Question:
Has anyone NOT exercised?
I guess I'm lazy, but I am at work at 7:00 a.m. and get home usually about 7:00 p.m.Has anyone not exercised? If not, how was your weight loss? I need help and encouragement in this area. By the time I get home I can barely make it to the couch because I'm pooped. I'm 5 mos. post op, RNY open, and I have lost 65 lbs. — Betty Todd (posted on June 8, 2001)
June 8, 2001
That'd be me. That's why I am SOOOOOOO on top of the nutritional stuff. I
was busy, gardening, medium size home & yard and hobbies, but not dress
up and DO exercise. I did reach goal wt & hold here for years. BUT, I
know I would feel better and be more mobile if I was moving a bit more than
I do currently.
— vitalady
June 8, 2001
I'm so glad to see I'm in great company with one of my heroes (vitalady)!
I hate, hate, hate exercise. I work 10 1/2 hour shifts, and on my days off
have my three grandkids with me, so I use that for my excuse. I had
surgery on 1/24, I was 294 now I'm 218. I know I could lose faster (21
pounds of the loss was within the 2 weeks prior to surgery, when I was
trying to get fit for surgery). But, I haven't started yet. I know I
must, but... Good luck to you. I know for our "type" we
probably need to start with baby steps, walking up the stairs at work,
parking further away at the store, walking to the corner store, things like
that. Trick ourselves into getting more stamina and maybe then it will be
easier. Good luck, and your loss is great now, but I know it slows down,
that's what I'm worried about.
— Tina C.
June 8, 2001
Hi, my name is Carol. I am new here--pre-op, I guess you'd say. I am just
starting out on this journey looking forward to my first consultation with
the dr.
I used to hate exercise because my body hurst to move. But recently, I
took up swimming and exercising in the water. It has changed my attitude
completely. I am loving it. I feel so free in the water. I get a good
workout and I swim about 5--7 hrs. a week. My waist and hips are starting
to lose a little fat already. I am trying to get as fit as I can before
surgery so that I can recover more quickly and without complications.
I also started taking vitamins and watching what i eat more closely. It
seems I am a lot more conscientious about my health now than ever before.
I figure, why wait until AFTER the surgery to get these attitudes squared
away? I have to get a grip on it sometime; better now than later. And for
me, it is also an indication of the seriousness of my committment to doing
the surgery and changing my life forever!
As for hating exercise, that was me, all the way! The trick is, I found
something I LOVE to do!! I really think that is the key. Hey, it works
for me.
Carol Lee
— Carol L.
June 9, 2001
I totally relate! I have lost 100 pounds twice in my life already --
before surgery -- and know I do so well when I exercise! But I hate it!!
Now I am at top weight ever, just got approved, and am waiting for date. I
decided I have to find something I like and start with that. I am walking
30 minutes - 45 minutes daily. It actually GIVES me more energy - believe
it or not. I get home from work about 7:00 or so, too. Fortunately, it's
spring and I live in Kansas now so the sun is out late. My husband and I
are moving here (I'm still in hotel here) and are buying a treadmill for
the family room. Then I can still walk in the winter - or later in the
evening if it's dark or bad weather. Then I can watch my favorite TV
shows. It's all about rewards for me. I am hoping that I get
"hooked" on exercise because I am hoping that it will support my
post-surgery healing and body changes. The last two times I lost the
weight and exercised, I didn't need plastic surgery -- of course, this is
the third time and I'm older..so who knows??? Good luck to you and
congrats on the 65 lbs weight loss! Can't wait to join you!!
— blee01
June 9, 2001
I agree totally with Carol. It is something we are supposed to do post op,
so I just look at it as a requirement, not a choice. As Carol said, finding
something you like to do is a key. I too do water aerobics, walk in the
water in the shallow pool at my YMCA, and do some lap swimming. I have met
many fun people, men and women in the classes and everyone is overweight to
varying degrees and we all got past the initial not wanting to wear a
bathing suit issue. For me, it is also a matter of routine. I am not
working at this point, but when I did work my 8-12 hour days, I would leave
my office exhausted mentally and physically. I would literally drag myself
to the YMCA. After my hour there I headed home refreshed and ready to enjoy
the rest of the evening with my family. My kids and husband said that they
got so they could actualy tell if I had gone to the Y or not by my
demeanor/behavior/mood. It takes a lot to get started sometimes, but once
you find something you like to do, you will actually miss it if you don't
exercise. Many YMCAs will give you a one time guest pass to try out their
facilities. Before I joined, I asked if I could attend one of the water
aerobics classes and I was welcomed. Being in the water gives me a good
feeling. There are no aches and pains and it feels good to move around so
much and not hurt.
— [Anonymous]
June 9, 2001
I am not an exerciser. I do not mind walking so, I walk to and from the bus
stop for work, about 20 min total. And on my lunch hour I walk even if it
is a leasurely stroll through a department store, I figure I'm moving. So I
walk when ever I can but I didn't really start all that until about 6
months out. Maybe since the weather is getting so nice you will walk a
little more. Formal exercise was never my "thing". I think I have
done very well.
— Rose A.
June 11, 2001
Well, the exercise sure does help. I had my surgery 11/00.
I have lost about 92 pounds. However, until one week ago
I had been sitting at a 2 month plateau. I added more water
and some exercise, and boom, I can see the scale SLOWLY
inching its way down again. Honestly, the first 90 pounds
came off with very little effort. These last 40-50 are going
to take good old fashioned effort. But, I feel like a 'normal'
person having to struggle with my weight now. It is rather
an exciting journey. Good Luck!
— Michele H.
June 11, 2001
I am 6 mos. post-op and have lost 105 lbs. I have not been able to exercise
due to nerve damage in my right hip. I limp very badly and am waiting on a
consult with a neurologist. My surgeon isn't worried and said I can
exercise as soon as I get this nerve problem fixed. I haven't hit the
dreaded plateau yet either. However I have slowed down in weight loss so
it's probably inevitable.
— [Anonymous]
June 28, 2001
I had my rny three years ago and quickly and easily lost lbs.
I never exersized. I do believe I had some psychological issues
that kept me from exersizing. In the past year my eating habits
haven't been very good and I have gaine 20lbs. That was enought
to scare me!!! It's back to basics for me. I've even joined
a fitness facility and I've been working with a personal trainer.
I don't know why I resisted for so long. I feel great and I
really enjoy my workouts. I go 5 days a week. I'm on the treadmill
all 5 days and I use various machines three times a week. I'm
also eating right and I've cut out all the carbs and hight fat
snacks. I'm determined to lose that 20lbs. I regained and to lose
an additional thirty.
— [Anonymous]
June 28, 2001
I have not exercised consistently since my surgery. I generally get
committed in 2-4 week spurts. During the winter, I didn't walk because it
was so cold out (seemed brutally cold to me this year without my
insulation!) and with my history of knee problems, I'm terrified of
slipping on ice. Right now, since the weather is nice, I am walking 2
miles in the a.m. before work, 2 miles in the evening and biking another
2-3 miles a day - about an hour and a half a day. This is, of course,
because I've hit a doozy of a plateau (4 weeks). On the other hand, I have
lost a few inches and people are telling me I look like I've lost more
weight. Another one of my favorite things to do (usually during the
winter) is to put on a favorite CD and dance.
<p>
I have been exercising religiously since before Mother's Day and find that
I have a great deal of energy during the day, sleep like a rock all night
and wake up quite easily in the morning - even on 5-6 hours of sleep.
<p>
I think you'll find as you get further post-op that exercise will be more
necessary. As your loss starts to taper, you will likely be searching for
ways to keep the momentum going. Also, I'm really liking what's happening
to my body as my legs are finally starting to take shape and my 'back
boobs' have disappeared. My arms have definition and for the first time in
my life, I can actually see my spine and shoulder blades.
<p>
I'm positive you could lose weight without exercise - I've done it. But,
it really is fascinating to see your body start to tone up and become
shapely...that is what I attribute to my (sporadic) exercise program. Good
luck to you!
— Allie B.
Click Here to Return