So I'm six years post op, 250 lbs down, 61 years old and in the best shape of my adult life. I'm at the gym 5-7 days a week. I swim laps 4 days, do cardio and weights 2 days and on the 7th day I either bicycle or walk on the beach. When I started my journey I was 424 lbs and exercise for me was getting out of bed in the morning. I just did a blog post about how I got started exercising - you can read it if you like at Use It To Lose It!

and realized that I really didn't know how to get started exercising and there may be many more like me out there. I thought I could use this forum for all of us who currently have some sort of exercise regimen to let those who don't, or those who want to, or those who are interested, or those who may want to change it up know what they are doing and how they got started so-

How do you get your exercise?

When did you start? (how soon after banding)

How did you start?

I started by just walking around more in stores, etc. Then I took up swimming laps, starting at 300 lbs and swimming for 5 minutes 3 x per week, working it up to 1 hour per day.

How about you?

So I'm six years post op, 250 lbs down, 61 years old and in the best shape of my adult life. I'm at the gym 5-7 days a week. I swim laps 4 days, do cardio and weights 2 days and on the 7th day I either bicycle or walk on the beach. When I started my journey I was 424 lbs and exercise for me was getting out of bed in the morning. I just did a blog post about how I got started exercising - you can read it if you like at Use It To Lose It!

and realized that I really didn't know how to get started exercising and there may be many more like me out there. I thought I could use this forum for all of us who currently have some sort of exercise regimen to let those who don't, or those who want to, or those who are interested, or those who may want to change it up know what they are doing and how they got started so-

How do you get your exercise?

When did you start? (how soon after banding)

How did you start?

I started by just walking around more in stores, etc. Then I took up swimming laps, starting at 300 lbs and swimming for 5 minutes 3 x per week, working it up to 1 hour per day.

How about you?

Wow first Sandi I have to say CONGRATULATIONS. You are an inspiration.

As for my exercise this is what I did..

After surgery I gradually started increasing my walking.

6 weeks after surgery I started in the cardio lab walking on the treadmill, using the lifecycle and the other machines.

Now I walk at least 4 miles (sometimes more) 3X a week. I go to the cardio lab 3-4x a week. I have increased my walking to an almost running pace. I also use the Wii Fit Plus at home and on my cable TV there are several exercise videos that I use. I have also incorporated weights into my workouts.

Let me say the best place to start your walking if you don't want to do it outside is in a mall because there are plenty of places that you can sit and rest if need be. Just remember, listen to your body. It will tell you when it's time to rest. And don't push yourself.

Wow first Sandi I have to say CONGRATULATIONS. You are an inspiration.

As for my exercise this is what I did..

After surgery I gradually started increasing my walking.

6 weeks after surgery I started in the cardio lab walking on the treadmill, using the lifecycle and the other machines.

Now I walk at least 4 miles (sometimes more) 3X a week. I go to the cardio lab 3-4x a week. I have increased my walking to an almost running pace. I also use the Wii Fit Plus at home and on my cable TV there are several exercise videos that I use. I have also incorporated weights into my workouts.

Let me say the best place to start your walking if you don't want to do it outside is in a mall because there are plenty of places that you can sit and rest if need be. Just remember, listen to your body. It will tell you when it's time to rest. And don't push yourself.

You are doing an awesome job. Thanks for pointing out 2 important componenets - starting slowly with places to rest, and listening to your body. For me, the band itself is a tool that has taught me to pay attention to, and listen very closely to my body. Exercise is no exception here.

Anybody else want to share how they got started and what they did?

wow, sandi you rule!

i am just in the beginning of the banding process and i weigh a bit more than you did when you started, but ive had bouts of being a workout junky and i can talk about what i was doing then (and what i will be doing in the weeks to come so i can lose weight before surgery)

i hate cardio, i do as little as i can get away with. generally i will do 30-45 minutes monday, wednesday, friday. then do weights tuesday, thursday, saturday...alternating upper body and lower body. that has worked extremely well for me in the past. for cardio i do the stationary bike or the treadmill. i hate them both, but cardio is necessary. sometimes i do aerobics classes (hip hop and kickboxing) and i really love jumping rope. i have a great jumprope that has weighted handles and helps to tone your arms and such...

wow, sandi you rule!

i am just in the beginning of the banding process and i weigh a bit more than you did when you started, but ive had bouts of being a workout junky and i can talk about what i was doing then (and what i will be doing in the weeks to come so i can lose weight before surgery)

i hate cardio, i do as little as i can get away with. generally i will do 30-45 minutes monday, wednesday, friday. then do weights tuesday, thursday, saturday...alternating upper body and lower body. that has worked extremely well for me in the past. for cardio i do the stationary bike or the treadmill. i hate them both, but cardio is necessary. sometimes i do aerobics classes (hip hop and kickboxing) and i really love jumping rope. i have a great jumprope that has weighted handles and helps to tone your arms and such...

That sounds like quite a routine. I weighed 424 lbs when I started so I was not into doing anything that put more stress on my joints than my body weight was doing. Good luck to you, and remember to start slowly and do what you love so you will stay doing it!