???? Just getting started.

OK here is my questions. I had my surgery May 17, 2004 I started at 268 and now weigh 146. I have a little hanging skin but really not to bad. Mainly stomach and thighs inner and outer. Anyway our town just opened up a Rec center that is offereing classes. I want to take them all.lol With summer comming on I do really want to get into shape. These are the classes I want to take in addition to doing weight lifting. Body Burn: High repitions of multiple muscle movemnts maximize caloric burn through low impact. Full body workout. 45 min. Tue and Thrus. morning. 6:00 am Interval Circuit Training: Low to moderate step arobic conditioning combined with strength training in a 3:1 ratio Mon. and Thrurs. 5:30 pm Pilates Self explanitory... Monday, Wed. Fri. 7:30 pm Then there is a Cycle spin class that is Tue. and Fri. nights 6:30 pm Is all this possible, or am I going to kill myself????? I see folks on the swan do it, and other shows, and they are working out 2-3 hours a day, and alot are bigger than me. Give me your honest opinions please Brenda

Welcome That is a pretty heavy load! Have you been doing anything up to this point? I applaud your enthuiasm, just be careful, those people on the swan were monitored very closely, I loved the show, but I thought they were playing russian reulette, especially with Moe. But hey, you could try it all, and drop what you do not like, or cannot handle at the time, or just try one or two at a time. Monday for example you would do basically the Firm workout with weights, then leave that class and do pilates, WOW, that would kill me. If you try this expect to not be able to wash your own hair, walk up or down stairs, cough, or breath on your own for a few weeks We have to try it our way and find what works for us, keep us posted how and what works for you, you will find a bunch of support here. Mike

Oh Mikee, you just continue to crack me up... that's how it would be for me, I wouldn't be able to sit upright in a chair either...

Mikee, Well, after thinking about it all day, and last night I think I am going to start out slower the classes do't begin for another 3 weeks. I ent today(firt day opened) and did all the circut weights and wakled a mile and a half. Did it all with relitive ease...so we shall see. Now I am going to continue to post on this board reguraly. If in 4-5 weeks you don't hear from me, call 911!!!!! Brenda

Awesome, sounds like a great start, you have to stay here now, we send people if you not post.

Hi Brenda! I know how you feel! Man like you had wings and could fly! Isn't it awesome? I tend to be like that, want to try it all baby! If you have never done anything intensive at all, I would start small and work your way up. Why the rush? You have plenty of time to get ready for summer. Trust me. I would start off with 3 days a week on whatever interests you the most. Then move up from there. Do these classes cost anything? I would see if they had a free "trial" class so you can see what's involved before plunking down your hard earned dollars then realizing you don't like it. The folks on the Swan, etc. are doing only that. They aren't working, doing laundry, shuttling kids, or whatever, and they are monitored by specialist. I wish I could just do that all day. That would be way COOL! The more I learn about the Swan, the less I would want to go through that. Plus, they are filming over a 3 to 4 month period...so they don't just start into doing all that stuff right away either...ah...the miracles of modern filming and editing... I applaud your enthusiasm!! That's the biggest key to your success, that and CONSISTANCY!!! Keep posting, let us know how things are going and good luck!! Take care! Valerie

Valerie, I had been walking 4 mi a day for the first 4 months out of surgery..then it got colder and I stopped. However today when I walked I ppicked my pace right back up and did all the machines with very little effort. I was amazed. My mother wanted me to swim with her, but she couldn't get me off the machines. lol I have 3 weeks to get back into gear before the classes start, so this will help me work up to it the have single classes for 5 bucks...that was a good idea! I think I will just do the pilates class and the circut traing class,...maybe the cycle class to...but not the 6 am class. You no why I am in such a hurry??? I feel like I wasted most of my life being obese and now that I am down to a normal size,I want to look normal without clothes to. I am not against plastics, and I will do this to fine tune myself. I don't have really any responsibility's except part time job, and hubby. He can fend for himself! My daughter is getting ready to have her first baby so other than keeping her a couple days a week that is it. And oh man do I want to be on the SWAN!!!!!!!! Second best thing is to go to Stacy's spa she went to...woudln't that be great! Now if it would just rain money,I'd be there. lolol I'll keep you posted. Brenda

You go girl! Sounds like a plan. I envy your schedule!!! I work full time, and have two teenage daughters. My job requires me to be on call about 6 days a month, so that kinda gets in the way of training sometimes too. I am an OB Research nurse, and you know, labor happens at any time! If it rains money on your end would ya set out a bucket for me? I would LOVE a spa to go to on a regular basis! As for the Swan? I dunno, I wanted to do EXM or that but the more I look into it, the more I am not so sure. I don't know if my family could take me being away and I think I would be in major withdrawl from my hubby and kids...and the internet! You can't have contact with anybody. I would freak out I think. I will keep a look out for your posts. I am going to see a ps for fine tuning this week. I am going to try to submit a claim for it to see if my insurance will cover it. Wish me luck. It's just for breast reconstruction. I have resigned to the fact that they won't cover anything else, because the rest of me isn't needing it for medical reasons. So, one part at a time. Take care, and keep up the great job! Val

Welcome Brenda, You will love this group.. There are some real experts in body building, power lifting and fitness in general. I try to provide the comic relief.......on your question, I agree with the group. Listen to your body and take it slow. Add additional classes as you feel ready. Keep the weight training and cardio in balance. When it comes to exercise, more is not necessarily better. The muscles need to recover before you can push them again....and don't let "reality" TV skew your perception of the "real" world. This board is motivation. Good Luck and keep us posted on your success!! PS, Its nice to have another cute lady posting on the board...woo hooo

Ok, I looked at your options a little closer and here is what I would do if these options were presented to me. Monday I would do Pilates. Great core workout. and good for flexibility Tuesday Lift (45-60min) and cardio (at end of workout 15-30min) Wednesday Pilates Thursday Lift (45-60min) and cardio (at end of workout 15-30min) Friday Cycle Spin Saturday Lift (45-60min) and cardio (at end of workout 15-30min) Sunday- sit on couch and watch football Ok...you don't have to watch football, but you do need a rest day. I try to "schedule" 6 days but....with a job and family, I get in 4-5. I can't see the Body Burn helping you. I think your weight training would really be compromised if you added it. The Circuit Training looks like it has a strength training portion, which again would conflict with your own strength training program. Good Luck