stept04

I also love the Dannon Greek Light & Fit fat free yogurt. I find it at Kroger. I love the vanilla and the cherry. Only 80 calories and 12 grams of Protein, yummy and filling!

I agree find something you enjoy....dont try doing zumba 3 times a week if you hate it....or anything else cuz you hear its good exersize,,,,
I started at 257 I couldnt walk to my mail box with out huffin....now I love walking ..nothing fancy....and if there is a morning Im feeling like I dont wanna..or its a day im spending in the car lotss...its ok....i walk around the house or any store or building i might be at that day....
I got a FITBIT for christmas this year and it really helps you want to add steps to your day..it syncs to myfitnesspal......its just another fun tool !!!!

I was 29 and overweight when I was in Army basic training. Everyone around me was a fit 18 or 19. I didn't pass my PT test till the very last one, a few days before graduation. In fact, if I hadn't passed it, they would have held me back. And my husband was already enroute to Missouri from Calif to see me - so I basically HAD to pass. Barely, but I did it. I was in the Army for 4 yrs and managed to pass my PT every year I was in. Barely.
Now, I HATE running. Refuse to run. I walk on the treadmill for 45 mins 3x a week and do weight machines for 20-25 mins. I go with my husband so he keeps me motivated. Altho he runs while I walk.
Just start a 10 minute walk and add 5 minutes each week till you've reached your desired goal. Walking is great exercise. But you do need to break a little sweat, so go at a pace that is challenging, but not hard.
Good luck!
Marci

I agree with the others, you just need to try a variety of things until you find one that you like. Having a buddy helps too. I started with a low impact boot camp class last January and though I stopped doing it at the end of the summer, I have kept up with walking and hand weights as I don't want to lose all the flexibilty I was starting to gain. I love my walks with my Ipod. I'm even starting to jog a little, but I don't last very long with that, hopefully after some of the weight comes off that will be easier. As a single parent, it is "my time". I get cranky when I don't get to do it. At first I think it is hard to get and stay motivated, but once you make it a habit, you'll miss it when you don't do it.

You have to find things you enjoy. For me, I love to swim and being in Water. I fractured my ankle in two places around Thanksgiving and since then it's been a little difficult for me to put a bunch of weight for an extended period of time. I'm lucky that (for now) my job offers fitness classes like yoga and kickboxing, and three times a week I take advantage of class. I found a gym that has a 24 hour pool and I use that whenever I can. Swimming for me doesn't really seem like an exercise, even though it works you out more than lots of other things.
I also am trying to take more walks with my kids, as it's been really great weather. Every little bit helps, but if you just do treadmills or things that don't interest you, you'll burn out. I hope to get a bike soon!

I think you can call your insurance and they can tell you. Good luck

I have trouble with a daily routine as well.. I love my Tae Bo , Zumba, and even the insanity workout when I feel I have the energy to do them.. I find it easier to just walk with some music.. it helps clear my head as well as gets me moving... I only do small walks right now as I was banded last wed, however.. it has me moving,, when your ready for something with weights get a small hand ones or even one of those kettle balls for the upper arms.. goodluck!

well, I can only speak for me. I was 336 at surgery and could hardly walk as I hurt too bad and was just not physically able. so I walked as much as I could...and it wasn't far let me tell you. but each day, each week that passed, as the weight came off, I was able to go farther and farther and do more (walking around drug stores like walgreens with my friend Kathy, up and down the aisles at my lunch hour) helped me more than anyone knows....and that is how I did it...and just yesterday I did my first step aerobics class in 5+ yrs...what makes me do it and keep doing it.....knowing I was this close to the 400 number....and that is motivation for me to keep doing it...even when I don't want too

I have bad knee also I recently switched gyms bc my old gym was very basic and all I liked to do was get on the Elliptical as it did not hurt my knees at all... My new gym through offers a varrity of low impact to high impart classes including what they call H2O Fitness which is Water aerobics ( great for anyone with joint pain).. I LOVE IT I thought it would just be something fun to do but it works the whole body. I think if you can get somewhere where you have several activitys you enjoy it will help you from getting bored or burned out of doing the same thing everyday...

I WAS the same way.... I only started cycling a little over a year ago. I couldn't even do 3 miles without being out of breath. I KNEW it would help this process of weightloss, but still....me exercise for any long term??? Never dreamed it possible!
I too, hated PT (running) while I was in the Army. Because I knew it was something I HAD to do, a requirement. Thats whats different now.....I WANT to do this, I ENJOY cycling... It may be hard to imagine now, but I really MISS it if I can't due to some issue. Sounds crazy to me too.
I'd suggest this...find ANYTHING you enjoy, ANYTHING to get moving....does not have stress your knee, maybe just upper body for now. Start out at YOUR pace so as not to get discouraged. Slowly at first....your don't have to kill yourself for it to be beneficial. Get that heart rate up a little at a time. Then try and find someone in your area to be a buddy if thats helpful, hopefully they would enjoy what you are doing as well. Similar fitness level or possibly just a step above. A MOTIVATOR, if you will. Then, COMMIT to doing that routine/exercise for one month....ONE MONTH doesn't sound like forever, and is a much easier committment at first. Make NO excuses for that one month. At the end of that month you will feel so good about yourself, an accomplishment to improve your health, that I'd lay odds you'll want to do ANOTHER month.....and WANT for me, was the key to it all. The feeling you'll have that second month, third, fourth...Hey, now you're at a YEAR and look at you go! AMAZING what that one month can do....... I wish you much success on this journey.....

I am 10 months post op and I have lost 55 lbs. I to find it a struggle to stay on a regular routine with exercise. Looking for the key to that success now.

I tried the new dannon Greek ff yogurt it was sooo good, it was blue berry. The only down fall was my husband had to go to 3 stores to find it. I saw the commercial Saturday and had to try lol

I remember what it felt like to start realizing that I wasn't fat anymore.... it was crazy, and it was a process.
This Tummy Tuck thing.... you are TOSSED in - the change happens in a few short hours - and POOF, a tummy I never thought possible. Consider these psychological impacts if you decide to have one.
I am 5 days post op - posted some pictures on my blog.
http://aleadsinger.wordpress.com/

You have to remember that weight loss boils down to simple math. When you consume less calories than you burn you lose. The only way to be certain you're not consuming too many (or too little) calories is to track them. Do you count your calories?
Also, have a look at this link. It's a really good article about the band that I think will help you to have realistic expectations: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html
Best wishes

I also bought a little mini pedal machine when I started, you cah use it on your arms also. I use it now when it is not nice enough to ride outside. They have them at Academy Sports and online at Target. I also bought exercise bands and an exercise ball. You can do lots of exercises with the bands sitting down or standing and I do sit ups with the ball to work my core. You can also go on YouTube and search for Chair Yoga. I started with that when I couldn't stand too. There are lots of options, just start doing a little each day and increase your time a little every couple days. I started with 15 minutes and now exercise 1 1/2 hours daily.

That pool sounds like it might be a great suggestion. As mentioned above, maybe try other exercises that don't stress your knee. I've been following the progress of some paraplegic veterans on their "Ride 2 Recovery". Handbiking/handcycling is one exercise they use...seems to be working well for them. Some gyms have them. Maybe even your local VA center would have one in their rehab/workout room you can use?
Getting that metabolism going will really help. Anything and everything you do will help. Just find what works for you...call or go visit a gym and ask them what they recommend for folks who have knee problems. I'm sure they will be happy to help. Best wishes!

I exercised in the pool for the first 8 months. It works. I set up my own routine of exercise in the pool. Would be happy to share it with you if you like. Also, I asked my PVP to send me to aqua therapy and they developed the routine for me because I had/have a hip problem and achieles tendon issues. If you have insurance, you might want to try that.

You made it through the temptation. You go girl!

I have a wonderful husband but today he had subway for lunch. We are the owners of our own business. We work together he brought back subway and now my office smells of subway. Today is the first day he did this not thinking. Bless him but if he does this again I may Kill him with kindness!! LOL I just needed to get this out!!

I tore the meniscus in both knees and have very bad arthritis in my right knee. I exercise in the pool...it's the only place where I can move around and not be in terrible pain. Try it....I always feel better even when my knee hurts bad just because it's good to feel like you are doing something positive in terms of having more mobility. Good luck, you'll do great with the band.

I think the band will help you in that when you are not hungry, your body is burning fat. Hunger pangs make the body hold on to whatever it has and then it starts taking what it needs from your muscles - not existing fat cells. Jump start your metabolism by drinking a Protein Shake not more than 20 minutes after you get up in the morning - I do 2 scoops (52g) and I don't need to eat anymore for several hours. I don't like eating very much either, which is really how I got in this mess to begin with. I'd rather not eat or have junk food, but when I'm full of Protein, I'm giving my body what it needs and I'm not hungry for junk.
You'll do fine! Try muscle milk...its almost like drinking chocolate or banana (my favorite) milk, but without the dairy! It's a bit pricey in ready to serve bottles, but if that's a meal for you then it's actually less than you would spend eating out and you're just as full. It also helps you to feel stronger almost immediately. I've been doing this for just 1 week and I've already lost 2 lbs and I haven't "starved" yet. Just pay attention to what your body is telling you and try not to feel hunger pangs - when you do, your body is essentially turning to your muscles for sustainence - not your fat cells.

Couple of thoughts..
I did not see a mention of the amount of Protein and Fiber in the yogurt and granola, both of those are important nutrition considerations. Try a non fat Greek yogurt as that is high in Protein and then add good quality low fat granola that has at least 5 grams of Fiber. Instead of the premixed fruit Syrup that has a lot of sugar, add some fresh fruit and berries. See if that will satisfy your cravings.
Also consider using the pool for fitness, it should help without impacting your knees.
I do like the Protein Shakes as well, muscle milk is one of my favorites!

YOU ARE GOING TO DO GREAT!! We are going to do this as a team! I am a phone call away if you want to talk! I am down the street if you need me

get on myfitnesspal.com it will track every bite and tell you how much Protein and other thing you body need in order to loss weight. every diet plan tells you to eat 3 meals,2snacks, and 64ox of Water a day (that changes with the band). I have a bad knees and hip but joined a gym there is a lot to do that doesn't bother them moving is the key do what you can and as much as you can. good luck hope this helps.

to gain weight, we must eat more calories than we burn off
that is how i got super morbid obese.
(even when i was just eating a wee salad, it was the huge amounts of the stuff that came out of the bottle that was not very good) or a baked potato (oops dont count the butter and gobs of sour cream etcc)
and to a point that i could hardly walk.
after surgery, i could barely walk (5 feet) without giving out or fear of a heart attack...so just be eating better foods, in smaller amounts (thank you band) you can lose weight..eat lots of lean Proteins, veggies and fruit and drink alot...and you will lose weight..