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I have to say that I'm not, have never been and am not likely to be one that likes to exercise. That said, I recognize that it's necessary to support my new life;

- It helps me build muscle so that I'm more toned and my body's metabolism allows me to enjoy more of the foods I'd like to have.

- It helps me build bone density that helps me fight osteoporosis.

- It helps me manage my my emotional eating by providing an effective distraction and elevating my mood.

So while I'll probably never be a 'Gym Rat', I've found ways to incorporate it into my routine. Since, I'm not so good at 'exercise', here are a few things that I do to support my health and well-being: 

* Wear a pedometer - it helps me remember to move my tail as I work to make sure that I'm getting in at least 10K steps a day. It prompts me to park farther away from my destination, take the stairs, etc... so that I can rack up those steps. 

* Dance - I never really equate dancing with exercise, so even though I'm no Ginger Rodgers, I will crank up the music in the house and dance while I do my household chores, enjoy a Zumba or Jazzercise class or go dancing. It gets my heart rate up and I feel wonderful while doing it. 

* Gardening - I have never really liked getting dirty or sweaty, so gardening was something I always hired out or got someone else to do, in part because I didn't like doing it and in part because it was just to hard to do. Now, I still don't 'like' doing it, but I love the result I see in my garden and my body, and absolutely LOVE that I can do it. 

* Swimming - Swimming was one of the few exercises I enjoyed even when I was heavy. I used to be somewhat concerned about what I looked like in a suit when I was heavy and I still have concerns now that I'm slender, but it's an activity I enjoy so I do it when I have the opportunity.

What do you do to get moving and how does it impact your life?

Congratulations!!!

While I cannot deny that I love being a smaller size and enjoy all of the quality of life benefits that come with it, I have to tell you that getting the diabetes and hemochromatosis under control are the REASONS I did this. It sounds like you are off to a wonderful start to a fabulous, life-changing journey.

Wishing you continued success,

bs sugar 96, ive lost 8 ilbs since surgery! so excited!

Hello Everyone! I am awaiting surgery. After a few botched attempts at clinics to have the paperwork done properly, I have FINALLY found a family doctor!  I see him wednesday to discuss me having the surgery.

I am 36 years old and a single mom of three kids. I weigh 361 lbs and I have a BMI of 54.9. I suffer from type 2 diabetes, chronic back pain from the weight and the fact that i have had 2 ruptured discs in my back for the past 11 years. I have knee and joint pain. I suffer from high blood pressure, depression and anemia, stress incontinence. I have found that the older I get the more issues I am having.

Ten years ago I was booked to have this surgery in Toronto. Two days before my consult, I could not get ahold of the office for the surgeon and when I called my family doctor, He said that the office had been closed for malpractice. Needless to say, that scared me off for sometime.

Two years ago I went to Barix in Yipslanti for my consult, and they agreed I needed it.. It was a light to my darkness.. but then the doctors at the clinic totally botched my attempts and OHIP closed  my claim as the paperwork was never returned to them.

I was born a tiny baby, weighing just over 5 lbs. When I was 5 yrs old everything changed. I had my tonsils removed and drastically began gaining weight. My poor mother, bless her heart, tried everything from seeing a doctor to diets to not allowing me any sweets, and still I ballooned. I cannot remember one expirience my entire life, where shopping fir clothing was a joyful experience. As a child I grew up at the mercy of the cruel jokes and comments. And to make things worse, I have 4 of the best looking siblings in the world lol.. Not a one of them ever struggling with weight. I had family members offer to pay me, " if i would just lose weight". I have missed out on so much, trips with my sisters, going to clubs and bars with my siblings because they were embarrassed of me. My one sister telling me I could not go to the club and dance, because I would be laughed out of the building, I was 19 years old. And the beginning fo me avoiding everything social. I would go out occasionally.. but when men smiled or made comments I always heard ridicule. The saddest thing, I look at pics now and I did not weight even 200 pounds at that point. Had I joined a gym, I would likely be ok now. I have tried everything, weigh****chers, jenny craig, pills potions, soups, diets, I have joined the gym.. I have lost 70 pounds, 100 pounds.. just to have ti seem to appear again overnight.

So Here I am .... what I feel is well educated. But still nervous. Scared that i will go to the doctor and He will tell me I cant have surgery. For me this feels like my last chance. I am missing out on life. On my kids, On family events. I want to hold my head high and be proud of accomplishing this goal in my life. I want my kids to be proud of me. I am terrified of what I will feel if I am denied. Of having no one close to me understand, and toss me the typical line " join a gym, stop eating crap" .. I wi**** were that easy.

So that my fluffy , and no longer fluffy friends, is MY struggle today.