Hi again,

Newbie here having surgery in about a month. I have been very active my whole life in spite of my weight of 230, 5'2 and 1/2. I have been taking spinning classes at least twice a week and swimming or some other form of vigorous aerobic exercise another two times a week so this adds up to 4-5 hours a week of serious aerobics. If any of you were active before or got active quicklky after, how long did it take before you were able to exercise to the same degree? I think about the dehydration possibilities. I already have to drink a good bit of water while spinning, so now wondering when that time comes if I will be able to handle it becuase I will likely need even more water. I also just wonder about stamina, etc. Any advice from you good exercisers out there would be helpful. Thanks!

Hiya Splashdancer...

Firstly, well done for you on-going exercise programme pre sleeve ... I have a feeling that you are gonna rip it up big time very soon...lol

At my heaviest of 238lb I was not able to exercise as you do... I am also 5 2, so I really am impressed by your fitness levels and strength. To be honest, I could swim, and swim well at that weight, however, my head would play tricks on me and this turned to panic and anxiety attacks whilst I was in the changing room... I stopped swimming because of this.

Now, at 172lb - so still fairly heavy for my little frame - I am getting fitter and fitter; stronger and stronger. I go to a proper boxing gym twice a week, where the coach puts us through our paces. It is a hard work out as we match the men exercise for exercise. I have to moderate a few exercises, but I work the same muscle groups. I also go to the gym in work, where I mainly use the treadmill and can run/jog ... by best being 50mins, but when we return to work - we are currently on our summer break, I am in the UK, I am going to try to get to an hour. Again, at my heaviest, I couldn't walk on the machine for longer than 30mins and I would just about be ale to use the cycle machine for 30mins using interval resistance.

My sleeve has given me my fitness back and then some...

When I was first sleeved, and really unfit, I started by walking my dog around the village and nearby woods, I also used the Wii fit a lot to help me get moving. At three mths post op I hit the gym in work, where I went 3-5 times a week. In the New Year, at 6mths post op, I started doing a range of circuit training and different exercise classes at my local lesiure centre... then March I found the courage to go the boxing gym...

As regards the water intake, I have had no problems at all... since 4weeks post op I have been one of the lucky ones where I can drink as pre op... initially you might just want to sip sip sip... and then you can play it by ear!

Good luck with your journey... let me know how you get on!

Walking right off the bat, dance and yoga class 6 weeks.