Hello! I'm a hairdresser from NJ who has been battling the bulge since I was 9.(I'm 41 now). I weigh about 280 at 5'8" but am an avid excerciser (step aroebics, weight training, walking etc.)and have managed to stay a size 18 (which i don't totally hate). I just started the process for getting lap banding because unfortunately I have a health issue that I need to loose over 100lbs. My question is can you really excercise as hard as you want or am use too. As crazy as it sounds I really enjoy working out. It helps me not only physically but mentally.