What are you doing to move on Monday?

Happy Monday SMO'ers! Time to think about your plan to get moving today or at least this week. I'm doing my Curves workout today. Have a great week everyone! Mercy 428/408/315/180

Hi Mercy, Do you think that Curves really helps you? I was going and stopped because I just could not handle the extra work due helping out with my brother's hospice care when he was dying of cancer. I am still pre-op but I am 370 and jus tafraid to go back. I am thinking I will be so embarassed because I have not been there in soooo long. Thanks you for any information that you provide!!! Monica F.

Hi Monica, The only regrets I have with Curves is that I didn't start sooner! I started Curves 6 weeks post op weighing 395lbs. I think the thing that sold it for me was that I saw another SMO'er exercising (not as large as I was, but exercising nonetheless). Back then, my goal was to make it there 3 days a week (their recommendation). I wasn't fast, but I was steady. My hope was that working out would become a habit, part of my daily routine, instead of the chore it was back then. Now, exactly 6 months later, I weight 315lbs now, I go 4 times a week, it's no longer a chore, but truly a habit that comes first before making any other plans. I really enjoy working out. It took me a while to figure out that even if I dragged myself to Curves (feeling tired), I always finished feeling better than when I first got there and with more energy if you can believe that. Don't be embarassed about going back. One thing I have noticed and am grateful for is whenever I've tried a fitness endeavor, ie. walking in the park, or working out at Curves, complete strangers have been so very encouraging to my efforts to get healthy. Curves is a perfect place to get started. It's very user friendly and non intimidating. I'm obligated to attend for a year, by then I figure I'd be confident enough to try a more traditional gym because I would like to try and lift weights. In the meantime, I have built up stamina and muscle (important for your metabolism and your heart!). I had the lap band placed and knew that the band would be significantly slower than the bypass, but I truly believe that I'm doing so well because I workout on a regular basis at Curves. Good luck and let me know if you're going to take the plunge again. Mercy 428/408/315/180

I'm going to do my first CUrves workout today at 5:30 Wish me luck I think I may need it Take care, Anita

Good luck, I promise you'll do fine. Just remember, concentrate on moving, not moving fast, but just moving. Early on, my focus was on learning how to work the machines correctly. After I mastered that, then I concentrated on holding in my stomach muscles while jogging/walking on the recovery boards. Then I concentrated on holding in my stomach muscles on the machines. Then I moved on to standing up straight, head up, shoulders back while jogging on the recovery boards. Now I'm concentrating on proper breathing techniques during my workout (sometimes it's easy to forget to breathe while you're working hard at a machine). I did each stage until it became habit and I didn't have to think about it. Now, during the day, my posture is alot better than it used to be now that I stand up straight, shoulders back, and have my head up. Alot more people talk to me now in passing or at least smile. I think that's probably because I'm actually meeting their eyes when before I didn't used to. Now I need to work on sitting up straight in my chair at work. Let us know how it went for you. Mercy

I'm about a month out from abdominoplasty, so I'm still working my way back to my grueling exercise regimen. On Monday I did: 45 minutes on treadmill @2.5 mph 15 minutes ellipitcal glider 15 minutes hand pedaler 15 minutes recumbent stationary bike. Best of luck. Kasey 365/215/195 (nonop)

WOWOWO I want to be like you when I grow up or grow smaller... lol Mercy