Being Honest

[tinabree 22]

I am due to have the surgery the end of September or beginning of October. I know this is the right choice and that it is something I need to do for me and my kids.

However, I know if I exercise and watch what I eat I could loose the weight on my own. Then I tell myself HELLO it has yet to work cuz you don't do it. I hate to exercise and dont have energy to do it. I am worried that this wont work for me.

[babysteps 48]

I am due to have the surgery the end of September or beginning of October. I know this is the right choice and that it is something I need to do for me and my kids.

However' date=' I know if I exercise and watch what I eat I could loose the weight on my own. Then I tell myself HELLO it has yet to work cuz you don't do it. I hate to exercise and dont have energy to do it. I am worried that this wont work for me.[/quote']

I have not only the same dates in mind as you but the workout thing as well. I can do it for a few weeks then I just give up on working out. I really just hate doing it even short walks. I can do the Eatting part really not a huge eater beng eat or snack is what gets me in truble. Then comes the I really hate working out.

So I have that fear as well the will this work for me . So your not the only one

[jenneliza 257]

I really don't want to come across mean but just know that after surgery you will have to watch what you eat and restrict portions very carefully. You may still want to eat certain things but can't bc it will make you sick. I actually haven't had solid food since last month bc I'm not allowed. And won't be able to for as out six more weeks. And the things I drink are only Protein drinks and crystal light.

And after surgery, walking will be one of the most important things you can do. It will help your pain and prevent blood clots. Going for walks is basically mandatory.

[tinabree 22]

You are not coming across as mean. :-). Eating I am doing good for the most part. I have been keeping it under 1200 as the doc wants. If I have to go up stairs at home I run up them. Its a start.

[kristy3k 1,133]

Those dang endorphins never kick in for me and yet I know exercise is key. On the weeks where my weight loss has slowed its because I have not gotten off my butt and walked!! All these things together are tools and you have to use them to be successful... What helps me is putting on some tunes and just hitting the track... Don't think about it just DO IT!!!

[kmiller 146]

I totally get what you all are saying. My surgery was May 1, I have lost 55 lbs. I can eat most things, but I try to select responsibly. I have always been a sweets eater and now I still eat a bite and I do mean a bite of cake at birthday parties. I scrape off the icing, and if I need a treat I eat sugar free ice cream. I'm retired and lazy and knew I had to exercise. I have a huge private pool and a beautiful treadmill, but I just couldn't make myself do anything. For me, the solution was to hire a personal trainer 3 times a week and meet him at the gym. If I know someone is counting on me, I'll do it. I always hate the thought of going, but I'm so proud of myself when I do. I hope this helps somewhat.

[TinyMamiOf3kids 1,280]

I totally get what you all are saying. My surgery was May 1' date=' I have lost 55 lbs. I can eat most things, but I try to select responsibly. I have always been a sweets eater and now I still eat a bite and I do mean a bite of cake at birthday parties. I scrape off the icing, and if I need a treat I eat sugar free ice cream. I'm retired and lazy and knew I had to exercise. I have a huge private pool and a beautiful treadmill, but I just couldn't make myself do anything. For me, the solution was to hire a personal trainer 3 times a week and meet him at the gym. If I know someone is counting on me, I'll do it. I always hate the thought of going, but I'm so proud of myself when I do. I hope this helps somewhat.[/quote']

Hey!!! No laying around mam... You can do it. I pushed my self and now I look forward to exercising in the morning.

[BBdoodle 483]

My key is find a exercise you like and it will not seem like exercise. I love walking my dogs so I speed walk with them, one at a time also. I take one dog out for a good 1.5 miles then the other out for a 1.5 mile walk. I also like to jog, I had my gallbladder removed 7 wks after my RNY surger so two major surgeries in 7 wks was not fun. I should be jogging again by August. I personally love to jog, and I do not look at it as exercise, I get so egergerized from it. Find a activity you like... plus trying lots of different exercises will be exercise too - LOL. Think positive !!! talk to yourself to get up and move around

[Baker_gurl 119]

I am the same way. I have found what works for me, however. I really like group exercise classes. Zumba has been my favorite class! I am having so much fun that I forget that I'm exercising. I'm able to smile and laugh the entire time. I also love to swim. I'm hoping to join the YMCA soon, so I can get more involved in exercise classes on a regular basis.

[ChatCat 24]

Start off small. You dont have to walk 5 miles on the first day! Just set a goal you will walk around the block the first day or few days. Then go a bit longer until you are walking twice around the block.

Or, turn up the music in your house and dance around for 10 minutes to start. Find something fun to do, you might be surprised how much you end up liking it. Do aerobic house cleaning! Take a class or get a personal trainer and make appointments you keep.

Once you have surgery you are going to feel so much better it will get easier. Like I tell everyone, take belly dancing classes or salsa classes or yoga or just try something new and see if you like it.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Wow - I love all of the great ideas that are being offered in this thread!! I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that there probably aren't too many folks on this forum that loved, loved, loved working out prior to their gastric bypass surgery. LOL! Could be wrong but...

Remember the Prime Directive - the surgery is a tool but long term success is about life style changes. That means that your goal is to find something that you enjoy and that is realistic for the point where you're at in your journey. Like BBdoodle, I love walking with my black lab. She loves it so much and I love watching her love it!

ChatCat - You hit the nail right on the head - start slow and work your way up gradually. If you're miserable doing whatever you're doing, you will not maintain it. Five years of moderate exercise is ten thousand times better than five weeks of killing yourself trying to do too much and then just quitting. And you absolutely do feel so much better (very quickly) and yes it absolutely gets so much easier before you even realize that it's happening.

Baker_gurl - I can feel the excietment in your post. Good for you!!

kmiller - Perfect example of finding substitutes and giving yourself permission to have that bite of cake! It takes a strong, confident, intelligent person to allow yourself an occasional indulgence!

Ms. Jen - I don't think you know the meaning of "mean". But you certainly know the importance of post-op walking better than most. It's not an option!

Mami - I suspect that some folks don't really believe us when we say that we really look forward to whatever our exercise routine is. LOL! I can't explain how someone like me whose idea of exercise was walking to the fridge could ever enjoy walking three miles four times a week. Maybe it's voodoo! Who cares! It really does happen and it really is great!

Ms. Tina - there are 20,000 people on this forum that either are worried, or were worried, that this wouldn't work for them. You are in very good company. It works. You're gonna love the new you!!

Is this a great group of folks or what??

[tinabree 22]

Thanks guys and this is an awesome group of people :-)