So Penn Medicine where I'm going to get my surgery is doing a 12 week exercise research study on pre-op patients. I apparently lost my mind at the last support group meeting and signed up for the study. First session was this morning (it is once a week for the 12 weeks).

I know it is about making progress over the 12 weeks and not trying to match or outperform anyone other than doing better than my performance today. It was still just so frustrating and depressing that in a class of obese people awaiting surgery, I was still the least fit by far. We started with a plank test. I could barely hold the position for 12 seconds...12 teeny tiny seconds, that's it. Most people did around 30, one lady went over 2 minutes! Then there was the 6 minute walk test - basically up and down the hallway as many times as we could in 6 minutes. I didn't really count how many laps but I was seriously huffing and puffing by the time the 6 minutes were up. We did it in pairs, and the lady beside almost lapped me. Granted a few months ago I would not have been able to do the distance I did today.

And then some of the exercises we did afterward - push ups, squats, lunges and some other exercises down on our knees on the floor. Some I them I couldn't even do the number of repetitions we were supposed to because my knee hurt so bad having that much pressure on it pressing against the hard floor.

So I left feeling very defeated. Even during, I had flashbacks to middle and high school gym class where I struggled, especially with the dreaded yearly presidential physical fitness tests - I was always the worst in the class.

Again, I know it is about making progress, just right now I feel so far behind and wondering how I'm going to manage next week when after 30 minutes of those exercises, we go outside on the streets of Philly and walk for 30 minutes. Like in public, with other people on the streets. How am I even going to keep up with the rest of the class? I know my poor performance from today proves how much I do need this class, just worried about whether I can even do it...

Sorry for the long post, just needed to vent and get it out.

@@jintycb, I just added another item to my bucket list: walking with you in a royal park.

You're on. Just get in touch when you pitch up on this side of the pond. Been there this morning for two hours. Sheer bliss.

My favorite quote is "stay on your own yoga mat". Just worry about yourself. And try to change your mindset. Try to think about the journey you are on. Yeah, right now you can't do much but if you put in the work, imagine where you will be at the end of 12 weeks! You'll get "Most Improved" award! And, as you said you would be doing, do these things on your own during the week so that when you have to meet up for the class, you will already be improved somewhat. Look at this as something to conquer, a challenge--whether it is fun or necessary. You have GOT this! One step at a time, you will be able to improve. We have all been there, we are all still there at some level. I'm still learning to try to run a mile. I just keep trying. I'm not consistent, which you should be and I'm working on improving that but if you are as consistent as possible, you can do this. It's mostly about changing your thinking around it. And only compete with yourself. Try to do a bit more and faster than you did before. Not anyone else.

I have every faith that you will do this, succeed and by next year, I bet you will even do a 5k!!

S

So today was the last class - hard to believe 12 weeks is up already and I'm getting surgery tomorrow morning! Thought I'd post an update since we had the end of class assessments today.

To recap week 1:

Weight 394lbs

6 minute walk test - 414 meters

plank hold - 12 second

week 12

Weight 364lbs

6 minute walk test - 463 meters - a little disappointed here but i'm blaming it on zero energy since starting the 2 week pre-op diet!

plank hold (did this before the walk test) - wait for it....47 seconds!!!! yep from 12 seconds to 47 in just 12 weeks! and frankly i'm still just amazed I can get into a plank position let alone hold it for any time

oh and guess what? after all my concerns about being in the worst shape in the class (and I had to travel the furthest to get to it - over an hour), I was the ONLY one who had perfect attendance

@@heidikat72 ... tears here. Literally, tears here.

I am sooooo proud of you.

You are changing your life. And it's about to change even more and even faster!

You deserve all the good that's coming your way.

@heidikat27 Woohoo!!! You Go, Girl!

Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

First and foremost, this isn't gym class and you aren't getting a grade.

Second, you are lapping EVERYONE whose @ss is still planted firmly on the couch.

GOOD FOR YOU.

Edit to add:

Clearly I was late to the party with the above post and I just got to your update.

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!

you are a rock star! *wild applause*

@@heidikat72 You. Are. Awesome!

Good luck girl! You are at the beginning of the most amazing journey of your life. Hold onto your hat and enjoy the ride. Take the rough with the smooth. Ride out the bumps and sing when you are sailing through. Keep us posted as to your progress xxx