Exercise vs. NO exercise?

[browniebits]

I haven't been sleeved yet (hopefully sometime this summer) but I do plan on getting my walking in soon after surgery. And once I get quite a few pounds off and I'm physically comfortable and not in so much pain (I'm 378 right now, so exercising isn't something I do right now), I plan on joining Planet Fitness.

I have a friend who was sleeved a year ago (actually I think today marks 1 year for her) and she's lost just over 100 lbs. She's done it with no exercise what so ever. She did join the gym about a month ago and has been one time. When I asked her how the gym's been going, she said she doesn't think she'll go anymore cause she's happy where she is and she just doesn't care to go.

So have you done this with exercising or no exercising and why?

[Stacy'sSleevedLife]

I think you should do what is best for you and not look or compare yourself to others.

Good luck

Stacy

[Emeraldisle]

Hi, I have not been sleeved yet- scheduled for 3/22. I think it's important to look at the benefits of exercise outside of weight loss. Part of this journey for many is to improve overall health. Exercise is great for muscles, joints, the lungs and heart. Some exercise like yoga is good for the mind also. For me exercising are those moments in time when I am 100% focused on me and taking care of me. The best advice I can give you is to find the exercise you enjoy and not feel like your plan needs to mirror someone else's. I used to love the treadmill with fast walking and jogging but due to multiple injuries walking around the block is very painful. The last 2 weeks I have been walking a mile each day in my neighborhood. Very slow and more hobbling than walking due to my injuries but trying to get moving. After surgery I will try to keep walking but will definitely incorporate biking. There are swim aerobics classes that are great because they are no impact and the people that take them are usually judgement free. It's not like going to a boot camp of mostly fit people. Try a couple things out and find something you like. Strength training is great for firming up and can focus on low weights with multiple reps. A personal trainer is a great resource to get you familiar with the proper movements when new to strength training.

Good luck and most importantly Have Fun!

[browniebits]

Oh I wasn't trying to compare myself to her in the least. I guess I was just wondering about those who have decided to exercise and those who haven't Was there a reason those people chose what they did? Did they see any bigger results for those who did exercise?

[Ann2]

As someone who's nearly 19 months post-op and has also lost 100 pounds, I wouldn't imagine someone who doesn't exercise in some manner is going to be successful long-term. Maybe I'm wrong.

The purpose of WLS isn't just to lose weight. It's to give yourself an opportunity to get healthy enough to design a healthy lifestyle for yourself that will sustain your health for the rest of your life.

I'd build exercise -- walking, strength resistance, flexibility -- into your new life as soon as possible. Obviously, you don't want to do anything to hurt yourself. And be careful that you don't take exercise advice from loons who don't have a freakin' clue what your still-obese, very out-of-shape body is capable of doing. Many of us start this process with weak or stressed joints. Our skeletal systems have been stressed badly by carrying 100, 200 or even 300 pounds of extra weight. But even if we are going slow, we are still doing better than we used to. And if we keep it up, we'll get faster and stronger.

[cowgirljane]

You can lose weight without exercise, but your foundation for maintenance and good health just isn't as strong.

I worry less about others and more about what I need to do.

i exercised very intensely to lose weight and the first few years of maintenance. I had to cut way back due to a string of health problems. I haven't regained but you know what - I MISS being fit!!!! I loved being the mom that could charge up a mountain and keep up with/beat the 20-30 year olds! I loved having energy to last all day and night. I loved the look of toned, firm muscles. I am still at goal, but m bigger due to my lack of consistent working out over the last year. It is on my 2016 plan to get my cool muscles back!!!

the attached photo is of a middle aged woman, after losing 150# but before plastic surgery. Working out really really helps with your "looks" (appeals to my vanity), my health (well thats obvious) and increases my quality of life as I love being active!

[niki k]

Although you can lose a lot of weight without exercising, but I started exercising about 2-3 months before. Walking on the treadmill basically. But this helped me stay in the routine. That is half of our battle! Routines. I feel like my surgery had no major complications because of the fact that I walked so much. If nothing else you lose even faster when you are exercising! Remember the sleeve is a tool. 20% surgery 80% is all on you! Break your bad habits, create some new good habits! Good luck!

[Pam G]

Watch Dr Weiner's video on exercise. he explains the role of "exercise" really well.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...C5&FORM=VDFSRV

[Robbie1971]

To exercise or not to exercise....
Can someone lose weight with out it ?..yes, Can they be successful long term ?... That's the real question.
Sleeve is just a tool (albeit a valuable one), its not the cure. Its not a shortcut, its not a gaurenteed weight loss long term. What we do with it is.
Starting out were told we need to change. Change our thinking, our eating habits, our lifestyles. Without changing what are we?

I choose to workout. Its a nobrainer.
Just find something ,anything you can do daily

[MargeB]

The more I lose, the more I can exercise. I have limitations, due to health issues (some related to the weight, like arthritis, some not related, like fibromyalgia). I bought a recumbent exercise bike on the advice of a physical therapist, because for now, even walking hurts my hips and knees still. The bike will strengthen those joints. I cannot WAIT to get back to my water resistance program this summer. So much fun, and no pain at all.

You do what you can. Find something you like to do and do it. You will look better, and you will maintain muscle mass (which is why we have to consume so much protein).

I am down over 60 lbs from my highest weight, and I no longer need to bring the wheel chair along on day trips. You bet I'm going to move whenever and however I can. That was the point in the first place

[Merry Mary]

I started walking more before surgery and continued walking afterwards. Once I was cleared by my doctor I started swimming and lifting weights. With a bad knee I wasn't able to bend my knee enough to peddle a bike so I would just peddle half way, basically rocking back and forth. After about six weeks I peddled all the way around. I started on the elliptical going 2 minutes at a time and worked my way up to 30 minutes. I switch up the type of cardi I do each time, the same with weights. That way I'm using different muscles each time plus letting other muscles rest. Last month I finished my second half ironman. I go to the gym six days a week and am usually there about an hour each time. This surgery was a one time thing for me and I was going to do whatever I had to do to be successful. Best of luck to you

[Ann2]

I started walking more before surgery and continued walking afterwards. Once I was cleared by my doctor I started swimming and lifting weights. With a bad knee I wasn't able to bend my knee enough to peddle a bike so I would just peddle half way, basically rocking back and forth. After about six weeks I peddled all the way around. I started on the elliptical going 2 minutes at a time and worked my way up to 30 minutes. I switch up the type of cardi I do each time, the same with weights. That way I'm using different muscles each time plus letting other muscles rest. Last month I finished my second half ironman. I go to the gym six days a week and am usually there about an hour each time. This surgery was a one time thing for me and I was going to do whatever I had to do to be successful. Best of luck to you

WHAT AN AWESOME POST! You are an amazing person!

[Robbie1971]

Pre-op I just walked my dog, theirs a mountain nearby with a paved road. 1.5 miles up.
Theirs a couple pull overs with views. Theirs a tower up top you can view the countryside and mountain ranges. In the fall when leaves change color....omg heaven. Even more so are the sunsets.... But I digress
At first 1/4 mile up , was all I could do but I kept at it. Asthma and very bad knees compounded the difficulty, especially coming down. But you must fight. Fight the mountain and fight yourself ( mountain is an easier battle) . My dog help so much pulling me up bless his heart.
Post-op..... First most important and difficult part is putting on your shoes and walking out your door.
I started on the elliptical. Was lucky if I could finish 6 min. Treadmill was a bit easier I could do 12 min walking. I also did some low weight, high reps weight machines. I only got 3 days a week at gym and continued walking 3 days too.
Now I can do 30 min straight elliptical, 30 on the treadmill and I started stair master, ugh this is one grueling machine. If I finished 3-5 in the beginning. Now 20. I'dmix these up to get one hour 5 days a week. ((Right now I'm trying Hiit))
I got the best results in the gym from the treadmill. I'd do walk then jog ( my jog is an airborne shuffle, a very easy pace) walk 1 minute, jog 1 minute. A 1/2 hour "flies" by because of the walk/jog.
For those who start intimidated at the Nut's strict instruction of doing at least 45 min cardio a day , do something, anything 10 minutes. Rest a few more and do another 10 and so on. Even do 4 ,10-15 minute session over the day. Its just as effective.

[Bananna]

Dr. Matthew Weiner explains there is a difference between physical activity and exercise. You don't exercise to loose weight! You do it to be healthy! Many people have heart attacks after loosing weight. They aren't hauling around the extra weight but your heart isn't healthy! You need to excersise for health not loose weight.

[Cocovanna]

i say start working out it will help with the access skin and energy . i haven't got sleeved yet but i have started my workout and pre-op non required healthy food intake. everyone body is different but working out is very important and is part of the whole process.