Exercise... when do you do it and how do you get motivated?

[MonarchCat]

I am not yet sleeved... looking toward hopefully end of April. I need to start incorporating exercise into my life and am not motivated to do so. Part of the problem for me (as it is for so many) is finding the time! Job, kids, etc... all the regular excuses.

I think what would work well is to get up earlier than I do now, say 6am, and jump on the treadmill for 1/2 hour (which, conveniently, is 3 feet from my bed). However, I HATE mornings and it's hard enough to get out of bed at 6:45am now. I am hoping I can force myself into a routine that I will eventually enjoy. The "enjoy" part mostly being that I will get it over with early lol.

For those who have managed to incorporate exercise into their lives successfully, HOW have you done it? And are you sleeved yet or not, and if so, how does it differ from before you were sleeved? Do you find having the energy to exercise, especially in the morning, difficult?

[lshepler]

I must admit, I have yet to develop a consistent exercise routine. In the summer I was very active on my bike and would regularly ride 10-30 miles. I injured my knee and that put me out at the end of the season and I've yet to set up a routine. I have been hugely successful nonetheless; I reached my goal weight just this morning! I think your plan sounds like a good one though. If you get the treadmill done first thing you are practically done before you've fully awakened! Best of luck to you!

[ACE]

I too hate mornings i try to tell myself i am going to be up at 5 to see my husband off to work and them have 2 children free hours to exercise and shower. but when 5 am comes i roll back over and sleep lol. I was sleeved in september and i have not exercised like i was told to. I do notice when i stall in my loss and usually then i try things like walking on my toes (i posted about this b4 but i lift my heels off the floor like one inch and try to stay that way everywhere i am on my feet. i have noticed a huge difference with in days. My balance got better by day 4 and i felt stronger that fast too. it became more comfortable to walk around that way and i notice i dance when music is on now (i never danced b4 ) its like my body likes being on my toes my legs look a lot smaller from doing it and its so easy to work into your everyday life. I try to also concentrate on doing just a little more than i normally do each day. like if there is a toy on the floor and i should pick it up i tell myself just do it and then i feel good because i did something more and i have found after 2 weeks of that i do a lot more without noticing and my everyday life is easier because i made myself work just a little bit harder. hope this helps

[devilishlilcat]

You start off small. Do something you feel good doing. Sometimes that means trying something new to find out wheather or not you like doing something. Set small goals that are accomplishable yet enough to be proud about. Set your mind to improving your skills: run further, walk faster, run without stopping for a breather, swim more laps... It build from there but it has to be something you think you can enjoy doing. Been down that road many times and it only starts when you're ready (you have to set aside time for this) and want to feel good about yourself (which is probably why you're asking.)

I'm sleeved for diabetic reason and I'm 12 days post-op. I can't wait to go snowboarding and surfing again! Those are what I do for fun. Every now and then I feel I need to swim three miles under two hours like I use to to stay in shape but when ive been lazy and haven't hit the pool for a year or more, I can bearly do a couple laps. But I start off small, enjoy the little accomplishments everytime I tried. Enjoy my workout and a month later I'm doing 3 miles, not in two hours but I finish 3 miles. Same with running.

Now that I have had the sleeve I don't feel I NEED to work my body to death to feel good -like I use to feel I had to. ( if that makes any sense at all.)

[angel2206]

The main trick is to find something you enjoy, that you do not find grueling. If we hate it, most of us won't do it. I know I like high-impact group classes, like cardiokickbox or Zumba, so I do that.

For me, I can't work out at my house. Too easy to get distracted and make excuses. It is amazing how incredibly dire it is that my sock drawer get organized, or the top shelves get dusted, when it is exercise time! So I have to go off-site. If a gym costs too much, look into a community center or YMCA.

At one time I was able to manage workouts in the morning for a while, but I generally do better with bringing a gym bag to work and doing it on the way home. That way I don't have to get up early. I won't even get up early for sex, who am I kidding that I will do it to RUN?

I find a visual helps. I got a calendar, and some foil star stickers (like the ones teachers use). I would put a star on the calendar for each day that I worked out. My original goal of 2-3 days a week was being met, so I gradually increased it. It feels good to put that star on there, and seeing them all at once is motivating.

Last tip: trick yourself. If you do not feel like working out, tell yourself you will only do it for 10 minutes. Once you start you will want to do more (as long as you like it).

I have not been sleeved yet, but my surgery is next Friday

[devilishlilcat]

I use to eat a lot and my body processed food quickly, giving me a boost of energy I feel I need burning or I'll just get fat. I work out a lot and ate a lot. It was a vicious cycle to stay thin. That's what diabetes can do to you. You go through that until you've exhausted your system and the sugar wins and just takes over. (some people never even put up a fight!) Thank god for sleeve! I'm free from that cycle!

[cowgirljane]

You have gotten some great advice. The only suggestion I would add is to set aside a specific time or schedule an appointment with your self for exercise. It is so easy to let other things take priority.

I have also successfully used the trick of saying "just 10 minutes" to make myself do it. Once I am warmed up and going, I feel good about excercising and would go much longer.

I used to exercise very regularly, but haven't gotten back in the swing post surgery yet myself, except for some easy walks. I keep using the excuse that I am too tired... but that is a self fullfilling prophesy. Exercise usually ups your energy.

[Dana]

What motivated me before surgery was knowing how not being so weak would help my recovery. I walked in place a lot, high stepping, til I had an aerobic effect going on. And I used straps and tai chi to strengthen my core. I barely got a good start on it but after surgery I was able to get around pretty good. Getting up and down with cuts on your tummy can be hard if you are weak. After surgery I was all gung ho and coldnt wait to start working my butt off, but I'm still just walking, outside and in place. I still do the tai chi and straps and I feel good. I'm 44 and have arthritis so I may. Always do tai chi instead of tai bo but its working for me right now. I'm really no help with inspiring a schedule, I actually go to work to rest! I have lots of time at work to exercise and I do most of it there. But I hope to give you a reason to begin now and realize you don't have to work out like you are already in shape. You will have time for that later and feel more like it after you lose some weight. Even if you don't get motivated yet, its coming, you will feel lots better in a few short months and you can begin then. Best wishes!

[AmyR]

I was just released for full exercise and start with my trainer tomorrow. My doctor told me weights before cardio....due to burning calories and I don't consume that many. I have a husband, clients and 2 kiddos....I have a gym that has a "kids club" and my kids go there or I go in the morning while they are at school. I am not a morning person either, but then in the evening I used the excuse, "I am so tired from work, I have to make dinner, and clean from dinner and take care of kids, etc" You can find an excuse for everything!!! So mornings has worked better for me! GOOD LUCK

[Camscrib20]

I am not a morning person i have sd many times i will get up at 6 and work out b4 work but who am i kidding not gonna happen so i work my 10-7 shift and then make myself go to the gym for 730 zumba class i love zumba its fun and doesnt feel like excersize and a wonderful way to burn calories i just started working out this past month and im 3&1/2 months post op and as the weight comes off it gets easier to work out and the motivation is to tone up i just noticed my arms r startin to get flabby from the weight loss i dont want bingo arms so now ive started weights after zumba also as i get stronger id like to do a body sculpt class but ill get there eventually theres a sign at my gym that says "7 days with no excersize makes one weak" iile think its cute and always makes me smile and get my lazy ass there to burn calories the sleeve is a great tool but it can only do so much without putting the work in ive realized that now time to push

[Lynda]

I havent had the sleeve yet, that is scheduled for march this year. I am a morning person, tend to be up early which is fortunate. I work full time and am on the road by 7am so need to be up early. Exercise, I do karate twice a week though sometimes this is hard due to the weight, and have had blood pressure problems too which made me take some time off. I also have a my belgian dog and we walk most days, between 1.5 - 3 klms. Must admit we havent walked last couple of days due to the heat - its 41celcius here today, and was yesterday.
I have been told that I have to have minimum of four weeks away from karate, then can start back slowly. Thats gonna kill me, cos I love going there, might have to go for visit and watch to satisfy me. I will be walking Freya (dog) and will start some low impact stuff at home once am able to.
Good luck with your journey.