exercise question...

Hi everyone, i havent been on here in forever, let alone posted on OH in forever. here is my situation. i had RNY July 20th 2009. i lost 50lbs the first 6 months and its taken me another year to take off another 30-40. i have lost 90 all together, have gained about 7 back. i never hit 100lbs lost, and never hit my goal of a loss of 160. i am still considered obese at 5'2" and 190 right now. i actually fluctuate between 180 and 190, im not sure why. to be honest i feel like i truly failed my RNY, i have very little restriction left and have a very hard time with my food. sometimes i cant eat very much all day and its a fight to get in so much as 300 calories and sometimes all i want to do is eat all day. i do keep a food journal and i do make healthier choices. i stay away from sugars and white carbs and eat about 500x's healthier than i did before, but food will always be a struggle for me.
my biggest downfall was exercise, i worked out with my wii fit religiously for a long time but i got lazy with that, then i started walking 3 miles a day and that tapered off when the weather got cold. i am a very busy mom working full time, going to school, and i have the most energetic little 3 year old boy, so its not like i sit on the couch all day... but i know what i do to move isnt enough.
so i finally convinced myself that i needed to get out and join a gym and really start to work my muscles and strength and make it a routine and a part of my life.
i love it so far. its hard as hell and i want to die when i leave, but in a good way.
theres a class i go to on tuesday nights, it a toning/cardio/strength training class. it truly kicks my butt. its a straight hour of non stop moving.
heres where i am confused... i understand that in order to lose weight from exercise that you have to burn more calories than you take in... however if a person takes in, say 1000 calories, wouldnt it be near impossible almost unhealthy to burn that many calories or more at the gym daily? and if i cant go daily (which i can only go 3-4 days a week) then i am not burning the weight off?! how can you calculate how many calories you are burning in a class like that, or on the days you cant work out?
i was also talking to some ladies in the class and one of them was saying that your body only burns actual fat while your body is in a resting phase like sleep, and the calories you burn while you are working out is food calories you take in during the day. and if you dont get enough calories you body wont burn fat it will burn muscle. this entire thing confused me... im sorry for the novel, can anyone shed any light on this? im just  a bit confused...
thanks in advance for any advice!!!
jill

Take the time to educate yourself about how your body metabolizes food...there are many credible resources available on the Internet where you can learn the basics.

You didn't fail at RNY, but you also didn't fully change your lifestyle/habits in order to sustain weight loss.  The good news is you can fix this!  Regular exercise is a must, and good eating habits are crucial.  We are obese, just in remission.  Our bodies will likely always be predisposed to fat storage.

In order to know what your resting metabolic rate is you'd need to use a device similar to the BodyBugg (the Biggest Loser contestants wear these) or there are some basic mathematical calculations you can do to get an idea.  No one can accurately tell you how many calories you are burning when you work out (unless you have a personalized device or undergo specific tests on your body).  Machines (treadmills, ellipticals) will give you a "number" of calories burned, but that is based on a mathematical equation based on the "average" person.  Also, the more you work out, the more efficient your body becomes and it takes more activity to get the caloric burn.

In general terms, your body uses the food you eat as quick fuel.  Eat a sandwich, work out, you are burning the sandwich.  However, there are great metabolic benefits to working out!  After that hour at the gym, while you are sitting watching TV, your body is still burning at an elevated rate!  Depending on what exercise you do, you could burn at a higher rate all thru the night! 

Also, you can lose muscle tissue if you don't properly fuel the body.  The body is creating quick fuel out of food--when that runs out it converts fat stores to fuel....then muscle. 

It is so important to build muscle--not only for overall good health and strength, but your body needs more fuel to support muscles so you will be metabolically better off (able to eat a little more and still maintain desired weight).

I'm no expert, but I've spent the past several years educating myself on health and physical fitness.  I'm actually planning to go back to school to get my degree in Health Science to pursue a career in Bariatric Wellness.

Congrats on getting on the exercise bandwagon!  If I had only known how amazing I'd feel, I would've done this A LONG TIME AGO!!

Kim

Thanks to the previous poster for a great reply!  I always find your posts succint and helpful.

To the original poster, way to go for realizing the need to get moving again.  I can relate to your struggles in a variety of ways.  I too am a busy mother of four, including two year old twin boys and also work full time.  I realize that my time at the gym is not just for me, but is just as valuable to my family as well because it keeps me sane, happy, and a lot less stressed.

As far as the specifics of calories and fuel for workouts, do your research.  A lot of people have opinions about "what they've heard", but the scientific truth is more reliable.  I am by no means an expert and rely on the boards here at OH to answer my questions and keep me motivated and accountable.  Good luck as you regain your workout routine.

Kim, thank you so much for your input and encouragement. one thing you said really makes a lot of sense to me. "we are still obese, just in remission"
i think my biggest issue is i had all the right intentions and want(ed) it so badly, but once i had everything i wasnt really sure what to do with it.
i want to fix this, and i want to get back on track but my biggest issue is im just not sure how. i come from a very obese and lazy family and was never taught how important exercise was. so i am learning all this now im my 30's.
i want to be fit, and raise my family to be fit and healthy. just doing it correctly is my biggest concern.

again, thank you for responding and i wish you the best of luck going back to school!!

redenallen- thank you so much for your encouragement as well. and good luck to you too!

jill

"I was also talking to some ladies in the class and one of them was saying that your body only burns actual fat while your body is in a resting phase like sleep, and the calories you burn while you are working out is food calories you take in during the day. and if you dont get enough calories you body wont burn fat it will burn muscle. this entire thing confused me... "

It probably confused you because it's nonsense.

Your body is constantly burning a mixture of fat, calories from the food we eat and carbs stored in our muscles. Every second of the day. What changes is the ratio of what is burned. So, yes, you are burning fat while you exercise. And while you sleep. And while you sit at your desk working.

The best way to lose fat is to exercise hard. The more calories you burn, the more fat you lose. Yes, you can lose muscle too but that mostly happens when you are cutting calories but not exercising. Your body isn't going to cannibalize your muscles if you are using them. Using them sends messages to your body that they are necessary and not available for fuel.

Really, just get out there and move and eat a little less than you burn and you will be fine. It's pretty hard to screw up being fit as there really isn't one correct way to do it. Unless you are an elite athlete, the most important rule of being fit is to move your ass. That's pretty simple really.

thanks for the advice and information!