exercise.....where to begin?

[Forsythia 882]

Karen, do you have an LA Fitness near you? The one I go to only has mirrors in the classrooms for group fitness and a half wall of them by the free weights. No mirrors at all in the pool or by the cardio machines or the weight machines. The mirrors are helpful if you are using free weights and barbells, so that you can make sure your form is good.

I started out going three days a week, either walking on the treadmill, riding the recumbent bike or using the elliptical. Now I go four days a week, trying to inch up to five. I do about 50 to 60 minutes of cardio. Usually about 30 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical and another 20 to 25 on the bike. I generally just go as fast as I can. I do the treadmill on an incline for an extra special brand of torture. After that I do about 45 minutes of weights, using barbells and dumbbells. I try to concentrate on large muscle groups - hams/quads/glutes, chest/back, biceps/triceps. Nothing fancy, just good basic moves like squats and lunges, chest press and lat rows using the heaviest weights I can use with good form. After that I finish with 50 crunches on the stability ball.

I'm still working my way up to the pool though. Bathing suits are so exposing! But swimming is easier on the joints and a total body workout.

[slvrsax 301]

Before I had surgery I knew exercise was going to be the hardest part for me. I picked up a 10 class zumba package on Amazon Local and started six weeks before surgery. I took seven weeks off to recover from surgery, started back with 2 hours a week and by 4 months out increased to 4-5 hours a week. Almost 7 months out and I've added C25K. Look on Amazon Local and Groupon, there are usually crossfit, zumba,barre or bootcamp packages available at reasonable prices. The gym just didn't cut it for me, I found it too boring. Pick up something you enjoyed as a kid, maybe that is a good starting place! Whatever you do, just start and be patient with yourself Eventually you will find a pattern that works for you. If someone told me six months ago I would be an avid exerciser I would have said they were lying!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I am preop. I have already been told by the surgeons staff that part of my lifestyle change will be the need to exercise one hour a day everyday. For now, about all I can do is Water aerobics. I know I won't be able to get in the pool at least a couple of weeks after surgery and anticipate some walking will be about all I can do for a while. I have neen DVRing Sit and be Fit episodes from PBS bur have yet to use them (reminder to myself!). Once I am more mobile. I plan to join some classes (I do better with the stucture of a class).

[swimbikerun 1,039]

I did walking until I was cleared for swimming. It will help you build and keep muscle, especially upper body. Its not that walking is bad its just that you can get a better overall workout with resistance training in the Water.

That and the fact I like to swim. LOL.

Btw, if you go to a pool, regular swimmers couldn't care less what size or shape you are. The other people don't matter.

[SandyM 1,956]

I was allowed wt training at 2 months, but every surgeon is different

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I've been walking at least 3-4 hours a week (mostly on treadmill, some outside which is slower paced) and my doctor just cleared me Tuesday to start lifting weights again (did before surgery).

[oweemytoe 43]

I have already started an exercise regime and haven't had the surgery yet. I find that the Fitbit helps me stay accountable for the number of steps I should take on a daily basis (about 10,000) and am going to go to the local YMCA that has exercise classes for patients that are pre and post bariatric surgery and do an exercise class twice a week and walk 3 -4 times a week,

[LadyDiva618 359]

You do Walk Away The Pounds. You can find these videos on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEpMe-GCfnY

[labwalker 1,177]

When I started walking, I could barely manage going 1/2 mile. After several weeks, I was out walking for a full hour everyday. By the end, I was walking with my lab walking buddy for three hours everyday, going through farm fields and wooded trails. It was a lot of fun, and we both benefited.

Whatever you do, start slow, and build up as your endurance strengthens. Listen to your body! Watch out for your feet, when you start walking more than around the block you will need good walking shoes that fit properly.

I'd suggest joining a good health club.... I like Planet Fitness because I see heavy folks in there, folks that need crutches, young and old. They are all there to improve their health...I'd avoid the muscle gyms that are for body builders... totally different atmosphere, and not for beginners. The health club pays off if you have winter months, poor roads to walk on, or weather extremes that would make an indoor facility more attractive for year around activity.

[bikrchk 1,313]

I stuck with light walking until about 3 months out, then added elliptical trainer. My hip dysplasia flared up and I had to switch to a stationary bike. Still doing the bike to nowhere 5 days per week. If it's a work day, I'm up an hour early to work out. I do it with a heart rate strap and Vivo Fit so I don't have to guess about my burn, (and it can be 100 calories different from day to day). Don't trust the one in the grips on your machine. They typically overestimate. Added a bit of strength training, (push ups, free weights, crunches, etc., 2 days per week. Plan to continue this as I enter maintenance.

[Karen82 5]

Had my first yoga class yesterday. It was great...better then what I expected. However because of some of the meditation poses or stretches I have this stinging pain in my lower stomach (like just below the belly button)

Is that the normal pain that you feel when you exercise or move around for the first time or is that the sleeve pain that doctors warn you about???? Sort of confused here

Especially since I'll be adding circuit training to my routine as well from Monday?

Any advice?

Did anyone felt that sort of pain when they began???

[LovetoDive 4]

@@SandyM Stationary or actual bike?

[SandyM 1,956]

Actual bike

[SandyM 1,956]

Bicycling is really great for shaping hips thighs calves and ankles

[scarlet333 386]

I am not a gym person however I am an exercise person. I do 2 days cardio and I day strength training. The cardio days are either a 3 mile jog or an hour on the elliptical. I started with walking too and then began jogging with the c25k app. The strength training are hand weights and sculpting dvds. I use one dvd for a few weeks and then switch it up with a different one (I have about 5 different ones). Once I go through all of them I start over again thus doing different exercises all the time and not getting bored. If weather interfers with an outdoor jog day I use my elliptical at home.

The common theme though is to find something you like and can do long term and to keep building. Good luck.