When to start more than walking?

Hi All!  First post on this board.  I had laparoscopic RNY 5/3/10.  I have been walking each day as required but still am at the limitation of no lifting over 10 lbs and no bending or twisting until after I hit 6 weeks.  I started walking the track on my second day home and found it took me 23 minutes to do 1 lap on the outside.  Now I do a lap every 5 mintues and can walk two miles so I definitely feel improvement.  I want to move on to more but I am not sure what I can do besides walk at this stage.  Is it ok to start jogging a little with my walk since it does not involve lifting or anything.  I can honestly say I have never jogged in my entire life.  In high school when I would "jog" our mile kids could walk faster than I jog and I wasn't even overweight then so this is a whole new world for me!  I swam and dove all throughout high school but I know I am not allowed in a pool yet.  Advice for a newbie would be great! I already printed the couch to 5k Running Plan posted earlier but not sure if it is ok for me yet.  Thanks!

I was cleared to do regular exercising (except for the restrictions you noted on lifting and pools) at 2 weeks.

You should check with your surgeon though in case there is something particular to your case that would make that not a good idea.

first of all, congrats!  I was not even thinking of real exercise at where you are at.  i shuffled around the block or spent extra time at Walmart!

my completely unprofessional opinion - give jogging a shot.  try it for 10 seconds, or 20 yards, or whatever amount you can, and do it once each time around the track.  add or subtract as is comfortable.  As long as you aren't in pain, I don't think a little jogging will hurt (unless you have some injury/joint problem). 

Good luck and enjoy!

When the desire is there, and the Surgeon clears you for it.... That's when.

Dan...I am impressed by your accomplishments!

My goal is to do the womens danskin mini triatholon next year...so you are my idol!

Hi
I had my RNY May 3rd also...(I havent been walking).Sounds like youre really motivated! Thats wonderful! You must be feeling pretty good! I do do my daily chores around the house.....like sweeping,dusting & laundry.I also take care of 3 children.I lift a lot more then Im supposed to, my son weighs 27 lbs.I know this is hindering a fast recovery..but I gotta do what I gotta do! I was told not to do anything besides walking until around 2 months post-op. My surgeon works with a nutritionist & a personal trainer. Before surgery I was required to make a commitment to work with them for 2 yrs. My first workout session is the beginning of Aug..I will probably start walking & stretching in a couple weeks though.
Good Luck
Stephanie
HW-250
SW-230
CW-206

Thanks everyone.  My last appt said I am cleared to exercise just nothing overly strenuous and no lifting, twisting, bending, or swimming pools.  Then later I thought what does that leave? 

In case anyone new looks at this I want to say that my energy levels still fluctuate day to day.  Some days are wonderful and I feel a desire to step it up and other days I get my "walk" in by doing my grocery shopping and errands and then feel the need for a nap after.  I am having more good days than bad and now when I walk the track near our house I suddenly have a desire to start running.  My husband who runs says wait since he is concerned that I will overdo it.  I thought I should go with it soon in case this odd desire disappears ;-).  We also live next to a bike trail and I have not been on a non-stationary bike in over 15 years.  With summer getting started I just want to do everything!

I no longer have joint pain thanks to losing about 50lbs a lot pre-op (only 20 since surgery).  My only lingering problem is some back pain.  Those are bad days for walking and then I do my minimum.  I am trying to build stamina for a trip to NYC and DC in mid June with my son so I have been very focused on my walking and increasing my pace/distance.  Sue I think I will try your tip out this next week!

Have you tried walkin on an incline or hill...maybe stairs....even told walking backwards adds some strain and muscle resistance..without being too much on the body..