I don't think that there's anything to really be scared about. In my situation, as well as my age (49), I was never EVER going to look good without plastic surgery - period. With or without exercise. Many years of rapid weight gain and loss, along with stretch marks have completely ruined my skin's elasticity. This may not be your situation. Since my muscles are no longer as mushy as the skin, it just *seems* to be more mushy squooshy. I wear a shaping undergarment (lipo-in-a-box) under my work clothes. When I mention my desire to have reconstructive surgery to people, they can't understand why I need it... until I show them the skin on my upper arms. I think in some ways the exercise has changed my body contours for the better. I can really see muscles when I flex my arms. It can't help with the skin... Nothing but plastic surgery can help that... But getting moving has so many benefits that have nothing at all to do with skin. Irene

Congratulations on getting moving! I can't help with the exercise plan, since I don't have any expertise in that area. As for the sweating part - my surgeon says that you have to sweat for it to be a good workout. I disagree with him though... he's my boss now, so he's used to me disagreeing with him.... lol! I think it's more important to go by heart rate. Different people sweat different amounts. Plus, I will sweat different amounts for the same workout depending on the air temperature and humidity... I tend to be the type to sweat easily, too... In summer when I walk, my clothes will be wringing wet and the same walk in fall or winter I won't even break a sweat. But my heart rate will be the same. Or my time and distance will be the same... As for seeing the difference on the scale - you may or may not see very much difference in the scale. Especially if you put on muscle and you didn't have much muscle to begin with, because a specific dimension of muscle weighs more than the same dimension of fat. I think I lost a total of about 6-8 lbs. BUT I don't know how much if any of that I can really attribute to exercise. My weight loss has been slow and steady over more than a 2 year period. I noticed that with working out, my clothes are a little looser on me - I didn't actually take measurements. But it's funny - I notice that because of crunches I have abs of steel and a belly of jelly... in other words as my abdominals become harder and tighter and smaller, it makes the skin on my abdomen feel more mushy and squooshy... and it's the same with all the other areas... but I do have muscles.... so when I have plastic surgery next year, I'm hoping that the good underlying muscles will give a better result. Have fun with the exercise, the newfound ability to move with ease, and your emerging body.

This is too funny... On this board, I'm still Denise H.!!!! Oh well... Have a great weekend...

Hi Denise Thanks for responding to my post. I did really good today. I ate only what I was supposed to eat. No I don't want to go back to who I was. I like the new me now. I like being able to go into the Misses dept for clothes and not the plus size. I don't know if it is only around "that time" of the month that this is happening. I guess I will have to pay more attention to that. I don't get it every month anymore, think I am starting menopause but sometimes I think I still get the symptoms. I used to always crave chocolate right before. Because there are times when I can go all day without wanting any food but I eat just to get the protein in. Well anyway, thanks for your help and advice, I will definitely check out the WLS Grad board though. Thanks again Denise. Linda

Hi Linda: I don't have any earthshattering advice to give you... just wanted you to know that you are not alone!!! I suggest re-reading your profile and others to get some inspiration to get you back on track. First and foremost, congratulations on your success to date. The key is somehow turning the switch on in your head for some determination not to go back to where you were. You know... aching back, knees, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. You know you don't want to go back there. I am 2 years post op and have never reached the doctor's goal, although I'm still trying. I take solace in the fact that I haven't regained... but I keep trying. Like you, it's all about finding that switch in your head of determination. You may want to try the "WLS Grad" board... there's a lot more action there... All the best.. Denise