You know, I could've written this post (and think I did!) in 2010.

Talk to your doctor, and follow his/her recommendation.

I worked out for 6 months pre-surgery.  The day I went home from the hospital, I got on my treadmill (of course, VERY SLOW SPEED).  Each day I'd either walk outdoors or on my treadmill steadily increasing my distance only for the first few weeks.  At 3 weeks out I was clear to increase intensity, and at 4 weeks out I was cleared to resume weights.  I've never stopped!

Exercise is such an important part of this journey-you'll be so glad you did it sooner than later.  I can't help but think that because I consistently exercised for my entire journey that is probably the reason I never had a stall and lost every single wee****il I hit goal.

Definitely weight training!  I love P90X workouts and after 4 years still get great workouts from them.

I also thought I'd NEVER join a gym since I have a home gym in my basement, but I did join one a few weeks ago with my daughter....that is the only way she'd commit to work out.  It is a "rough" gym.....it is in an old auto shop, just some flooring, paint and boxing bags...they teach boxing and boot camp....I go to boot camp 2-3 times a week now in addition to running and P90X.  I'm enjoying the change, and if I get tired of it, I can quit with 30 days notice (and it is only $35 a month).

I NEVER thought I'd get to where I was so fit I'd have to keep upping the ante, but alas, I see it coming!

Weekend's over!  What are you doing to get those hineys moving today??

I'm off to bootcamp at 5:30.

I ran 3 miles and powerwalked 1 mile Saturday-and I hiked 5 miles yesterday............

Sounds like you are pretty far out....so 800 calories is unrealistic and dangerous.  You should concentrate what a "normal" person would need every day for good health.  General rule is do not go under 1,200 per day (for folks that are more that a year out), and you may require more if you are burning lots of calories.

I've never heard that statement you made about not losing fat and gaining muscle at the same time.  That is exactly what I did during my weight loss phase. I do not think you should focus on one type of exercise-just like you need a well balanced diet, you need a well balanced workout plan. 

To keep my metabolism running top notch, I eat 6-7 small meals per day, with about 120 grams of protein and about the same in carbs.  I shoot to keep my carbs as complex, and my proteins lean.

The 3.8 lbs you've lost is likely water weight.  In order to stick to your plan and lose consistently, set yourself up to lose about one lb per wee****il you hit goal.

1) Begin tracking everything you put into your mouth.  You can do that here on OH in the Health Tracker.  Or mobile apps like myfitnesspal.com.

2) Determine your RMR http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.php

3) Set your daily caloric level at your RMR - 500.  This will set you up to lose 1 lb per week, which is the safest level to shoot for AND it will give you enough food so you don't feel deprived.

4) Make 100-120 grams of protein per day your goal.  I eat a 6-7 oz chicken breast grilled every single day.  That alone is 53 grams of protein, and it is real food so I feel full.

5) Eat 6-7 small meals each day.  This will keep your blood sugar level and will keep you feeling full.

6) Exercise.  Everyday.  At least 30 minutes.  If your heartrate is up and you are sweating, you are good.

7)  Follow the rules of your surgery.  Do not drink with meals and do not drink for at least 30 minutes afterward.  Limit simple carbs and sugar, but don't completely eliminate them.  If you do, you'll feel deprived, and we all know how well that has worked for us in the past.......

8)  Come here for support.  We are here for you.

Welcome!  First, this board is the best place for support regardless of what your fitness level/goal is. There is no judgement here-just support, praise and advice.

My story:

I was 324 lbs at 44 years old.  I had no co-morbidities but they all run in my immediate family, so my day was coming.  I was scared that I couldn't do the simplest of things without getting winded.  My husband and I love to travel and be active, but I was holding us back.  I'd had enough of the yo-yo dieting and failure at keeping the weight off-I'd been successful at every single thing in my life EXCEPT controlling my weight.

When I decided on WLS my sweet, never overweight husband declared that if I was going to do it, I was going to do it right, so I had to start exercising.  And I did.  I began when I started the 6 month supervised diet. I started slow-just walking on the treadmill and using the weight machines.  I cried because everything hurt, but I was not going to let us down....I set small goals and one by one I reached them. After my surgery, I started increasing my workouts and challenging myself more.  When I was close to goal, I saw the P90X commercial.  As a joke, I told my husband we should get it.  He said ok.  I ordered it, and cried like a sissy girl for the first few weeks.  My sweet husband lasted about a week....then he bailed on me. 

To this day I love P90X, running, hiking, boot camp and boxing.  I do some yoga too.  I'm not the fastest, and I don't have the biggest muscles, but I am the best me I can be.  I can't imagine my life without fitness now-it is as normal as breathing to me now.

Best wishes on your journey.

My running store told me that you can expect 500 miles out of a pair of good running shoes....which I will say is exactly what I get....I can feel them breaking down from the inside when it is time.

Definitely pay a visit back to the shoe store and discuss.  Oh, and do you have arthritis?  I do, and the winter months are just the pits for me.....my knees take turns hurting.

155 "no light weight"......????!!!  It is in my world!  :)

I went to boot camp last night.

Roll Tide!

Well, you have the right attitude!  Get into the exercise groove NOW....that will surely help with long term success.

I too am a pear......boot camp, hiking, speed walking, walking lunges, running.........all good for the "backfield"...........

Gonna get out of the office a bit early and go for a nice cool run in the sunshine!

I attempted yoga....made it thru 25 mins but the pulling on the lower abs got too uncomfortable....

The VSX has excellent support.  It is their "maximum support" sports bra....it has molded foam cups and underwire, but you cannot really tell there is underwire.  The girls stayed put and the bra was very comfy.  It also looks good!  It doesn't smoosh your boobs into that big boob sausage like so many sports bras.

I had a lift, no implants.  I have to tell ya, my boobs are just amazing now!  I have NEVER had them where they are supposed to be....to have them actually be in the right place still amazes me.

I will definitely invest in a few more of these VS bras!