Fitness & Exercise

Here's me, mid event and at the finish line! Its taken 10 months to get to the point of running 10kms (although I dont look very fast in that first photo, lol). If I can do it ANYBODY can!

how long do you wait after surgery to start lap swimming again?

Hi..I was wondering if anyone has tried the Bowflex Revolution. I bought one for the family for Christmas and have heard alot of different opinions. I spent $3,000. on it and now I am afraid to take it out of the box and set it up. I don't know if I should just send it back. I know if I set it up even though it has a 30 day guarentee I will never send it back. It will just be another expensive clothes hanger. Anyone who has used this I would appreciate any opinions. I know everyone is different and everyone doesn't like the same thing, but I have never used one so I have NO CLUE. Thanks

Okay, I'll admit it. I hate to exercise! :huytsao I have a sedentary job and I sit all day long. We have a small gym at the office and I actually got access last week. So today I decided this is the day I start:clap2: . I walked 10min on the treadmill, which for me is quite an accomplishment! I am going to start walking 3x a day. Thats 30min of exercise a day I don't get now. I know its pitiful to those of you putting in hours at the gym; but I was proud of myself for finally starting! Even huge accomplishments sometimes start small. Turner24 389sw/377post op/384 :angry 1st fill-2cnd fill 2days later **Finally have some restriction!!**

HI-I was just wondering if anyone else out there belongs to Ladie's Workout Express? I just joined, and went for the first time yesterday, and I really liked it! They have a 30 minute circuit on various equipment, and the 30 minutes just flies by. And I hate to exercise! Or at least I did--now I am looking forward to going back tomorrow:) . Just curious if anyone else has had success with them.

I absolutely love Elliptical Machines and I want to purchase one for home. I found one online called the Reebok RL 900 Elliptical Machine. I can't find any reviews @ all for this particular Elliptical Machine. Is anyone familiar w/this brand? Does anyone know of any particular brands they can recommend? This is the 1st piece of large exercise equipment that I have ever purchased that needs to be put together. I am wondering are there people you can hire to put these things together or should if be simple enough for me to put together. Also, I am wondering if I move, will I have to take it apart or is it moveable. Oh, and I am looking for a machine that has a 350 lb ca…

I have been thinking about adding an exercise video or two to my weekly workout routine so that I am doing something different every few days to hopefully keep boredom from setting in. I was thinking about something fun like some sort of dance routine for one and I really don't know about another one. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Think again. I used this service the last time I did Atkins and lost 50 lbs. I was also working out on a regular basis. I havent been exercising since I got the band and I just got started the day after Christmas. I though I was the same size and 30 lbs less than last time so I decided to take my measurements and do a comparison so look at http://www.fittogether.net/bodycomposition/compare_profile.aspx?id=152625,108171 and see the comparison. Most importantly look at the bodyfat % verses the lean muscle mass percentage. Thirty lbs should be a whole size difference and it isnt. I am getting busy now!

What are the do's and don'ts? I want to tone up, yet at the same time I don't want to hurt the band.

Ok, I don't really hate it however I wanted you to look. What I do do is have the intention of exercising everyday when I get home from work but it never happens, something always comes up. Then I feel guilty and the cycle starts all over again the next day. I was reading a Weight Watchers magazine at the Dr. earlier this week, it was full of success stories. This one lady was giving tips on how to start exercising. She suggested that "when you get home from work before you do anything at all, go change into your workout clothes".......BAM ! That hit me like a ton of bricks. Such simple advice. Such common sense. It was exactly what I needed to hear to get me o…

I don't exercise. Ever. Unless I'm forced to. Then I do it for a little bit and stop as soon as I can get away with it. This wonderful way of life got me an extra 100+ lbs of fat attached to my skeleton for over 20 years. Wasn't I so clever? Anyway, I had the surgery and lost some weight. One of my checkups with the surgeon puts me 3 lbs down in 2 weeks. Hmmmm. Not so good. Next appointment shows me down 1 lb. ONE stinkin' POUND in 2 solid weeks of following the diet! I'm beyond disappointed and discouraged with this. The NP says, are you doing your exercise? My mind is whirling like squirrels juggling knives as I search for a way to convey my philosophy of exer…

So I'm finally in a really good routine, working out regularly, eating well, but I'm loosing less weight than I was before. Now in what world does that make any sense? The reasonable side of me says: “you’re bound to plateau after a while of consistent loosing”, or “you’re gaining muscle mass and loosing fat”, etc. But D*MN, I’m working so hard and loosing a pound every other week??? It’s like watching paint dry. The good news is that I’m actually enjoying working out for maybe the first time in my life, and even though I haven’t lost very much recently, more people than ever are commenting on how much weight I’ve lost. So I guess I’ll stop wining and just go with the f…

Is walking alone enough to assist in the weight loss process and to keep toned? Knee and elbow problems keep me from doing any rigorous exercise and I hesitate to join Curves, etc. because of my limitations. Does anyone JUST walk and have success?

:help: I should be getting surgery in Jan 07. Over the past couple years I have been off and on treatment for HEPc, and became extremly fatigued. I have lost lots of muscle mass, and for the first time in my life, I am lumpy and flabby. I am almost 48, have a BMI of 42, I am 5'10 and 300lbs. I was athletic when I was younger. Always was one of those that people would say, oh you cant weigh that much. Since I had a lot of muscle hiding under the flab. Now, I am worried that I will sag and have all this loose skin. I have heard of different types of massages that will help with tightening the skin up, and was wondering how much, what kinds, and how often should I …

I'm having problem in one of my knees. I went to the store and bought a xlarge "knee support" stocking. it went up to 20" however...way to tight. does anyone know where i can get say a 22-24" one?

I joined Curves and worked out 2 days in a row. I'm sore today so I decided not to work out today. Are there any suggestions for sore muscles other than to rest for a day or 2?

Hi everyone! I was thinking about my goals for next year as I was going thru the Y-Me website. (looking for job openings) Anyway I noticed they have a team Pink Streak for the chicago Marathon next October. I wonder if giving myself 10 months to lose LOTS more weight and start training and learning to run if this is something i could realistically do. I figure i will start with a few 5 and 10ks and see where that takes me... hmmm... we'll see we'll see....

Hey all, So we're putting a home gym in our garage(the freezing Alberta winter should help me burn a few extra calories while I'm out there) We already have a Bowflex which is awesome and we have a heavy bag but I really want to add a cardio machine of some sort. I'm debating between a stepper, elliptical, treadclimber or treadmill. I'd love to hear anyone's oppinion. Especially the ones who have had more than one of these pieces of equipment....which one did you like better? Brands that people prefer....anything like that. Thanks.

Hi My name is Sonia and i am gadget junkie. I LOVE the magazine Women's Health. I haven't had any time to read the issue I just bought but in quick flipping I saw an ad for the Power Plate. I just loooked at the site quickly and closed it before I got sucked into anything else - but then I was curoius. has anyone here heard of it?

does anybody know of a good Tai Chi DVD that ISN'T an explanation of every pose, but just does some of the routines straight through? I've bought 2 DVDs so far and they're both just one isolated pose and explanation after the other...no flow!

it has been to cold to continue to get my exercise outside! i would love some ideas or product reviews on indoor exercise!!! we have been doing: the biggest loser workout video. it REALLY is a workout! and its designed for folks who arent a size 4, or a size 12 even, well atleast not when they start. you can customize your workouts. we really like it! medicine ball, 12 lb: we have used this for a while- throwing it, waiste twists, sit-up - throws, incorporating into the biggest loser... i LOVE it! resistance bands: calvin uses. i dont. he seems to like them though. recumbant bike: does anyone know the desired heart rate for fat burning? i have been riding this …

Anyone experience excessive fatigue after a small increase in exercise level? Had this problem since I was mid 30's. I added 5 minutes of eliptical machine to my 45 minute walking DVD yesterday and muscles are weak this a.m. I'm hydrating now and plan to gut it out and try again. I feel so strong mentally. This weight has got to go!

i did it! 30 full minutes. granted i wasnt able to fully keep up w/ the class but i thought i would be able to go maybe 5 minutes and i was moving throughout the entire class. :faint: i am so psyched!! i cant believe i did it!

I have been cycling and have added a membership at the Y to pump Iron...but I try to find activities that I truly enjoy to get my exercise like the biking. Anyways....we have some great places to kayak and I think it would be an amazing upper body workout to balance my cycling and then the gym would cure whatever I might miss. Anyone do it?

I need a challenge. JQPublic are you doing one this month?

Yes, I got a personal trainer a few weeks ago and we work a lot on this new machine called the PowerPlate. It's a vibrating platform and ALL your muscles respond to the vibration, allowing you to work out in a lot less time with the same (sore) results! He still works me an hour, 3 times a week. He KILLS me! But I'm so excited about the results. I always thought cardio was the way to go, but I've come to find that the added muscle has given a boost to my metabolism that I never thought would return. So here's CHEERS to weight training.

PLEASE JOIN ME......... HERE IS THE GAME, THE 1ST PERSON WHO LOSE'S THE MOST WEIGHT BY OCTBER 27TH. WILL WIN A PRIZE A GIFT CARD FROM WALMART $20.00 WEIGH IN'S OPEN TOO EVERY ONE TELL OCT 4TH 11:59 PM.........LETS PLAY.... AND SEE WHO WILL WIN! I,TOOK 3 WEEK,S OFF OF DIETING AND LIFE STYLE CHANGE AND GAINED SIX POUNDS IT IS TRULY TIME TO DUST MY SELF OFF AND START BACK EATING RIGHT AND SWIMMING......I NEED TO LOSE 16 POUND,S IM WEIGHING IN AT 196.4 PLEASE JOIN ME THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE TO LOSE IS WEIGHT!!!!!!! THANKS JOHNQ.:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

:peace: Hi everyone!! Ashley here--I was banded september 1 and I was just curious how soon (if anyone knows) I can begin playing tennis?? I Love playing tenniss (i'm not a pro though) and i've missed it since i got banded. can anyone help me with this?

My wife bought a "Tony Little Gazelle" eleptical trainer at a yard-sale. It is a pain in the butt to move around and it doesn't seem (2me IMHO) to provide much benefit as a workout. Does anyone here have one? Does it do any good if used regularly?

Hi there...I have started jogging a little with my walks...I just can't seem to get my heart rate up without it. I have been bitten by the jogging bug now and want to see if I can work up to running a 5 mile fun run next year in September. I figure I can do it if I have a year to train :-). Does anyone have any tips? How long should I run at first? What kind of stretching should I do? Should I even be running at 240 lbs? Any help will be much appreciated.... Megan

Hi everyone So i need to get my act together and start planning my new life exercise routine. But I HATE the cold weather! I'm such a wimp. What have others found? Do you buy the thermal clothing and get your self out there? Do you get the gym membership? Do you use the walk away the pounds dvd? Any advise would be wonderful! sonia

I was banded about a year ago, gallbladder surgery 3 weeks ago. I am wanting to start weight training. Are there weight limitation on what you can do on resistance machines (not free weights)? Can I hurt anything? What about biking? Thanks!

HI, I travel back and forth between Marin county in CA and Austin Tx. I need exercise buddies in both places. My surgery will be Nov. 7. I will be in San Rafael, CA beginning Oct. 17 for 2 weeks...would like to meet a bandster there. Then I go to MX for my surgery. Come back to Austin Dec. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I joined a "gym" today that just opened a few blocks from my apartment. It's called VivaFit and they specialize in 2 things. One is Pilate's and the other is a 30 min program that is done on hydraulic machines. There is a circle of machines and you start the circle and spend 30 seconds on each machine, the entire round should last 30 min. They say that if you do it a min of 3 times a week your guaranteed weight loss. It's geared for women and is a women's only institute. The girl there told me that they have something similar in the US called Curves? Has any one heard of this? Has any one tired it? How were the results?? Any thing any on…

I just bought a calendar from one of the local dragon boat teams and it got me wondering if any bandsters do it. Dragon boat racing is supposed to be the world's fastest growing sport.

This is two photo,s of 1lb of pure fat! and it is nasty! this is a simple push to get you walking and thinking about how we should eat healthy.

Hey y'all I'm thinking of purchasing a bike soon. I'm trying to make myself more active and keep from getting bored. That's when I usually head for the fridge. I'm hoping y'all can tell me things to look for/ask about when I go to the bike store. Any lingo I should know so that I won't make a fool of myself? Any tips offered will be greatly appreciated.

I just recently joined a gym. I had a meeting with a personal trainer and told her my goal is to lose weight (60 pounds) and my bat wings. I want to do weight lifting. So our plan is for me to work out 5 days a week. Mon, Wed, Fri. I do warm up (rowing machine) then weight lifting and exercise bike. Then on tues and thurs is cardio. Well I finally got the guts to get on that ellipitical beast. My first time I was able to do 12 minutes. Today (my 2nd) I did 16 minutes. My question is how do you get your stamina up on that machine and what else do you do besides it? You must understand after my 16 minutes today I was totally drenched in sweat and my legs were pretty darn r…

I had my gallbladder out Saturday. I feel great, I mean no problems at all. Was up and about and stayed that way. I want to excersize and get back into it but my docs appt is not till the 12th. What are your takes on it. What have you heard ect?

Hi all... At the Gym they use a formula for Target Heart Rate (220- Age) x 80%. For me, that works out (220-40) x .8=144. My Lapband surgeon told me to ignore that number and just stop/slow down if I feel tired or dizzy. Normally I go on the Elliptical Cycle for 35-40 minutes and I see my HR go up to 157 during the peaks of interval training. Today, for the last 3 minutes I increased my speed and my HR went to 164 for a few minutes. I did not feel light headed or dizzy or any more tired than I usually am. What freaks me is the Heart Rate monitor & computer on the exercise equipment starts flashing in the Red Zone. Is this ok, or do I need to slow my wo…

I have a system. I walk a mile and do an aerobics video daily. I have a few videos so I don't get too bored. I am still on pre op, so I don't want to lift weights yet. Any ideas on keeping your motivation?

I just joined Curves and wondering if anyone else has or is doing this workout and is it working for you? Thanks

I started the Body for Life program - wondering if there is anyone else out there who has done this program and what were your results. Marilyn

i got myself a bike at a yardsale and fixed it up and have been LOVING riding it!!! i have only had it a month and am planning a wedding but have managed to log over FIFTY MILES!!! i just cant believe THAT! the most i have rode at once is 10 miles but i am still testing the waters! i really think i could do more like 20 MILES in a day if i just pack a lunch have a safe route. the safe route is the hard part. we have a 50 mile trail close by but i am afraid to get out of town alone. i have a 'tazer' you know shocker but heck i could shock myself! today i am going out around my neighborhood instead of the trail but i may have to PUSH my bike up the hill to get home! wh…

Last week I jogged lots and lots and now I have this pain beneath (toward my internal organs) my belly button. It has hurt for about 5 days and I will defininitely get to the doc if it still hurts after a few more days. It doesn't hurt when I lay down but it hurts most when I pick up my son or just walking around. Anybody know what this might be?

How soon is a person able to start exercising (aerobic) after lap-band surgery? My daughters are Irish dancers and I plan to join in on the fun once I have been banded. I was just wondering how soon I would be able to join in. Tonja

I wanted to share a bike calorie calculator I found. Really neat. http://revolutioncycles.com/page.cfm?PageID=143

We are setting up our own home fitness centre (aka torture cell! LOL!). I am interested to see what equipment / arrangements other LBTers have at home. Our idea is to make it a really cool, "set up" place to hang out in our home, that we can use during the week to supplement our existing exercise habits - gym/pool membership for me, field hockey for DH, cycle / walk for family on weekends. We figure we work hard enough during the week, that we deserve to have our own special, motivating exercise place right here at home to help make keeping ourselves healthy and fit just a little bit easier. Now, spending money on a LapBand is another reason to take this more seriousl…

Has anyone been successfull in finding some weight toning excersise for those dreaded arm wings? If so please share. Also thigh flab!!! Thanks,

MoreOrLess and KariK are talking about hybernation. I think we need to make a plan on how we are going to keep up the exercise and the pounds down when the weather changes. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Now: I walk 6:30am on the weekend faithfully so I will address that. Winter Options: Not walking at 6:30am LOL ok, join the local recreation center, to use gym walk in the afternoon at the track instead of near the Water walk at the sports and learning complex ...inside