Nervous to workout
I'm 18 months out from WLS and I've lost 90 lbs and have gone from a size 20 to a size 6. The bad thing is that I have not worked out AT ALL. To tell you the truth I am afraid to. I know this is weird (& a bit twisted) but in the back of my mind, I'm thinking that I've done so well so far....and muscle weighs more than fat, so if I work out I will gain weight. I know, I know - crazy. I know that I need to work out just to be healthy and to be able to keep my weight off in the long run.
So I have worked out (w/kettle bells - & kicked my butt) twice now (I'm doing it every other day) and I hopped on the scale today and I was up in weight!!!! I have 5 lbs that I go up and down daily (that I'm used to) but this was a pound over the norm. I know that does not sound like much, and tomorrow that could change, but I'm really freaked out by this!
Any helpful suggestions?
So I have worked out (w/kettle bells - & kicked my butt) twice now (I'm doing it every other day) and I hopped on the scale today and I was up in weight!!!! I have 5 lbs that I go up and down daily (that I'm used to) but this was a pound over the norm. I know that does not sound like much, and tomorrow that could change, but I'm really freaked out by this!
Any helpful suggestions?
Hit my 1st goal of 150 and on to my 2nd of 135!!
Throw away your scale and work out for the health benefit. Weight is just a number that doesn't really matter. Body fat and muscle mass mean a lot more to health. I got down to 180 and felt like total crap. Hitting the weights and getting to 200-205 makes me feel and look 100% better. And just so you know I am still in the same clothes as when I was 180. Workout for your health and to feel good and forget what the scale says (your the only one judging by that #). The more muscle you have the higher your metabolism will run as well.
Great job for getting started .... keep at it !
Great job for getting started .... keep at it !
No longer about weight , it's all about living.
OK. Couple of things...
1. Muscle only weighs more than fat when you compare volume. A lb is a lb. Muscle takes up less room than fat. Kinda like a pond of feathers takes up much more space than a pound of gold. :) You replace fat with muscle? - while the scale might say the same number you'll by physically littler.
2. When you start working out - remember that when you first start (or do a particularly hard workout) you're making teeny tiny micro tears in your muscles (that's that sore feeling). Those tiny tears are good as the healing of them is what's making your muscles grow. What else happens with those muscles? They get all full of fluid so they can heal. Remember when you first start the scale might jump up a little and it's ALL fluids, make sure you drink your water and it will all go away.
3. For a woman it's REALLY hard to add muscle. We just don't have the same chemical makeup as fellas. Weight gain is not going to be overnight with working out. Don't let the scale discourage you.
4. In reverse - if you're doing hard core cardio (like running, jumping) then you'll see the scale go down as you've been sweating. I can loose more than a pound during an hour run. Remember, it's just that pesky water.
The folks on this string are right. It's about your health (strong heart + strong lungs) and not about the scale. Weigh yourself but be aware.
Good luck and just thinking about it means you're on your way.
1. Muscle only weighs more than fat when you compare volume. A lb is a lb. Muscle takes up less room than fat. Kinda like a pond of feathers takes up much more space than a pound of gold. :) You replace fat with muscle? - while the scale might say the same number you'll by physically littler.
2. When you start working out - remember that when you first start (or do a particularly hard workout) you're making teeny tiny micro tears in your muscles (that's that sore feeling). Those tiny tears are good as the healing of them is what's making your muscles grow. What else happens with those muscles? They get all full of fluid so they can heal. Remember when you first start the scale might jump up a little and it's ALL fluids, make sure you drink your water and it will all go away.
3. For a woman it's REALLY hard to add muscle. We just don't have the same chemical makeup as fellas. Weight gain is not going to be overnight with working out. Don't let the scale discourage you.
4. In reverse - if you're doing hard core cardio (like running, jumping) then you'll see the scale go down as you've been sweating. I can loose more than a pound during an hour run. Remember, it's just that pesky water.
The folks on this string are right. It's about your health (strong heart + strong lungs) and not about the scale. Weigh yourself but be aware.
Good luck and just thinking about it means you're on your way.
DITTO to all of the above...1st Congrats on a great job loosing weight and getting down from a 20 to a 6! That is FANTASTIC and you should be very proud.
It really is about health now. To be healthy, we all need to exercise. I would strongly encourage you to join a gym (the YMCA, SNAP Fitness, CURVES for women)...there are so many choices. When you join, usually, you get a session or two with a trainer who can set you up on a good program.
I think for most of us on this forum, exercise does become addictive, because we feel so much better. Its an endorphin thing.
It is good to be aware of and thinking about what you are doing and eating so you DON'T regain, but don't become a slave to the scale.
Good luck!
It really is about health now. To be healthy, we all need to exercise. I would strongly encourage you to join a gym (the YMCA, SNAP Fitness, CURVES for women)...there are so many choices. When you join, usually, you get a session or two with a trainer who can set you up on a good program.
I think for most of us on this forum, exercise does become addictive, because we feel so much better. Its an endorphin thing.
It is good to be aware of and thinking about what you are doing and eating so you DON'T regain, but don't become a slave to the scale.
Good luck!
Eating junk food and CRAP is not a reward...it's a punishment...
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
After posting earlier, I checked my email and received the following from my gym (Snap Fitness)...a little motivation to encourage exercise...especially those of us post WLS folks, enjoying the small amount of food we can eat is important...
Your hard work may be making your food taste even better. This week's healthy lifestyle tip will explain. Healthy Lifestyle Tip: Working harder makes food taste better
It's commonly accepted that we appreciate something more if we have to work hard to get it, and a Johns Hopkins University study bears that out, at least when it comes to food. Working up an appetite before eating really does make food taste better, scientists have found. And the more hard work you have to put in, the tastier a meal seems. Psychologist Alexander Johnson, Ph.D. said: "Having to work harder to get a certain food changes how much that food is valued, and it does that by changing how good that food tastes. This suggests that overweight individuals might be able to alter their eating habits to prefer healthier, lower calorie food by manipulating the amount of work required to obtain the food." For instance, if we had to navigate an obstacle course to get to a plate of carrots we might end up preferring those raw vegetables to chocolate bars or sweets that were more easily accessible. Dr. Johnson, of Johns Hopkins University said: "What we have shown is that if you have to expend more effort to get a certain food, not only will you value that food more, but it might even taste better to you." Currently, we don't know why effort seems to enhance the taste of food, but we know that it does, and this effect lasts for at least 24 hours after working hard to get the food." Source: sciencedaily.com Consequently, if you want tastier food you will need to drop in for a workout followed by a well deserved meal!
Your hard work may be making your food taste even better. This week's healthy lifestyle tip will explain. Healthy Lifestyle Tip: Working harder makes food taste better
It's commonly accepted that we appreciate something more if we have to work hard to get it, and a Johns Hopkins University study bears that out, at least when it comes to food. Working up an appetite before eating really does make food taste better, scientists have found. And the more hard work you have to put in, the tastier a meal seems. Psychologist Alexander Johnson, Ph.D. said: "Having to work harder to get a certain food changes how much that food is valued, and it does that by changing how good that food tastes. This suggests that overweight individuals might be able to alter their eating habits to prefer healthier, lower calorie food by manipulating the amount of work required to obtain the food." For instance, if we had to navigate an obstacle course to get to a plate of carrots we might end up preferring those raw vegetables to chocolate bars or sweets that were more easily accessible. Dr. Johnson, of Johns Hopkins University said: "What we have shown is that if you have to expend more effort to get a certain food, not only will you value that food more, but it might even taste better to you." Currently, we don't know why effort seems to enhance the taste of food, but we know that it does, and this effect lasts for at least 24 hours after working hard to get the food." Source: sciencedaily.com Consequently, if you want tastier food you will need to drop in for a workout followed by a well deserved meal!
Eating junk food and CRAP is not a reward...it's a punishment...
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
I agree that you need to ditch the scale.
If you are continuing to eat a healthful diet and monitor your portion sizes, there will be nothing but benefits from exercising. You will increase your overall health, gain strength, improve your heart function, fight osteoporosis, and stoke your metabolism.
As your early, sudden weight loss slows, these will all benefit you, as well as helping you to maintain that loss.
I know of a man (who was never obese) that is in top physical condition. In his late 30s he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The doctors told him that he was in the best position to fight it and recover quickly and fully because he was so physically fit. The kidney was removed, he bounced back quickly, and his prognosis is excellent.
There's more to being in great shape than the scale. You've taken a huge step in that direction. Don't lose your focus...
Best of luck to you!
If you are continuing to eat a healthful diet and monitor your portion sizes, there will be nothing but benefits from exercising. You will increase your overall health, gain strength, improve your heart function, fight osteoporosis, and stoke your metabolism.
As your early, sudden weight loss slows, these will all benefit you, as well as helping you to maintain that loss.
I know of a man (who was never obese) that is in top physical condition. In his late 30s he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The doctors told him that he was in the best position to fight it and recover quickly and fully because he was so physically fit. The kidney was removed, he bounced back quickly, and his prognosis is excellent.
There's more to being in great shape than the scale. You've taken a huge step in that direction. Don't lose your focus...
Best of luck to you!
Because WLS causes rapid weight loss, you lose a lot of muscle. I don't feel like this is spoken about enough and I feel strongly about it. It is dangerous to lose a lot of muscle, not to mention it is not a pretty look. I feel like it ages you, if you lose it too quickly and your robbed of muscle tone.
I was like you, where I was not educated about this after surgery. The pounds came off fast and I was feeling great about it, but I also noticed I was losing a lot of muscle too. I felt sickly after a while and was even told after the fact that several people thought I was sick and that was the reason for the weight loss. I work out like crazy now and my body looks a ton better than before. Yes, I'm a few pounds heavier, but my clothes fit better and I look better in them ( while wearing the same size). Not to mention...there is no greater feeling than feeling fit.
I believe as former obese people, the scale and numbers are our "gage" for success. It's hard even today (3 years out), to get rid of that idea. However, to live a healthy life for a lifetime, you have to work on the "bigger picture". It's about developing a healthy new lifestyle. I am going with the others on this one. Try turning your focus on healthier living and stop worshiping the scale for awhile. If anyone needs to work out, it is wls patients. Our bodies go through such rapid changes and it can be stressful on the body too. It is important to do some resistance training and aerobic training to combat these negative effects such as muscle loss and stress in general from rapid weight loss. WLS is a blessing and a chance at a new and healthier lifestyle, but it is truly up to us to work it the right way or we will become sick or gain it all back.
I would start off slow by walking or doing some type activity you enjoy. Make sure to make it fun and continue to change it up and try new things. Add some resistance training in the mix. Consult with your local gym on how to get started. A lot of times, we go into it going heavier than we should or doing it wrong and we end up injuring ourselves. Be smart about it, but do something. You were given a new lease on life. Make the best of it and enjoy the journey!!! Don't continue to do the same thing (not working out) because of fear. Your darkest fear is to gain (we all share this fear), but we can fight that fear if we apply other tools in our life such as working out to gain a new healthy lifestyle. Don't let the scale measure your success.
Best wishes!!!
I was like you, where I was not educated about this after surgery. The pounds came off fast and I was feeling great about it, but I also noticed I was losing a lot of muscle too. I felt sickly after a while and was even told after the fact that several people thought I was sick and that was the reason for the weight loss. I work out like crazy now and my body looks a ton better than before. Yes, I'm a few pounds heavier, but my clothes fit better and I look better in them ( while wearing the same size). Not to mention...there is no greater feeling than feeling fit.
I believe as former obese people, the scale and numbers are our "gage" for success. It's hard even today (3 years out), to get rid of that idea. However, to live a healthy life for a lifetime, you have to work on the "bigger picture". It's about developing a healthy new lifestyle. I am going with the others on this one. Try turning your focus on healthier living and stop worshiping the scale for awhile. If anyone needs to work out, it is wls patients. Our bodies go through such rapid changes and it can be stressful on the body too. It is important to do some resistance training and aerobic training to combat these negative effects such as muscle loss and stress in general from rapid weight loss. WLS is a blessing and a chance at a new and healthier lifestyle, but it is truly up to us to work it the right way or we will become sick or gain it all back.
I would start off slow by walking or doing some type activity you enjoy. Make sure to make it fun and continue to change it up and try new things. Add some resistance training in the mix. Consult with your local gym on how to get started. A lot of times, we go into it going heavier than we should or doing it wrong and we end up injuring ourselves. Be smart about it, but do something. You were given a new lease on life. Make the best of it and enjoy the journey!!! Don't continue to do the same thing (not working out) because of fear. Your darkest fear is to gain (we all share this fear), but we can fight that fear if we apply other tools in our life such as working out to gain a new healthy lifestyle. Don't let the scale measure your success.
Best wishes!!!
You are right. However, that is what is SO GREAT about this OH site and the forums. I've found so much encouragement, support, and knowledge shared from those who have gone before.
Keep coming back to this forum and others you may find helpful. And to coin the old Nike slogan...Just Do It! I know that is so cliche' but it does apply.
Good Luck!
Keep coming back to this forum and others you may find helpful. And to coin the old Nike slogan...Just Do It! I know that is so cliche' but it does apply.
Good Luck!
Eating junk food and CRAP is not a reward...it's a punishment...
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
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