I was banded on October 25th and I'm wondering what is the best kind of exercize. Can a person who is obese and flabby actually firm up? Will exercizing keep your metabolism up especially when your in the clear liquid stage?

Well, at this point all the exercise you should concern yourself with is walking. No real sweating (maybe a little "glowing") and no big lifting. Check with your doc about what to do and when.

You might look into Curves. Get those muscles underneath it all strengthened and toned...oh yeah, baby! Exercise will most certainly help!

I'm having a hard time with my tummy. So far it looks grosser than ever, very floppy and wrinkled and stretch-marked and shrinking. Ewww. But underneath it my tummy muscles are pretty tight, considering. This will only serve me well when it's Tummy Tuck time...and it will be. I thought maybe I could get away without it, but, nope, it's ruined.

Good luck! Curves is great...you'll love it.

Butterfly,

I think exercise absolutely helps. In fact, it not only helps - it is necessary. Get that heart beating. You ought to check with your doctor before exercising but I think it would be safe to start with something easier. For example, window shopping might provide some time on your feet and help awaken those sleepy muscles. Or, going for a walk may help stimulate your body and get you set up for some jogging. You may consider getting on an eliptical machine. I burned 850 calories on one of those machines today, all without jarring on my body, abusing my joints, or tearing on muscles. Whatever you do, do something. Good luck.

Just take it easy for now but Exercise will help with your weight loss! Walking is the BEST! it's easy on your body.

Congrads on getting banded That will help. Good luck with your new life and to health! YOUR"S...

JOHNQ

You need lots of cardio such as walking to burn fat and calories and keep the weight coming off, and you ALSO need lots of resistance type exercise which can be as complicated as a gym program or as simple as pushups, lunges, tricep dips and crunches to build and maintain muscle and keep your metabolism revved up.

Or you need a 2 year old which is pretty much the same as all of the above.

Or you need a 2 year old which is pretty much the same as all of the above.

*snork!*

It is never too late to start excersizing, nor too early. Chunk's suggestion for window shopping is great.

Of course, we don't know what you starting fitness level currently is. You might want to hire a personal trainer and get a fitness assesment. Or you might want to check out your local college to see if they can help you out there.

Hmm Jacqui... maybe we can start renting out our 2 year olds to help people get exercise. I know I just did about 1000 toe touches picking up the toys she spread all over the house...

Butterfly, you'll definitely see better results if you exercise, and yes you will tone up even if there is some padding on top! Your clothing size will shrink faster too, which is always a plus. I had to see an exercise specialist before surgery, and he recommended walking or Water aerobics at first. I don't think you're supposed to do anything with weights or resistance until you're 6 weeks out of surgery, but after that I think you can go for it.

Vines has a good point too - you might want to try a visit with a personal trainer if it's been a long time since you worked out. There's nothing worse than getting all geared up just to get injured.

On a little side note, I have always despised walking for exercise because I get bored but I got an iPod Shuffle and now I listen to music while I walk. It's not bulky like a walkman. It's actually makes me look forward to my walks. Go figure... My point here is, try to find something that's enjoyable for you and you'll be much more likely to stick with it.

Did you know you can do chest presses with a 2 year old? And if you put them on your back, those lunges are going to HURT.

Then again you can just carry them around everywhere and wreck your ankle for good.

On a serious note though, I have been spotted of recent times jumping on the kids' trampoline - I was trying to demonstrate to Eliza how to do seat drops. It is FANTASTIC aerobic exercise, after twisting from seat drop to stomach drop my heart was pounding - too bad my pelvic floor isnt in better shape though. We are seriously going to buy a new trampoline, one that holds up to 120kg (I was dangerously close to hitting the ground, lol) and I am going to jump on it regularly.

Exercise is the only definate thing that will help you lose weight.

Well gosh, its one entire year later, and I'm now running regularly. I still think exercise is great, now I'd say its even MORE important than what you put in your mouth.

I'd probably be exaggerating but its at least of equal importance. However, as the year panned out, I've done loads and loads of cardio and not very much resistance stuff and gotten good results. Its looking time for abit of toning up though.

Some people have the band and lose nothing at all. Some people get 8 or so fills and have no restriction and lose no weight.

Exercise has always been the key to losing weight and getting physically fit. The band is merely an aid, food restriction tool to assist you in your weight loss. The band, combined with exercise can only spell victory for the banded person in my opinion. The results can be amazing if you couple both together. Just think, once you get to your goal weight, the band can act as a weight maintenance tool. The band makes it possible to stay within 5lbs of your goal weight. But if you are on a plateau and have never exercised or rarely do so.. I guarantee a 2 -5lbs weight loss in a week if you do 4-6 days of cardio in the fat burning zone. You'll come out of any plateau you have. Cardio - 65% above your resting heart rate. Means you have to sweat, pant, flustered cheeks, heart racing, beating out of your chest. Do this ...30 - 45 minutes per day for 4-6 days and you'll push yourself over that hump.