It's been an adventure. Had my Gastric Bypass May 29, 2012, and I've lost about 80 lbs. Reduced my BP meds a bit. Everything was going well until I got to solid foods, then I could hardly keep anything down, and had to rely on ice and liquids to feel I was getting anything at all. Turned out the pouch opening was restricted at a mere 1.5 mm, so everything but liquids were backing up. Eventually friends & family insisted I speak out, and I ended up going in for 3 consecutive endoscopy and balloon dilations. My opening was stretched in stages to 8mm, 12mm, then finally to 15mm. Each time I had to revert to a clear liquid diet while healing and added Prilosec to reduce acids and promote healing. Forty five days later, the third stretch behind me, and now I am back to a full diet with no restrictions ( except for all the things we shouldn't eat anyway). I'm testing the waters of many foods, and finding my pouch much more accepting. I've gotten some conflicting dietary information from post surgery consults, but I'm holding close to original guidelines and keeping portions small, as well as slowly and thoroughly consumed. After a 2 week plateau at 75 lbs list, the additional solid protein intake has triggered a renewed loss of additional pounds. My greatest failure is my lack of desire to include more exercise to my regimen. Time and prodding will tell...

Well congrats!!! I too can't get beyond just walking... Those damn endorphins never really do kick in for me. :-). But my daughter has decided to enlist in the airforce and is on an exercise kick and so as a show of support I'm going to start some weight training... Ugh how I dread it!!

Good for you on the venture into weight training. I've got a pool, but I'm not a self starter for activities. This adventure is supposed to be about changed to ALL aspects of my health regamine, so it's time I committed. I'm uplifted by a family member, Odiemom, who having her surgery just days after mine, had embraced the exercise requirements, and I may add a gym membership to get me on some machines. My brain works extra hard thinking up excuses to not exercise.

Ray I was exactly the same as you and just plain old walking has been a real life saver for me. I started out on my treadmill but that quickly became pretty boring so I switched to walking in a park near my home. I don't have to drive anywhere to do it. No cost. I enjoy it. And there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that it has played a big role in the amount of weight that I have lost and the amount of time that it took to lose it. It was crucially important for me to start slow and gradually increase time and distance as I got more comfortable with it. If you set the bar too high in the beginning, all too often you abandon it. And maybe the most important consideration of all is finding something that you enjoy. If it's going to a gym - great! If it's walking - great! There are lots and lots of options. It's all about finding something you enjoy because that's what will be sustainable for you and that is everything.

All good advice. Thanks...

These boots are made for walking

and that's just what they'll do...... (hee hee)

I've made a song list just for my walking....beat paced songs that help me get a walking! It sure helps pass the time as well

Me to Sherry! It's amazing how listening to music while you're walking turns it into this great, almost meditative experience. Really makes a tremendous difference!!

Absolutely. Turns that bad thoughts of OMG I REALLY HATE EXERCISING to ...welll ok this isn't so bad and the next thing I know I've walked the distance I planned and find I want to do a little more to finish the song