or .8 mile on the treadmill - 2.5 - 2.7 speed; sometimes with an incline

2 miles on the stationary bike

12 minutes on the elliptical (that's all I do before I want to die)

a few machines to work my arms and legs

I would like to know how everyone else is handling exercising...

When did you start exercising after surgery?
What did you do when you first started?
What are you doing now?
Are you a member of a gym?
How many days do you go per week?

I'm starting to lose my stamina of going everyday because I work full-time at a university, take 3 classes at the same university and have other things going on (lots actually) and it's wearing me down here lately.

Maybe you could change up what you are doing so that you don't feel burnt out.

I think your numbers show that the exercise you are doing with the eating changes are giving you excellent results!

Girl, take a break and change things up before you burn out and quit all together!  Going to the gym 3-4 days per week is the max I would ever consider.  On your off days, enjoy a nice walk outside; explore different neighborhoods or do a trail hike.

Does your gym have classes?  If not, what about the local recreation league?  Try some Tai Chi or Pilates.  Sign up for a volleyball team or water aerobics.

Really, you are pushing too hard -- this is not a race, it is the rest of your life!

When did you start exercising after surgery?
Day after; walking the halls of the hospital and walking outside since.
What did you do when you first started?
Walking for the first several months, then added swimming at 4 months out (haven't stuck with it, but will get back into the pool within a few weeks), and biking outside this summer.
What are you doing now?
Waking -- from 2 - 4.5 miles each time; varied intensity, always outside.
Biking -- from 30 - 60 minutes each time; ride my bike for pleasure and also instead of taking the car for groceries, coffee run, to the post office, etc....  Seems to work out better when I have a destination in mind.  LOVE riding my bike!
Swimming -- one hour.  Was doing really well with this prior to traveling for 5 weeks this summer.  When I got back, the swim team was in the water, so it is crowded and they had lowered the temperature (too cold!!).  But, I miss it, and plan on going Saturday.  Nope, can't afford it.  Would like to join the Y for the winter, to take advantage of the machines and classes.
Are you a member of a gym?
Nope, can't afford it.  Would like to join the Y for the winter, to take advantage of the machines and classes.
How many days do you go per week?
N/A

I agree with the people above, break it up with other activities so you don't get burned out.

I started exercising before surgery and continued immediately afterwards with regular walks and then more activity as my healing allowed. Yes I am a member of a gym (the same one as you) and I usually manage to drag my butt there 2-3x per week.

I do an hour of activity - either all stretching and cardio or a brief (15min) cardio and then the full circuit of weight machines.

I need to do more. In the meantime I walk a lot at school, take the stairs, park far away everywhere I go, and try to squeeze in some kind of activity each day. I walk for about 10min every hour at work, medium pace, to keep me awake.

You have got to listen to your body.  I used to get freaked out when I missed a day, but now I listen to my body and react accordingly.  My doctor told me that I needed to work out five days a week and I do my very best to get in five days.  There are some times that I can't get to the gym because of work commitments, but at the very least, it's 4 days a week.  I park farther out in the parking lot and walk about 4 miles a week to my classes.


When did you start exercising after surgery?
I started at 3 weeks out very slowly
What did you do when you first started?
The Y had a personal fitness program but all I was cleared to do was wal****il my 6 week appointment.  Once I hit my 6 weeks, I moved into the elliptical, stair climber and treadmill and did upper and lower body on alternating days (strength training).  30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of strength training
What are you doing now?
MWF / 45 minutes of elliptical at 5.5 mph and then 15 minutes of upper body strength training
T/Th 45 minutes of elliptical same as mwf
Saturday is my make up day if I miss one of my week days and I will do water aerobics for 1 hour
Are you a member of a gym?
I am a member of the Y
How many days do you go per week?
my goal is 5 days a week, but I do listen to my body and if I'm too tired, I don't go.  I don't use that as an excuse though, but I don't want to get burned out.

If you belong to a gym, there should be trainers there who can help you set up a routine and suggest exercises to help switch it up.  You shouldn't have to pay for a personal trainer, though depending on your finances a session or two might help.  I know when I was going to the Y, my trainer had me doing different exercises on different muscle groups every other day.  Also, circuit training can be somewhat enjoyable - you switch machines every ten minutes.

Amy

Well I am the other side of the coin. I was almost 60 when I had surgery and I had already had 2 knee replacements and alot of arthritis and bone spurs in my back. So I did not exercise at all and lost the most of my weight. Now after 2 years if i were to loose any more it would probably take exercise to loose now i am at 308 from 470.
So bottom line you will loose rather you exercise or not you will be healthier and loose more if you can exercise.