Question on exercise - ThinnerTimes

Pokey757 · 01-17-2005, 05:41 PM

I am still Pre-Op, and have some concerns about the exercise part of this. Obviously i am over weight, and HATE to exercise.

I also know that it is necssary. How do overcome it? Or do you? Do you start exercise right away after surgery? OR do you wait until you have lost a bit of weight? Or do you just do it because you simply must?

Janet · 01-17-2005, 08:21 PM

I started before surgery doing water aerobics. As soon as I was able to get back in the water I started again. I must admit that I have been lax on getting to the gym lately.

There are a lot of people at the pool who are older and or overweight, so I did not feel like I was out of place and it makes going easier.

Dara · 01-17-2005, 11:04 PM

Hi Pokey:

Welcome to our forum!

About your exercise question, I always DETESTED exercise before surgery. I was the perfect example of a sloth. I only started walking after surgery because I knew I had to do something, and I felt it was the easiest way to exercise. Unfortunately, I was not very consistent with walking by myself.

Luckily, I found a walking partner just a couple of months after surgery and it has changed my way of thinking tremendously. We walk a minimum of three miles three times a week.

Once your excess weight starts to come off, you begin to feel better and are able to do more. As you improve, the exercise gets easier. With the weight loss and the exercise, you feel so much better that you become motivated to do even more.

I have been walking regularly since last August and I have reached my goal weight. I will probably join Curves at the end of this month to start circuit training. I have a lot of flabby skin and need to build muscle.

I hope I answered your question.

watergirl · 01-18-2005, 06:57 AM

I've noticed that when I exercise, I feel so much better - that's the best part. The next thing I notice is the weight and inches come off much quicker. The next thing I notice is that I now want to and feel the need to. You are totally in control of what you do for exercise.

Americanwoman397 · 01-18-2005, 07:02 AM

You know 107lbs ago I wasn't big into working out. I would try but I felt so out of place at the gym because I was so heavy. Now I have a trainer and workout 4-5 times a week. The key to working out is finding something you enjoy doing and I know being pre-op that sounds like it will never happen. I can tell you that before surgery I would have never ran 10 feet and now I can run about 2-3 miles twice a week and I enjoy doing it. I play tennis at least once a week. My whole thing is I had to find something I liked doing and someone who would do it with me so on those days I don't want to they will kick you butt and say lets go. When you get done you always feel better.

Phebius · 01-18-2005, 07:16 AM

Pokey...it is a must as your new eating habits will be too. I never exercised while overweight for the most part, but now I workout M - F at Curves. Curves is awesome and I can't say enough about it! I am so glad I joined even though I didn't start exercising until I was 11 months out, but it's true...once you find something you really enjoy, working out is practically theraputic (sp?) and I can't go a day without it.

There will be some overall healing from surgery you will need to recover from, but once you get the "okay" to proceed with a full workout routine, go for it! It's never too early to start and the previous posts are right...you'll see the results and feel so much better quicker.

Well, that was my 2 cents worth...I hope you have a safe and speedy recovery.

Pokey757 · 01-18-2005, 09:05 AM

Thanks everyone for responding! And so quickly too.
This will help my husband understand a little more.

Jeanie · 01-18-2005, 09:24 AM

I am 6 months out, and just started a regualr workout routine. I have to say that I LOVE going to the gym. It's so much easier now that I have lost 80 pounds. Last night I took a 30 min ab class and then a 30 minute speed turbo kick boxing class. Then I thought to myself hmmm I should do the treadmill, and I ended up doing that for another 30 min. As I was leaving I just had a huge smile on my face because before surgery I wouldn't have been in the gym longer than 30 min. It gets eaiser I promise.

I live in the east county if you need someone to go with you let me know. I am willing to go anytime I can. WOW did I just say that!!!

Oh yeah right now 24 hour fitness is having a special it's either 2 for 1 or 1/2 half the membership fee.

TabFox · 01-18-2005, 08:52 PM

Before surgery you couldn't have paid me to exercise...unless it was walking through the ice-cream and potato chip aisles at WalMart. I walked after surgery because I was determined that if I went through such a drastic ordeal to change my body, then I couldn't turn back. I "had" to walk. I joined Curves 6 months after surgery and I love it. About 2-3 months after surgery when your body gets over the shock of being put to sleep, and sliced 'n diced, you'll start getting bursts of energy as the weight comes off.

Tabitha
Open 5/26/04
321/193/???

eyesthatkissu · 01-29-2005, 12:14 PM

I have to say, I hate exercise. The only time I ever enjoyed it was when I went to Curves. There were three women there that had had WLS. And they went mostly to help with the loose skin. They all said it saved their bodies. I haven't even had my WLS yet, and am joining Curves again... as soon as it opens in my hick town

~Robin~