Question:
Has anyone who started with a BMI over 50 benefited from weight training?

I am almost 5.5 months post operative, and I have lost almost 100 LBS. I still have approximately 100 to go. I would like to know if anyone has had good results from weight training? I have recently started going to our local club and I was put on a circuit of both upper and lower body machines. I can certainly feel my muscles standing up and taking notice! I also do cardiovascular for at least 15-20 minutes, somestimes twice a day. However, I wanted to if any of you other posters have found this helpful in both weight loss and toning. Before I get flamed over this last remark, I know at 43 years of age, and being obese all my life, I will need surgery of some kind; however, I want to know if all this work is going to help me keep my metabolism up and continue losing and possibly toning. Thanks for your feedback. :)    — sheron H. (posted on August 26, 2001)

August 26, 2001
Wow! Congratulations on your 100 pounds! That's awesome! I am almost 9 months post op. I started with a BMI of 51 but I only had about 120 pounds to lose. I began weight training (along with cardio) as soon as my doc cleared me. I have been doing it ever since, working with a personal trainer. I do upper and lower body, using both machines and free weights. I have noticed that the muscles below the fat are much more toned. I think it has sped up my metabolism, and I notice that when I miss going to the gym, my weight loss slows. I am 39 years old, and though I haven't been obese all my life (only for about the past 10 years) my surgeon has suggested reconstructive surgery already. So even though I'm still gonna need the surgery, I think it has helped with toning, especially my arms and legs are very noticable. So overall, I'd say it's definitely worth doing the weight training. BTW, I am now down about 83 pounds and my BMI is somewhere around 37! Good luck! Maria
   — Maria H.

August 26, 2001
Yes - it is good!! You will still most likely need reconstructive surgery,(like me) but it definately is a benefit to build some muscle. The way it was explained to me is that the more long lean muscle you make, the more efficient your body will become with burning calories.
   — Karen A.

August 26, 2001
Not only will weight training increase calorie burn (even when resting, muscles burn more calories all the time) and help you tone, but weight training increases bone density, which is super good for us wls patients with malabsorption! good luck and keep lifting for all the good benefits:)
   — Becky K.

August 26, 2001
Sheron! I am 42, BMI was 54ish and I had surgery January 2000. I am down 139 pounds (11 more to the anorexic governmental standard) but I weight train and probably won't lose any more weight since muscle is heavier than fat. I highly suggest weight training, and I don't think I am going to need cosmetic surgery, although I will decide next January. I agree with all the previous posters siad about the benefits and also would like to add that muscle beefs up your metabolism so, at rest, you are burning more calories, not just when you are working out- a great way to never gain the weight back:) Keep it going- I love it and it is good to know there are other people out there like me!
   — M B.

August 26, 2001
Sheron... Congratulations and hello from a "plus-size" fitness instructor who is waiting to have surgery! YES...please weight train! It is AS important as cardio, if not moreso. It certainly will help your metabolism to increase as you build muscle (cardio increases it for a period of about 1-2 hours, whereas muscle is a "burner" all day long!) Additionally, your skin will feel tighter...and you'll see the progress as you continue to lift! : ) One myth I'd like to clear up if I may is that MUSCLE DOES NOT WEIGH MORE THAN FAT. One pound is one pound, period! Muscle DOES, however, take up 5 times less space than fat. Think of muscle as lead and fat as feathers. You'd need a lot more feathers to make up a pound than you would lead, right? Lift away, Sheron! Good luck!
   — Cristie L.

August 27, 2001
I believe weight training is one of the most important things you can do post-op to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Yes, it will keep your metabolism fired up and as was mentioned previously it will help in the battle against osteoporosis that is a very real risk for WLS patients. Studies have shown conclusively that adults of all ages benefit substantially from weight training. A great book to get you psyched up is called "Biomarkers" by William Evans and Irwin Rosenberg. Keep it up!!!!
   — blank first name B.