Hi! New here
Hi everyone, just wanted to drop in and introduce myself. My name is Al, I am 45 years old, and currently weigh 311lbs. My wife had RNY 2 1/2 years ago and now it is my turn. I started my 2 week liquid diet today and am scheduled for surgery on November 2. I had always been a chubby kid, got in pretty good shape in high school while playing football, but have steadily gained weight since then. My highest was somewhere around 350, probably over but didn't weigh myself. My wife decided on weight loss surgery over 3 years ago and I researched it with her. I even went through the liquid diet with her before and after her surgery. The entire time I still thought I could lose this weight on my own. Now she is 2 1/2 years post op, looks amazing, and I am still obese so now it is my turn. Finally realized that the harder I tried on my own, the heavier I got. I was digging myself into a hole that would become my grave if I didn't do something soon. I am fortunate in that my only health issues are sore knees, back, ankles and feet, and sleep apnea. My surgeon was amazed at how healthy I still am for how overweight I am. My blood pressure is perfect and I want to keep it that way. I also have 4 children, 3 of which are 18 or over and I want to see them get married and see my grandchildren. I am a self employed computer tech and work out of my home. My problem is that I am a bit of a workaholic and find myself sitting at my desk/workbench for the majority of my waking hours. Anyone else self employed? What are your tips for getting off your butt occasionally during the day and getting some exercise? Sorry for my rambling first post, but looking forward to interacting with you all and picking your brains occasionally.
Al
Al
Welcome...You'll find get a lot of good info on here. Also on your specific type of surgery OH site, you'll find good info there. Concerning exercise I would take walks early on. As the winter and weather got worse, I would make a little path in the house to walk...Kitchen to bedroom to living room. I'd crank up whatever music I was into at the time and just walk...Set the timer for 30-45 minutes. If I felt like it, I'd add a 2 pound weight while I'm walking. I'd shut the shades if I was afraid the neighbors might think me strange...But it's for YOUR health. Good luck on your journey. Brian PS For exercise a lot will depend on your surroundings. In California there have been times when I can mow my lawn on Christmas Day. Others have woods and paths close bye that they explore. Just talking outloud (since your surgeon in in MN)...When you get released from your doctor...Snow blowing or shoveling your walk or the old person's walk across the street. Ice skating?? What works for some may not work for others. Be flexable and creative. PSS I hear the North Stars need a defense man? Will you be ready next year??
First off welcome!
I will answer your second question first as it will make understanding my answer to the first question easier.
What are my tips for getting off my butt to exercise?
Motivation and goals are what gets me up and moving. Since I surgery I have been sort of a nut job when it comes to the fitness aspect. I first come up with a goal and then keep working to that goal. When I obtain my goal I make a new one.
Complete a 5K DONE
Run a 5K DONE many times over
Run a 10K DONE
Run a 15K DONE
Run a Half Marathon DONE 2 more in the works!
Run a Full Marathon Looking for an excuse not to!
Complete a Triathalon in the works
Complete a Half Ironman Triathalon NEXT YEAR BABY!
To make sure I work towards these goals I target a specific event I want to do and register for it as soon as I could. I registered for my Half Marathon before I had even ran a 10K. I know I will never win a race but I do it for the pride I get in completing an event and often finishing before people who haven't made the journey I have. By always having an event to work for, my OCD self will make me do it the absolute best that I can this means I have to train (awesome word for exercise with purpose).
I try to encourage everyone to at least complete a 5K post-op for the sense of victory it brings.
Other reasons are I am setting a great example for my children 9,5 and 2 months. My 9 year old will test for his First degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do in march and is the only kid in his class that they know can complete the 2.5 mile run well under the alloted time, since he sometimes runs a 5K with me.
I do it because I set a good example for those around me. Some friends, co-workers and especially family have made life altering changes to get healthy.
You inspire those taking this journey after you, and some that started their journey months or years before you.
I exercise because oddly enough it feels GOOD! Yes the soreness I get from working out feels good. I miss it when I am unable to exercise. I have gotten to the point where if something isn't hurting I don't feel like I am doing anything so I do it for me.
Now for question 1 no I am not self employed bu I am/was a work-a-holic in the IT industry. I am a developer that had spend well over a decade sitting at a desk more hours than I spent a sleep or doing anything else, I was fat before I I became a computer nerd and this lifestyle just enhanced my ability to gain weight, after all aren't all computer guys Fat and out of shape and drink Mtn Dew or Dr.Pepper by the gallon? So post-op I am not these way and what put that lifestyle to an end oddly enough is my answer to your second question.
Good Luck and you can pick my brain just don't pick my nose!
I will answer your second question first as it will make understanding my answer to the first question easier.
What are my tips for getting off my butt to exercise?
Motivation and goals are what gets me up and moving. Since I surgery I have been sort of a nut job when it comes to the fitness aspect. I first come up with a goal and then keep working to that goal. When I obtain my goal I make a new one.
Complete a 5K DONE
Run a 5K DONE many times over
Run a 10K DONE
Run a 15K DONE
Run a Half Marathon DONE 2 more in the works!
Run a Full Marathon Looking for an excuse not to!
Complete a Triathalon in the works
Complete a Half Ironman Triathalon NEXT YEAR BABY!
To make sure I work towards these goals I target a specific event I want to do and register for it as soon as I could. I registered for my Half Marathon before I had even ran a 10K. I know I will never win a race but I do it for the pride I get in completing an event and often finishing before people who haven't made the journey I have. By always having an event to work for, my OCD self will make me do it the absolute best that I can this means I have to train (awesome word for exercise with purpose).
I try to encourage everyone to at least complete a 5K post-op for the sense of victory it brings.
Other reasons are I am setting a great example for my children 9,5 and 2 months. My 9 year old will test for his First degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do in march and is the only kid in his class that they know can complete the 2.5 mile run well under the alloted time, since he sometimes runs a 5K with me.
I do it because I set a good example for those around me. Some friends, co-workers and especially family have made life altering changes to get healthy.
You inspire those taking this journey after you, and some that started their journey months or years before you.
I exercise because oddly enough it feels GOOD! Yes the soreness I get from working out feels good. I miss it when I am unable to exercise. I have gotten to the point where if something isn't hurting I don't feel like I am doing anything so I do it for me.
Now for question 1 no I am not self employed bu I am/was a work-a-holic in the IT industry. I am a developer that had spend well over a decade sitting at a desk more hours than I spent a sleep or doing anything else, I was fat before I I became a computer nerd and this lifestyle just enhanced my ability to gain weight, after all aren't all computer guys Fat and out of shape and drink Mtn Dew or Dr.Pepper by the gallon? So post-op I am not these way and what put that lifestyle to an end oddly enough is my answer to your second question.
Good Luck and you can pick my brain just don't pick my nose!
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
I work from home and I am at my desk 8-9 hours a day. I am not self-employed, so I do have to answer to superiors. I run at lunch time. Usually 3-5 miles. I leave the longer distances to the weekend when I can do a LSR (Long Slow Run) and just enjoy. I have completed 5K's, I have completed 10K distance, I have completed a 15K distance. I am signed up for a half marathon on Thanksgiving Day with the crazy guy named Paul who posted before me.
I am trying to be Paul's source of inspiration to run a marathon in March. I have never done the distance, makes me nervous, but not afraid. I am planning to do som Triathlons this coming year, and hopefully IM 70.3 in 2013.
As you can see the answer to your question is pretty simple. Get up and exercise. Walk if you can't run, run if you can't sprint, sprint if you can't fly.
Makes my hair frizzy when I fly.
Keep your motivation ad like Paul said, set some goals. I would schedule a 6K tomorrow if I were you, and then work toward completing it. Run/Walk iot. That's what I did on my first 5K. Whic by the way was in May, and now in November I will run my first half marathon.
"A body in motion stays in motion". Don't wait.
Good luck and Have fun.
Jay
I am trying to be Paul's source of inspiration to run a marathon in March. I have never done the distance, makes me nervous, but not afraid. I am planning to do som Triathlons this coming year, and hopefully IM 70.3 in 2013.
As you can see the answer to your question is pretty simple. Get up and exercise. Walk if you can't run, run if you can't sprint, sprint if you can't fly.
Makes my hair frizzy when I fly.Keep your motivation ad like Paul said, set some goals. I would schedule a 6K tomorrow if I were you, and then work toward completing it. Run/Walk iot. That's what I did on my first 5K. Whic by the way was in May, and now in November I will run my first half marathon.
"A body in motion stays in motion". Don't wait.
Good luck and Have fun.
Jay
Jay
First 5K 5/21/2011 00:48:24
First 13 mile run 02:31:39 10/30/2011
5K Race PR 24:38 5/2013
First TRIATHLON 1:48:37 5/7/2012
Augusta Ironman 70.3 6:54:67
Half Marathon PR 1:55:39 6/8/2013 Bootlegger Half Marathon
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