exercise

i have not exercised in years.  i used to walk all the time.  i had my surgery over 2 years ago and to make a long story short, haven't reached my goal because of my own stupidity.  i haven't started any kind of exercise program and i am not sure where to start.  my weight loss stopped almost a year ago because i am so inactive.  i do not eat bad, i just do not eat enough therefore have no energy.  i am ready to get back on track, just not sure where to start..any suggestions would be appreciated.  thank you for reading!!
amanda

Start with a meal plan.  If you feel you have no energy because you don't eat enough, consider adding a protein shake or bar.

Then start small with the exercise.  Plan a 15 minute walk or bike ride or something.  Just something really small.  Do it every day for a week.  Then consider where to go next.

thank you for your reply kelly.  i have been in this horrible depression for close to a year now and have just felt so not motivated.  dont really have the support i need at home, so i decided to get back on this website and i am so happy i have.  just to have people reach out to want to help and offer advice, really helps a lot..so thank you

Are you getting treatment for your depression.  I've had depression for most of my life, but sometimes it gets better and sometimes it gets worse.  It's been worse lately, so I totally sympathize.

But of course you don't feel motivated, that's the nature of depression.  Are you getting treatment?  Get treatment, and pick some small little thing to start with the eating or the exercise and just do one small thing every day.

glad you're getting back on track!!!  hope all goes well for you!!  and i agree with kelly!!  start slow with the exercise and definately get help with your depression!

also....do you take your vitamins and get enough protein and water every day??

Starting an exercise plan will make you feel SOOOO much better.  Exercise is the only thing that keeps me sane in my always insane life.  Like Kelly said, start with a small plan and stick with it.  The thing that keeps me motivated is setting small goals for myself.  If walking is good for you start with 1/2 a mile.  When you can accomplish that then try to walk the 1/2 a mile faster.  Keep setting little goals for yourself to keep yourself motivated.  The important thing is to make yourself do it even when you don't want to.  I have to do this a lot and notice that even when I don't want to I end up feeling better afterwards.  Good luck on this part of your journey!  The best is yet to come...

 Remember that the hardest part of exercise is overcoming the inertia (e.g. getting off the couch). Using that knowledge that a body in motion stays in motion may help motivate you knowing that it'll get easier once you're in the middle of exercising..... (of course, I say this using the excuse that I still have weight lifting restrictions as my reason not to start exercising post-op - so I'm a little bit of a hypocrite). Think of what interests you - if you like nature, do walking outside. If you like dancing, take a class. If you don't want the world to see you sweat, do stuff at home.

for me that IS for sure the absolute hardest part.  getting off the couch.  i dare to say i feel like i had more energy when i was 100 lbs heavier.  its not supposed to feel this way and i know that.  i have been thinking about that saying so much lately, a body in motion stays i motion..for the past year i have been almost completely bed ridden.  i am 37 and this is just not right.  i am so happy that i finally logged back on here and am able to talk to other people who understand and who are supportive..thank you

It is never to late to start!  I started 6 months before my surgery and have never stopped....as a matter of fact, I think my fitness wardrobe out numbers real clothes now.

Stop by the exercise and fitness forum--lots of great ideas and wonderful people.

The key to exercise is you need to be consistent, and you need to switch it up.  Ideally work up to exercising 1 hour a day for 6 days a week.  For me, it became "routine" after about a year....now it is just part of my life.  Mix cardio with weight training.  You must build muscle so your body can effectively use food for fuel.  Make sure you are eating enough.  At this point you should have a minimum of 1,200 calories a day (yes, MINIMUM) WITH 40% from protein.  Eat 6 or 7 small meals a day so you don't get hungry.  I literally snack on grilled chicken breasts....the more you eat well, the more you'll crave the good stuff.

Find things you like to do--you will not stick with a plan if you don't enjoy it.  Try walking, speed walking, biking, jogging, yoga, dancing (I can't wait to try the pure barre class!), hiking--the choices are endless.  Start 15 minutes and work up to 1 hour.  Change your lifestyle--park in the back of lots, take the stairs, etc.

6 hours a week is a small price to pay for good health and fitness.  I wish you much success.

Kim

thank you all sooo very  much for taking the time to reply.  kim i think thats exactly right, i need to make it part of my daily routine.  and right now, since it has been so long..i feel i have no inner core strength at all.  its hard for me to even open my protein drink bottle.  thats ridiculous.  i keep saying i need to do it, but my energy level is so low that even taking a shower is hard.  i am 37 years old and really feel like i am dying.  this shouldnt be the way it is.  i have let so many outside stresses and drama's interfer with myself and my health.  i have two beautiful children that i absolutely cannot keep up with.  the main reason i wanted to do this surgery in the first place was to be healthy enough for my children and now i have lost almost 100 lbs and feel like i have less energy then when i was almost 400lbs...i know its NOT supposed to be this way!!  thank you so much for all the encouraging words.  i am starting to feel like i am not a loss cause