Fitness & Exercise

A few months ago, I changed up my workout routine. I now do 10 mins each recumbant bike and treadmill then various strength training exercises, working most every muscle group. I do this 7 days a week with very few exceptions. Recently I've noticed a 1-2 lb fluctuating weight gain and my pants seem really tight on my thighs. How do I know if I'm gaining lean muscle or fat?

Has anyone used a Powerplate post wls? Not the cheap vibrating machines, the actual acceleration training machine. If so, how did you find it? Was it useful? I used this machine years ago when i had the band, and found it tightened and toned things nicely.. just curious if anyone else had success

Hello everyone, I’m interested in working out (lifting weights, focusing on my arms and chest) I wanted to know what are some of the best pre-workouts for gastric sleeve patients? I’m 25 years old… and caffeine doesn’t bother me. Also, I’m looking for some post-workouts as well (for recovery), and anything else you guys could suggest. I’m not familiar with everything that goes into working out (the supplements) Thanks to anyone that can help!

I am interested in having my body fat tested via a Dexa scan or Bod Pod. I've never done either so please pardon the question as the answer may seem obvious to some. I am wondering how excess skin is read by those tests. Do these machines calculate it in as fat mass or can they discern it as extra skin? I have lost over 100 pounds and I have bat wing arms and other hanging loose bits, I want to know how much is fat versus skin.

I weight lift HEAVILY and I am in pretty good shape. I find that the harder I train the more appetite I have. When I take breaks, or I lessen the intensity, I feel like my appetite goes down. I know the intensity is definitely affecting my hunger because I need to replenish what I'm losing in my workouts, but I am wondering what people do to curb the appetite that comes from training. Might sound like a dumb question, but I am just curious about other strategies that people are using.

I figured I would post this in the fitness forum - I want to get a GO PRO camera for my 13 year old, very active niece who loves photography. Is it better to get one that is wi-fi enabled? The prices range from $100 to $300+.....is the $100 one worth it??? If there is another forum that this could go in...let me know! Any responses appreciated. THANKS!

So today I put my kayak in. I paddled through mangroves and popped out in Biscayne Bay. I floated, ate my hummus and read Dave Barry. It was heaven. It's something I've been looking forward to all winter and felt awesome now that I'm down a few pounds. I will have to pick up a seat cushion though because ouch!! Some of my padding is apparently gone! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am over a year out of gastic sleeve. I am a cyclist, even before my surgery. In 2012, when I was 242 pounds, I rode in the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Ride which was 204 miles. I have now been training to ride this event again post-gastric sleeve surgery. So far everything has been good execpt for long distance rides of 50 miles or more. I run out of energy and hit a wall. My latest episode came after riding about 30 miles then having lunch (shrimp with noodles) and continuing on only to feel like I ate a rock and had no energy. I ate the noodles on the advice of my dad who was riding with me (good old carbs) but I had to stop after another 25 miles.I understand that I …

Hooray!!! I'm back on my bike and it feels awesome!! I rode around for 3 hours today in the Miami Heat and humidity and am alive to post it! There are millions of mangos down here and I have become a pro at "accidentally" dropping my hat in people's yards (the best ones are always there) and when i retrieve my hat there is always a mango or two in it. It's magic I'm telling you! I'm so glad I had this surgery. What a gift to my knees and my overall well being. Hope everyone else is having a similar journey with their favorite sport and fruit. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ha! It's true. I'm almost 6 weeks post op and have been considering trying a yoga class. Seems like a nice low impact way to ease into a fitness routine. Well, I found a toddler yoga dvd at a garage sale and did it at home tonight with my 5 year old. The squatting poses hurt my knees, my top heavy body kept tipping over in balance poses, and twisty stretchy poses pulled on my incisions and hurt. I think I'll practice this a bit more at home before attempting in a public place... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I dance a bit for fun but I thought it'd be really cool to dance for exercise! I listen to a variety of music like jpop, kpop, jrock, hip hop etc so there's so much I can dance to. I'm just worried about my stomach.

Because of the poor shape my body has been in for at least the past 6 years, when I walk more than a tenth of a mile my back begins to scream at me... I've replaced shoes and that helps a little...I've tried just stopping and resting but when it happens the first time I know that it will happen at shorter and shorter intervals. I need to know what I can do to strengthen those back muscles? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So Penn Medicine where I'm going to get my surgery is doing a 12 week exercise research study on pre-op patients. I apparently lost my mind at the last support group meeting and signed up for the study. First session was this morning (it is once a week for the 12 weeks). I know it is about making progress over the 12 weeks and not trying to match or outperform anyone other than doing better than my performance today. It was still just so frustrating and depressing that in a class of obese people awaiting surgery, I was still the least fit by far. We started with a plank test. I could barely hold the position for 12 seconds...12 teeny tiny seconds, that's it. Most people…

I'm 2.5 years out and have been mountain biking for about 2 years now. While I'm still somewhat of a novice, I ride with an experienced (and younger) group, so I've had no choice but to learn quickly. Just picked up a full-suspension Cannondale Bad Habit bike and love it. Doing mostly single-track runs and some pretty technical stuff. I wipe out a lot but learning every time I go. My fitness tracker has indicated that I burn an average of 1300 calories each time out and the scale reflects that the morning after. Anyone else hitting the trails?

So I'm getting really annoyed by how much my stomach jiggles during exercise classes. It's embarrassing. It doesn't matter how much my instructor reminds me to "lock in my core," there's just too much loose skin. I have a really good sports bra to lock the girls in, but my stomach is all over the place. My question is, are there actual "spanx" or "compression garments" that are specifically for exercise? Are they moisture wicking so you don't overheat? Do they still allow you to move? Has anyone tried any they really liked? Can you guys recommend store/brands? Or is this a thing that doesn't really exist and I need to get over my jiggly bits?

For the past few months, I have become a slug . My weight loss has been successful - over 145 lbs in a bit over ten months and that has really put a damper on my enthusiasm to exercise. I exercised every day for months after surgery, but then I stopped because of a trip, and even tho I swam every day, it seemed to break up my rhythm. Now I can't find the rhythm again. I felt great after exercising and I feel weaker now, but I just can't seem to get going. My weight loss has slowed down now, and I'm hoping that inspires me to start exercising again to tone my body (much needed). Any tips on how to start exercising again?

I had a brachioplasty a month ago and of course they can get your arms super tight because of swelling which occurs and nerves in the arm. My question is - what type of arm exercise is the best to firm up the arms? Thanks!

Hi all. I just updated my fitness pal and now there are banner ads in the middle of the diary (at least for me). I don't mind the ads as the ap is free and awesome but the ads it is showing me are for uber food delivery and a few others for shopping. Both things I am trying to avoid. Haha. Now that I have downloaded for iPhone and have the ads I will tool around the ap and see if there are any new cool features. I really need to read the what's new before downloading. Though I doubt it said "we are adding banner ads" Have a great day Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I now weigh about 290 after over 130# loss and just bought my first smart phone (low tech old timer who loved his flip phone) and found it has a step monitor. Can anyone share their goals of steps per day? I also swim, do heavy gardening, and some treadmill time. THANKS!

I've been involved with horses all of my life. I have also been varying degrees of overweight/obese all my live. I have ridden when not SMO but look forward to riding again. I have a horse now and do ground work with him but haven't ridden in some time. Any one else out there that can tell me the difference they experience in their riding?

Most of the bariatric surgery websites I've visited promote very modest post-op fitness goals (walking 20 minutes, three times a week for the first six months.) I'm currently 255 lbs (down from 280 in March) and plan to have Sleeve surgery in August (ideally at 230 lbs.) I'm very active (in the gym 1-2 hours a day, every day) doing balanced activities from cardio to circuit training to yoga. I really don't want to lose too much progress (or lean muscle mass) post-op, but I also want to be realistic about what I will be able to do given the very low post-op calorie intake. Is what I'm reading accurate for everyone, or does it assume that most bariatric patients will be n…

So I am still two weeks fom being able to do any strength training, but I am wondering if anyone has links or advice for core/ab exercise. I had weak abs before a couple large babies, so my abs are weak, seperated and saggy. I know with split abs they say to avoid traditional crunches but anyone know a good source of what I can do? I think strengthen my core, along with weightloss would really help my lower back pain. I am also hoping tightening those muscles will help with the side pain I get when I walk to fast. Any advice would be great. Also anyone looks at getting health insurance to pay for PT after WLS? I have some knee problems that I am gonna ask ab…

I finished my half marathon this morning! Not only did I survive, but I finished over a minute faster than I'd trained for. My goal was to finish in under three hours. My training pace would have me finishing in about 2:45, but I finished in 2:43:44, which is especially impressive when you factor in that it took me about three minutes just to get up to the start line once the horn blew, because it was so crammed with people and I didn't even have room to start running until I was a good 25 yards past the start line. So here's all the proof you've been waiting for: Right before the start... it was only 35 degrees out, so I wore the jacket until the last possible second…

I am 6 weeks out today and I feel fantastic. So much so that I just registered for my first ever half marathon in November. WTF? I don't run. A killer could be chasing me and I'd just lay down. To think just a few short weeks ago I was an emotional wreck and kicking myself for going through with the surgery, and now here I am feeling better than ever and registered for a freaking half marathon. Never in a million years did I think this could be my life. THANK YOU VSG!!!

Hi there. I have linked Map My Run with My Fitness Pal. In my MFP news feed it lists my run and that I burned 530 calories, but it isn't adding to the calories at the top of the diary page. Any ideas what I have done wrong? TIA

How about a group or place or forum for those who are looking to compete? This can be in any sport. This means timed 5K's, marathons, half, triathlons, you name it. This would be a group for support for those entering and those who want more information and want to enter. Get involved! Get out there and keep weight off, get off old habits, get used to a more active life and see yourself as the athlete you can be or are.

Ok so this is going to be a confession kind of about 5 years ago I got a lap band I started off so strong I dropped 50 pounds made a lot of huge changes in my life but then I ended up pregnant and I didnt put on much weight but lacked motivation to keep working out after words between on the demands of being mother of 2 kids and once my middle child turned 2 i was having baby 3. Recently I have wanted to work out more but at home i cant stay motivated as I am alone it feels like. My husband tells me that yoga is not a real work out and then when my kids are all ways under foot when I try in the day time by the time everyone is asleep i am just very tired. I have been thin…

It may not seem like a big deal, but this week I stopped in at Target and bought a bathing suit top off the rack. I didn't try it on but I got one size smaller than the one I have been wearing. Today, when I got to the pool I tried it on and actually looked at myself, in my bathing suit, in front of a full length mirror. The suit fit, and I looked pretty good all things considered.

I used to have a fit bit one that I clipped to my bra but found that it was terrible at tracking my steps and calories. Now that I'm just about to have my surgery I'd like to get another one but I'm not sure which one to go for. I'd really like one that could accurately track the calories I burn in a day. What does everyone use? Does it seem to track well?

I have always felt semi uncomftorable in group fitness or yoga classes. I'm not sure if it's all the mirrors and funny unappealing angles or what... I get there early and hide in the back corner where I feel "safe". Well today during my yoga class the back corners were all full and I had to take a spot front and center.....which is have assumed should have caused me a full on panic attack! But NO!!!!!! I owned it. And felt comftorable in full on skin tight yoga gear, in front of and surrounded by the typical skinny yoga chicks. And even more mind blowing.....looking in the mirror standing next to them I actually didn't recognize myself. I looked long and lean and…

Hi all, I am 6 weeks into it and cleared to go back to the gym and MMA training but am worried about getting worn out too easy. A lot of the guys I train with have pre workout powders and stuff but not really sure what to have. I was thinking about trying to adjust my food to give me the kick and stamina to get through a gruelling workout but I dont think I am eating enough as it is. I would really like to start training for a mini triathlon but that is still a ways off. I work shift work so cant do regular sessions at the gym but I'll find a way...lol. Im still on soft foods for another 3 weeks so thats where im up to with my diet. Ready to get back into it. Scotty

what can you accomplish in a month? wow. I am amazed when I see my month end summary. hmmmm. I might need to step up a little, it would be awfully sweet to make 100 miles in a month. map my walk says I have walked 32.7 hours - 16426 calories - 44 workouts - 90.1 miles in April. this is just from working out - I don't track my daily in the course of living walking. I am so thankful for this sleeve.

The doctor says I can start exercising next week and I'm really looking forward to it. I would love to have a personal trainer but I can't afford one. I don't want to just walk on a treadmill. I want to be able to do things like walk up two flights of stairs without getting so winded. I want to walk faster, I want to work on my arms, I can't hold my arms up for more than a few seconds without them getting painfully tired. I want to push myself but not in a dangerous way. What are the different kind of exercises I can start out with?

Looking for Fitbit friends.

I guess this is a combination of a fitness post & a NSV. Did a 5K on Sunday, well, my version of "wogging" .... a combination of fast walking and slow jogging. Managed to not only PR with a time of just under 40 minutes, but it was also my very first sub 13minute mile pace!!!! Ok, ok, not MUCH under a 13mm, but it started with a 12 and that is all that matters, right!?!?! Yay me!

I had surgery 12/14/15. I am doing great and the weight is coming off but I attribute that to following my post surgery diet. One of my goals it to be 'fit'. I am failing at that goal. I am a beginner and have some limitations because of my knees, like avoiding high impact aerobics. But most exercise can be made low impact easily and elliptical is very comfortable. I really need weight bearing exercise to build muscle . So the question is what are favorite exercise videos and why. Do you use Amazon prime or you tube for free stuff? Any one tried daily burn subscription or the beach body subscription? In particular has anyone tried hammer and chisel, 30 day shred…

On Saturday I ran 10 miles for my half marathon training! I'd been dreading it all week, because 9 miles the previous weekend had been really tough, but I feel like I had some sort of breakthrough with the 10 miles. I felt like I could have kept going (which I guess is good, because I'll have to keep going soon!). My half marathon is only 5 weeks away now and I am really starting to believe I'll be able to actually do it!

Can't take advil or other NSAIDs, so what do you take for the soreness? I just started lifting weights (trying to get buff LOL). I am very sore from lifting, but don't know what I can take to relieve the soreness. Looking for suggestions.

I just signed up for a community fitness challenge. There are two components. One is to meet a fitness goal every week (in terms of minutes exercised), and one component is a weight loss challenge. I usually avoid weight loss challenges, but since there are prizes involved for participating I decided to sign up. I am only competing with myself. I had the official weigh in at my wellness center yesterday and I was weighed and then she had me use the body fat analyzer. My body fat still doesn't register on the machine which errors out if your body fat is over 50%. So, my primary goal for this challenge is to be under 50% so I register on the machine. I also set my fit…

So, last week I was on vacation with my family. We took a cruise to the Western Caribbean. The first few days were great and we were having a great time. On Tuesday, we stopped at Grand Cayman. I tripped and fell directly on my shoulder on asphalt! Lots of pain. I ended up back on the ship getting xrays and found that I have a grade 5 separated shoulder that will require surgery. Wednesday I flew home from Jamaica and saw an orthopedic surgeon. Surgery is coming up this week, and frankly I can't wait because not only am I fairly useless with just my left hand, but I'm constantly in pain if I try to move my arm. Anybody have experience with this type of injury / sur…

So, I'm wondering if I should start incorporating strength training into my workouts. I've been focusing so far pretty much with cardio....I walk, ride my bike, swim laps. I'm just not sure where to start. Should I pay for a personal trainer for a couple sessions? How did you guys know where to start and what to do? And, do you find that strength training improves the loose skin issue?? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm scheduled to have my surgery on June 2. If all goes well, do you think it would be possible to run a 5k at the end of September. I would follow c25k. A really cool race has come up that I want to do. Sent from my SGH-I337M using the BariatricPal App

Since being sleeved last October my dog walks have got longer and longer as I have dropped the pounds and got fitter. I'm loving every minute of my weight loss journey and each NSV which is achieved. Just thought that I would post a couple of pics for all you Americans using this site. These memorials are in the Royal Park, Bushy Park where I walk most days as it is only five minutes walk down the road from where I live. Some of our more elderly residents can remember the day the Yanks came to town and still tell stories of how they brought some cheer to the local kids - mostly in the form of gum and candies, but also in organising activities and film shows for them. So y…

I have signed up for the Twin Cities Marathon! I know, I am insane! At the informational meeting last night for the group I am training with they were talking about gu and nutrition when on long runs. Besides the marathon, my longest training run should be about 20 miles/4 or so hours. I am still pretty well padded with energy reserves (fat) although I don't know where I will be in 6 months when I am actually doing these long runs. I suspect that I will need something to keep from bonking both on long runs and at the actual marathon. Gu's ingredients include: INGREDIENTS: Maltodextrin, Water, Fructose, Leucine, Sea Salt, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Citric …

Started out on the 22nd floor at work and walked down 2 flights, then back up one. I did that from 22 down to 14. So, 2 down and one up. Then 14 straight down. That was Friday night. I still can't hardly walk!! It hurts but it's a good hurt. No pain no gain right ! Hopefully by Tuesday I'll be able to hit them again. But.... not so many floor back up. Baby steps. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using the BariatricPal App

Anyone having issues with using the Map My Run app?? Normally I love to use it to track my walks and bike rides, but for some reason it's not tracking properly now. Yesterday, I went mall walking with my sister in law. We walked together, same route, distance, speed and length of time. We both started the app at the beginning and stopped at the end. Mine didn't track even half of the workout. any suggestions for resolving this? Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I'm so excited! I finally got a Fitbit Charge HR yesterday! Anyone want to do a day step challenge for tomorrow, starting at midnight? Or one for the weekend? Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App *edited to state tomorrow challenge would start at midnight.

Another good reason to: exercise, drink lots of Water, eat cleanly, manage stress, dry brush your skin, and get massages. http://healthpositiveinfo.com/how-to-drain-lymph-system-important.html

Please only respond with encouragement and positivity. I feel like I am isolated, alone, bored and stuck in a monotonous rut, in my life as well as my workouts and have few options to change this. The last time I posted a topic like this, someone even had the gall to say it was amusing!! NOT helpful!! Looking for mind games & tricks to help me feel more positive and keep things fun & challenging. I am working out at my maximum ability 70 minutes each morning, 7 days a week. EVERY morning, I wake, put on workout clothes, leg braces and ankle braces. Then 17.5 minutes recumbant bike, 17.5 mins treadmill at 10% incline (the highest it will go) at 3.2 mph (the…

Is using a PT pre-op worth it or a waste of time? I want to build lean muscle and tone up so after surgery, the loose skin won't be as bad. I know that after surgery, I'll probably go back and continue using one until I reach my goal.