Need encouragement to get motivated!!

Hi all.. I had my surgery June 3rd 2014.  HW 216 SW 200 CW 164..  I have been in a stall for a few weeks now and I just can't seem to get motivated to exercise.  I know that is what I really need, but I just still don't have as much energy as I would like to have.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Stalls are normal though very frustrating, I get where you are coming from. Make sure you continue to (or start) tracking your food. Weigh and measure everything. It really makes a difference.

As for exercise, try not to think of it as "EXERCISE".  Rather, try to fit in 3 10-minute walks per day. That can be as easy as walking around the block once or twice at lunchtime and again after work, or, going for a neighborhood walk. Park your car at the far side of the lot when getting groceries or visiting the mall. Those bursts of activity accumulate and will benefit you as much as one 30 minute session.

I still suffer from fatigue issues and I'm almost 6 months out, but, I can manage those 10 minute sessions no problem and they all count as exercise. Also, I have a Fitbit wristband that tracks my steps and it helps me to aim for certain goals each day.

Remember, it doesn't have to be about going to a gym or signing up for classes, if that doesn't interest you. Its about getting in more activity than you used to. Moving more, bending more, finding ways to get in more activity per day. It will get easier as you do it and you may find yourself craving it more and struggling less.

Take care.

I hated the idea of exercise when I started my Weight loss process.  I associated exercise with discomfort, and being as heavy as I was, I had a lot of back and joint pain as well as little energy. 

I decided that if I was going to do something as drastic as removing over half my stomach, I was going to follow the program and that meant exercising.  So I found an exercise I could tolerate which was the recumbent bike.  And I used two strategies that worked well for me.

1.  I exercised every day - no exceptions.  If I allowed exceptions, the exceptions would rule the day.  I tend to miss a day or two a month, but mostly, I do it every day.

2.  I don't have to exercise long - If I really don't want to do it, I tell myself - "three minutes and you can quit if you want to."  Just getting started is the hardest part.  Once I'm started, I will usually continue.  Now I exercise about 20 minutes a day everyday.  But I worked up to it from 3 or  minutes a day.

So I'd suggest, if you are having trouble getting started, find an exercise you can tolerate, and then just do it for a few minutes every day.  It will get easier with time.

best wishes,

Carol

I only feel fatigue when I don't exercise! Don't let that you're tired be an excuse. That's all it is.an excuse

Exercise is like a prescription. I don't have to like to take it, but I have to do it. No excuses, whether I want to or not. Coddling myself and comforting myself with food and a sedentary lifestyle got me to almost 400 pounds. No more.

Thanks everyone!!  I know I can do this, its just getting started.  I do find that if I do exercise, I seem to have more energy for that day!  Just got to do it!!!

It took me a couple of months to finally get moving.  Like suggested above, just go walk for 5 minutes even if you are tired.  Once you get moving, it gets easier.  I also believe that exercise while not formally prescribed, is highly recommended by your surgeon much like vitamins. 

I would also add, go get fitted for a good pair of running shoes.  Running shoes are recommended even if you only walk like me.  Good shoes make a world of difference.  If there is a "The Athlete's Foot" in your area, I highly recommend them.  They will make sure you get the right shoes and will let you try on as many pairs as you like.   They have you walk across a pressure pad and the computer will show what shoe would be best for you.  Be prepared to spend 2 to 3 times($120-150) what you would normally spend on shoes, but you are worth the money.

Finally, once you get moving, set a goal.  I started with 1 mile per day in July and now my goal is 2.25 miles per day.   Now, that is an average, so if I take a day off, I have to make up for it.