OK Beginners I have posted quite a lot of good and easy exercises. I haven't seen any new postings in the What's Your Workout Today threads lately. So here is what I want to know:

1. Have you started exercising?

2. How often are you exercising?

3. What are you doing?

You need to be at the very least walking 30 minutes a day. If you have not started that please PM me so I can yell at you in private.

C'mon I want to see a lot of responses to this post. If you read this then I expect a response because it means you are a beginner and you were looking to see what you should be doing!

I'm bad, so bad!!! My mind really wants too, I think!!!!!

Remember, showing up is half the battle. Put a pair of sneakers on, a jacket if it is cold where you are and walk out your front door. You are now ready to walk. I dare you not too.

I'm having surgery next week!  I know we are able to start walking right away, but how long after your surgery did you wait to start doing sit-ups, lifting weights and doing more intense cardio? 

You will want to wait 8 full weeks before sit-ups and weights. Your doctor will clear you for exercise after about 3 weeks and full exercise after about 6 but for the sake of your incisions you should wait 8 weeks to eliminate the risk of herniating your incisions points. I am speaking from experience here and I can tell you it sucks. If you had hernia surgery which is not all that different from VSG in terms of what they cut, then your doc would tell you 8 weeks. I am not sure why the protocol is not the same but I try to warn people now. The intense cardio you can start doing somewhere between 3 and 6 weeks as you feel up to it. I wouldn't start doing hill runs or extreme biking but a moderate jog if you can handle it or walking on a treadmill with incline.

In the mean time walk as much as you can now.

Good Morning,

I am walker, was before I even had the surgery. But was just informed by my Dr. I have to see a specialist. Looks like I have a stress fracture on my right foot, so walking is out, there goes my half marathon on Sunday. So, anyways after I see the specialist on Thursday I was going to tell you what I can do and what I can't do and see if you can help me design a workout program. Just not sure how bad it is yet. He predicts I will be in a boot for at least 6 weeks. I know stupid me, I kept walking and doing my 5K's even with the pain.

Certainly, just let me know what you find out. You might get lucky and get away with some inserts for your shoes to take the pressure off. Just make sure to mention that you are active and have been pushing through the pain. Some stress fractures there is nothing you can do about. I played a year of softball through one and one day it just stopped hurting.

Hi Keith!

I am 10 weeks out..and my weight loss has been very slow. I KNOW i need to step it up.

I do have lung issues and wear oxygen..so sometimes that slows me down a bit.

I am in a Tai Chi class and practice it daily...we are in the beginning though..so..8 moves doesn't take too long. Just got to keep repeating for maybe 15 minutes. My husband dug out my 5 lb weights and I started working out with them and also doing standing push ups(10)  ...standing in front of the kitchen counter at an angle and pushing up.

Can my 30-60 minutes of exercise be broken up during the day and if so..what would you suggest as a minimum (15 min) ?

I also have a nice treadmill ...it is calling my name..but I keep ignoring it. I just need to DO IT! 

-Sheri

Well the oxygen is certainly a challenge but a challenge with probably a benefit. You will burn calories faster because your oxygen level is probably higher than the average person. Oxygen is a key component to calorie burn.

Tai Chi is great and as you get more of the form down you will definitely start to sweat. I learned it in college and I remember on my final walking out soaked in sweat. You might also want to consider Yoga because it is also a good way to burn calories and not totally different from Tai Chi.

The counter pushups are great, keep it up, stronger muscles burn more calories. You might want to consider some form of squats for your legs too, they are bigger muscles.

Walking can absolutely be broken up. Its total time that is important not when you get it. In you case I would think you probably should break it up. The treadmill is a good way to drive improving that walking time. Just put your incline up to 1% as most treadmills do not accurately simulate walking on the ground, by increasing the incline just a little bit will make it more like walking outside, otherwise the belt is just moving your feet.

Sounds like you are doing a great job getting your exercise even with your challenges.

GREAT JOB!

Thanks Keith.

I didn't know that about the oxygen...so that in itself motivates me! 

Squats are a really good suggestion..I can use the kitchen counter or a chair for balance. Before I became ill with pulmonary hypertension...I used to stand back against the wall and do squats.

Thanks for the encouragement.