What I've learned about exercise...random thoughts...

Exercise is awesome and makes me feel good and strong.  But guess what?  It makes me eat more than I need to.  I'm on to year three and trying to figure out how to sustain a lifestyle for the rest of my life.  So here's my a-ha moment.  I had a major surgery on Sept. 1st (lateral internal sphincterotomy). Let's just say I had stitches in the bum.  Yikes.  So exercise was out.  For many, many weeks.  Truly bummed (haha) because I exercise nearly every day.  OK so I tell myself to keep the eating under control because we all know it's diet that truly keeps the weight on or off.  Five weeks ago was my surgery.  I am the same weight I was on the day of my surgery.  I'm not nearly as hungry or "ravenous" as I am when I'm working out every day.  My goal is to find that balance.  It's a never ending learning process, this new way of life...

I use the Garmin Index scale and it measures muscle mass.  I know the weight of muscle mass increases when I do more exercise and goes down when I can't exercise.

Yes, this is a great point.  

This is a fantastic insight. And it means more coming from you, because you are totally committed to working out. Thanks for sharing.

I can imagine you must have been climbing the walls without your regular fitness regime.

Yeap.  

I lost most of my regain with diet. Even a few more lbs. Following good low carb diet - my appetite is low. And since I don't need to lose more weight - actually - I don't want to or should,  I have a problem eating enough.

 So now I started exercises because I can afford some weight gain..and need somerging tI stimulate my appetite.  I eat more when I exercise. I stopped losing weight. 

Walking or yoga is great for that... When I walk - I use hand weights to get some upper body workout. 

I am yet to start yoga again. .. 

Great insight!  I found the more muscle mass I had the more I burned just walking across the room.  Finding that balance is key. Congrats!

I was an exercise fiend until about year 3, then I quit. Going to the gym did not fit into my daily routine. Trying to fit it in stressed me out and I just quit completely for a few years while maintaining my weight loss. Now all I do is walk like crazy and am in even better shape now. It is all about the balance and what works best for each of us. You will figure out what works best for you!!

It is a challenge to balance exercise and eating!  What works for me is to do my meals after I exercise, so that I'm working out fasted.  But then, of course, I have to be careful with portions when I'm ravenous post-exercise.  

Fun times :)