Fitness & Exercise

One thing I'm looking forward to doing this summer is to buy a bike and start riding again. At my start weight, let's just say my butt didn't feel very good on those small seats I still weigh 268lbs right now, and would like to look into getting a bike soon, just wondering, has anybody got a bike and got a bigger seat on it? God, I think I would be so embarrassed to have to ask for one. And, does any bike hold a person who weighs as much as me? Don't want the tires to go flat when I get on it Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello Everyone, Today is my last weigh in and my stress test I don't think that I am at my starting weight. I actually think that I am about 7 pounds over. Honestly, I have been having B'organic Protein shakes. For Breakfast lunch I ll have the mix leaves with a packet of tuna and a slice of avocado. I may have grapes, strawberries or a cup of yogurt for snack and then I'll march back upstairs to my bed after work and stay there until the next day. And get up and start all over again. Will this impact my surgery? I am hoping to get a surgery date before I leave today. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Anybody have some good suggestions for workout music? I'm open to any kind of music. I was looking on iTunes, but nothing caught my eye. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The post I've seen from others here have inspired me. I never thought that working out would ever take me to the fitness level I'm at in my old age. Now I'm reading everything I can about weight lifting. I've been strength training for a year. I'm now curious of where this can take me. How long have you been strength training? What has given you the best results for muscle gain? What body fat percentage should you have for your height and weight. (healthy zone)

Ok I'm looking to see if anyone has had any results working out back fat.... I can't stand mine and I need to tone it up a bit. I have done research but it's only skinny women who talk about it. I want to see results from a real woman who had back fat and toned it up. Hope there is someone out there.... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've been using a Fitbit to track/encourage my exercise regimen in the run up to my surgery, but I recently lost it at airport security. I was looking to replace it and trying to decide between another Fitbit or an Apple Watch, and it occurred to me that maybe I could use my Health Savings Account to pay for it. Has anyone been able to get the cost of these types of devices deemed eligible for HSA funds? I've been researching online and the answer is either it's unclear or it's possible with documentation from a treating physician. Any info is appreciated.

I am about 7 weeks post op VSG. My surgeon cleared me to go back to the gym a couple of weeks ago and I have been sticking to cardio. (30 min, 4 days a week - elliptical, bike, rowing machine). I'm really wanting to start strength training but I'm not sure where to start. How much weight? How many reps? Which machines on what day? Do any of you have suggestions on how to develop a routine? I go to the Y and could pay to work with one of their trainers, but I'm a pretty self-motivated, lone-wolf kind of person and I'd rather do this on my own if possible. Note: I have bad knees, so anything involving lunges or squats is out right now. I hope they will improve as I g…

Has anyone who had an Achilles injury noticed improvement in daily pain after surgery?? I am hoping getting weight off will help. This winter i almost ruptured both of my Achilles tendons and have been babied it since. I have seen a foot doc and have orthotics but it is still just there. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi lifters and builders, For those who don't know-I am 28 months post op, up 20 lbs from my lowest. I have decided that I really want to get into lifting and building. I have a LONG way to go but I have a quick question before I see a new Dietitian tomorrow. I want to ask her to help me set up some sort of eating plan to help me get back on track to lose. However, my gym has a package deal to see their RD AND get 5 sessions with a trainer each month so I"m doing that too. I really wanted to see the bariatric RD first. I want to know what supplements are recommended/ which ones will help gain muscle but tone also. SO many things online. I also read Oxygen magazine a…

Does anyone deal with swollen ankles and legs? My body holds on to liquid. I drink a lot of Water and just started walking. If you have this issue.....did exercise help? Which exercise helped the most? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using the BariatricPal App

Hey there! I had RNY about 9 months ago and am 25lbs from goal. I have dabbled in running over the last 6 months and am getting more serious about it. I find I can run about 5-6km but then my tank seems to be empty...I mean like tanked!! In the past I have carried a Protein bar with me due to having issues with my pouch of drinking while running (it just makes for a sad tummy!) and have a few nibbles here and there. I'm doing a 9km mud obstacle course race this weekend where I can't carry food with me.....how do I keep the body fueled??

Ok, so i've decided to begin a lifting program. At this point, I have attempted several options but it has proven to be a bit complicated! So here is the dilemma: My original surgeon does not take my current insurance, nor does the dietitian. i WAS going to go to them, and pay out of pocket, dietitian alone is about $250 for one session. Additionally, the dietitian that was there when I had my surgery is now gone, and there is a new one who wouldn't know me at all. I saw a new surgeon affiliated with my insurance and although he didn't have much to offer me, he does have a dietitian that I can see. There is still SOME cost, with my co-pay/deductible. I have appointm…

Can't wait to hear how your marathon went!!! However it went, you are a rockstar already!

Well, I am supposed to run a marathon 2.5 days from now and I am completely freaking out. I feel like an inmate on death row awaiting my execution. Today I had to start my carbo-loading, which is a challenge for sure. I'm supposed to aim for 600 grams of carbs a day for the next three days, with 85-95% of my calories coming from carbs! Talk about the antitheses of what my sleeved diet has been like! I was in an almost full on panic attack about knowing I can't hit my goal of 100 grams of Protein a day for the next few days if I want to have room for all those carbs. It's almost 4:00 in the afternoon and I'm only at 207.5 grams of carbs for the day. Only 1/3 of the way t…

Now that I'm back on track and focusing on losing my regain, I really want some sort of attainable measurable goal to work towards. I generally do better with all things when I have something to work toward. I have never really been athletic but was a runner with my hubs many years ago. I blew out my leg/ankle area and can't run anymore. I am looking for something that would help me become strong and won't break the bank. not sure if that involves lifting, swimming, martial arts, etc. But I would love something that is beginner-friendly AND involves some form of competition to eventually get involved with (again, running isn't my thing anymore). I was told that war…

Hi All, I am 40 years old and I have been practicing BJJ and Mua Thai for about 3 years. My weight has always fluctuated up and down but lately its gotten the best of me and I've noticed that it's hindering not only my overall health (cholesterol, pre-diabetes, enlarged liver etc. etc) but my BJJ game has also been affected. I hit the weight hard and also dedicate time for cardio and spend about 3x's on the mat. I've noticed for as much as I work out the added weight just slows me down and I am not able to hit my move the way I would like thus my BJJ has stagnated and I am just not loosing weight. I am looking getting the gastric sleeve surgery but I am afraid that all …

We didn’t all start out as gym rats. You may have been active before WLS, but you may have among those of us who feared going to the gym. A lot of us worry about showing up at a gym for the first time while being overweight and not in the best shape. Will people laugh? Will you figure out how to use the equipment? Will you make a fool out of yourself in group exercise class? Luckily, the worst rarely happens, and often the experience is quite positive. You might make a few friends, find the other gym members encouraging and inspirational, and discover that yes – you can do this! What was your experience exercising in public for the first time? Were you nervous at fi…

The new gym I joined earlier this summer is under construction still but scheduled to open Jan 1. The one I'm at is fine, but this one I can walk to without planning and it's going to be MAH- velous!!! Some current pics- A panoramic shot See that "set back" area there? Hello! Outdoor pool!!! On weekends, they will bring out the tiki huts and its margaritas pool side! This is a lounge pool deck. The lap swim pool and the exercise pool are just to the right and then behind it, so three pools in all. To heck with the Country Club (which I will pass on my way), this place has everything from typical classes, weights, machines, nail salon, hair salon, esthet…

I went to the park a few days ago to play with my 19 month old son. I was teaching him how to climb up the stairs to get to the slide and held his hands as he went down. Of course he loved it so we repeated it over and over again. At first it's kind of fun. You go up, you get on the slide, and then a couple seconds later you're back on the ground. As an adult, this gets boring after the first couple times but G wanted to keep on going so I repeated the action for a half hour. It was a good workout! Climbing, squatting, bending down, pushing, pulling up... At the time I was thinking of how good it was for my boy because he had a lot of pent up energy that needed to get o…

ok. this makes me want to get up and do something! https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1401403739900480/ *editied* rats. the link shows ALL of them. I mean the one in the gym with the vet.

Well, I was just in the mall, and was thinking back to those first weeks post op. For those of you who are about to have or just had surgery, may I suggest Mall Walking? Here is why- Flat surfaces... Less likely to trip on sidewalks, rocks, etc. especially while you're healing Benches- When you need a break, there are benches all over to sit and take one Weather- If it is inclement, or pending, you can get your walk in still I walked the two malls by me alternately. One opened by 6:30 am just for walkers, and McDonald's was open to grab a bottle of Water or some beverage. It was nice to get out and go somewhere, instead of the treadmill, and as soon…

I recently discovered some nice trails about 10 minutes outside the city I live in. I've been out there the last 4 days in a row...I just love it out there. I've been walking for 2 hours each time I've gone. There's all kinds of different terrain...at one point I had to go on my bum to get down a path because it was so steep!! Just wanted to share with you guys how free I feel and how I can do anything I want!! As of this morning, I've officially lost half my body weight...I've lost over 165lbs now. Only about 22lbs to go Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So, I am dealing with regain. I have truly refocused and ready to get started again. Seeing a new surgeon this week (changed insurance=changed docs). I am really out of shape (again) but have ordered the Beachbody program Slim in 6 to just get me started and motivated. I have really gotten inspired in the past couple of weeks watching the American Ninja Warrior finals, and seeing a friend of mine compete in their first fitness/body building competition. I have the personality that if I have a SPECIFIC goal I stay motivated. I am not a runner at ALL anymore (sustained a leg injury a few years back and have multiple rods in my leg) so couch-to-runner programs aren't fo…

Anyone use the Fitbit Aria scale or something like it to track body fat? My surgeon recommended I get it, so I spent the $130 bucks. On the Day of surgery, I was 38.9% body fat according to my dr's scale, and the day I got home and got on my scale, it read 41.7% body fat. I have since (8 weeks) lost 32 pounds, do at least 30 minutes of cardio p/ day, and began light weight training this week. The scale has me down to 36.8% body fat, but I find that to be high as I'm 5'6" and 148lbs. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience using their body fat function on their scale versus another way to determine body fat, and, if so, if there was or wasn't a disparity in …

Hi all! I had RNY on 11/15/15. HW: 349. SW:337. CW:217 (Down 132 lbs.) I got really into exercise around February of this year: HIIT strength training, cardio dance, spinning, etc. I was working out 6x a week and feeling so strong and healthy. In mid-May I had emergency ovarian surgery. I was cleared to work out again one week later, so of course I hit the gym as hard as before. Three days later I was in agony with back pain. I think the stress of abdominal surgery put more strain on my back, and my body is changing so quickly anyway, that it got to be too much for my goofy spine. I have DDD of the L4-S1 vertebrae, as so many of us do, with zero discs left in that regi…

Our weather has been magnificent he last few days- sunny, breezy and without humidity. Decided to take a walk on our beautiful lake shore. I'm taking a break for a moment to grab some Water and marvel in the fact that I can now do this 13 mile walk - and back! Lol That will be 26 miles when I'm finished! Here are a few pics. Getting a little closer. And a bit hazy Finally- I looked down and realized that 5 months ago sitting like this would have had my upper thighs touching- who am I kidding? They would have been smashed together at this distance all cellulite and yuckiness!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Had to post here, because I'm just so proud of myself. Yesterday was my longest training run for my full marathon. 20 miles! I know I will have another six to go on race day, but I'm counting on adrenaline and no need to "save" anything to carry me the extra distance. On training runs you have to hold back a little to avoid injury and to make sure you can recover. On race day, I am putting it all out there and if I have to crawl across the finish line, so be it! Less than three weeks to go! Fun Fact: I weighed myself before and after the run. Despite drinking 80 ounces of Water and G2 on the run, I still lost 4 pounds. That means I sweated out 9 pounds! Yikes! Don't wor…

Well, I finished the lakefront walk! 13 miles to downtown, 13 back. Am I tired? Actually, no. My inner thighs for some reason are sore though lol. A lot of calories expended, though I kept well hydrated with Water and the Protein2O drink (2 of them) on my journey. Now home, this is my meal- NO I won't eat all of it, and yes, there are a couple of wafer thin water crackers on my plate- and yes I plan on enjoying each bite. Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, a small slice of Prairie Breeze cheese, tiny piece of blueberry derby cheese, vanilla Greek yoghurt, a slice of prosciutto and a dollop of cottage cheese. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal A…

Hi everyone, I thought this forum would be the best place for me to ask this question. I've been trying to jog and need some advice regarding breathing. I currently walk a lot....in fact I average about 10 miles a day....I've recently been trying to add a little jogging to my routine and can only jog for a very very short distance before I'm out of breath.....I will be 57 years old in December and I've never jogged in my life but would like to start, but I don't really know what to do to work on my breathing......is there something I can do that will help? What I've been doing is each day I just try to jog a little bit further but so far I'm huffing and puffing at ab…

Just wanted to share the following article I found on SparkPeople today; thought it might be helpful to others. I have all my usual t-shirts and workout capris that I'm most comfortable in, but like to change up my tops from time to time. One thing I learned about -- adjustable bras (and not just the shoulder straps) that will take you through weight/size changes. http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=12_affordable_athleisure_brands_that_look_great_as_you_lose_weight

What are the advantages of using Yoga as form of weight loss exercise? How effective is it?

Pretty excited and pumped about starting my 13 week triathlon training today, even though Mondays are my rest days! LOL. I see an exercise physiologist at my surgery center. She designed a training course for me that is very detailed and structured. (I need that!) She spent alot of time researching it. She basically took 3 different plans from the Internet and took parts off each and custom fit it to me. She is young, fresh out of college and I think she enjoyed the challenge of it, which actually motivates me even more, I don't want to let her down! I picked a long sprint triathlon that is in my hometown in August. Quarter mile swim, 17 mile bike, and 4.1 mile run. I …

I want to ask your opinion. I have started jogging down my road in preparation for my 5k this weekend and beyond. If I jog 1.5 miles from the house then a round trip is 3 miles. I did it Thursday night and about 1/2 way up my country road, I started to feel a little vulnerable. There were no houses in sight and lots and lots of woods. I was thinking about that black bear we saw last year in our neighborhood and started to worry that some animal, dog, bear, whatever could come out of the woods and I would be defenseless. There aren't many cars going by that time of night and no cell phone signals on that road. A guy in my vanpool suggested I carry some kind of protec…

I am just starting the preoperative visits- I was wanting know what people did to get started moving and getting exercise - how do you keep motivated and stay honest - I have been considering a fit bit but would have upgrade my current device because the IPad I have now is not compatible with it - the only apple device that isn't just my luck, but if it is worth the upgrade and a useful tool I would so any advice and or suggestions would be appreciated

Here is an interesting article about the relationship between exercise addiction and eating disorders. It also has a nice look at the difference in diagnoses and treatment between an addiction and a compulsion. http://m.nautil.us/blog/when-exercise-becomes-too-much-of-a-good-thing

Hello Everyone I am scheduled to do the sleeve in October. I am told that I will be required to do a two week liquid diet. So I decided yesterday I will try it out for two days to see if I could make it. Well I started out strong each day but by the end of each I had a headache and fell victim to the junk food. I ate Cookies thinking it wasn't a plate of solid food and it won't hurt. My question is what did you all have to keep you from getting headaches and feeling hungry? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Everyone has trouble getting going at some point. You’re tired. You’re busy. You don’t feel like exercising. The weather’s bad. You can think of a million things you’d rather do. But you know you have to get moving, so how do you get out the door? Do you remind yourself of your reasons, like health, weight loss, and looking good? Do you schedule workouts with an exercise buddy so you don’t chicken out? Do you try new workouts and group exercise classes so you’re never bored? Do you save up great new songs to listen to, or episodes of your favorite TV shows to watch while you’re on the treadmill or stationary bike? Do you make sure you don’t think about until you’ve star…

Hi , I am no stranger to weight training , pre op I did allot of abdomen training along with all the other muscles , I am back and doing everything but anything that engages my abs , due to this , my back spasms due to weak stomach muscles or apathy ,,, ,,, I am in my 7th week and was wondering if anyone has done sit ups , planks , etc... to strengthen in their abdomen in their 7th week , I am going crazy , but afraid I will pop stitches or something ... help please

Has anyone dealt with plantar fasciitis? I've had it in my left foot for 2 weeks now, and I'm getting depressed. For the first time in my life I want to exercise, and I feel this is holding me back. I have been bike riding and swimming to rest my foot, but i miss long walks with my husband and dogs. I do wear proper shoes, and I've been stretching it as much as I can. It felt like it was getting better, but I played badminton with my son today and now it's super sore again....I'm so frustrated!! So, I'm wondering...if you've had this problem, what did you do to help it feel better?? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So I've been overweight since I was a child, and lets just say I'm not used to guys looking at me - at least without thinking that it was just because I was overweight or they were disgusted. But now I feel like a lot of guys are looking at me in the gym and I have no clue if its because I'm attractive, I have sweat marks on my clothes (gross but it is the gym... lol), or whatever reason I come up with (such as my butt is too big) . I get that a lot of my problem is with my self image, but how do I know if its because they find me attractive, or for a whole other reason. I'm just very inexperienced with male attention and how to react to it Guys, what is your input on…

Have any ladies gone to Curves post op?? I know its a lil old lady gym, but I always enjoyed the simplicity of knowing you were going to be working out the right muscles and not being lost in a gym full of foreign equipment. Not to mention the 90 year old planking next to you is major motivation. Im trying to decide if I want to go back to Curves or if I want brave a regular gym(because their hours are longer). It's never too late, until its too late

Hey guys, I need some advice/help! I am read to increase the intensity of my exercise regimen, however I need some help to battle my fatigue. A little about me - I had gastric sleeve surgery on 4/14/16 and I weighed in at 297 on 1/1/16. I'm 6'3" and was on the borderline of qualifying for the surgery but due to high blood pressure (which I'm no longer on meds for) and severe sleep apnea (a pain in my ass) I met the requirements. I've always had weight issues and the inability to lose, blah blah blah. I am now at 218 and feel great. I've never been this small, except when I was a toddler. I have been walking regularly and doing some at home general body weight exercises…

I've been given the go-ahead from my doc to resume all normal activities. I'd like to start some strength training at the local Y. I'm familiar with the machines and how to use them. Does anyone have recommendations for an app to track progress, specifically for strength training? (I used to carry around a clipboard--but there has to be an app to make it easier!) I've done some Googling, but thought I'd come to real experts for advice! Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Holla, Week five is upon me (19 weeks of classes to go) and our little book recommends this beginner's walking table. Goal is to set the alarm fifteen minutes earlier, simply roll out bed, and stumble out the door for 10 minutes with incremental increases over the next 12 weeks. We'll see how it goes. I am a late-night exerciser with 11pm being my preferred workout time. However, with full-time work and school, it simply isn't realistic since it takes an hour or two to wind down post-workout. The defining moment of "My G-d I need to change my body," hit after a 5k marathon—at my HW (386+ pounds), I had irreparably damaged my ankles from keeping middle-of-the-pack pa…

Hello, how long after surgery can I start taking my pre-workout powder again ?

The gym I belong to recently remodeled the weight room so I thought it an appropriate time to focus on cardio. The remodel was scheduled to take 2 weeks, so I figured I would dedicate myself to hitting the elliptical with a vengeance. The weight room was done early, but I kept my promise to myself and stuck to the cardio for the entire time. This gave my entire body time to "rest" from the weights, but I have to admit that it was damned hard to stick to it since I really don't like cardio. As a result of my experiment, I can squeeze into a medium shirt comfortably now. But as a headscratcher, I have gained 4 lbs since I last weigh-in (3 weeks ago). My pants are also dow…

Ok, so I bought a jump rope because I WAS amazing at jumping rope when I was younger. And have found that as I've aged my coordination seems to have abandoned me.. it's coming back (I think) but let's just say my jumping rope consists of a lot of "f" bombs and sweating, boy am I a sweaty, bouncy, hot mess. Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed outdoing my 15yr old athletic son after I got back into the swing of things. I skipped bouncing around yesterday and walked at a pretty normal pace, but did 3 miles while my son was training at baseball. (I'm secretly determined to be as fit as he is) and immediately felt sore afterwards. My question is, was it the walking or the sk…

Ok so when i was a teenager I could swim laps for hours. Then I stopped swimming for 20 years. Now I can still basically swim but I have developed an irrational fear of flip turns. Today I decided to conquer that fear so I did a LOT of them. And I have 2 main problems. 1) I keep getting water in my goggles and 2) my ears don't equalize properly (even when I blow out the whole time) Any swimmers with pointers?

Your health, good or bad, can be measured by your walking speed, according to researchers at the Duke University. Check out this new study: The study is free and easy to join. Simply download the 6th Vital Sign mobile app free from the iTunes Store, answer a few questions, and take a two-minute walk. Participants can get useful information about their own walking speed, and also be part of a bigger study that establishes walking speed norms across ages, genders, ZIP Codes, and countries. For more information, visit sixthvitalsign.researchkit.duke.edu.

I know I will have to exercise to keep my weight off. I'm really out of shape so have started walking but am hoping someday to be able to run. I was in track 38 years ago and jogging is the only exercise I remember loving to do. I'm wondering at what weight it would be safe for me to start running without causing an injury to my knees or feet. I realize I will have to work up to it but it would be helpful to have a goal to work towards. I am 5'5" and female. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App