Not Exercising? Start.

[sraebaer]

I'm surprised how many people here don't think exercise is Important. I'm here to tell you it is! I broke my neck, was told I couldn't exercise for over 2 months, and gained 5 pounds back. (Now 4, but it's a journey.). Before my accident I was running 3 miles every morning before work.

When I had my psych appointment and told the guy I loved exercising (yes, I was a fat person who loved walks, hikes, skiing, etc!) he told me, "Well then you'll have no problem losing ALL your weight." He was right. (The surgeon had given me that you'll lose 70% line...) I think a lot of fat people think of exercise as something horrific. It's not, it's necessary for your health and tones your body. Worried about extra skin, exercise will help! Start with short walks and work your way up. Baby steps. And now is the perfect time of year to get started, it is so beautiful out!

My mom is 90 and started walking 3 miles a day with my dad when he was diagnosed with heart disease about 45 years ago. My dad is gone, but mom has been walking ever since. The only problem is now she's lonely, as almost all her friends are dead. You can't tell me her exercise didn't give her a long, healthy life. She never made excuses, lives in Wisconsin, so walks outside when it's nice and at a nearby mall when it isn't.

TWO AND A HALF MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL. After that you will find me in the gym and on the trails. Off with you, stupid 4 pounds!!!

[Christie13]

Absolutely! Exercising is an amazing gift that is so much easier without the extra pounds. I love being active!!

[RehabNurse]

I concur. In addition to weight control and cardiovascular health benefits, exercise enables me to eat more without needing to count calories or track macro intake. I have no "cheat foods" or "cheat days" since I'm not on a diet.

I estimate I consume in the 1900 to 2200 calorie-per-day range on most days. I don't count or restrict fat grams or carbs because I don't need to. The carbs fuel my running workouts, and the dietary fat keeps me feeling satisfied.

[Ann2]

Amen, sister! I'm 71 years young. I don't run (my knees aren't up to that anymore), but if I didn't do yoga, aquarobics and walk consistently (5-6 times a week) I cannot imagine I'd have been able to maintain my 100 pound weight loss.

Plus I get to eat about 300 extra calories more every day than if I were still a couch potato.

Plus I get all that extra energy, sleep so much better, jiggle less, and have that delightful glow of self-righteousness that feels so good. I actually ain't kidding about any of these benefits.

[Merry Mary]

True, true..exercise doesn't need to be in a gym or any formal program...just get moving. Gardening, shoveling snow, home repairs, playing outside with kids, it's all exercise. Find something you love and don't make excuses why you can't exercise. I had my knee replaced last November and spent four months at physical therapy trying to improve my range of motion and still found a way to be active.

[Pam G]

LOL: "delightful glow of self-righteousness"

Amen, sister! I'm 71 years young. I don't run (my knees aren't up to that anymore), but if I didn't do yoga, aquarobics and walk consistently (5-6 times a week) I cannot imagine I'd have been able to maintain my 100 pound weight loss.

Plus I get to eat about 300 extra calories more every day than if I were still a couch potato.

Plus I get all that extra energy, sleep so much better, jiggle less, and have that delightful glow of self-righteousness that feels so good. I actually ain't kidding about any of these benefits.

[Ann2]

LOL: "delightful glow of self-righteousness"

Think of it as an NSV.

[Tandem]

Having a new love of exercise has been the biggest surprise in this journey. I exercise 35 minutes in the morning before work, Monday through Friday. On Mondays and Wednesdays I also do Zumba after work and on Fridays I do spin class too.
I have found that I actually like exercising
I knew things were changing when I found myself packing workout clothes and exercising on vacation! I would have never done that pre-surgery. Exercise improves my mood, relieves stress and gives me energy. At this point I honestly do it for reasons that don't have anything to do with weight loss.
It's actually become a part of my life and who I am.