I thought I would WANT TO WORKOUT after surgery

Hi everyone.  I am so emotional right now.  For some reason I thought after I had surgery I would just magically Want to workout everyday.  I am going today after work but i tired.  I dont want to fail guys.  any advice?

You need to make it a habit. I find it is easier to stay motivated if I have a goal.
Start off small with a goal that you know you can complete. Consistency and success will help keep you going.

Try signing up for a 5k run or something like that. Something where you had to put some money down to race.

Look at the couch 2 5k program
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I thought that I would magically be able to exercise. I thought that once I was skinny, all this running and bicycling would be easy. I thought it was just something that fit healthy people did. Well its not easy and it does take some dedication and determination. When it does become easy, you will find a new challenge for yourself. There is a quote that goes something like this. "It never gets easy, we just go faster"

Scott

You know what, I didn't feel much like it for a long time either.  I still just felt big and heavy, and it wasn't fun.  It took getting probably close to 70 lbs off before I FELT lighter and freer... now I'm doing C25K and loving it!

You're only a few weeks out, and with a DS I bet you'll feel more like working out quicker than that, but you'll know when you feel ready to start hitting it hard.  In the meantime just getting into a walking routine would be great for you. 

Repetition - we are creatures of habit. The more you go , the more you want to go.

 Yeah, in the beginning?  For me?  Not so much.

You'll be emotional for a while.  It's okay, just know that's how it will be.

I'm with Scott.  Making it a habit makes all the difference in the world.  I also need goals, but that's a separate issue.  Making exercise a priority in your life and then actually getting into the habit of DOING it is where the success happens.  Think of it as an investment in your health.  You can lose weight, but to be really HEALTHY requires exercise.  

The easiest thing to do for now would be to walk.  Walk every day for at least 30 minutes.  Not so bad, right?  Use it as an excuse to be by yourself for a while (if you need one).  It's a great reminder of why you had surgery in the first place.

Like we said, it's all about having exercise become a habit.  Then it is integrated into your new healthy lifestyle. 

I'm 6.5 years post-op now, and that's how I've done it.

Linn

I had open ds and really didn't seriously start working out til around 3months. then I saw how the weight just melted off with exercise and I've stayed with it for about 6 weeks. I also do c25k and love it.

I'm tired after work too, so I've found going to bed earlier and getting up early works best for me. I can really tell its harder if I wait until midday or after work.

You'll just have to find what works for you but you are still really early out. If you are going to do anything, think about just walking and working your way up with that.

I started going 1-2x a week and then once that was a habit, I started going 2-3x and the 3-4x, etc.

I didn't try to jump in and do 6x a week right away. I also had to be careful about what I did for the first two months. Some things were no problem but others hurt my middle too much.

Baby steps my friend. Start out with walking and go from there. I promise, the more to workout (walk, run, go to the gym, swim...) the more you'll want to go.

And let me tell you, everyone here, even the most hardcore triathletes (*cough*Dan*cough*) have days they are just tired and beat down. That is okay. Most of us try to schedule some form of a "rest" day periodically to just unwind and veg out, or go for a short walk and call it a day.

You don't have to run 30miles a day to call it exercise! 30 min, every other day would be a pretty nice start, and much more than your doing now. Dontcha think?

Thanks everyone.  As a single mommy Going to the gym is not possible in the morning which is what I use to do when i wasn't single.  I find it is easier.  between the kids working and this ATL heat i hate doing anything after work.  Yesterday I got to the gym and you wouldn't believe it...one of my gym shoes were missing and of course I cannot find it!  I am going today to buy new ones...that was my only pair.(i am a high heels kinds girl).  I am not going to give up.  I have lost 46lbs in a month so I know I can do anything.  I cant feel sorry for myself forever and i found a 5k in early November!!@  I can do this I know I can