What DID You Do To Move?????

Good Morning Peeps............. Times to rub the fairy dust out of yor eyes (ok....it's crust in my eyes, but I like to think that it is fairy dust) and start a brand new day. I decided that today would be a bit different.  Instead of asking you what did you do today....I thought I would ask you what did you do to move when you first started out or as you progressed along on your journey.  Also....how did you overcome youe fitness challenges? We have alot of newbies who come here looking for support and motivation , plus, there are many of us who are constantly looking to change things up and need new ideas. So....here we go................... When I first started out, I was walking on the treadmill.  As my weight came down, I started doing Turbo Jam (Ya, Baby!) and really got my rear in gear.  I swear that my abs were in good shape for surgery because of Turbo Jam.  Plus, Turbo Jam gave me to staminia to persue running. Fortunatly, my children are older, so I could not hide behind them to avoid fitness.  But, I still had the challenge of putting myself first.  So...I have had to go back and completely change how I think.  I am important enough to be first for 1 hour every day.  So, from 700pm to 800pm....I am first to do what I want to do.  If I choose to not workout that day, then I do something else....a hot bath.....go to my studio.....etc.  I AM that important. Ok....now you!

Yea !! A post I can respond to while healing .. Ok here goes .  When I first started out, I was lucky I could walk to the mail box and back without passing out. I swear to you. But each day after surgery, I added a little further... then a little further. During this time I was living in an apartment complex that had a huge drive way. About 2.5 miles. I started out walking that... and like the mail box. I got further and further. By month 3 I was doing the entire 2.5 miles with no problem .  I remember one day in autumn, I had gotten my X husband to go with me walking... and the entire time he was complaining... OMG he would not shut up... so what did I do... I started running... running as hard as I could to get away from him ... so before I knew it.. I was so mad .. I had ran about a mile ... so after the run .. I looked at him and said .. “Thanks for motivating me .. tomorrow we do another mile " .... LOL .. I swear to you it worked ... He later told me he had never seen me run to anything except for the buffet at Golden Corral .. and was proud of me . So by Christmas I was able to do 3 miles .  I had been following a fitness magazine that had tackled the subject of “plateaus" This was something in the 18 months of weight loss I never experienced  ... and here is why I think. After reading the article ... it said to beat the weight stall.. to change up your exercise program .. add more protein  .. and up the water .. so I did this every 4 weeks. I went from running .. to swimming everyday .. at the gym .. I would do 15 laps .. water walk .. water run .. and guess what .. by month 6 .. I had lost 100 pounds !!!  I just kept up the same routine not letting myself get bored . This is the key . With all of this .. and my desire to not fail .. In 15 months I had lost 140 pounds .. By Month 18 .. I had lost 200 pounds . I owe it all to me taking responciblity for my weight loss .. Keeping it fun and real .. not putting goals that I could not handle .. and just having fun .  So to all of you new-post ops or those thinking about surgery .. 4 years ago .I was the least person you would ever expect to see in a gym . I was the  least expected to see running .. I now get disappointed ( Jill knows this all to well ) when  I cannot run . It is addictive .. the way that exercise makes you feel .. IS AWESOME ..  If you do not have access to a gym .. Make one from your home . Walk around your kitchen . Walk around your neighborhood . Park far away at the Malls .. Carry in all the groceries ... If you want to do some weight training .. try lifting cans of food ... start out simple .. and work your way up to a 5 lb bag of sugar .. yea it sounds crazy .. but I promise . .you get moving .. that weight will come off .. and you will be a star baby ..  Ok .. now .. I am going to go move to the spare bedroom and fold clothes .. as I am still on the injured list .. but not for long !!!  Thanks Jill for this awesome post !!  Natalie

Ok, I am REALLY late replying this pm but I had a "loopy" morn due to meds. Anyhow - I tell you what I was really afraid of blood clots and for some reason NOT getting the weight off even though I'd had surgery and had lost even before I left the hospital. So, I walked, walked, walked and each day I pushed myself a bit more each day. It was very cold and snowy but I made a point even when it was real snowy and not a good idea cause of ice to walk up and down my hallway and up/down at least 1/2 way initially of our stairs leading up to the finished attic. Once the weather cleared a bit it was back outside. Gotta say there is something bout cold air making me move my rear for sure!!! I also loved the fact my neighborhood had hills and so it made for an interesting challenge. I tried to take a different route often to keep me from getting bored. I love that you are taking time for yourself! Sometimes it's easier said than done unless you MAKE yourself take the time. I must say its made my life better to take time out for ME. All best....

I joined the Y in 2004 - years before WLS.  Although I worked out sporadically (I would have weeks with no work outs****pt at it with a lot of cardio and a little weight training.  I quickly nixed step aerobics (wow! the moves made my head spin!).  Five days after surgery, I was back at the gym.  It was too freaking hot and humid outside to walk and I knew I could work the anesthesia out of my system better working on the treadmill or bike. I now try to keep to a M-W-F weight training routine and throw in some cardio either on T-Th or at the end of weight training.  HOWEVER, I have not reached the point where I enjoy the exercise or crave it if I can't.  Sorry, I'm a born and bred couch potato who HATES to sweat!  The point is, you don't have to enjoy it to do it.  It's part of the medical program to lose weight, be healthy, and maintain the weight loss.  Exercise/protein/water = medicine.