Question:
At what point post-op did you begin to exercise?
I've been very tired and/or lazy since the operation, but am now trying to motivate myself into starting exercise. I'd just like to hear how long everyone waited (or didn't!) to start both aerobic exercise (like walking) AND weight training/resistance exercise. Thanks! (Proximal OPEN RNY, 7/7/03; 226.8/201.0/133) — sweetmana (posted on August 14, 2003)
August 14, 2003
I started my exercising, walking within 2 wks of my surgery. I have
gradually added to it and now either walk, do a DVD or outside bicycle
daily. open RNY 5/7/03 distal
— ChristineB
August 14, 2003
Hi there. I started walking on day 2 around the hospital that is. I have
been walking nearly everyday ever since. There are days when I get lazy
and don't feel like walking BUT I think of how much money was spent for the
operation and how far I have come. All I have to do is pull out an old
photo and say that was me and now look at me. Then I get motivated and
start walking again. As for aerobic exercising I was NEVER fond of that.
I would rather run in 90 degree heat and sweat before I do aerobics LOL!
Good Luck!
— Kitty Kat
August 14, 2003
I had my lap procedure on a Friday and waited 10 days to start water
walking/water aerobics. I plan to hold off on weight training until I am
much closer to goal.
— bethybb
August 14, 2003
I've always walked. After surgery, I had to take it slow, and I couldn't
go as far. I now walk up to 8 miles a day usually 4 to 5 miles
consistently. I'm 4 months out now. I started Curves for Women at 6 weeks
out. I could tell a huge difference in my body size when I started Curves.
I also started bike riding, swimming, jogging, Windsor Pilates and many
more things since the 6 weeks out. It makes you feel so much better when
you start exercising more. The energy is incredible. Good luck.
— Lisa C.
August 14, 2003
Though I had a rocky start immediately following surgery(due to a
complication which required a second surgery), I began a regular physical
exercise program around 8-10 weeks out and haven't looked back.
My current program includes working with a personal trainer once per month
(which is phenomenal for fact-based guidance in customizing a program)
which includes weight training and cardio exercises 4-5x per week. I do
this early in the morning (6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.), and still get to work by
9:00 a.m. When I can, I add a 5th day to that routine.
In addition, I aggressively seek ways to increase my activity throughout
the day. Instead of taking the elevator up to the third floor of my office
building, I walk up the 6 flights, down 6 flights at lunchtime, up, and
down again. Parking further away in a parking lot is another easy thing you
can incorporate into your day.
With respect to weight training, there seems to exist a misconception about
the proper role of it in our overall exercise. As I have read and been
informed, weight training is as important if not more so as the cardio
exercise (like walking, gardening, swimming, treadmill, and other
machines). The reason being is that as you work with weights (either
dumbells and/or weight equipment), you will build muscle and muscle burns
fat. One of the differences between weight training and cardio exercises is
that your metabolism will continue to burn fat long AFTER you've completed
your weight workout as compared with cardio, when you are burning fat only
while you exercise. It's a much more EFFICIENT form of exercise. BTW,
women do not have to worry about bulking up as we don't have enough
testosterone to allow that to happen. The fact is that as you build muscle,
you increase lean muscle mass, strengthen your heart and bones, will become
better toned, and it helps with the shrinking skin. After losing 110 lbs.
(and at 39 y.o.), I don't have any sagging skin (hoping to avoid TT). Of
course, cardio has it's benefits. If done correctly, you can burn quite a
few calories in a short (25-40 minutes) time. It seems that most folks I
know who have been really successful at 'working' the program, combine
their workouts to include both weight training and cardio.
Hopes this helps.
— Kimberly L. A.
August 14, 2003
I started by walking to the end of the block and back on day 2 home from
the hospital. I am now out 5 weeks and do 2 and 1/2 miles (most) nights. If
I get the ok from my surgeon at my 6 week check-up then I will start a
pilates class too!
— Mindy R.
August 14, 2003
I started back to the gym at 3 weeks out. I did cardio on an elliptical
machine and light, upper body weight training. I added lower body a couple
of weeks ago, but waited three months before doing abdominal exercises.
— Barbara C.
August 14, 2003
I started walking post op to help with healing. At 6 weeks post, I had to
have a major abdominal surgery (not WLS related) so that set me back some.
I continued walking 2-3 miles each day until my weight loss slowed. Then I
took up tennis in addition to walking around 6 months post. At 9 months
when weight loss slowed again, I joined the Y and work out 20 minutes on
the elliptical trainer (I'm building myself up to 30 minutes) and another
15 minutes of weight training, alternating upper and lower every other day.
I am 10 months post today and I wish I had worked out harder in the
beginning. Remember that exercise can take many forms. Once I started
feeling better, I got rid of the cleaning lady and did my own housework (it
was too hard for me to do pre-op). I do more gardening. Just make sure you
enjoy whatever exercise you decide to do and you will stay motivated. Good
luck to you.
— Yolanda J.
August 14, 2003
I did some walking by day 1. At about ten days out, I started walking
between a mile and half and two and a half miles just about every day. My
doc doesn't want us to do any strenuous or weight work for the first three
months, to help avoid hernias. At the three month mark, I joined a fitness
center, so I do cardio/weight training three days a week and then still
walk the two miles the other three or four days a week. I think it's
helped--I can see more muscle definition, I can work out harder, breathe
better, and feel better. It also gives me some energy, but I was pretty
tired the first four or five weeks. Start out slowly and work your way up.
— Vespa R.
August 15, 2003
I'm 47, and had lap RNY 10/29/02. I knew I was going with a high school
marching band to Florida to the theme parks over Thanksgiving, so I knew I
had to get my butt in gear and get my endurance up. I started walking the
day after I got home from the hospital and I haven't stopped! By the way, I
had better endurance than some of the parents - and I had had major surgery
a month before! I went on rides and had a great time, while they sat on
benches (too tired!)
— koogy
August 15, 2003
I walked everyday immediately. At 5 weeks I started aerobics, 6 weeks
weights. Now at 7 weeks I am losing faster than I thought I could, I know
it is the exercise. On a good day I walk in the morning and do aerobics
after work. Most days I am fine to do one or the other.
— mrsmyranow
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