Too Old to Exercise?
When I was obese, my PCP (who is obese) would tell me I needed to exercise more, to help reduce my weight and control my diabetes and high cholesterol. I just hated to hear that, because I hated to exercise. But my bariatric surgeon made me promise to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, so I did it. Five minutes at first, then ten, then twenty, and so on.
I started out with walking and joined Curves. Eventually that wasn't challenging enough, so I joined a regular health club with weight machines, free weights, cardio machines, and dozens of classes. In the past 17 months, I have varied my use of those facilities in order to prevent boredom. I do 3 classes (step aerobics, interval training, regular aerobics, plyometrics, Pilates, etc.) a week. On the other 3 days, I do a combination of cardio training (walking/running intervals on the treadmill) plus strength training on the weight machines. I am not doing this because I suddenly love exercise. I am doing this because it makes me feel so much better, physically and emotionally. I would have to say that the greatest benefit I've had from exercise is that it helps my depression. And I've discovered how empowering it is to gain physical strength - how fantastic it is to feel that I am a STRONG WOMAN.
But...in the past 2 years, I've had a lot of physical pain, and almost every doctor I've consulted has said, "You exercise too much" and/or (much, much worse), "After all, you're 56 years old - this much exercise is too much for you."
To which, I can only say: WTF?
If I were an Olympic athlete, or a 6-yr-old child, with this much physical pain, I think the medical establishment would devote more effort to diagnosing and treating my pain. But because I'm an old broad with (only) a 30+yr life expectancy, they're telling me to sit back in my recliner and deal with the pain.
My response to that is: I hope that one day you are a 95-yr-old, helpless man in a wheelchair begging for attention from a 56-yr-old woman who is supposedly too old to endure 30 minutes of exercise but otherwise qualified to help a 200-lb feeble man onto the toilet to take a dump, then wipe his ass for him.
Jean
I started out with walking and joined Curves. Eventually that wasn't challenging enough, so I joined a regular health club with weight machines, free weights, cardio machines, and dozens of classes. In the past 17 months, I have varied my use of those facilities in order to prevent boredom. I do 3 classes (step aerobics, interval training, regular aerobics, plyometrics, Pilates, etc.) a week. On the other 3 days, I do a combination of cardio training (walking/running intervals on the treadmill) plus strength training on the weight machines. I am not doing this because I suddenly love exercise. I am doing this because it makes me feel so much better, physically and emotionally. I would have to say that the greatest benefit I've had from exercise is that it helps my depression. And I've discovered how empowering it is to gain physical strength - how fantastic it is to feel that I am a STRONG WOMAN.
But...in the past 2 years, I've had a lot of physical pain, and almost every doctor I've consulted has said, "You exercise too much" and/or (much, much worse), "After all, you're 56 years old - this much exercise is too much for you."
To which, I can only say: WTF?
If I were an Olympic athlete, or a 6-yr-old child, with this much physical pain, I think the medical establishment would devote more effort to diagnosing and treating my pain. But because I'm an old broad with (only) a 30+yr life expectancy, they're telling me to sit back in my recliner and deal with the pain.
My response to that is: I hope that one day you are a 95-yr-old, helpless man in a wheelchair begging for attention from a 56-yr-old woman who is supposedly too old to endure 30 minutes of exercise but otherwise qualified to help a 200-lb feeble man onto the toilet to take a dump, then wipe his ass for him.
Jean
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
Thank you Jean! My mom's term for a "broad" like you is "She's sure full of **** and vinegar!" May you always be! I just apply heat, soak in the hot tub, take an occassional Tylenol Arthritis Pain (tho I wish I had something stronger). It's so worth it isn't it. (from a 60 year old broad who's right there with you!)
Karen C
Hey Jean, my bariatric surgeon says you MUST exercise if you want to lose and/or maintain your weight. Heck, I'm 70 yrs old and I ride my recumbent bike 30 + minutes a day, lift hand weights, and walk when I can. Even with two knee replacements and a hip replacement I still do it.....and yes, it makes me feel great! As soon as the classes are available I will be doing aqua aerobics at the pool too.
Yeah, I don't love exercising either, but it's necessary for not only our WLS but our emotional and physical well being too.
I'm an "old bag", if I can do it anybody can!!!
Pat R.
Yeah, I don't love exercising either, but it's necessary for not only our WLS but our emotional and physical well being too.
I'm an "old bag", if I can do it anybody can!!!
Pat R.
(on MySpace, MSN, Web pages, Blogs...)
Done! Your Ticker:
I love your attitude! I never exercised before WLS. Now I do so many things: We moved to a senior apartment community with a great community center. I just came home from using the fitness center. I have no excuse because it is so close by and it is included in our rent. I no longer use handicapped parking like I did before the surgery. I would rather walk from a further away spot. We chose a 2nd floor apartment - the steps don't bother me any more... I feel younger every day! 
Good for you. I wish I could say I was that active, but I give in to my pain far too much. If I could get back into the pool, I would exercise, but right now I can't afford the pool, and my options are limited. Walking hurts too much. I will get on my little bike today, though, after hearing your success story. I do need to do at least that.
You know, when I was obese, I used to swim at least three times a week. Now I do so little, and I'm in so much pain (I was in pain back then, too). I know the swimming would be the best thing I could do, but I can't afford it.
You know, when I was obese, I used to swim at least three times a week. Now I do so little, and I'm in so much pain (I was in pain back then, too). I know the swimming would be the best thing I could do, but I can't afford it.
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