Question:
What type of exercises should I be doing at 4.3 months out?

I am 4 months and 3 weeks out. Can anyone that is way beyond this point tell me what execises they would recomend that helped them when they were at this point in time of their journey? I am down -85lbs. so far from 278 to 193. Thanks!:)    — wildchild (posted on September 14, 2003)

September 14, 2003
Colleen, I am just at 4 months now and can tell you what I do for exercising. I take a kickboxing class twice a week at my health club. On Saturday I go and swim laps for an hour, and then on Sunday I take a weight lifting class along with a pilates class. When I am at work I try to walk a mile during my lunch break. Those are the formal things i do and hten there are the "unormal" things like walking around at the mall shopping, mowing the lawn and doing yard work. I started at 273 and was at -48 at my 3 month checkup. By the looks of your loss, your are doing great!
   — jmusser

September 14, 2003
Colleen, First of all congrats on the wonderful weight loss. 85 lbs in less than 5 months is great! I am 7-1/2 months PO and my routine is 3 days a week, 30 minutes of weight training and 30 minutes of walking each time. I actually was only doing twice a week till just this week. I will now stay at the 3 times a week as I feel I needed to bump it up to keep the weight loss progressing well. <p>I started at 442 and therefore had more difficulty getting an exercise routine going due to pain etc. It was 9 weeks before I was able to go back to weight training and a little bit of walking. After that I just kept on progressing it as I was able. I walked 2 miles yesterday. 5 months ago I could not walk 10 minutes without lots of pain and cramping. <p>My recommendations would be to definitely get a weight training routine into the picture twice a week. Muscle will help turn your body into an efficient fat burner, plus tone you up nicely. Walking I have always found is a great way to go. It's fairly low impact but does produce great results. Work on lengthening the distance and also shortening the time as you are able. Swimming would be the other thing I would recommend as it is so good for the body and not hard on the joints. I think as long as you are getting in some good weight bearing exercise (to keep your bones strong and provide an aerobic benefit) and weight training to up your metabolism the rest is totally whatever you want to do and enjoy. I find my life is way more active, that I do not worry about getting structured exercise every day. I can now go shopping for hours. Till 3 months ago I had not set foot in a mall in like 4-5 years. The main thing is to keep it something you can deal with long term. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr

September 14, 2003
I've skipped this for three weeks due to class starting and having to attend two funerals within a week of one anohter but I swear by Leslie Sansone's walk away the pounds, I worked myself up to the 4 mile walk in a few weeks and my weight just melted off doing it. I'm 6 months out and I've lost 90lbs. I went from a size 26/28-30/32 top to 18/20 and a size 20/22 jeans. I feel great. good luck to you
   — TotallyTori

September 14, 2003
I'm just over five months out, and I do a combination of exercise. Three mornings a week I do a 30 minute circuit aerobics/weight training (similar to Curves). Four or five days a week I also walk two miles at a stretch. An article in the inaugural Obesity Help magazine explained how walking two miles kicks the major muscle group in your legs and buttocks over from prefering to burn carbs to preferring to burn fat. I find that the circuit training is giving me some muscle definition underneath my flabby skin, and that the aeobics is building up my endurance. The walking is easy, and gives me 40 minutes to myself, plus it has great fat-burning benefits. Lap RNY 4/1/03 290/205/168
   — Vespa R.

September 14, 2003
I'm just going to throw my 2 cents in here. Hope I'm not stepping on any toes! as I am pre-op, but started riding a bicycle ( I know...I hated bicycling for a long time)...but the thing to do is to find the right bicycle for you, and it's like flying, no matter what your size or shape, trust me. I'm 350 lbs right now, (heck - all my life) and I ride at least 20 miles a day, I commute to work, I ride to the store for a few groceries, to the video store. I truly believe that it helps me set in my mind that one way or another I am going to get in my exercise, and save a heap on the gasoline bill! I've got a car, and a motorcycle and I use 'em a lot, but the morning bicycle rides, early morning before work, (or on the way to work) really sets you up for a good day. Someday I may be a lot smaller in poundage, but I think I will always ride a bike, because I enjoy being my own engine. What better way to keep the heart healthy, and legs muscled? Besides, around here, it takes 35 min to drive home by car, or 45 min. by bike. 10 more minutes of pure relaxation. The real secret is getting the right kind of bike...you don't have to compete in the tour de france...just ride, a little bit every day, makes the rest of the day go by really well!
   — track

September 14, 2003
I joined a gym at 6 weeks and made 2 or 3 seeions with a trainer. I couldn't afford more than that. I told her about the wls and she set me up with a proram that included 1/2 hr of cardio---I do mine on the treadmill, and 30 to 45 minutes weight training and/or on the circuit machines. I do this 3x a week. I would love a trainer once a week to help maximize my workout time, but I'm doing ok with what I can afford. Treat yourself to a few sessions. It will help you get organized when working out. Good luck!!
   — Fixnmyself

September 15, 2003
No advice just.....CONGRATS on all your hard work and success so far!
   — Deborah F.