Exercise - Starting Gym Today - When should I begin the hardcore classes?

Hey Everyone! 

Another question for you guys: How long was it before you eased back into the gym?

Background: 

My routine Pre-Op (during prep, we were encouraged to exercise and join a gym). I love classes because of the co-motivation, I cant do machines for long because they're monotonous.

Tues - 50 Minute Bootcamp

Wed - 50 minute Zumba but the gym recently switched it to 60 Minute P90X (which i took 2 classes but stopped for my surgery)

Thursday - 30 Min Bootcamp Xpress - 30 Min Zumba Blast

Mind you, I lived in the "low impact" world of these classes, with the lightest weights, but i got pretty strong between March and August. I also used to take classes M-Th from 2011-2014, and I did a M-F bootcamp from 2002-2004. 

Today's dilemma:

Today I'll start on the ellyptical, even though i might get bored, i just want to ease into it. I will be happy to last 15 minutes but I'll shoot for 30.

I'm concerned because my energy level has been wonky since saturday, and I'll only be taking in 730 calories today (Within this surgeon's food program, I can only get between 700-900 a day). Should I be getting an extra 8 oz of skim milk in for the extra calorie burn from attempting bootcamp?

I'm cleared to do weights starting next week (week 6) but bootcamp is full of burpies, push ups, sit ups, squats, etc, and some work with light weights, etc. Do you think I should still ease into ellyptical and wait till week 7? I dont think 'll be doing P90x for a while, but i was thinking of easing into the Tues/Thurs Bootcamp classes.

Thoughts, anyone? Thanks so much!

Most programs have a prohibition on lifting anything over 10 pounds, or core exercises, for 6 to 8 weeks. I would stick with walking or elliptical until then.

Your energy level will be wonky for quite a while yet. It's recovery from surgery, not eating too little. You have lots and lots of stored energy that you are trying to burn off.

Don't start drinking milk. It's just wasted calories, and you'll find yourself drinking more and more over time. It's a sure way to sabotage yourself. Don't drink any calories if you can help it.

Do NOT eat extra because of exercise. Do not eat back exercise calories. You will never ever burn as much as you think you are. At a month after surgery, you should be about 600 calories. At 6 months you should still be at 800. Keep calories low. Get rid of the weight.

Exercise is great for many things. But losing weight is about eating less. Keep your calories low. Your energy will return when you are fully healed and recuperated.

Thanks. Hmm, i'll keep with the walking and ellyptical until then. Maybe I can work in a zumba routine here and there. I'm looking for some endorphins to help pick up my post-op blues, so i'm hoping the exercise might help.

And I won't add milk to my day and thanks for telling me not to eat back exercise calories. No need for sabotage! Lord knows i have a few pounds of fat i can burn off for energy.

Grim, you've been very helpful. thank you!

from experience, make sure you have water with you everywhere you go. I'm almost 10 months out and still get lightheaded sometimes in yoga from coming up too fast from a fold or the floor.

also- what grim said- about everything else.

and dont be surprised if your weight loss stalls a bit due to the exercise.

Thanks! I'll be sure to keep water with me at all times!

Thanks for the heads up on weight stalling due to exercise. Building muscle would probably effect thAt in some way I guess.

What Grim said said! 

While you may need to make sure you are fed and hydrated well when you go to class, or feel like you need to eat after... just count it as part of what ever your daily food routine is. While we need to hit protein and fluid goals... there is no need to worry about hitting a calorie goal. Like Grim said, we have plenty of reserves. As you get further out I would try to up my protein goals....

Thanks for responding!

And for reaffirming Grim's advice. I'm so glad to have joined this support group. I'll lean on my reserves and concentrate on protien and fluid goals moving forward. Thanks again!

I had no restrictions after 6 weeks, but my body let me know how much energy I had as I was developing my fitness routine.  

You should NOT eat extra to offset exercise.  I recommend rearranging your meals instead.  Split one up so you can eat a little before and after exercise.  Or exercise fasted and eat afterward (this is my options most days).  

Listen to your body as you add in exercise.  Starting bootcamp might be great next week, but your body might decide 10 minutes in that "nope, that's it."  Listen to it.  :)

Thanks for the advice!

Last night I did 15 min on the ellyptical (set for 20, but i got a bit tired). I still persued a casual stroll speed on a treadmill afterwards for another 15 minutes.

I may sit bootcamp out yet another week from next (week 7+) and just do the ellyptical and treadmill for a while. We'll see!