Exercise question for the VETS

[MichiganChic 3,262]

I have exercised regularly since I had surgery, and on and off for years before. I don't think it does much to impact my weight loss. I've been at it steadily and long enough that I've seen a pattern emerge. When I up the frequency and intensity of exercise, my weight loss stops or slows. When I back down, it picks back up. I will keep doing it though, because I've found it to be a great stress reliever, I just try not to kick it up into too high a zone. I feel like I've really accomplished something when I do it, but I'm down to about 2-3 days a week for the time being. I've had some knee issues that have slowed me down, and that's how I realized that decreasing the exercise increased the weight loss. Might be a fluke because it goes against everything I have believed, but there seems to be some correlation for me. But I have a weird body, it has NEVER, and still does not, respond to diet and exercise like I think it does for most people.

[Dooter 1,457]

I did that too' date=' walked a LOT in the hospital, as I was there for six days (no complications, just SOP where I am, so I was bored a lot too...). And if we are counting walking as exercise, then I was doing that since day one post-op and all along (but was doing it pre-op too, just slightly less). I don't count it as exercise per se cos it's my transportation. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Well- I counted THAT walking because it was a focused, scheduled effort to move my body for the sole purpose of becoming healthier. It was an effort I was NOT previously making. Before that, walking was indeed only for transport. It's the mindset I'm looking at. It turned into more and more intense exercise, as I have very deep seated metabolic issues and cannot efficiently lose without it, if at all.

[swizzly 901]

Well- I counted THAT walking because it was a focused, scheduled effort to move my body for the sole purpose of becoming healthier. It was an effort I was NOT previously making. Before that, walking was indeed only for transport. It's the mindset I'm looking at. It turned into more and more intense exercise, as I have very deep seated metabolic issues and cannot efficiently lose without it, if at all.

Sorry, I was doing a bad habit of mine, which is sort of thinking out loud or continuing a conversation I've been having previously...with different people or on a different day. I m SMRT.

What I meant to be getting at, in terms of sort of an ongoing question in my own mind, is -- does walking count as exercise? I mean, I know it's good for you in many ways...but is it actual exercise in terms of the usual exercise benefits? Sure it burns more calories than not walking (LOL), but I never know whether to include it in my 'activity level'.

What say you all? Do you count walking as exercise? Or just as healthy activity? Or...? (It's never occurred to me to ask my doctor about this, now that I think about it...seriously, I am sometimes pretty airheaded...)

[swizzly 901]

I have exercised regularly since I had surgery, and on and off for years before. I don't think it does much to impact my weight loss. I've been at it steadily and long enough that I've seen a pattern emerge. When I up the frequency and intensity of exercise, my weight loss stops or slows. When I back down, it picks back up. I will keep doing it though, because I've found it to be a great stress reliever, I just try not to kick it up into too high a zone. I feel like I've really accomplished something when I do it, but I'm down to about 2-3 days a week for the time being. I've had some knee issues that have slowed me down, and that's how I realized that decreasing the exercise increased the weight loss. Might be a fluke because it goes against everything I have believed, but there seems to be some correlation for me. But I have a weird body, it has NEVER, and still does not, respond to diet and exercise like I think it does for most people.

I kind of have to agree with this in a very general way. In terms of weight-loss efficiency/effectiveness, diet has exercise beat by a long shot. There are plenty of pretty fit but still overweight or obese people out there that bear this out. If I had to list the benefits of exercise in rank order, based on my own opinion and research, they would be...

1. Cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health
   
   
2. Physical stress relief -- cortisol reduction / testosterone increase; and emotional stress relief -- increased wellbeing, decreased depression and anxiety
   
   
3. Weight loss
   

So yeah, I think it's vital to exercise for so many reasons. But if weight loss is your top reason (general you, not anyone in particular!) for doing so, you might end up disappointed...as many of us who've been exercising for years, but not thin for any extended period, could probably attest...

Edit: HUGE caveat is, individual bodies vary soooo much, I'm referring only to very broad generalisations.

[Sydney Susan 333]

On the Aussie ABC (news... A cousin to the particularly fine BBC) website today... Exercise won't prevent or "cure" obesity: http://www.abc.net.au/news/4813126

Well, that's one less thing to worry about... walking the dogs is - and will remain - my preferred form of exercise. It makes us all happy!

[clk 3,519]

Great post, swizzly. I view exercise much the same way.

I was working out daily and once again have fizzled out. I know that I'm "supposed" to make this a priority, that I'd get benefits from carving out this bit of time for myself and my body but it always winds up being that thing I don't have time to do. I get more benefit (mentally) being here on VST in twenty minutes a day than I do trying to fit in a workout while my baby cries (she's perfectly happy the rest of the day but as soon as I need to focus on something else she needs me NOW) and my twins destroy things and my older kids bicker over whose turn it is to do the dishes.

Seriously. I'm sleep deprived and busy. If I want to work out I have to get up earlier than everyone else in the house (read: 6 am) or stay up later than everyone else (read: midnight) and I'm sorry, it's not that big a priority to me.

Perhaps there will come a day when I ALWAYS view my thirty minutes to myself as a huge priority. I don't know. I'd rather go bake something to feel good. No, it won't give me those fabulous strong arms I wish I had, but I won't get sweaty, either. I hardly have time to shower once every other day. Like I need to add in additional workouts and showers.

I know, I'm not a good voice of inspiration and I'm not contributing anything useful here. In my defense, I'll add that I walk miles each day (per my pedometer app) just cleaning my house, baking, cooking and chasing my kids around.

~Cheri

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Sorry, I was doing a bad habit of mine, which is sort of thinking out loud or continuing a conversation I've been having previously...with different people or on a different day. I m SMRT. What I meant to be getting at, in terms of sort of an ongoing question in my own mind, is -- does walking count as exercise? I mean, I know it's good for you in many ways...but is it actual exercise in terms of the usual exercise benefits? Sure it burns more calories than not walking (LOL), but I never know whether to include it in my 'activity level'. What say you all? Do you count walking as exercise? Or just as healthy activity? Or...? (It's never occurred to me to ask my doctor about this, now that I think about it...seriously, I am sometimes pretty airheaded...)

I sure as heck hope walking is exercise! I have included it as a main form of exercise in my day. I use my car for transportation, so walking is to move me for other reasons. If you use a fitbit or other walking tracking device, the steps you take everyday do make a difference. It changes the way your body looks, even if it does only a little bit towards weight loss. Have you ever been at the point where you were in such bad shape that it was hard to walk? Walking is a fundamental exercise, but not a NO exercise. (2 cents) The more the better! (track it, its fun!)

[swizzly 901]

I sure as heck hope walking is exercise! I have included it as a main form of exercise in my day. I use my car for transportation' date=' so walking is to move me for other reasons. If you use a fitbit or other walking tracking device, the steps you take everyday do make a difference. It changes the way your body looks, even if it does only a little bit towards weight loss. Have you ever been at the point where you were in such bad shape that it was hard to walk? Walking is a fundamental exercise, but not a NO exercise. (2 cents) The more the better! (track it, its fun!)[/quote']

I had a pedometer for a while but it counted so poorly I couldn't get any useful numbers from it. I guess I shd consider a fitbit? Is it more than a pedometer?

[mistysj 1,940]

I had a pedometer for a while but it counted so poorly I couldn't get any useful numbers from it. I guess I shd consider a fitbit? Is it more than a pedometer?

Fitbit measures steps, elevation (equivalent flights of stairs), and sleep quality. It also has a silent alarm facility where it vibrates instead of making a sound. I love it. The steps are also really accurate. The only time it gets confused is if you are driving on REALLY bumpy roads. Like roads in India, where I am now. We took a 5 hour drive and it told me I had walked 30000 steps. LOL

[Sydney Susan 333]

Which fitbit do you use Misty? I'm interested in getting one of these too.

[mistysj 1,940]

Which fitbit do you use Misty? I'm interested in getting one of these too.

The Fitbit One. It is more discreet because you can put it in the small pocket of your jeans or clip it to your bra or pants. There is also the Flex, which is a Bracelet style.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

I had a pedometer for a while but it counted so poorly I couldn't get any useful numbers from it. I guess I shd consider a fitbit? Is it more than a pedometer?

Love my fitbit one. Its my second fitbit. I find it really motivating. It has about 5 functions... steps, flights of stairs(elevation during hiking as well) sleep, activity level, calories burned, alarm, and it hooks up to a website that gives you results. It also hooks up with MyFitnessPal if you want it too, and MFP will add in exercise calories into your calorie total. If you do something that will not register right, like weights, upper body workout, gardening... you can add it on fitfit or MFP and it will over ride the step component to give you a more accurate reading of what your output is. It will upload on your phone or computer. I clip mine on my bra. I really use it everyday to get a more accurate picture of my "calories in/calories out"

[Houston17 115]

I have lost 47 pounds so far. Surgery was 4/10/13. I have a gym membership, but truly have been less than 10 times post off. I just can't get in to it. My arms, legs and midsection are flabby. I need to do something. I was watching QVC Friday night and got sucked into buying a total gym. I figure if I can do a few minutes several times a week that is better than what I'm doing now! . I am in general more active now than I was pre-op.

[lsereno 2,525]

Sorry' date=' I was doing a bad habit of mine, which is sort of thinking out loud or continuing a conversation I've been having previously...with different people or on a different day. I m SMRT.

What I meant to be getting at, in terms of sort of an ongoing question in my own mind, is -- does walking count as exercise? I mean, I know it's good for you in many ways...but is it actual exercise in terms of the usual exercise benefits? Sure it burns more calories than not walking (LOL), but I never know whether to include it in my 'activity level'.

What say you all? Do you count walking as exercise? Or just as healthy activity? Or...? (It's never occurred to me to ask my doctor about this, now that I think about it...seriously, I am sometimes pretty airheaded...)[/quote']

Well I count it. My primary exercise is a brisk walk 45 minutes to an hour, 4 days per week. In the fall, I will add two strength training classes per week.

Lynda

[Georgia 2,908]

Oh' date=' yeah??? Well, I'm one of those you'd like to punch. But I want to punch all these people who LIKE to exercise!! Y'see, in another similar thread I just read through, they called us "skinny fat people", and that smarts, because it's true!

I didn't exercise. I don't exercise. I hate exercise. I tell myself I will exercise. I don't and won't exercise.

See? Even though some of lost readily without exercise, we are still tortured souls... cut us some slack![/quote']

I think you are my long lost twin! LOL. I Hate It! I am walking now most days and using a Gazelle also but it's not fun! And to "meow", well, I'm one of those who lost 100 l s and don't think I did much of anything lol. I was lucky but maintenance, well, THAT'S another story!