Fitness & Exercise

What can be done to alleviate soreness/tightness in your calf? I consistently get a Charlie horse in my left calf muscle, and the bad ones linger for days. It feels like I'll get another one any minute.

Hi - Is anyone taking CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid - mine made from Safflower oil). I bought the GNC brand. Bottle says "Clinically proved to improve body composition". I am about 15 lbs away from my (self-imposed) goal. I started working with an exercise physiologist 11 days after my surgery. Now I am down more than 100 lbs. The even better news is that my percentage of body fat went from 49.4 to 26.0% So I have been very successful in gaining muscle while loosing the weight. judging from other people's stats on this site, I did seem to loose slower, but perhaps more steadily with less stalls. The normal body fat % for a women my age is 23-34%, so I am doing well.…

Too excited this morning. I am participating in a group of bariatric patients in the FitOne race this Saturday. .We all share the experience of being obese to healthy. Love them! they keep me on track. GO TEAM SLEEVE!

I haven't gotten surgery yet. I'm going to try losing weight without surgery first. I currently weigh 470 pounds and it seems impossible to find exercise equipment for people my size. I have a recumbent bike that is rated for 250 pounds. I have used it and my inner thighs get tired. I'm not sure if this is because I'm not used to riding, or I'm too cramped on the bike? I can only last 10 minutes before my legs get too tired. It's frustrating because I'm not out of breath and my heart rate isn't that high. If I ride 3 times a day at 10 minutes, would that be effective? I'm hoping with weight loss I'll fit better on the bike and can ride longer. My caloric intake per day is…

So tonight I finished the 9 week c25k training program. 9 weeks and 45 miles!!! I'm SO damn proud of myself!!! As I was doing my cool down I was feeling nostalgic. Tonight I walked out of the house with my headphones and told the kids I'd be back. I recall a time the kids were too young to be able to leave, making finding time to exercise hard. And then I was thankful that despite being 'super morbidly obese,' (side note I just thought of the acronym SUMO... ugh, I hate that even more!!!) my knee and joints don't ache. It all made me realize that I picked the best time possible time in my life to have this surgery. Well now I'm gonna work at bettering my pace and ti…

This is such a great app. I was just wondering if there is a pre-workout supplement I could take before the gym. Any supplements you can recommend? Thanks so much!!

Its been two weeks since surgery and my doctor has cleared me for cardio (no restrictions) but has deferred weights/swimming until 4 weeks after surgery. I have been walking and riding a stationary bike on a daily basis, and I am looking for some additional exercise options not involving weights or swimming for the next few weeks. For example, do you think a rowing machine would be ok?

Prior to surgery my core was already pretty strong. Since I resumed working out since surgery I'm finding that my core isn't as strong as it used to be. Do you think that it's due to they surgery?

I am 6 months out and at goal but my only issue is eating. I never thought I would say that. I was in the gym 5 to 7 days a week but now sometimes go once. I can not eat enough. I struggle with eat one wingette. The little piece of the chicken wing. My body has toned very good because I was working out and lifting weights but no I want definition and am trying to maybe get a 6 pack. I had 4 children so I know this will be a hard task plus I was obese for so long. I am grateful for the surgery and how my body looks now but I just want muscles. I hear I have to eat lots of protein to get this And I am struggling. Sometimes I eat some chips or ice cream to get in some calori…

This is a very interesting article http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/fitness/why-are-morning-runners-so-happy/ar-AAdXPBx?ocid=spartandhp Exercise first thing in morning on an empty stomach may optimize leptin levels making you feel full.

I'd like to start a weekly cardio/strength training schedule because I sometimes lose track of what exercises I've done when and I also have a tendency to try and do too much at once and too fast. Has anyone else created a schedule for themselves that would like to share any tips or advice. I can't afford a trainer, or even a gym membership, but I do have a lovely bike path near by where I walk three miles a day, a nice bike, a basic rowing machine, and a small set of free weights. I have a print out of other strength training exercises that can be down at home without equipment as well (squats, lunges, calf raises, sit ups, etc.) What has worked best for you?

I am running my first big races this year and I'm very nervous because I'm afraid that I will not get enough food and water in for the races. Any suggestions on how to do these races safely? I had a gastric sleeve January 2012.

I wondering if anyone out there can help me with a bit of a weird occurrence I've been having as I'm working out. I'm 6 months out from having the sleeve and have dropped 85lbs! WOOT! I've been doing more running at the gym, however, I've been having a lot of pain from my excess skin/fat in my back area (upper and lower areas). I can only run for a moment until it gets really uncomfortable. Does anyone have any specialized clothing they like to wear? Or even bands? I've upped my strength workouts to try to get rid of the areas, but until I can work it off, any advice would be great! Many thanks! You all rock!

Hey guys i am one month post surgery. I started walking last week, 4 times/week. When should i start more intense exercises and can you give me examples of what could be more beneficial Thanks

Can't seem to link; see story at CBSConnecticutlocal.com for 7/23/2015 date. He's 2 months nto cross country ride, claims 60# loss, and is doing it for health and to save his marriage. Good luck for sure!

Does anyone here use any Beachbody programs? If so, which one?

I did it.....The OLD MAN did it!!! St. Kitts, climbed a Volcano, over 3000 feet through a Tropic Rain forest. I am 63 years old, the next age was a couple who were 42...after that everyone was in their 20's and 30's. We broke up in 3 groups of 12...if you were falling behind, you would drop back a group. If a group was slowing you down, then you moved up a group. Took us 3 hours to get to the summit. I started in the first group, and stayed there. Half of the 2nd group didn't make it, and we never saw the 3rd group...they all quit. I go to the gym 4-5 days a week, run 5 &10 K's, but THIS was probably the toughest Challenge I have done in 20 years!!! That's why…

Of course I won't start riding until my Dr. gives the okay but when should I expect to get the okay to start riding again? I just had my RNY surgery 3 days ago so am still on a 10 lb lifting restriction.

I'm still pre op, but I've been working hard walking, doing resistance bands, fitball exercises, and basic floor exercises like leg lifts and pelvic tilts, etc. I aim for 30 mins 5/6 times a wk and I've been at this routine for about 4wks I think. This past week, my body has gone into full rebel! It started with a nagging shoulder that pops and grinds, but I pushed on. Then my knees were getting too sore to stand so I quit walking as long and tried "resting them" by doing short walks around the house when it seemed even walking to the end of the block was causing severe pain. NOW as of last night my feet and legs are swelling up to the knees and I start having leg cramps …

Hi all! I initially posted this topic in another forum, but found this forum and am hoping for a bigger audience, because I am anxious to hear from all of you! I wanted to start this thread because I am curious as to how many of you use activity trackers with your exercise and any fitness apps that have helped you in your weight loss journeys. What are your reviews and how do you like them? How have they helped you? I started out many years ago with my first activity tracker before I had been banded. I had bought a FitBit One. It worked remarkably well with the features of tracking miles, sleep, steps, calories burned, time and date, and a growing flower w…

Started doing hot yoga classes, mostly for the stretching and balance, but I suspect I am burning some serious calories. Anyone have any good numbers?

For the past 6 weeks I have been lifting weights one day, doing cardio the next day, and resting the next day. With only 2 weeks to surgery I am looking to step up exercise, but am concerned now that I am starting a diet of Protein shakes for Breakfast and lunch and a light dinner. Should I eliminate the day of rest and alternate lifting weights one day and cardio the next day? I understand that after surgery I will have to wait 6 weeks before beginning to lift weights again.

I'm talking about later......after I'm at least two years out from my bypass. Will I be able to take in enough Protein daily to be effective? I was able to make some great headway a few years back after first losing a great deal of weight. I reached a point where I wanted to drop cardio and focus just on weight training. During this time, It seemed like I was eating much of the same foods I'll be mostly eating post-op. I just didn't know if I'd be able to consume enough to fuel significant muscle growth like I was able to do back then.

I had a gastric bypass in March and seem to be losing everywhere but my stomach. Any suggestions?

Any cyclists out there who are a year or more out? I'm 4 months out and want to start training for a 62 mile tour that's going to be happening towards the end of June. With that long of a ride I'm worried about calorie consumption and getting enough water in. Any advice from any long distance riders would be much appreciated!!! I'm psyching myself out....

I hike two miles everyday during the week. On Saturday I do a big hike of 13 miles. This is a very technical hike with lots steep inclines. I was wondering if it would be ok to carb load the day before. I eat throughout the hike but around mile 8-9 I am spent due to lack of intake.

Im wondering how to reset my metabolism. I know I need more calories and excersize, I just dont know where to begin. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Morning! I have been walking more and more- I added music to my walks which makes all the difference. I got my sweat on this morning! However, after 1.25 miles most of me was ready to try a second lap and my lower back started to ache. I know posture matters too but mine has improves greatly and someone even remarked on it yesterday. I am considering getting a sports bra to keep excess weight centered, begin core exercises to strengthen my other muscles...I am frustrated because I want to exercise! Lol...So I'm wondering if anyone else ran into this and what you've done...maybe it is a matter of me losing more weight first. I just don't know.

Hi everyone. I've just discovered this site, am currently trying to lose on my own as my insurance does not make WL surgery an option although I am thinking it would be worth it to pay out of pocket for cosmetic work if I am successful. Anyway, I am currently weighing around 270 and trying to walk daily. It doesn't seem like too much, I walk for usually two 20-minute rounds daily on a treadmill at 3.0-3.2 mph and a very slight incline. After the first week or so, I am finding that I have pretty sharp pains in my ankle. Not excruciating, but sharp where I'm limping a bit. I don't think it's a sprain as I don't recall any twisting or other accidents and it's not r…

Last year at this time, I was able to walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes at about 2.8 mph. Now I can run for more than an hour. What a great feeling. Can't wait to see what I will be able to do in another year. What can you do that you couldn't do prior to surgery?

I keep reading about people who are a month post-op and exercising five days a week for one to two hours each time. One person said they were walking 3.5 miles two days post-op. Were those who were exercising like this already exercising prior to surgery. Honestly, I can't imagine being able to do that with my weight and bad knees. (I will try swimming but still....That seems like a lot of exercise for people in really bad shape. How'd you do it?

Tried a Zumba class for the first time today and wow! I only lasted 25 minutes but it was fun and really got my heart rate up. I think I need to lose more weight as it was hard on my knees. At least I tried and I hope to give it another go when I lose another 30 pounds. Back to the water aerobics class for now.

Does anyone know of any reasonable treadmills that have a high weight capacity . Looking to spend around 1200. Been searching the internet and it seems that any treadmill that i find has a max capacity of 300 or 325 pounds . Im a big guy 6 foot 4 and 430 right now . i dont want to waste money on a treadmill with a low weight capacity. i know a great alternative would be to join a gym but im not at that point yet. Just an FYI - i had my surgery on Nov 8 this year. Any suggestions are appreciated.

So I was going to go for my walk this evening because it was so hot and humid today but now it's raining...suggestions on exercise I can do inside? I'm post-op 2 weeks.

So what is more important- cardio or weight training? My NUT thinks cardio for weightloss. My personal trainer thinks weight training. The NUT did not give a reason. The personal trainer says the more muscle you have the more calories you will burn. Now I do use a 10-15 minute cardio warm-up and another 10-15 minutes after. My big problem is that I work an hour from home. I leave at 6 am in the morning. I get home around 5:30 pm. I can make it to the gym 3 times a week. I also have a horse. I like to ride 3-4 times a week. I cannot do both the barn and gym on the same day. I just don't have time. I am sweat big time so this time of year walking at lunch just…

Hi, I am very concerned about exercising as I am now far enough out to be working out regularly. Prior to surgery I was walking 8 miles a day and felt I could do more but stopped at the 8 due to time constraints, life, etc. I was sleeved July 4th and I just can't seem to get enough calories to facilitate regular exercise. Add to that the heat and Water needs. Any suggestions? Did anyone have this problem and find a way around it? I am currently between 300-600 calories with the low end being on days I focus on water. I want to eat enough for exercise but right now I don't have enough calories to even sustain a normal day sans exercise. Any help is greatly appr…

I will be getting my elliptical delivered shortly. Has anyone else used iFit? How do you like it? I am excited to get it and start a workout plan. Well, I'll build up to one. I know I'll start out slow. How about Les Mills Combat? Did you like it? I'm getting it because I have watched some on youTube and don't find it boring. This is an excitement for me. This is where I'll start. And in the mean time I will be ordering the equipment mat and weight gloves.

I haven't had surgery yet but I thought it would be a bad idea to ask those who have had surgery about your activity levels after surgery. I signed up for a women's weight training class and Pilates, my surgery is August 4th. I will have about two weeks to recover before going back to work and then a week later I start school and those gym classes. Does anyone know if it would be a good idea to do a weight training class and Pilates? Anyone try these classes before, after their surgery? How was your experience! I would appreciate any responses! Thanks!

I started my invisalign treatment 2 months ago from our family dentist in Barrie. Since few days I noticed that 2 new wisdom teeth are erupting and it is really painful. Do the eruption of these 2 wisdom teeth affect my invisalign treatment? Will there be any other adverse effect by removing my wisdom teeth mid treatment?

Hey All, My name is Rebecca and I am almost 29 and married from NJ. I have about 70-80 lbs to lose....I had my band for a year and just got it removed two days ago. I am doing a 3 month medically supervised diet then revising to the sleeve in September. I know I have to kick up my exercise regime once my surgery incisions heal up. I am a big fan of yoga but have found it to be hard since I have gained weight (At one point I was down to a size 8/10 but gained the weight back to a size 20). I have a gym membership but find it hard to motivate myself to go because I am very self conscious of the way I look. I need to get myself to go and walk on the treadmill or go to one …

SO, I hope i do not offend anyone's sensibilities, but a few people I know and help with this journey, have asked about this and it kind of clicked for me, especially recently. Now since many many threads have talked about dealing with constipation etc, this is far from that. What I have noticed is that during a stall i will got 3 to 5 days without a BM. But when i am losing constantly, I have much more regular BM's Now obviously the joke " i took so big i poop i felt lighter" etc. seem to hold true to a degree. ( no i have never weighed before and after) But i most certainly do notice that sustained weight loss seems to coincide with being..regular , shall…

Good Morning! I am ready to compile a playlist of good work out music...I have an armband for my phone and bluetooth ear buds...the one thing I am unsure of is where to get the songs?? where to download them from? I have found a list of the 100 best workout songs...some of which I think are debatable- - but once I find a few I like I'm not sure where to get them. Below is the link for the music if anyone is interested. http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/music/popular-playlists/100-best-workout-songs/

Anyone have one? I just got one and would love to add some friends!

I have decided to get an activity tracker, but which one? My most consistent exercise actvities are walking and bike riding. I would like to track distance and speed. I'm also interested in user friendliness and easy integration with MyFitnessPal. So with those preferences, what do you all recommend? I was also thinking that maybe I should get one with a screen. I'm not good with cryptic symbols and indicator lights. Does anyone have any recommendations.

I read this could be common but honestly how can you be depressed when your loosing so much weight.

I tend to have a muscular build for a woman - so when I was doing my workout DVDs people often assumed I lifted weights due to the definition in my arms. It came from doing planks, pushups etc as part of my aerobic workout. Anyway, I always assumed there are genetic differences, but this is a write up of an interesting rat study. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/29/why-some-people-get-fitter-than-others/

Ok, I have always had a hard time trying to figure out food and morning exercise, but now I am even more confused. If I get up and drink Water, then I have to wait 30 minutes before eating and then exercise but can't drink while I am exercising. That won't work. (Honestly even without the exercise, I have a hard time with eating in the morning, generally just doing a Protein shake while I am driving to work.) So this morning I had extra time, so I had 3 Tbsp greek yogurt and then waited about 30 minutes and went for a 45 minute walk. I did drink about 8 oz water while I was walking but man was I dizzy and wiped out when I got back. I knew I hadn't had enough Fluid b…

I was an avid runner -training for a marathon- before my TT & panni. Now at 8 weeks post op I finally felt strong enough in my core to go for a run. I only went 2 miles, it hurt like hell, and I'm still feeling it a day later. But I'm getting back out there tomorrow morning again. I have a 1/2 marathon in October that I need to formally start training for (starting at 3 miles) on July 27. Has anyone had a TT/panni & returned to running? How long did you wait? How did you ease back into it? How long until your core didn't hurt anymore when you ran? Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

I have my surgery scheduled for Monday July 13. . So I've been reading about not lifting anything for a few weeks or months -which I completely understand. So I wonder if bodyweight workout would be ok.. any thoughts or experience???

After struggling with the misfit flash (I loved it a lot, but after some use, it broke twice!) I returned it for a refund and got the Garmin vivosmart which is part fitness band, part smart watch. I really like it and I find the app and the website really useful/informative. Does anyone have a garmin fitness band and use the Garmin connect app with it? If so I'd love to have some buddies over there! I am heynowkc over there as well.