Please talk to this exercise hold-out. What do you do for exercise?

Please please please take a vinyasa yoga class.

Changed my whole outlook on exercise,  and kicked my ass too,  in more ways than one.

We only have "regular" yoga down here in the south as far as I know.  And I know I am way far from being able to do yoga.

If I can do a little treadmill and a little use of the Nautilus and work towards an aerobics class or a Zumba class I will be doing good.

I go tomorrow for a tour.

~Becky

No no Becky you are not far from being "able" to do yoga.  There is no such thing.  Take a beginner/intro class and be patient with yourself.  The rewards are so so worth it.  Not only is yoga wonderful exercise,  but it is calming and centering and it opens the body in so many ways.  Give it a shot.

You are most definitely ready for yoga. We're always ready. With yoga is about the journey and not the destination. You just do what you can do. You have to start before you can get better, so whether you start now or a year from now you'll still have to walk before you can run...go for it chica! And Vinyasa flow yoga is just a style of yoga the instructor chooses to teach. There are tons of different yoga styles - pose/hold, flow, power, hot, breath, etc. Vinyasa essentially means that you will "flow" from pose to pose on your inhale and exhale. It's a popular style of yoga so that may very well be what your Y has. They don't always name the style and just use the generic "yoga." label.

Zumba is a great class. I took it preop and had a blast. See if your Y has a "Zumba gold" class. It's more for beginners of the class and they'll go a bit easier on you ;). Some Y's even have Zumba toning. Either way, it's super fun!

Well, I've not had my surgery yet, so I don't know how much what I do matters. I walk around the hood and I'm up to a mile and a half.

one thing I can tell you for sure- find an exercise you actually enjoy as that is the only way you will be able to continue with it. If it is drudgery you are not as likely to. I joined a gym when I was 47 for the first time and it was the best thing I ever did. Well maybe the 2nd best thing after the DS. Getting a personal trainer for the first 6 visits made a big difference. Like the others mentioned here I used the treadmill, elliptical crosstrainer & recumbent bike for cardio for maybe 15-45 minutes builing up endurance and pace over time - over 4 years for me actually. The weight machines I learned one by one and gradually moved up from a low weight to higher weight with less to more repetitions. After a few months I went back to the trainer who then taught me to use some other things to use the muscles differently to crosstrain and strengthen. I had such endorphins at first I felt like I was walking on a cloud when I left. I could do the cardio easier and mindlessly with a tv in front of me or earphones on. I had such high hopes when the trainer told me I could change from a pear shape to hour glass shape. I just hung on to those words while I trained and felt so positive about it. It wasn't hard or painful and I actually enjoyed it and couldnt wait to come back. Sometimes I got tired and took a few days off, always listening to my body. I notice I came back stronger as the muscles healed from the tearing from challenging them more & more. Over time I was surprised to see my waist smaller, my thighs and butt firmer and tighter and I had so much more flexiblity and strength I was elated. I got the gym shoulders and my upper arms and waist got shapelier and more curvy and I was an hour glass not a pear shaped. My only dilemna was I didnt lose weight and got tired after a few years of the personal trainers looking at me like they were wondering why I was still fat. One day it just stopped me in my tracks when I realized this wasnt the answer and I had over 100 pounds to lose. I lost my ambition in that split second. But even tho I havent gone back yet I know that muscle hs memory and I will regain the strength and fitness in less time for having done all the work I did. Even tho that was years ago now I never lost some of the new shape from the work outs and that was surprising. My knees are damaged now but with the weight off it is easier to get around and I will get back to the gym after I get more off in a few more months. Keep a positive attitude as it makes all the difference!

 While at the Y, check out the water aerobics.  Gentle on the joints but still gives you a good workout.

I sure will!  Thanks.

Good luck with the tour--let us know how it goes.

I do want to point out one thing that has come up in this thread that weight-baring exercises are the ones that help with bones.  This doesn't include gravity-defying exercises like swimming.  Not that I think those that are swimming should stop, but if bone health is the goal, make sure to do strengthening exercises, too.

Oh, and yes, exercising allows me to eat more.  On days when I work out REALLY hard...I swear I have a hollow leg and I am eating lots of yummy things because my metabolism has really been kicked up.  

Exercise does help me.  I did it for awhile, then quit, and am now back to it.  The year without it...blehhh.  Gained weight, felt lazy, didn't feel good!  I sleep better and feel better when I am exercising.  But I still hate it!

Thanks Kayla,

Have you noticed how popular your cake shake is becomming? 

I am off this afternoon to tour the Y.

~Becky