10 Cold Hard Facts about WLS (Cross-post)

Right on!

Actually, no you DON'T have to exercise, either to lose the weight or to maintain the loss.  Many people have physical limitations and do just fine.  They do, however, have to lower their food intake to account for the lack of exercise.

Also, not everyone is a slave to the scale.

Lora

Physical limitations should not stop someone from movement. I know many people who have not had this operation who are physically disabled and find ways to move. From a sever RA friend with 5 hip replacements who swears by tai chi and aqua fit to a friend in a wheelchair with spina bifida who performs dancing with a partner. People with disabilities need to move in some way as well for muscle tone and health. Even a quad will be manually manipulated to increase circulation. If someone chooses not to exercise that is fine but a disability is never a deterent to anything

Movement is different from exercise, at least in my book. You talk about quadriplegics being manually manipulated... but most people do "move" all through the day as they go about their normal lives, but that is NOT what this list was talking about! I am not going to argue over semantics.  

What I will say is that the only way people will stick with any kind of "physical activity" outside of their normal daily activities is if they like it, and for people with physical issues, especially backs and knees, MANY types of physical activities cause significant pain (and no one is going to continue something that causes pain at every turn). So a disability that causes pain is, indeed, a significant deterrent to exercise, and to argue otherwise would be ludicrous.

Before I had both of my knees replaced, even water exercises were difficult simply because -- even without any weight on my knees -- it hurt just to bend them.  Walking hurt (some days a LOT), biking hurt, swimming or water aerobics hurt, ellipticals hurt, and things like yoga and Zumba were out of the question.

I stand by my assertion that no one NEEDS formal exercise or even special physical activity to lose the weight or keep it off.  MANY people do it. People will be healthier if they get some type of regular physical activity, but they a mot doomed to obesity if they don't.  It is more difficult because you have to be more disciplined about what you eat, but exercise is NOT a requirement. 

Lora

You are so right Lora. Exercise has not been a big part of my weight loss or maintenance, but I do occasionally. I absolutely have to watch what I eat though. 

Yes to number 6. I am way too short but other than that I fully expect this!

Yeah, me too! Well, maybe not Victoria Secret, but at least a strapping Calvin Klein underwear model!

AGREE with all!  Nothing harsh in that list - just truths.  

I love your post. 

Especially #4!  I CAN eat anything, but I must not.

Very pertinent for me today,  i just WANTED to eat all day, I was not hungry.  just white knuckled through it.

Anne

I love love love your list!

I too was Banded 5 1/2 years ago, went through a very bad slippage ordeal, and then 7 weeks ago just had my 3rd surgery with RNY revision. I am now having to start all over again, as I regained all my weight I had lost, in just 6 short months of being without the band. It was devastating. 

Your list contains all the truths and some.

I live in a tiny country seaside town in Australia with no support groups any where within reach, so doing it on my own, and reading others experiences on forums has been inciteful. I could write my own book I think!

I love this site, and feel it supports me on my tough days, when the head hunger wants to take over. Each day presents its own challenges, with a lifetime of more of it to come.

Cheers, Sandi, Australia.