I am almost 2 months out and have lost 35 pounds. But it isn't easy. I have long stalls- like 1-2 weeks- then lose a couple lbs and then stall again. It seems I've been at 199 forever, but my posts show I was at 206-208 for three weeks before the scale moved again. Slow and frustrating. From these forums, I have learned that being a light weight to start with is probably why. In the beginning if you have a lot of weight to lose, you burn more calories because you have a bigger body to move.

I should be exercising regularly, and I'm trying to like that.  I try to stay under 800 calories a day. If anyone can answer this question I'd appreciate it.  IF I don't exercise and stay under 800 calories, will I continue to lose? Do I HAVE to workout or cut calories? I am 57 years old so I do realize my metabolism burn is almost nil.

Don't think of exercise as a weight loss tool - think of it as a health tool!   You don't have to be a gym bunny or marathon runner, but all of us should strive to do at least 10k steps per day.

If you have never exercised at all, plan to get out and walk every day - find a route that takes you 30 mins to start and then build up - I walk my two dogs every morning and have my 10k steps done before 10am ...

Unless it's dangerous (icy) don't let the weather stop you - I walk in all temperatures - just throw on another layer/hat/gloves/ etc - exercise isn't just for the summer months!  Once it warms up, I cycle as well as walk.   

This is all to keep me a fit and healthy 52 year old - not to lose or even maintain my weight loss - but to keep my heart and lungs and muscles healthy as I move towards my more golden years ;-)

Of course you'll continue to lose if you stay under 800 calories a day.  You probably need more calories than that, though.  But sure, as long as you burn more than you take in, you'll lose.  You'll just loose more and be healthier if you do exercise.

I second the walking suggestion.  Not just to lose weight, but it is great for your mind as well.  I hated exercise in any form before surgery.  I find that now I'm not gung ho about it but there are things like hiking that I just love. Perhaps it's because I can do a 5 mile hike with such ease.  Also, it's up to you but just a suggestion.  Stop weighing yourself for awhile.  At two months out the only times I had been weighed were if I were visiting my surgeon or my nutritionist. If I had a stall, I never knew it because I wasn't weighing. I started out around the same weight as you. The weight loss is slower than some others, but it's faster than any other time in my life that I've tried to lose weight.  Exercise will help you in a lot of ways even if it doesn't speed up your weight loss. 

You are right.  I weigh myself two times a week and only twice a week and even that may be too much.  But it works for me right now. 

800 calories doesn't sound like enough food.  How many calories did your surgeon tell youto take in daily?

I fluctuate on exercise, but do like to swim so that is what I try to get to the gym to do weekly.

Best of luck to you.

I was sick this past weekend so I stayed home and drank a lot of fluids. I usually have a hard time getting all my fluids in.  Two days later when I weighed I was down 3 lbs. so I definitely believe fluid intake helps. 

HI!  I am 10 months out so I believe I can speak to this.

First, the only way to know "for sure" is to have your resting metabolic rate determined. I did this once when I was at Mayo. They put this helmet on me and I just had to sit there for 20-30 minutes (I think) .  They measured something (maybe Co2?) and determined that my metabolism was 80% of the average person (i.e. I burned 20% less calories than a normal person). One can calculate their needed calories from there when one has this percentage.

Next, on exercise. I am with KIM.  Listen to what she said. Also, consider vigorouse nontraditional forms  of exercise to get you started ...for example mowing the lawn, raking leaves, trimming shrubbery and gardening. Cleaning house as well..scrubbing the floors on your hands and knees.  

I never used to liek exercise either..but I did it to keep my heart healthy when obese and for a social outlet. It made a difference immediately after surgery. I was walking when others were still beridden and the nurses didnt worry about pneomia (sp) with me because I was up walking and talking.

I HATED jogging when I was obese (it hurt) ..previously loved it in my former skinny life, now I love it again. I dont love it everyday but I love how it took 2 INCHES off my hips in ONE MONTH even though my weight stayed the same.

You may find exercise is so much more enjoyable when you weigh less than when MO.  The effort/exerction that I put in as a MO person on the LOW step in step aerobics is SIGNIFICANTLY MORE than the effort I put in as a thinner person on the MEDIUM HIGH step in step aerobics. 

Yep...you read that right.  The "easy" setting when MO was significantly harder than the "hard" setting when skinny.

Well gotta go. I am off for my 9 MILE RUN. Yep. I am purposely running 9 miles today. It is called long, slow (really slow) distance and it helps burn fat instead of glycogen. Today..i am jogging slow for a really long period of time to burn fat and reduce my overall body fat percentage.

-Skinny

Thanks to all for your responses. I actually go to support my obese brother--when he goes. He's 50 and also considering WLS, but neither one of us like to workout, and so find reasons not to .  I will be more diligent in finding something active I can enjoy.  And thanks for the advise on liquids--I really have a hard time getting them in, probably don't succeed at drinking 64oz more than once a week. Oookaaay.

HOw about skating? Snow shoeing?  Walking in the woods?