Fitness & Exercise

Hi! Has anyone worked out at a Planet Fitness or Blast Fitness? What's it like? How has your experience been? Thanks in advance for your feedback Lala

Has anyone here become a Zumba instructor? I've been thinking about it. I was just curious if anyone had done it, so I can pick your brains.

How has your experience been with Zumba? Are there different paces or is it fast paced? Thanks in advance

Hi all! Now that it is spring I really want to get a bike to ride with my family, but I don't have a bike! I haven't ridden since I was a teenager. What kind of bike can I get to hold me? I am 350. Any suggestions that won't cost me a fortune? Thanks!

I have been wanting one of those home gyms with weights for a long time, but while shopping for it I came across these resistance type machines that work your whole body. So now I am torn, I don't know which one I should get. Please help! What I really want is to tone up because I am so jiggly right now. This is the resistance machine http://www.walmart.com/ip/Weider-Total-Body-Works-5000/12343189 This is the home gym with weights http://www.walmart.com/ip/Weider-2980-214-lb-Stack-Home-Gym/11993386?findingMethod=rr

I have been studying the relationship of testosterone levels with body fat percentage. I found this in a study: Previous studies have shown a well-established relationship between testosterone and body fat composition. For example, men with low testosterone levels are characterised by a high body fat percentage. However, despite this well documented link, the causal factors behind this relationship have remained unknown. In this study, the authors show the set of genes that control testosterone levels also control body fat, providing for the first time an underlying causal link to explain this relationship. I am pretty sure low testosterone contributes to higher level…

I joined a gym near my house!!! This was my birthday week gift to myself!! I worked out for almost an hour..7 miles on the bike and a little stretching!! Gonna get my rebounding on in the AM. And go back to the gym tomorrow evening (it was a little crowded for me at 4pm).. Yeah me!!!

So, I've really been trying to work on strengthening and defining my legs, without too much success. My upper body has gained a LOT of muscle and definition, and, I dare say, I'm getting pretty "buff." Even my abs, under the last little layer of fat (and, sadly, loose skin) are getting pretty darned muscular and solid. But I just cannot for the life of me seem to gain the same definition and bulk in my lower body. I've been trying to go back to basics with my lifting (squats on the smith machine instead of the press machine/extensions machine, etc.) with the thought being that involving my stabilizer muscles might help me focus on the legs more. However, now I'm at …

Ok ya'll....With part of my tax refunds I want to invest in either a BodyBugg or a HRM. Since I'm a few months away from surgery, I want to make the best decision I can that will help me the most after surgery. I know there will be continual expense with the bodybugg...is it work the cost?! I'm now down to the Polar FT4 or the bodybugg. Any help will be appreciated!

Working out after surgery has been quite a struggle. For the first few weeks I started out with the bike, then added the treadmill. Slowly I added in my arm band and small weights. As of tonight I added in crunches! It was an amazing feeling to be able to do 50 crunches and not struggle! 4 months ago my stomach would have been in the way and prevented me from accomplishing this. I am soo happy I decided to have my sleeve surgery. It's an amazing feeling being able to see my life change for the better day by day!

So, brief back story. I swam competitively from 8 yrs old through till I was18. I haven't swam a lick since then. Every now and then when we're somewhere with a pool I'll bust out the butterfly for like .5 seconds and then I'm wiped. I still feel like I could do all the strokes in my sleep, but I'm scared to get started again. I bought myself my swimcap and goggles, got a new Speedo swimsuit just hanging in my closet waiting for me to join the Rec Plex and just do it. I have no idea why I'm so intimated when this is something that I did throughout my whole childhood. Part of it is I hate me in a swimsuit, another part is the dreaded being judged by people sy…

im female 165cm 95 kilos my goal weight is 70 in least possible time i could my over weight is in thighs , hips and arms can i exercise with stationary bike id it enough to loose weight fast as i can? i love walking but idont have apartener to walk with ihate walking lonely what are your advices?

It is 6 am in California:( Yes I am already awake. Yesterday we flew in and walked around the hotel looking for a place to eat dinner. Seems like we walked forever,found this wonderful seafood place. The salmon was to die for. Although I was really starving, I did follow the rules and boxed up what I couldn't eat. So I guess it is salmon with a salad for lunch today:) After dinner we walked back to the hotel, passing by the bay along the water. Wow I could live like this everyday. I told my husband, I would have no problem walking everyday if I had scenery like this. It was a bit chilly, other than that the hot tub helped break the chill. So day 1 has been a good day. To…

Hey everyone! I am two weeks post op and today I started my new excercise program, the couch to 5k program. I cant say it was easy as I am seriously out of shape, but I am so proud i completed the whole thirty minutes and I hope it will only get easier. I wanted to know if any other bandsters have completed this program? Please share

I was wanting to know if any body is here in huntsville that has the lapband

I'm taking in around 1000-1200 calories a day and I'm going to the gym 2 times a day 30-45 min. On the elliptical in the morning and the same in the afternoon. Am I burning to many calories ? Am I doing to much ? I'm 6 weeks postop. I'm a 32 year old male 215lbs down from 257lbs.

This is just one example, but at about ~1:20 in, you can see the result of numerous studies on numerous patient groups. The results are striking in their similarity: both low-repetition, high intensity (weight) and high-repetition, lower intensity (weight) sets produced equivalent results, when performed to fatigue or failure. Of course, you have to use enough weight to produce SOME kind of challenge, but men, you do not, not, not need to use the biggest stack of weight possible to "get big" and muscular. The big stacks of weight are the result of lots of bulking up, not the cause (confusing these two is like believing that not having dandruff causes people to use anti…

A coupla things about running: I'm a new convert to it, I've avoided it all my life even when I was a teen athlete, now I'm a total addict! I started out just running for a single minute, then ignored the time and went for distance, a half mile at first. That became a whole mile, though with several breaks for speed walking. So now I have some questions: 1. Pace - the guy at the running shoe store told me that the ideal pace is 180 steps per minute, or 90 pairs. At least I think that is what he said, can anyone confirm? I do like that pace, it keeps me at a fairly nice prance. 2. Change in body - After you have incorporated running (not walking or jogging but r…

I am 11 months out of surgery and down 124 lbs. I've been exercising and joined a soccer team but my arms are a mess. I don't feel like I can wear tee shirts. I still have 50 lbs to lose so surgery is not an option. The summer is coming and I'm in a wedding in October. Does anyone have good arm toning exercises with good results?

Has anyone tried the urban rebounder or mini trampoline workouts?? Thoughts, suggestions??? I bought an urban rebounder off groupon for 40 bucks.... Looked good!!

I was suposed to have a p.e. class for college, and managed to mess up my knee tuesday (going to doctors this week to see how bad), the sad part of this, is i get to start mushi food next week so was also going to start hitting the gym, and now i can barely walk! Then got depressed about the situation because said P.E. class that i injured myself in was horseback. I've ridden horses on and off all my life, then to realize that i had let myself get so heavy i can't even pull myself into a western saddle. =*(. Granted it was a very big and tall horse (would not have even tried had the horse not been big enough that he would have been able to hold said wait comfortably!) a…

I am 1 month post op today, and have kicked up the exercising.....what are you doing to kick the fat? Today, I did 1 mile of walking, and 4 reps of leg lifts with 50 lbs weights...still have to do bench press, squats, and cardio. Any suggestions on what else I can do? For my cardio, I dance, and play Wii...

Is it possible to have perky breast after weightloss of 100lbs or more? What exercises helps with the pec muscles?

i need help fast! my arms are super saggy and i hate it what can i do? good workout, how much weight to lift etc.. i'm only 3 weeks post op but i need to do something any advice will help tons thank's!

So, for all you VSG runners out there, have any of you experienced cramps while running right at an incision site? I have been hiking/jogging for several weeks. I'm four months post op and just recently I started getting cramps right around the lower left incision site where my stomach was removed. My first thought was "I hope that's not a hernia" but then I did a little reading on what causes cramps or side stiches during running and it seems as though this cramp is right below the liver which, I guess, is the most common area. I'm going to pay close attention to my breathing during my run tomorrow and see if the techniques I read about help.

okay I know we have a lot of Houston Bandsters but I am out close to Galveston and want a walking buddy to do long walks on the weekends. It is not safe to go alone. I am talking like 6 miles or more once or twice a week and do the other nights on our own, I am willing to come closer up like League City or Clear Lake area for the long walks. Needs to be in a safe place Cheri

The weather is so gorgeous today, warm and sunny. I've been feeling really flabby and wanted to get some exercise in. I took an exceptionally long walk today (relatively speaking) since my walks have been short the last few days. I also got permission from my nurse to do 5 pound weight exercises. Wow, what a difference! I feel so good right now it's not even funny. Considering this past weekend I was crying over intense acid reflux, today it a total turnaround. I know I have nothing to add for people who are looking for better fitness advice months out, but I wanted to share how my baby steps today have really helped my gas, my mood, my energy, you name it. Can I shou…

I was just sleeved on Dec. 28, 2011. I am losing at what I think is a pretty good pace. I have recently started back at the gym. I mostly do walking on the track (I am doing the Susan G Komen 3 day in Dallas in Nov.) and the eliptical. I honestly haven't done much in the form of weights. I think I will start this week because I am definitely noticing the skin sagging. While I actually do enjoy weight training, I'm also looking for some sort of group exercise that I might enjoy and keep me motivated that would help some with toning. Has anyone ever tried Pilates with for toning after being sleeved?

How soon after surgery did you start working out intensely? I'm active now and work out now, but I read a lot about people waiting months to start working out. What was your experience?

ihad my surgery in another country so im away of my doctor i have many questions and i hope you will help me im now 5 weeks post operative idont know what types of food could i eat could i ear grilled fish chicken salad banana chipsy or i have to wait on fluids till i reach 2 month post operative? also i have stomach gases and it make me feel bad how can i get rid of it? also when i drink my stomch make a sounds like adrum ihate this its so embursing? how much kilos per week to loose? do i have to exercise? which type icant take oral vitamins what ihave to do?

So I just finished my second half marathon and I've noticed something consist with each race. About half way through, my body seems like it completely depletes of any energy stored. I don't seem to be able to store enough energy to keep me powered, my legs begin to cramp and my toes stand straight up. I don't feel like its fluids because I'm pretty well hydrated and I'm drinking both Water and electrolytes on the course. Has any one got tips or ideas what is going on? I don't seem to have these with my sprint triathlons, which are shorter distances (at least on the running and swimming side). I'm wondering if my inability to consume enough calories because of the V…

Ok so I am waiting to hear back from my NUT about this question. Now my doctor said I could start working out. I have a trainer and all. My question is. Besides the require fluid and protein we are to ingest daily. I know I calculate around 450-500 calories per day. Now with working out do we have to eat a little more or keep it as is?? Cause if for example I eat 500 calories a day and work out 300 then all my body is taking in around 200. Or am I all wrong. Someone please guide me on this

I am 30 lbs approx from goal. I am eating around 1100-1200 cals I have 2 shakes a day to hit my Protein Love Oh Yeah Protein Bars Try and eat egg, cheese & meat daily 1/2 c chicken Cheese Beef Jerky Lots of spinach Veggie protein balls or bites Exercise: Pilates reformer classes 2x /week Cardio 4-5 days / week on my eliptical Walking whenever i can Strength training 2-3 days per a week for 15 mins Soon it will be golf & season!

Hello all! I am moving with my husband to Camp Pendleton in the middle of June (into housing not sure which though) and I am looking for any fellow bandster wives out there that might be interested in getting together. I am also looking for a workout buddy. I am getting back into running again after an unforeseen medical issue and am in week 2 of P90x. If you would like to get together let me know and we can connect of Facebook or something. HUGS!!

I signed up for a half marathon. It is still10 months away. I know I will be one of ths slower joggers to finish, but just the fact that I have decided to do this is a great feeling considering that I am an OFG (original fat girl)

I'm 12 weeks out and signed up to start with a personal trainer tonight. I'm afraid that I'll tear something in my stomach and create a leak. Can someone tell me exactly what I can and can not do? Should I stay away from anything that tightens my stomach muscles? Should I not bend excessively or anything like that?

http://www.womansday.com/sex-relationships/sex-tips/8-sexy-ways-to-burn-calories-110923 I had to look up the answer.

HI everyone! I was sleeved a week ago, and before that I ran 5ks, swam a lot and biked. (I'm signed up for a triathalon, can you tell?) I am so anxious to get back to it all, especially swimming which helped me to lose all of the weight I had to lose pre surgery. How long until you were able to start swimming, running, biking and weight training? I know I'm still early, but it's killing me to just walk. I don't want to hurt myself, but I really really want to do something.

I saw this article and it kind of blew my mind! http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1914974-1,00.html I really didn't exercise the first several months after getting sleeved (at that time I was losing weight effortlessly each month, and my energy was still low because of the ultra-low calories I was consuming). When my weight loss started slowing down at about the 5-6 month mark, I started exercising about 3-4 days a week (mostly walking with a little jogging). I continued to lose weight, but at a slower pace. I also started eating more calories as my sleeve capacity grew. Starting around the 9 month mark, I started exercising much more vigorously, 5-…

I'm on a roll. After getting the Fit Bit that became a hot topic here this past week, I decided to treat myself to a good pr of sneakers. Someone here mentioned due to the fact of being overweight, alot of us are over pronated when walking. I am one of those people. Not sure if and how much will change as I lose the weight, however, I went to a running store yesterday that evaluates your feet, jogging, etc. They fit me with my personal insoles to assist in alleviating my problem, as well as getting the right fit of sneaker for the exercises I'm doing. and also suggested what sneaker would be best for me. After all, when your feet ache, the rest of your body does too. I …

Does anyone know can u start exercising starting on week 3

Our gym has a pool and Water aerobic classes three days a week. I have been stalled (scale-wise) for a while but I am getting smaller. Well a few water aerobic classes has the scale moving again. Most of the people in the class are much older than I am (47). Some of them have limited mobility. It is a very good workout, and not intimidating at all, even though (OMG!) I am in public in my bathing suit, which is now kind of too big! lol

I am a newly banded one (haven't had first fill yet) but I have a question ...when it is really hot or when you all workout...how do you stay hydrated? Especially with a tighter band?....I get really thirsty when I really workout....and I worry about getting enough fluids after my fill....oh and by the way I live in Phoenix Arizona ...120 degrees right around the corner....just worried about dehydration.

I am a newly banded one (haven't had first fill yet) but I have a question ...when it is really hot or when you all workout...how do you stay hydrated? Especially with a tighter band?....I get really thirsty when I really workout....and I worry about getting enough fluids after my fill....oh and by the way I live in Phoenix Arizona ...120 degrees right around the corner....just worried about dehydration.

I was sleeved in sept 2012 and have lost 60 lbs. I went back to work and I'm very exhausted. I track my food on my fittness.com. I'm still loosing about 1.5 to 2 lbs a week. I just need inspiration to get back to the gym.

So, back story. An embarrassing bit of trivia about me: I'm a hypochondriac. I mean, a major hypochondriac. Any little ache or twinge, and my mind immediately jumps to "it's the cancer!" I've learned how to combat this, in two primary ways. The first was just knowledge -- part of the reason that I'm a walking encyclopedia of medical knowledge is that I've learned that by training my brain about the things that REALLY go wrong with the body, and how likely they are, I can talk back to myself (often with a touch of humor) and tell myself "yes, it's possible that that twinge in your gut is cancer. But given that you literally have no other symptoms whatsoever, it's fa…

A little background. Started out at 366 lbs at 6' at age 61. Lapband was my choice at that time and had LP surgery in July 2009. Did pretty well although the larger lapband that was used was a 15 cc and we never could get it tight enough to give me restriction. Lost 83 lbs. Had left hip surgery in May 2010. Rehab from that was to start a walking routine. Gained back about 35 lbs thru July 2011. Lapband just wasn't working as it never was tight enough to restrict my intake. Scheduled VGS conversion for mid-Aug. 2011 and surgeon wanted me to lose as much of the 35 that I gained before surgery. I had seriously begun Power Walking to lose the weight. 3-6 miles per …

I've decided to get back on the bandwagon and start getting movement in where ever possible. So I did a search for good exercises to perform in my office (I actually have a door which makes it doable). I came across this article in the Washington Post and thought I would share the link with you all. Here's the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/health/workout-at-work/ They are not difficult for the most part and they do get your heart rate up and you get the benefit of the extra movement. Give it a try and let me know what you think of them.

I use myfitnesspal.com for food tracking, but when i enter my workout info, it seems to calculate ridiculously high calorie burn numbers. Yesterday I did a 35 minute session on the elliptical. The machine told me around 350 calories, but my fitnesspal is saying something like 600 calories. In addition, the weight training just seems to much of a pain. Yesterday I did about 15 minutes of upper body and ab strength training and I don't want to type in each machine. I love this app for food tracking, not crazy about it for exercise, just wondering what is working for the rest of you - especially the strength training.

Will I still be able to ride my horse? Riding is my life & now I'll be getting thin enough to ride longer & more often. (I tell my horse "ranger" I promise I'll lose weight for you) I can't imagine how miserable he feels. I would love to continue to ride.....