WORK-OUT BUDDY

I haven't been working out since June. I keep reading stories about WLS recipients who have gained their weight back; some like 110 lbs. I need someone who will be just as dedicated as myself and surrender themselves to the act of working out in the early morning. If this is you, please let me know. Thanks.

Cheryce, I'm in Utah so can't be your physical work out buddy, but, I do post the "Gym Is Open" post each day where we all post what we did. It is an accountability thing. Please feel free to participate if you want. I, too, really fear the return of the weight. I think that exercising is the key here!!! You may want to try working with a personal trainer to get you started and motivated if you can't find a workout buddy. Also, I've made many workout buddies at the gym I go to just by being friendly. If you go at the same time each day, you tend to see the same people. I just want to encourage you to get started and stay consistent whatever it takes! Good luck! Lori 384/235/199

I work out in the morning I am up by 4:30 no later than 5 am and i am working out atleast until 6:15am. Sorry not in your area but I can motivate you Lorraine

Working out in the early am is the only way to go for me. Too many things come up after work and besides I like the feeling I have all day knowing my work out IS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I get up at 4:20 and either go to gym or walk in neighborhood if pressed for time. You can do it. It gives me so much more energy. It's still really hard to get up and do though. But I have never regreted working out. I have regreted not getting up to work out. Good luck Denise

Denise, I have to do my workout in the morning as well. And yes it is hard to get up...but, like you, I've never regretted working out once I've done it! Good for you! Lori

Okay ladies; I've started today. I started working out at 7, it only lasted for 30 min. That's cool with me though, cause just for this week I'm gonna start out slow and then work my way up. 1.5 miles was good for the first day back. Thanks for the encouragement.

You can do it, Cheryce!!! You go Girl! Hugs, Tracy P.S. I'm a dedicated worker-outer but I exercise in the evenings. It helps me de-stress, relax, and sleep real good after a nice rigorous workout.

The day that I said I started the very next day was the last day. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why can't I stay motivated??????????? I've been eating sweets more now than ever; even before WLS. What do I do? This has really been making me deep-pressed.

Okay, time for some tough love here. There's no magic words, no magic pill, no easy-button. You just have to do it - today, tomorrow, the next day, the day after that, every day until it becomes a part of your life just like going to your job, cooking for your family, and brushing your teeth. Exercise will "not" be fun at first. You will dread doing it and that is natural - I think we all dreaded it. But, we often have to force ourselves to do the things that are good for us. Don't you have to force yourself to eat right and take your vitamins? DO NOT listen to the little voice telling you that you are too tired, too busy, too depressed, too this, too that, blah, blah, blah, to work out. Stop letting negativity rule your life. No one is asking you to exercise for hours and hours on end. No one is asking you to go out and join an expensive gym if you don't want to. No one is asking you to run a marathon. No one is asking you to become a body builder. Just start out with a 10 or 15 minute walk EVERY DAY. Every week add three to five minutes to your daily walk and try to walk a little faster. If you don't want to walk outside, get yourself a Leslie Sansone Indoor walking tape. They are excellent. You don't need a lot of space and she takes you through a good indoor walk incorporating some upper body movements. It's fantastic for new exercisers. Heck, email me your address and I will give you one of her tapes as a gift because I have a gazillion of them. Don't worry too much about toning right now, but after a few months cardio will become a "habit" for you and you can expand your program to SLOWLY add in some crunches, squats, arm work, whatever you like to start toning up a bit. But it is critical to start walking, keep walking, and don't stop for anyone or for any reason. Working out is something to do because you LOVE yourself enough to want to be healthy. It's not some form of punishment. Do you know that you're robbing yourself of good health every time you let the day slide by without some form of exercise? Aren't "you" worth the effort? Of course you are!!!!! Stop the excuses. Stop the negative self-talk. Stop the depression. Get off the pity-pot, pull on your sneakers and hit the pavement for 15 minutes today, tomorrow, that day after that, the day after that, every single day until they put you in a pine box. I "PROMISE" you that in due time, you will look forward to your walks. It may take a month it may take a year, but the change in your body, the change in your energy, and the sense of accomplishment you will feel every time you finish working out will become addictive and you will come to enjoy it very much. Success breeds success and that is a fact! Love ya, Sistah! Send me your add'y and I'll drop that tape in the mail. Hugs, Tracy