My surgeon advised no heavy lifting (> 15 pounds) for 4-6 weeks post-op. I walked post-op and then started doing some light exercising at 3 weeks. I'm now back to working out two times a week. I hate exercise but consider it a necessary evil so I do it. LOL. The good news? As the weight comes off, the workout becomes a bit easier allowing you to step it up a bit more.

Now that summer is finally here, I'm looking forward to adding swimming to the routine. I have yet to experience that "endorphin" thing. LOL.

irony of irony......after i bought my treadmill....a really good one and our home gym..... eerciser became easier.....part of what i do for nap time....or after all in bed!

AND I NEVER EVER EVER did anything before! banding

I've always tried to be active but how much would vary depending on my job and my weight. I think the trick is to expand your ideas of what exercise is and find something fun. I figure skated for over a decade and it's not the best cardio workout or even the best for building up muscle strength, but I loved it so I actually did it and that's the most important thing!

I think the other thing is to start off slow and build up a routine. I see so many people get very gung-ho about joining the gym, going 5x a week for an hour or more at first, and the next thing you know, they are very burnt out and not going at all. I started back to the gym 1-2x a week at first, then 3-4x all for 30 min. Then for 45 min. Then 4-5x, then the next thing I knew, I was signing up for triathlons and training 7-10 hours a week! But I didn't start there.

Any way to get that endorphin thing before you exercise? LOL

Any way to get that endorphin thing before you exercise? LOL

Yes, have sex first! LMAO!

I am plugging in the battery charger right now.

I am plugging in the battery charger right now.

Oh, that's bad!!! I like the way you think but that's bad

I needed to laugh... loving it!

glad to be of assistance, now you all know how my mind works. Its so much a part of my charm.

I am sooooooo sore... planted 8 flats of flowers and trimmed shrubs but it felt great to be outside. Once the outdoor funiture is cleaned (my next project) I'll actually get to spend time out there NOT working. LOL.

Nest year you will be doing all of that in your bikini and you wont even be sore

I think a bikini is out of the question but I will have new knees and no pain! yes!

I am plugging in the battery charger right now.

DARN ... battery charger? I went out and bought stock in Everready and Duracel ...

No Fear, I can tell you from experience that those will work too

I bought a Bowflex Power Pro second hand (it's circa 2004 model). but I'm having a problem with the exercises. I have the book, but it doesn't describe in detail how to set the machine up for each exercise, nor does it explain how to choose how much weight to use. I'm going to see the exercise physiologist today, and I will ask him questions. Does anybody out there have an old dvd or video tape of this machine?

Does anybody out there have an old dvd or video tape of this machine?

Looks like this guy downloaded them so you can watch.

Demonoid.com - Bowflex Power Pro Video and Manuals

Best of luck!