Well, here are some ways to make walking more fun. If you like music, then take an ipod or MP3 player or walkman type device with you and listen to a walking tape or music to stay motivated or interested. Also, most malls have mall walkers in the morning before the malls open, so you might be able to meet others there or even just walking around your local store a little longer than you might normally. It's walking, right? There is a rec center near me also that has water walking classes, so you can socialize and exercise in the water. You can look into those near you and see what might be offered. I have my two week post-op on Wednesday and I am hoping to have permission to go in the pool also just so I can get some exercise without the pressure on my joints and feel less sore when walking. I plan on also just taking my kids with me to the pool and playing around, so you might look at doing that if you have any family to go with you. Anyway, those are things that I do. I am not crazy about walking either, but I push through every day. Today we are going to the mall to walk, shop and let my kids play. Have a good day! Sherry PS another idea - if you had a support group through your surgery program, see if you can get in touch with some people from there and see if they will walk or swim with you. They need it also, so it's a good place to look for others.

I am feeling rather frustrated. I started my preop liquid diet on March 15th, had surgery on March 21st, then was on full liquids until March 28th. I saw my doc on March 27th, and I had lost 20 pounds already! Woohoo! I was so excited! Then my doc told me start soft food for 3 weeks. So I did, and I swear I am doing everything I am supposed to do and nothing that I am not supposed to. I am getting in at least 60g of protein and 64oz. of water every day, taking all of my supplements, walking at least 1 mile per day. I am tracking everyting I eat and do on fitday.com. I feel like I should be losing like crazy at this point, but I'm not. I haven't lost one single ounce since I starting eating soft foods 4 days ago. When I weighed this morning and saw that the scale had not moved yet I wanted to throw it out the window! Has anyone else had this experience? Can anyone explain this to me, please? I am wondering if I should have even had the surgery if all I am going to lose is 20 pounds. Thanks ya'll, Robin

I understand that its a necessity, but I also know myself. There will eventually come a day when my exercise stops because I am just too busy to be bored. So the smart money would be on finding a way to make it interesting. That's one way to make it more likely to stick... We shop around for tolerable protein and vitamin products, this is no different I just have to not give up till I find what works for me I do have the recumbant bike, I didn't think about asking my surgeon about that one... thanks for the suggetions, I will talk to him Monday... I have a gazelle, but I think the air shock looking part is really needing some lubricant. I can barely move it so that needs repair before I can use it. I dunno if it even works, since it was in storage following being flooded in Katrina. Unfortunately, I just don't have any girlfriends (kinda new to the area) or co-workers (unemployed atm) to walk with... that would be just peachy!! I do the park walking thing, and that's great, when it's not raining Hadn't tried the mall because I'll shop instead of walk I keep hoping I can start a walking group in the Martin High School area in Arlington. Wish me luck.

Until the physical limitations lift, you might hafta reach a little to make exercise more fun for you. Ask a couple girlfriends or co-workers to walk with you. Walk with family. Make a game out of it. If you have kids, play eye-spy or 20 questions. Listen to music or an audio book if you can. Use the time to make mental grocery or other shopping lists. Drive to a park and walk there. Or walk in the mall so you have more to look at, not to mention window shopping. I've been permitted to use a recumbant bike. If there's one available to you, maybe you could read or watch tv while doing it. A half hour, 45 minutes, or however long you've been advised to exercise isn't really all that much time. The bottom line is exercise isn't always going to be fun or interesting, but to make the most of this incredible tool we have you might just have to suck it up and just do it. Eating isn't the only habit we have to change! It's hard. And I struggle with it too. I'm hoping that as I get lighter and it's easier to move around, I'll look forward to it a bit more.

Hi all! I hope this finds everyone doing well. I just have a question for everyone. I am 8 days out and I guess I was just expecting to not have to take pain meds at this point...or at least to be able to survive on tylenol...I am almost done with my script pain meds and am still in severe pain at times. It has grown to be farther in between times it is needed but the pain is still there. Anyone else feeling this way or anyone have advice on how to STOP feeling this way??? Rita