Question:
3 WEEKS POST OP TODAY, I am having trouble exercising daily.

I walk my back yard (when weather allows)I have went to a mall a couple of times to walk. I am still so weak, tired, and with little energy, that other posters seem to have soon after surgery How were you motivated without strength to keep pushing? Any one need a walking buddy in central Indy. Indianapolis area?    — nana2one (posted on June 3, 2009)

June 3, 2009
Hey! you are probably doing great! Listen to your body. I was feeling low enery at first and I knew that I would know when the time was right. Your body is healing and that takes a lot of energy. I think it was week four when I felt good enough to walk at a quick pace. Before that I went to the mall with my kids to walk around and check out the clothes that I would one day fit into. Very motivating!
   — Renee B.

June 3, 2009
Hi Deb - I am also 3 weeks out. I had very little energy for the first week and a half, and kept reading on OH that people were walking, etc way more than I was. The thing is, this surgery affects all of us differently, and some of us take a lot longer to heal and reach certain stages. I started to walk after about a week, and could go down my street, but was in a lot of pain and was drained afterwards. But, I continued to force myself to do "just a little more" each day, and littel by little, as I was able to take in more protein and get a little bit more exercize, I felt myself having more energy, little by little. The key was making sure that I had my water and my protein, and that I did a little bit mroe each day. I didn't puch so much that I hurt myself, but just a small challenge each day. It's possible that you just need a little bit more time, and make sure that you are taking some kind of vitamins - that was another thing - I had the BAriatric Advantage Vitamins and just couldnt' take them - they made me sick, so I bought some liquid vitamins. They made me almost throw up, so 3 days of trying to take them, I bought Flintstone Complete and Viactive for Calcium and I am now feeling better, so they also affected me positively. Good luck, stay in touch - hope you are feeling better and better each day. Stay positive!
   — stellarsan

June 3, 2009
Hi Deb, what the last poster said: "The key was making sure that I had my water and my protein, and that I did a little bit mroe each day. I didn't puch so much that I hurt myself, but just a small challenge each day." It's all about you this year and has nothing whatsoever to do w/competing w/other people. (Although, I didn't venture out even down my own street w/out my husband for the first three weeks cuz I was never sure I could make it back. You have a new body and need to learn how to read it's new signals. That's why I like "solo" exercise, swimming, walking, biking....as opposed to an exercise class, so I can set my own goals and compete against my record yesterday. Even then I sometimes "lose" to myself not being able to do as much or more as I did yesterday, but it's just as important to listen to that as it is to push forward. So a delicate balance; make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, water, and protein your body needs to heal in addition to the exercise. I find I need at least 10 hours 5 weeks out!
   — greencougar

June 3, 2009
You're probably still weak, healing, and on very low calories. Just walk a little and build up. I was a slow bloomer on the exercise too. I think it was about 8 weeks before I could hit the pavement and really do some serious walking. Good luck! Lesleigh
   — lesleigh07