Question:
Were you my mirror image?
I am 5ft 5in, 350lbs and wondering what excercise, foods, etc. did some post op that had my stats pre op do to enhance your weight loss? I am not one to go walking, swimming, etc. but I do walk some because I know it helps. Any tips would be appreciated. — sharon E. (posted on September 25, 2002)
September 25, 2002
Sharon, you say you're not one to go walking, swimming,
etc....unfortunately, if you really want to make this surgery work for you,
you're going to have to change that attitude, and the best time to start
that is now, while you're pre-op. Keep in mind that right now, your body is
really too heavy to make strenuous exercise comfortable, or even possible.
You say you walk some -- how much is that? I started out at 307, a bit less
than you, but with many mobility problems. Before the surgery, I started
trying to walk at least 20 minutes per day, as briskly as I could. Some
days it was slower, some days it was faster, but I went with what my body
told me I could do.
After you've had your surgery and lost enough to be able to participat in
more strenuous exercise, you need to find something that works for you.
Aquafit (though this doesn't build muscle or stamina as well as some other
kinds of exercise) can be a good place for many people to start. I began,
at about 270 lbs., to do aerobics classes. I like the music, I like being
"forced" to continue through to the bitter end, because I know
myself -- I get bored easily, and cut corners if I'm left to my own
devices. Peer pressure rules! LOL
One piece of advice my nutritionist gave me early on was to only develop an
exercise program that I knew I'd be able to keep up indefinitely. No
"eight day a week full-bore training" for me. I go to three
aerobics classes and one weights class (this has been *amazing* for
developing muscle strength and definition, and no, I haven't turned into
Charles Atlas!) per week. It works for me. And I've learned to love the
feeling of sweating...because I know I'll be heading to the showers right
afterward!
BTW, I've lost 139 lbs. so far, and am within spitting distance of my
personal goal. Another five or so to go.
— Karen I.
September 25, 2002
Sharon,
I weighed 346 pounds when I had my Open RNY and I am 5'5" tall.
Because of severe arthritis in my knees and hips I haven't exercised as
much as I should. I have been able to ride an exercise bike a little. I
am almost 10 months post-op and I am up to about 20 minutes at a time on it
but there are weeks when I can't ride because of the pain. I walk some but
not enough for the same reasons. The very best exercise according to my
surgeon is water aerobics. Unfortunately because of financial reasons I
haven't been able to take advantage of that either.
Having said all that, I will tell you that I have lost 150 pounds. It
really hasn't been terribly difficult and I feel better than I have in
many, many years. I do know that if I had exercised more, the loss would
be greater. I am slowing down a bit now and have no idea how close to
"normal" I will end up. I do know that I will have to have a
tummy tuck and if I can find a way to prove medical necessity I want to
have my thighs done also. I am 56 years old (55 when I had surgery) and
there is a lot of flabby skin on this old body.
I wish I could have had this surgery before the joint problems became so
bad. I would love to be able to walk long distances, ride bikes and do all
the wonderful things other people do. But I am thankful for what I do
have. Sometime in the next two years I will have to have both knees
replaced and after that I anticipate being a lot more active.
Like the previous poster said, if I were you, I'd do my best to change my
attitude about exercising. Not only will you be healthier, you'll feel
much better too.
— Patty_Butler
September 25, 2002
Sharon, I began at 5'6" and was 387lbs. I found that water aerobics
worked out very well for me (and still does). I was able to get through the
workout with absolutely NO problem at that size. As time goes by I find
myself investing more into the workout making it a harder workout for me
(EX: running faster, kicking higher and just putting more effort into it).
Hope you find something.. exercise is truly essential in this journey.. but
find something you enjoy enough (or don't hate too much :0) to continue it.
God bless. Gail Small (7months post - 115lbs)
— Gail S.
September 25, 2002
Hi. Gail has the right idea. Water arobics is wonderful. I started out at
375 pounds and am 5'11. If you don't like to swim, you can still do water
arobics. It will give you a great workout with no impact. Your joins won't
hurt after your workout, which was my biggest problem. I hate that
"burning" feeling. I would highly recommend that you join a water
arobics class. There should be one at your local YMCA. Good Luck to you!
— Sarah K.
September 25, 2002
Original poster.....Thanks for the imput & support. In regards to the
questions as to how much walking I do? I live approximatley 1 mile from
where I work and I do the walk atleast 3 times a week. Takes me about 25 -
30 mins, huffing and puffing all the way. :-)
— sharon E.
September 25, 2002
I am 5' 3" tall and started out at 270 pounds,my surgery date was
02-27-02, I now weigh 138 pounds, I am having my tummytuck in december,
and my exercise routine is as follows, I know you said you don't like to
walk, but it's the easiest exercise there is,I do 7 miles everyday, I
started out just walking around the block about 1 month post-op and worked
my way up, I also exercise at Body Kurves for women( a club here in town)
exercise works, all you have to do is...
DO IT!!!!!!!!!!
— bikerchic
September 25, 2002
Sharon,
I have bad knee and feet. I have found that I can exersize on a bike with
little pain. Make sure you get one with a comfortable seat. Mine has a
back and seat like a chair. I rode every day about 5-6 miles, until I had
surgery last year. I have gained about 70 lbs. since I stopped. I am now
your mirror image. I hope to have my surgery completed by the end of
October and will be dusting the bike of before then.
— obsessivekompulsive
September 25, 2002
I also go to Curves, and really enjoy it. There may be one in your
area--the all-woman atmosphere is very supportive & non-threatening,
plus it's a good, varied workout. Have you tried walking on the treadmill?
Or stationary biking? If you decide to stationary bike, you might look
into getting a custom seat--the phys therapist at my doc's office says that
many of the patients that choose to do biking are much more comfortable
with a good, quality seat. Good luck to you.
— Laurie A.
September 25, 2002
Hello. I am 5'5" and was 374 on my surgery date. Here is what I did:
I started taking water aerobics ASAP--about one year before my surgery, I
watched my food intake with my surgeon's diet and started walking. I was
the kind of person that would make my husband drop me off at the door of
any establishment because the thought of walking more than a few yards made
me sick. At about two weeks post-op I started walking--really basic,
really easy walking. I walked around the block where I lived--that was it!
Gradually I increased my walking distance. I am 5 months out and can
easily walk 3+ miles at a time! The key is gradually and not overdoing it
in the beginning. Exercise isn't a choice for WLS patients--we have to do
it or don't bother with the surgery! I also purchased 5 lb weights and I
use them EVERYDAY! I work out my arms with many reps, then I do leg lifts,
both legs, meaning ups and bottom ups! I also do body squats--you sit in a
chair with your arms straight down, just stand up and sit down while
keeping your arms down. I can do about 35ish. This will help reduce your
fanny and thighs! I really like Claudia Schiffer's exercise tapes--they
are really great toners! I also enjoy my yoga tape. Since I'm returning
to school next week, I decided to take advantage of the PE classes
offered--I enrolled in Pilates and Relaxation Yoga. check out your local
parks and Rec or YWCA/YMCA--they both offer great classes. As far as food
goes, PROTEIN is your best buddy. I follow my surgeon's diet. Ask for
your surgeon's post-op diet, if she/he doesn't have one, go to a dietician
that is very familiar with WLS. Sorry this is so long but this is a really
important question! Good luck! BTW, I'm down 134 lbs!
— jenn2002
September 25, 2002
Hi, I am 5'6 started out at 341, and in 14 months have lost 175 lbs. As
far as food I did exactly what my doc ordered in the early stages, such as
the liquid phase, and the pureed stage and so forth. I recommend that you
follow your docs orders to a T when you first get out. I then stayed on a
plan similiar to the Atkins diet, which is mostly protein with some
veggies. Did and still do have goodies here and there, but not in excess,
and just once in a great while. Now that I'm about 25 lbs from goal, and
my weight loss has slowed down, WAY down, I have gone to a more vegetarian
approach in eating. Fruits, vegs, tofu etc etc... I just could no longer
hack the Atkins and the meat. Another story. But as far as exercise, I
tried many things until I found one I could live with, I jogged, walked,
did video tapes, and then i joined a Curves, and I must say that it's the
only one I have actually stuck to that I liked. I lost quite a few inches
my first month, and that really counts when the scale doesn't budge. The
best thing for you to do, is to keep up what your doing and slowly
increase, or try different things until you find one that is something you
can deal with. Good luck to you.
— Carey N.
September 25, 2002
Sharon, I'm 9 weeks out today (post open RNY), and I have been doing really
well, up until now. I have lost about 62 pounds. I'm 5'5" and I
started at 335, and am now down to around 271. I was like one of the other
posters, wanting to park as close as possible to doors, to avoid walking.
But now I find myself walking anywhere from 1/2 mile to 2 miles at night
after work; sometimes alone, mostly with my husband. It's not only good
exercise but gives us a chance to spend some time together, talking about
the kids, or our day, or whatever. I've slowed down an awful lot (in fact,
thinking about posting to the message board a little frustration!) so I'm
looking at gyms. I used to belong to one with water aerobics (before
surgery) and loved it until I got too big to even be comfortable doing
that. Now I'd like to go back, but it's too far away, and the class times
are inconvenient. So I'm looking at other gyms, including Curves. I still
can't understand how 35 seconds helps get your heart rate up, but everyone
I know who goes there raves about it, so maybe it'll be the answer that
gets me kick-started again.
Good luck to you!
— AmyL
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