Question:
Anyone into weight lifting or body building after surgery??

I had open VBG 6 months ago and have lost 110 pounds! I want to lose 25 more and am really interested in weight lifting. I don't want to become a body builder, but I definitely want more muscle than I currently have. Many body builders think it will be hard for me since I cannot take in massive amounts of protein, but I have heard stories of others who have had WLS that have done it. Any one done it or know of someone who has? I really need some direction! Thanks, Deana    — Deana R. (posted on January 23, 2002)

January 23, 2002
Deana, The body builders are telling you that because they are body builders. You said that you don't want to be a body builder, but would just like to add more muscle. Almost any trainer will tell you that if you can add some strength training to your aerobic exercise, all the better for your overall fitness. Go for it.
   — garw

January 23, 2002
HI, I am still pre-op but I intend to use "Body For Life" method. I currently use the aerobic schedual but after surgery (when I am given the Okay) I will begin the "Body Building" schedual. You personalize this program for your fitness level and results you want. You can use these methods at the gym or at home if you have some dumbells and a bench. You don't need super heavy dumbells, I am going to buy 5s, 10s and 15s (Wal-Mart sells them for pretty cheap, they even have benches). I don't want to look like the terminator but I think it is going to important for me to build muscle when I reach the Post-Op! You can find this book at your local book store or go to the website (I forgot the address but just type "Body For Life" on your search engine) I forgot the authors name but the book is called "Body For Life" it's probably around $15 or $20 but I don't remember exactly. Good Luck with whatever program you decide on!
   — M. S.

January 24, 2002
In my "other life" (about 12 years ago.) I was in the body building world. I was even very close to competing, w/o steroids!! I loved it. It's a rush, because you can "sculpt" your body, chissle it to look so incredible! You can take amino acids( which is what protien breaks down to) and of course there is a way to workout. Like "push" day/ "pull day" w/ 24 hours for healing/growing. Get a good trainer and go for it!!!!!!
   — Cindee A.

July 10, 2002
I have been doing aerobics three times per week since the end of November (six weeks or so post-op), and added a muscular strength and endurance class (light weights, elastic band) in January. It has done incredible things for me -- someone recently commented that I have "gorgeous shoulders"! Granted, I'm assuming they weren't looking at the batwings *under* my arms, but what the hey...I'll take it where I can get it! Seriously, I just came back from my weights class, and it's always a highlight of my week (though I also do some interval training, with three minutes of aerobics interspersed with weight training -- now *that" will get you to break a sweat!). I am not turning into Charles Atlas (god forbid!), but I can see muscle definition, and I'm definitely a lot stronger. I think it's ultra-important for women, particularly, to do this kind of training, as it builds bone mass and helps prevent osteoporosis later in life. Not to mention what it does for your sense of well-being! Go for it, start light and build up, and have a blast. Good luck!
   — Karen I.

November 7, 2003
At about week 12 post op I finally began to feel like myself again. That's when I went to the gym and made an appointment with a personal training. She's great and is very excited about working with me. She's done lots of research on what kind of exercises work best with a post op RNY person. Her recommendation has included 30-45 minutes of aerobic exercise (I'm up to 20 minutes... it's tough and I hate to sweat that much LOL) and another 30 minutes of weight and stretching exercises focusing on legs, arms, back, and upper body. She's staying away from abs because of the surgery (which is what she learned in her research). I feel great when I'm finished with my workout. The weights will help my bones as I'm approaching 50, and will help me strength and toning as I lose. I want to minimize the flabby skin and I'm hoping this helps.
   — terriny

November 8, 2003
Deana, There is a girl at my gym who is 5'0 tall and used to weigh 230lbs. Now she is teaching Body Pump (aerobics with weights kind of thing..VERY tough class!) and competes in bb competitions! She looks great! I personally don't want to look like a body builder, but the definition in her body is amazing. I didnt know thats what muscles looked like:) I do 1.5 hours 3x a week at the gym. 1/2 hour on the treadmill, 20 mn on the recumbant bike, 5min on the Rotex if Ive been bad...and believe me, 5 min on the Rotex (elliptical) is like 2 hours on the tread! Then I do 30 crunches, 30 crunches for my obliques and 20 leg lifts, then onto the 4 resistance machines I'm using right now. 3 sets of 15 on each of these: rotary shoulder, rotary chest, lat pulldown and leg press. I can press 242lbs! Which is what my starting weight was. Occasionally I throw in something like yoga, which I hate. I'm hoping that soon I can try spinning:) Good luck to you!
   — kathy B.