You Can't Do This Without Exercise ...

With so many new people joining our board , I feel compelled as a long term post op to share what I feel was my success in dropping the pounds and keeping it off .  We talk about it all the time . For some it is drudgery .. for some it is their outlet ..  EXERCISE ...  You gotta do it . If you think you will be successful with out it . Think again .  For the first 6 months you will lose the weight no matter what you do , as your body will be in starvation mode . After this , it is up to you . So why not start now ?  If you are pre-op or newly post op . Ask yourself if you have a plan of action for your exercise?  Do you or are you exercising now ?  Do you enjoy it .. ? This is very important as if you do not enjoy what you are doing , you will not keep up with it . For me , I loved to swim . And this is what helped me to get those 200 pounds off .. not to mention I learned to love to run .  I have met over the course of my journey , so many that complain to me that they just cannot exercise. One excuse after another . Not enough time , they are " too fat " to move like that  or they just do not know what to do .  I say to that .. there is time .. you must make time . Each and every day . You must move somehow - some way . If you are in the begining stages of your journey, simply walking to your mailbox and back is a goal to obtain.  You can go to Walmart and purchase a simple exercise band. You can sit in a chair and use it to get your upper body moving..  I have worked with some women that were wheel chair bound, and had them moving things they never thought they had . And now ... they incorporate exercise in their journey with out excuses. Just know that in order to get those pounds off .. and keep them off , Exercise must be included in your daily routine.  Make YOU the # 1 priority.  Find your Niche Exercise..  And watch those pounds melt away .. and stay away !!  Find something you like to do ... stick to it . Set goals ..  Always remember that you are human and it may be a struggle .. and that you must take it one day at time. But ask yourself if you are truly putting in the 100 % to getting to your goals.  And as always, check with your doctor before you start any rigourous exercise program !  If you have any questions or need suggestions , be sure to PM me here. I would love to help you.  Tink Hugs to You All !

That is such a great post Tink and it is so true. Thank you for saying what needs to be said. This surgery isn't a magic fix. It should be the first step in a major lifestyle change. You're giving your body a time-out at first to jump start the whole process but then you have to run with it. Maybe you don't get to the point where you run road races like some of us are doing, but you have to do something. Even a brisk mile walk is light years ahead of where you were. Whatever. Your body is meant to move; you have to do it. Your post makes me think of a piece I saw on Carnie WIlson yesterday: http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/11/carnie-wilsons-big-comeback/ When I saw where she was I felt so bad for her. To go through all the pain and trauma of this surgery and its effects and be back where you were. Certainly kudos to her for getting on top of it again. But it can end up right back where you were if you aren't on top of it again. I started on a treadmill the week of my surgery. It took everything I had to walk a mile. I imagine for some even that is a high goal. But now I am four months out; I ran an 8k this month and I am doing a 10k next month. I now do between 40-60 minutes a day of cardio and I life 6 days a week. So, I also encourage everyone to find a target and meet it. And it stick with it. I really am proud to be part of this community and get inspired every day reading about people like you, Tink, who have made it this far, and reading about those who are in the journey like me and heading on their their may like some of the newer people here.

Thanks Blair !  I just looked at the  link. Wow .. I read both of her books , and in her writing she talks the talk .. and knows the keys. This is hard .. harder than any diet .. It may be that for some , getting the head and body in tune is where to start.  I know that if I falter or forget where I come from .. this too could happen to me .  I choose not to look back , but to look forward. Do I have challenges .. yes .. everyday. I am a food addict. I fight it like there is no end .  Go****ruly hope she get's a handle on her re-gain. She is strong... and I am sure wants to get back to her healthy self .  You too inspire many Blair. Just keep contributing .. adding and believing ..  And Thank you .. for being a trusted, confident member here !  Nat

Not sure what the post was about, but stumbled across your response. Anyways.....as you stated, this surgery isn't a magic pill and SO many people think that it is.  They go in thinking that if they just eat smaller amounts that they can lose the weight and keep it off.  I'm sure that there is a small amount that this happens to, but for many of us, we have to work like h*ll to get it off and maintain it.  Exercise is defiantly crucial to that. Plus, once lost the weight, I founf that I actually fell in love with exerciing...the feeling of strength that came with it.  Plus the accomplishment....WOW!  And YOU know that feeling....SHAMROCK 8K, Baby!!! Have you signed up for the Chesapeake 10K yet?  let me know....I may be persuaded to go - hehe.  Ok...all it would take is you saying you will be there. But...you should be so very proud of yourself and the efforts towards being healthier.  Not everyone gets it... Not everyone walks the walk or talks the talk and I am SO glad that you have come out of the gates with the right attitude and the right shoes..... Keep me posted on the Chesapeake 10K.... Are you doing the UKROPS 10K with Joe and myself (there are a few others, I just cannot recall who) on April 4th in Richmond?

Thanks Tink, This was motivational. I've been wanting to check into a couple of gyms in our area. I really need to do this now because my surgery is just 1 month away. I love swimming too. Our local YMCA offer water aerobics, but have never tried that. Have you? Is it a good enough workout? Thanks, Penny

Hi Natalie.  Great post!  You are 100% right.  I did not start exercising regularly until 3 1/2 months out and let me tell you....it has made such a difference in my life.  My body is changing its shape, I am getting healthier, and my stamina is amazing.  I am in that gym five days out of the week, have met great friends there and actually look forward to going!!  I never in a million years thought I would hear myself say that.   Another great thing for us to remember is that exercise also negates some of those daily calories that we eat, thus helps us to loose more weight.   Thank you for reminding us all that exercise is a tool to use along with our RNY 'tool".   Have a great day!

Nancy - I'm about to kick it in with the excercize too so this is so motivational and thank you for sharing what a difference it made. I got a very gentlke talking to about not excercizing when I went for my 3 months, so now it's up to me to kick it in gear!!! Nat - Thanks for posting that.. see my txt message m'friend!  Walk sometime?

Oh my Amanda .. thank you for the text !!  I am here anytime you want to walk .. or go to the gym . Do you have a membership anywhere? If not you can pay 10 bucks and come work out with me at the Pavillion .  They also have Zumba ( Dancing )  Hang in there ... it will come .... just keep knowing what you gotta do .  Love you .  Tink

WHAT?!?!?!?! I've been waiting to see you on the road!   Come on, Girl!!!  Get that rear in gear!  HAHA! You can TOTALLY do this.  I remember you telling me that you wanted to get back into running...well....COME ON!   Joe, Myself and Blair are all waiting for you!

Nancy-- Just checked out your latest pics! You are looking great! Way to go!