Hey guys,

I'm nearly 1 month out now, and I've lost 26 pounds which I'm really over the moon with.

I am really struggling with energy though, and am not exercising.

I don't know if this is normal?!

What exercise were you doing a month out?

Is this a mental block on me with the energy, or should I be getting more calories in?

I have 3 meals a day, a yogurt in morning, a Soup at lunch and something puréed at dinner, plus a Protein shake.

I've been walking on the treadmill at home. I was set back with a gout flareup though and have taken a week off. I was just cleared this week for going back to the gym and working with weights. As soon as my foot clears up, I'll be back at the gym!

I did go through that as well in the beginning. I finally decided to increase my exercise to help build stamina. For me it really worked and that tired feeling went away. I did have to ensure I drank my 30gram protein shake right before my work out. I do 20 minutes on an elliptical and 20 minutes on the treadmill. Sometimes I increase the time if I am feeling good enough. I started this at 6 weeks post op.

I was told no strenuous exercise for the first six weeks. My husband and I decided the whole family will join the gym together--I've got another week or so to get that together!

I started back at the gym a week after surgery and get in an hour of cardio 5-6 days per week. BUT - and this is a big BUT - I did not go back to work until the 6 week mark. Thus, my ONLY physical activity was going to the gym, and it did take a lot out of me.

I am grateful for having taken so much time off, however, as it allowed me to make the gym habit happen and still build up enough stamina to go back to work. I went back last Monday and was able to do that plus continue at the gym - my biggest fear was that I would stop working out as soon as I went back to work.

For me, a huge part of increasing my energy was exceeding my Water and Protein goals. As soon as I could reliably hit my 60g protein goal, they said to try for 70g or 80g. Same with water - as soon as I could get in 64 oz, they said go for 80 oz. And they said I could have a cup of coffee each morning if I can get to 100 oz, so I'm working on that.