Miranda2.0

@, you wrote:

"I am not an exercise person.... I am not a gym person, I would feel too uncomfortable in front of so many people. I have been looking at work out videos online but have found them to be more advanced and I need baby steps. I want to set myself up for success. Any tips for a very overweight beginner?"
In no particular order or grammar, and some obviously following recommendations already given:
Leslie Sansone's walking videos include one for indoor walking, meaning your living room. Don't recall the title; you ca find it in her listing. Do your walking outdoors, too. Keep a journal of things you see along the way -- the odd, beautiful, fun, whatever strikes you, whatever you may never have noticed before. It makes for a nice record of yet another aspect of your journey, literal and figurative.
The "Sit and Be Fit" series (also a program on many public TV stations) provides a valid workout. Unless you do have mobility problems (e.g., spine issues), I wouldn't rely only on chair exercises. As an aside, though, there are many others in addition ffrom Sit and Be Fit -- e.g.,. Chair Dancing series. Your public library will have some for loan or be able to get others via interlibrary loan. If you opt for chair exercises, this gives the opportunity to test-drive before buying.
SparkPeople.com and Livestrong.com have loads of videos and articles on starting an exercise program.
Please, please ban phrases like "I'm not an exercise person" and "I'm not a gym person" from your mouth. They are another way of saying "I won't do it and you can't make me." Do go to a gym. Pay the daily fee for the Y or similar a few times to test the atmosphere and attitudes you'll encounter. YOu'll have opportunity to work with personal trainers who can guide you as you're ready to advance. Of course people will see your weight but they'll also know you've decided to make positive changes in your life. The good ones will be supportive and give you tips and encouragement. The ones who love working out will be especially so because it's human nature to share the things they love.* Many will be too self-involved to notice someone else. Anyone who may be sneery doesn't count. You have the right to live, be seen and thrive. You already know that because of your decision to have surgery.
Definitely yes to cardio, but you also want strength training. Each has its own benefits that combine for maximum benefit. Cardio first, then strength. Sparkpeople absolutely has info on how often for each, etc., etc.
* Many years ago, chubby and visiting a close friend in Boulder, I was noticeably heavier than she and her athlete-friends. As I'd just lost weight, I bought running shoes and huffed and puffed (a 25 ft above sea level resident at 6000 ft) on the bike paths near her house (she heard me breathing when I got back to the house). She told some friends of my purchase and first forays. Each was excited for me. Among them was the then-U.S. record holder for half-marathon and an Olympian. The salesman who helped me choose my shoes was just as encouraging. The good ones you meet will be thrilled for you
.
Go forth and be gorgeous and proud.

I have a variety of exercise and dance style exercise videos (32). My favorite is Leslie Sansone's Walk Your Belly Flat. I have post-stroke balance issues so I follow her video in the house at least twice a week. They can even be done standing in place in front of your TV.
My next favorite is Joel Harper's Firm after 50. This has both upper body, lower body, and ab workouts, demonstrated at three levels. He does the advanced, a pretty young thing does the moderate, and his mother does the modified level. It's a full-body "body-weight" routine that is easy to follow..
I have a variety of dance videos which I follow at my own pace. My form and timing are lousy
but they are fun: Hula, Bolly-wood, Burlesque (yes, Miss Mac at age 64 can burlesque dance!), African Heat - Latin Beat, Salsa, and even Richard Simmons Sweatin' to the Oldies.
Other one that I enjoy but can't quite match the energy is Shaun T's Hip Hop Abs. This morning I ordered his new one called Cize. The commercial says four payments of $19.95, bu I got it online for one payment of $19.95.
I also have several videos by David Stamps, including Chair Salsa, Chair Boxing, and Chair Tai Chi, and Chair Aerobics (which is gentle and suitable for bedfast people as well).
Some days I just crank up the music really loud (did Shakira's Hips Don't Lie You Tube video yesterday) and try to follow along in a very sloppy way. But this is the "dance like nobody is watching" concept. Other times, I will put on my MP3 headset and use the house as a tool. My home is a tri-level, so several laps through the house is its own workout. From the fourth step I do push-ups and backward kicks.
I set up my backyard as a fitness trail. At several different locations I do a different exercise. By the time I have made a few laps, I know I have really worked out!
Whatever video I do in the daytime, I have started do this at bedtime, right next to the bed:
10 angled push-ups from the edge of the mattress, 10 lunges in place and 10 squats, and then 10 "backward rows" with five pound weight. Then Repeat. I can do it three times, but my goal is to work up to ten times...that would make 100 of each. Pilates is big on doing "hundreds"
With adding my bedtime routine, I sleep waaaay better. I drink a Protein shake after and take a shower to wash of the sweat, then go to bed. By the way, Sweat is Just Fat Crying.

I was also going to recommend the Leslie Sansone videos - Any of the walking ones. Trust me you get a good workout in some of the faster paced "miles" but start slow. Oh and PS - WEAR GOOD SHOES. I know this seems like an obvious to most but I thought, meh it's just walking. Ended up with a stress fracture in my heel. Had to wear a boot for 9 weeks (including while I was in the hospital for my RNY).

Sometimes at home I just do the old fashioned calistetics!
10 toe touches
10 jumping jacks (though the first time I tried them last year I was amazed that I couldn't figure out how to jump off the ground--it has been a long long time!!)
10 twisties (arms out to the side and twist your upper body to one side and then the other)
10 not sure what to call them -- arms out to the side and bend to the left and then bend to the right to stretch the sides.
10 leg stretches (on your side, lift leg up as far as it can go, then back down. Because I couldn't get off the floor back then, I would do these on my bed until I was more fit and could easily get up off the floor)
etc.
I even bought a hula hoop and jump rope. With the jump rope, my goal was to jump 10 times in a row without tripping. It took me a long time. Now I'm pretty good at it! Same with hula hoop--keep trying till I have a good run. Spent most of the time bending over to pick it up which is actually better exercise anyway!! lol
Things like that.

How do we know what number post we're making? How can I cheat if there's no counter?! I was robbed in the powerball last night. I think we all knew that was my billion! I'm probably going to make a police report in the morning. I have the winning ticket so all these other "winners" can go kick rocks. I just haven't got around to taking it in yet. I'm waiting to make the 4 millionth post then I'll go have my time with Matt Lauer....we can have lunch while I'm in New York for my interview. @@Alex Brecher my treat!

There is a good video series on YouTube called the Workout Launchpad. They have a series for people who are obese or have limited mobility. You can do these at home and it will get you moving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI0j8nLiZmE

Check out the Leslie Sansone dvd's (I think some of them also stream via Amazon Prime and possibly on YouTube). Very gentle. If you can walk, you can do her exercise series.

Thank you for sharing! We have similar starting weights and VERY similar body shapes. We are even the same height! This is probably a close representation of what I'll look like when I finally get there.

I posted this last year on another board. I will share it here as well. I actually got thinner after this and I now have a 6th child but I stand by the rest of what was said.
I wanted to give you guys a REAL look at what weight loss surgery does to you so that if you decide to get it you know all the facts. I would do this surgery again in a heart beat, however it is not all rainbows and unicorns. I have an insane amount of excess skin, 2 hernias and Iron so low I have to be transfused weekly. At my heaviest being weighed I was 368 but I HAD ALREADY BEEN DIETING so I was probably closer to 380. I have had 5 kids and that has a lot to do with my stomach being so baggy, I am going to get the apron surgery and have that removed once my Iron is high enough. This surgery saved my life, I am not longer diabetic, my blood pressure is perfect and 5 months out of surgery I got pregnant with my daughter. It was a miracle for me but I wish someone had shown me REAL before and after photos so I would know what I was REALLY in for cosmetically.

I had to do the process for 4 months but it gave me time to think about my changes and I enjoyed the best foods I loved knowing things would change. My SW 320 CW 200. I was sleeved on May 2015

Thanks for the love all. We just heard back the initial report and it is showing that the mass was a rare but benign lymph node growth. Not lymphoma. It's a weird disease called Castleman's which often grows in just one solitary spot and no where else. Treatment is what they already did: removal. And this cures it.
We are SO relieved.
Now just have to resubmit to insurance for the vsg and I'll go in for round 2 In a couple weeks.
Recovery has been hard for 5 days. They didn't keep me in the hospital at all and I had a very hard time controlling pain.
After day 3, it all got LOTS better though. I'm still hurting now but not nearly as bad - totally bearable.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've decided not to tell anyone about my mini gastric bypass surgery in two weeks but my husband (of course) and my mom who will be watching my kids.
Well, my husband got me a little, early Christmas present for my surgery. It's so clever and hilarious, but since I'm not telling anyone about my surgery, no one can appreciate it as much as it deserve.
It's a pillow shaped like an adorable little character from Dr. Who. It's adipose! It's from an episode where people take these diet pills which make their fat turn into these little guys that then pops out of their skin and runs away! It's totally absurd and hilarious.
The pillow is for hugging post op when I cough and in the car to protect my belly from the seatbelt.
Please tell me there are Dr. Who fans out there that can enjoy/appreciate this as much as I do!

@@goingtoskinny soon said:
... I must admit I'm not tracking calories. I also believe I'm not getting enough fluids or Protein. I am 4 weeks out and only have lost 25lbs. I was given the ok to eat regular food. Nothing really even looks appealing and then why I try to eat, its only a few bites and I feel like its either stuck or I'm so full. I'm sick. . . . I have only been able to keep 100 calorie cottage cheese fruit cups down or instant Breakfast. At first I was really happy with the surgery and now lots of regret. Not eating and having lost not much weight, its really starting to bum me out
You're "4 weeks out and only have lost 25 lbs." And you started at 219 pounds, which is a light starting weight for WLS. Where in the world did you get the idea that losing 25 pounds in 4 weeks was "having not lost much weight"?
You have lost an incredible amount of weight! Your expectations of what's a normal weight loss rate are completely unrealistic.
FYI, I lost 10.4 pounds my first month and was 216 pounds on the day of surgery. I reached my weight loss goal 8.5 months later. Since then I've lost another 12 pounds and am steadily maintaining at 138 pounds 15+ months post-op.
You're doing great in terms of weight loss. Maybe even a little "too great."
However, if you're not hitting your Protein and Water targets, you need to do what it takes to make that happen. Not enough Water will make you dizzy (you don't want to be fainting / falling) and make you feel completely exhausted all the time. Eventually, too little water could retard your weight loss and even harm your kidneys. Not enough protein will make you lose more muscle mass and less fat. Both of those shortages could cause you health problems.

First off, take the word "only" out of your vocabulary. When was the last time you lost 25 lbs in four weeks? That's more than five pounds a week! That is awesome. Track every gram of Protein, every bite. And hydrate. I have had two major stalls since my surgery in August. Both times, for whatever weird reason, they lasted for 9 days each. Then I lost like two or three pounds overnight.
Don't be discouraged. As long as you are following plan it will come off.

However you spell it, this is my first post to BariatricPal!
Got a "welcome message" when I joined this group that suggested I give some background, so here's a little about me.
I hope to get a surgery date next week. I've jumped through all the hoops other than the 4-hr educational class and whatever pre-op is required. I'm hoping to get it done either the week before Christmas or the first week of January. Now that I've finally decided to do this, it can't happen soon enough as far as I'm concerned!
The nearest WLS center is 2 hrs away but my GP is very supportive and has other WLS patients, so I am not worried about the distance. The WLS is a " Center of excellence
I've toyed with the idea of WLS for more than 10 years. Each time I started thinking seriously about it, I'd give healthy eating one more try-- usually with minimal results. About 6 years ago, though, I adopted a low-fat, plant-based diet and lost almost 50 lbs -- way more than I'd ever lost on Weight Watchers (9 times), Jenny Craig, OptifSt, Atkins, the Zone,...you know the story! And even though I felt fantastic, somehow the crap started sneaking back in and I regained all the weight (plus some extra, of course).
A couple of months ago the idea of WLS popped into my head out of the blue, and it just felt right. Since then I've gone full bore on meeting the requirements. Once I go through the mandatory 4-hr class, I'll have met all the program's requirements and they will submit my paperwork for insurance approval. If I understand the process correctly, I can get a surgery date once insurance approves me. Since I've met all the insurance requirements, it is not supposed to take them long.
I am 5'6" and weigh about 255-265 lbs. I think that makes my excess weight about 130-140 lbs (assuming an ideal weight of 125 lbs). Supposedly most WLS patients stabilize at 50-70% of excess weight lost. If I'm using the right calculations, that would be 164 to 195 lbs. I'd really like to stabilize at 145-150 lbs, though if I stabilized at 15-170 and didn't have to struggle to stay there, I'd be satisfied. But boy, I sure would hate to get my guts rearranged to end up at almost 200 lbs!

Hey guys. I try to post on a monthly basis just to keep you guys updated on my progress!!! Hopefully it's motivational for someone. Well, today marks exactly 4 months since my life changing surgery. I am down 97lbs since surgery...91lbs prior to surgery for a grand total of 188 down!!! I can not be more happier. I still have an extremely long way to go seeing that my current weight is 331lbs but it sure beats being 519lbs anyday!!!! Well wishes to all!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you to all the members that contributed these mouth watering recipes. Here are the winners of the $200 BariatricPal Store giveaway:
Djmohr padremama Elode Amy Wolfe You'll receive a PM with your $50 gift card shortly.
Here's a $10 coupon that's valid for 48 hours for everyone else who participated:
10OFF24

Monday will be my 8 month surgiversary!
Before pic is at 221lbs before my sleeve
Other pic is me now at 130lbs!
This pic was before I left for my 30 high school reunion! I was so nervous since I was always the bigger girl. I felt so great and everyone was complimenting me. It was a great night!

Zucchini Tots
Shredded zucchini 1 cup
Shredded sharp cheddar 1/4 C
Panko crumbs or Almond meal 1/4 C
Chopped onions 1/4 C
1 egg
1tsp salt
1tsp pepper
1T Trader Joe "everyday seasoning" or one of the Mrs Dash mixes or any seasoning mix you like.
With a lint free dish towel wring excess Water out of zucchini. Combine all ingredients till completely mixed. Drop by teaspoon or mini ice cream scooper onto a parchment covered cookie sheet (or spray it with cooking spray).
Bake at 400 for 15-20 mins flipping once halfway through.

This is Bobby Flay's recipe for quinoa salad and a favorite side dish in our family for get togethers....
Ingredients
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 clove garlic, smashed and finely chopped to a paste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup quinoa
Kosher salt and pepper
2 cups red and yellow grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup pitted kalamata olives
2 green onions (green and pale green part), thinly sliced
2 pickled cherry peppers, diced
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 English cucumber, cut into small dice
Feta, for sprinkling
Directions
Whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, garlic and some salt and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified. Let sit at room temperature while you prepare the salad to allow the flavors to meld.
Rinse the quinoa in a strainer until the Water runs clear. Combine the quinoa, 2 cups Water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes.
Transfer to a bowl, fluff with a fork and let sit for 5 minutes to cool slightly. Add the tomatoes, olives, green onions, cherry peppers, red onions, cucumbers and dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours before serving. The longer it sits the better the flavor.
Just before serving, transfer to a platter and sprinkle feta on top.

This is Bobby Flay's recipe for quinoa salad and a favorite side dish in our family for get togethers....
Ingredients
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 clove garlic, smashed and finely chopped to a paste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup quinoa
Kosher salt and pepper
2 cups red and yellow grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup pitted kalamata olives
2 green onions (green and pale green part), thinly sliced
2 pickled cherry peppers, diced
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 English cucumber, cut into small dice
Feta, for sprinkling
Directions
Whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, garlic and some salt and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified. Let sit at room temperature while you prepare the salad to allow the flavors to meld.
Rinse the quinoa in a strainer until the Water runs clear. Combine the quinoa, 2 cups Water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes.
Transfer to a bowl, fluff with a fork and let sit for 5 minutes to cool slightly. Add the tomatoes, olives, green onions, cherry peppers, red onions, cucumbers and dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours before serving. The longer it sits the better the flavor.
Just before serving, transfer to a platter and sprinkle feta on top.

I'm only four months out, and my problem is I can't stop smiling. It is worth every trade off I have made. Truly a second chance at life.

I don't think I have ever been happy about being too big BUT when I called my insurance company about the surgery they told me that since I am over 50 BMI I do not have to go through the usual 6 month weight loss phase. I am really excited because my first appointment with my Dr was mid October and I am supposed to be getting my surgery date tomorrow! Fingers crossed for 12/18!
Is that the case with other insurances for an individual with a BMI over 50?

So I am not in any social media sites like Facebook or twitter. But I am ADDICTED to Bariactric Pal. I can be on it all day. Researchinh, commenting, reading, liking. Does anyone feel the same way?