Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Having trouble with motivation to exercise



Recommended Posts

I am having the biggest problem getting the motivation to exercise. I have no energy to do so. I am 3 weeks post op and have only lost 12 lbs. I feel defective and like the surgery may not work as well on me. I also get cravings like crazy on some days. Idk, I really hope I turn things around.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've said it here several times before: exercise is not the key to weight loss--it's all about the diet. I did essentially no exercise during my weight loss phase (aside from walking) and lost consistently. Exercise is great for strength and stamina, but it's not going to be what determines the success of your weight loss journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did very little exercise during my weight loss phase. I rode a stationary bike for 30 min 3-4 times a week until I finally had a hip replacement when I reached about 130 lbs. Now I walk 4-5 miles every day. I haven't gone back to the gym yet since Covid. Maintaining my weight so far because I follow my plan!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't really exercise until at least 6 months post sleeve, and even then struggled with energy levels. I hit goal weight at 9 months post op, and then worked on getting my fitness up and lifting weights to build muscle mass. Give it time, I literally could not manage structured exercise at 3 weeks out, I was weak from lack of food!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You just had a major operation. Don't worry about the exercise just yet. And 12 pounds in 3 weeks is AWESOME! Why are you beating yourself up? Take time to heal and focus on the proper eating and when you're ready you'll get energy to exercise.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

12 lbs in three weeks is pretty average. It seems like people expect to lose 30 or 40 lbs the first month, but that's pretty unusual unless you're starting out at the size of "My 600 lb Life" patients. I have no medical research to back this up, but I've been hanging out on this and other boards for about six years, and from what I can tell, most average WLS patients lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first month, so you're right on target to be in that range. I lost 16 lbs the first month, so I was probably where you are a week 3.

the other posters are right - weight loss is 80% diet. I exercised pretty consistently, but some people don't, and they still lose weight as long as they're following their surgeon's plan (it might speed the weight loss up a bit - but just a bit - most of your loss will come from what you're eating).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

First of all, 12 pounds in 3 weeks is right on target, so you're doing fine! Many people gain weight immediately after surgery because of all the IV fluids, which can skew your early results. Many people have a stall in the first month (commonly referred to as the "three week stall" because it often starts right around week 3, but that varies from one person to the next). If you follow your surgeon's plan, you WILL lose weight. I know it's hard to be patient, but you have to be.

What did your surgeon say about exercise? Some surgeons actually discourage strenuous exercise in the beginning because, as you've discovered, you don't have enough energy while you're eating so little. Are you walking at all? It is good to walk a little, even if it's just around the house or up and down the street, but you don't need to be going to the gym or anything at this point. Did you exercise regularly before surgery? If not, you'll probably need to start slowly.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all for your input. I feel so much better about my results! I was concerned because my surgeon said one hour of exercise in, 5 times a week. I cannot do that at this point.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At 3 weeks out, all the exercise i did consisted of walking (very slowly!) around the block every day. I think I was only doing 1 lap around the block (600 metres) at this time. It was pretty exhausting so I didn't try to do any more (plus I wasn't cleared to do any more by my doc).

I was cleared for all exercise at 1 month, but didn't really start anything regular (outside of walking) until 3 months.

Listen to your body. If its too tired to do much....don't. You will feel up to it eventually.

P.S. 12 lbs in 3 weeks is great!

Edited by ms.sss

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Bobbifaces said:

I was concerned because my surgeon said one hour of exercise in, 5 times a week. I cannot do that at this point.

Whoa. 1 hour five times a week at 3 weeks is ALOT.

I wasn't doing this much until I was about 5 months out!

(Though there are some who I have read doing so earlier than 5 months, but not at 3 weeks...)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

32 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

Whoa. 1 hour five times a week at 3 weeks is ALOT.

I wasn't doing this much until I was about 5 months out!

(Though there are some who I have read doing so earlier than 5 months, but not at 3 weeks...)

I was just going to say that! One hour 5x a week is a lot! I do that most weeks, but then I've been exercising for a long time (like...a few years). For someone just beginning, that is A LOT. I'd say 20 minutes or so for starters is a good start. But also, you (the OP) are only three weeks out - I was still really tired at that point, so you may not even be able to do 20 minutes - unless it's just walking.

I only walked until I was about a month out - in fact, I wasn't even cleared (by my surgeon) to do anything else BUT walk until I was a month out. After the first month, I was able to start up with Water aerobics again (my exercise of choice at the time) - but then, I'd been doing water aerobics for at least a couple of years before I even had surgery...so I was used to doing it for an hour a pop.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

40 minutes ago, Bobbifaces said:

Thank you all for your input. I feel so much better about my results! I was concerned because my surgeon said one hour of exercise in, 5 times a week. I cannot do that at this point.

I have an exercise transfer addiction and there was no way I could exercise that much at 3 weeks. I was trying to get 20-30 minutes of gentle exercise (walking the dogs in my neighborhood) about 5 days per week at 3 weeks, but that was it. As you heal and lose weight, it will be much easier to exercise. Take it easy on yourself right now, and just work on moving a bit more each day. It is ok to go for a 5 minute walk as opposed to a 5 mile walk.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, Bobbifaces said:

Thank you all for your input. I feel so much better about my results! I was concerned because my surgeon said one hour of exercise in, 5 times a week. I cannot do that at this point.

Oh gracious. No wonder you’re anxious & lack motivation to exercise when you’ve been told to do an hour, 5 days a week at this stage. At week 3 I was still having mid morning & mid afternoon naps. Start slowly. Find the activity & length of time you can manage & then gradually increase. Walking is best to start. Then maybe add some resistance training which you can do sitting in a chair to begin.

I’m not a exerciser but when I do walking is my go to. I have a treadmill & pop on a movie or read to reduce the tediousness. I used to love yoga too. You wouldn’t believe how much your general fitness will improve just doing yoga stretching & breathing.

Good luck. Listen to your body. It will tell you what you can & can’t do. Also congrats on your weight loss so far - you’re doing well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree with everyone and my "exercise" was physical therapy when I started because I have a bad back.

Two years out I do Pilates on Zoom with some friends about 3x a week and walk my dogs anywhere from a block to a couple of miles most days. I motivate myself by putting on my Pilates clothes and a "Zoom shirt" for work in the morning since I WFH. If I'm already dressed to go, it's easier to get myself to do it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 11/24/2020 at 1:58 AM, Bobbifaces said:

I am having the biggest problem getting the motivation to exercise. I have no energy to do so. I am 3 weeks post op and have only lost 12 lbs. I feel defective and like the surgery may not work as well on me. I also get cravings like crazy on some days. Idk, I really hope I turn things around.

Rest up, you've earned it!

Your energy will return in time ♥️

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×