How much is too much?

Eileen,

Not being able to exercise is one of the worst things about trying to lose weight.  I depend upon walking and dancing to keep my stress level down.  At work, if I get stressed, I take a long walk.  If I didn't have that ability, I would probably resort to food.  It probably doesn't help that you are somewhat limited to social opportunities.  Are you still trying to find a different job or a job in a different location? 

Yeah, I'm still looking for a job. I send out resumes, at least a couple of week (sent out two today).

As for social opportunities, I have my one friend here, the woman who gave me Juliette. I like hanging out with her. The last couple of days, when I had off, I was so tired, I could barely move.

One of the reasons that I have not had my hips or knees replaced is because I am afraid that I will be like you and have all the complications.  There are some gyms that have modified classes for people who are not able to do a lot of moving.  Can you do water exercises?  

Yeah, and I'd like to get in a pool. But the pool here at the apt. complex is outdoor. It's too hot in the summer (100 degrees) to be outside, even in water, by the time I get up. (I know, an excuse.) And right now, can't afford to join a club that has an indoor pool, which I would prefer.
Maybe in my next life ...

I was talking about this with a friend back in Michigan, and she said the same thing about her knees (she has the same ortho doc as the guy who did my revision). She won't let him touch her knees other than to give her cortisone shots. Wish I'd done the same.

some doctors will write prescriptions for pool therapy.  Also, the boys and girls clubs and ymca provide free and discounted prices for people who cannot afford the price.  When we had custody of our grandson, we were able to get a huge discount at the boys club and every evening, DH and I would take baby Mathew to the pool.  Since then, and now that I can afford it, we now are able to pay for our family membership and I have never forgotten their charitableness to us, so I make their brochures for them and do any writing or edit their writing.  I also contribute a little money every year so that some family can have the ability to do like we us.  In the spring, I am helping do a fundraiser just for scholarships for families who cannot pay.  While boys club is free or very cheap to children living below the poverty line, there are tons of kids in the middle class income whose parents cannot afford the full fee for their children.  

But check out your insurance and see if you can qualify for the insurance to pay.  

Also, my friend does chair exercises to video that she found online.  That might be a way to go  

Not being able to walk for very far has to be extremely limiting to not only exercising but also activities of daily living.  I hope you are able to get into some indoor pool activity. 

Hi,

    Thanks for posting. It is a very good reminder to me. I just want to ask you, "what are glider foods."   Thanks, Mag

Glider foods are those foods like crackers or chips or creamed potatoes.  They slide or glide through the pouch so that you can eat more.  I avoid all gliders because you can actually eat a lot of those as opposed to meat, which has to stay in your pouch for a bit.  

We are all different that is for sure.
I am fighting regain. No excuses, just life and like all of us I like to eat. But food is not my friend.
Exercise is.
So it took me 2 years to get to a size 6...now I'm a size 12/14
Life happened:
am I a failure? Nope.
I'll get back down when I exercise like I use to and that was 3 hours a day.
Further out, we can eat more. Further out...it's all about calories in and exercise.
Currently I can't eat fiber foods due to scar tissue and adhesion's. Slider foods is what I can tolerate and I'm used to eating steak and salads. Life changes and crap happens.
So now I have to make some decisions for me. Sure I can lose weight by drinking protein shakes, Greek yogurt and keeping under 1,000 calories a day. But dang, I miss my exercise and I'm going to get back to the gym ASAP!
Calories in/calories out and move to lose. No magic bullets, not even WLS folks and that's the truth. YOU can out eat any WLS. Period the end.
We have to do the work.
Now...what to you term Success?
I'm a success forever...and so are the rest of you.

I didn't mean to imply that success is only defined in one way.  When they did the revision to give me more absorption, and I started gaining weight, I kept saying, it's okay.  I need to gain, and even if I gain a lot of weight, there is no way that I will ever get as big as I was before wls.  For me, I want to stay where I am at and not for the size of clothes or the number; it is how I feel.  So, for me success is how do I feel and what can I do now that I couldn't do before.  

I agree that the best way to keep ahead of the pounds is take in less and put out more.  I do not exercise three hours a day, but I do run on the treadmill three or four times a week and I do zumba three times a week, which takes about two hours.  One night a week, my gay friend and I do ballroom dancing.  

So, yep.  I realized that moving is the only way that I am going to be good and healthy.  

It sounds like you know what you need and know how to improve your situation.  

I guess, over the last couple of years, I have really paid attention to the talk on this forum that relates to gaining or stalling and I thought if we all examine what it is that we have done, what we are doing, and what we really want to do, then we might can become a little directed toward where we want to be.  

I am happy for my gay boyfriend: he keeps me moving.  Plus, he can really do wonders with my nails and hair.   

It's okay, I knew you weren't knocking any of us at all.

Dancing is a great way to keep off the weight. I use to teach line dancing for years. I even did competition locally. I was the loud fluffy crazy dance instructor that no one was intimidated by! LOL I could get the dance floor crowded all the time.
I even filled in for a young guy supposedly teaching line dance, he was overworked (just a college kid) and asked me to fill in for him one day when we were at sea. I had the pool side all dancing and the cruise director came up and said "how did you get this dance going?" Told him I was a dance instructor in Michigan, teaching at the church gym and local bars. She offered me a job but told her I love Michigan but I'd contact the cruise-line when I retire. LOL
By the end of the cruise the man I was with (just a friend and no fringe benefits I might add) who danced with me said "you are crazy" and yes I am. I love love to have fun and love to dance too.
Everyone thought he was my hubby and I told them, nope and if you want to dance with him just grab him and have fun...needless to say the man I was with (a retired school teacher) was kinda shy. He'd never line dance with me but the dude can East and West Coast swing!!
Even the 2 old gents they hired to dance with the single ladies would seek me out to dance with them and ask about learning some moves. Nice old guys but very bad breath! Ugh!

Heck, maybe I'll get my butt to the gym and do some Zumba this week. I have to pick my grandson up from school this week so maybe I can get to Zumba and be just a little late.
I do love water aerobics and can work out just fine in the water. No more Butts and Guts class for me, I had the dry heaves after working out hard, my gut couldn't take it and I'm saying Uncle there! And thank goodness I love to walk.

I'm happy you have a wonderful gay friend who dances and can work your nails and hair! Every gal needs a friend! Hugs Debbie