lost muscle tone/ motovation

 I am a year and half out from my RNY. I have lost a lot of strength and tone. Mainly in my chest and upper arms. When I attempt to start a workout program, I get tired pretty easy. I have P90X sitting by my DVR, and frankly, I am intimated by it. I watched the first session. I couldn't do a pull up to save my life right now, even at 60lbs lighter than I used to be. Any suggestions or ideas how to gradually start getting back into shape?

 I'd suggest getting in an aquatic program or some sort of water esercise.  Just walking in chest deep water should give you enough resistance for your chest plus work your arms and legs.  you'd probably need to go to a gym during the colder months.  If you only want to use their pool, you may be able to pay less than a regular membership.  I know I was able to do that at a private facility and at the YMCA.  There's no need to rush yourself.  

Also, I suggest that you talk to your primary doc and get blood work to see if you have any vitamin deficiency.  I really don't know if there is a medical reason for your lack of muscle tone, but I read your profile and it sounds like you were having a problem with that before the RNY.

One thing they rarely tell you about the rapid weightloss phase is that you are losing some of your existing muscle mass, how much really depends on a number of factors like your protiein consumption and if you are actively working on maintaing on increasing muscle.

The best workouts to regain your fitness will combine some form of cardio and some weight training.  For cardio things like Treadmill, Stationary or real bike, swimming and elipticals are all great to get you moving and get your heart rate up.  For your strength the only way to get that back at this point is to build muscle and that mean****ting the weights, but not in just a manner where you do a few curls and then a few legs but hitting it with a plan and a schedule.  On set days work set muscle groups for so many reps.  You will probably get more bang for your buck by going heavy too. 

Building muscle also may require some tweaking to your diet and based on your workout may require some changes in your daily diet.

You may want to checkout the Exercise and Fitness forum you will get some great advice there on where to start and building a plan.  I know Nate has done an awesome job building some lean muscle over the past year.

Find some activities you enjoy doing and mix them up so you don't get bored and so you give your muscles a break in between to let them develop.

I love to ride my bike but also do upper body work at the gym three times a week. My arthritis keeps me from running. I'd love to swim if there was a pool where I could do laps.


Also eat right. You need energy to work out. I try to time meals before my workout and always eat breakfast.

Most of all.. Be patient. Don't expect overnight miracles.

I have ridden my bike 200 miles in the past week.. but when I first hopped back on my bicycle more than a year ago.. I thought five miles was a huge accomplishment. And it was. It was that first step.

Just add a little more to your routine as time goes by and be honest with yourself about maintaining your routine and you'll get there.

Good Luck.