How many months in before you committed to exercise?

[uwillwillu 10]

I am 3.5 months in, 46 pounds lost & have not committed to exercise. I know the first year is the most important, but I still haven't got that burst of energy so many talk about. How long before you committed to exercise? SW 258, CW 212, GW 160.

[Mrs.RRn 2,111]

Day 5

[MegaBob 46]

I am at the same point. Prior to surgery I exercised frequently and enjoyed it. Since surgery my incision area has been sore and exercise aggravated it. In the last week I have felt like I could exercise again but when I do anything strenuous around the house like shoveling, hauling wood, moving boxes I get light headed and feel weak. I think this is partially because I have not done anything for a while but also that my limited calories contributes to the feeling as well.

I wonder if I have a good plan or just an excuse not to exercise, but here is my plan. I have been losing 5# a week since surgery, which I think is great and am happy with. I thought I would get back to the gym when I hit a stall or lost less then 2 pounds in a week. The logic being the exercise would shock my system out of the stall and I would start losing again.

I started to question my plan after meeting with my NUT yesterday where she stressed exercise was necessary to make the most of the 6 month honeymoon period. I did the math and figured if I worked out 5 days a week and burned 700 calories per session I would lose an extra pound a week, which is good, but maybe not good enough to make me get up at 4:45 in the morning and drive 25 miles round trip to the gym. so, I am analyzing if I have a logical explanation for not exercising or if I am just being lazy! lol

[Carlotta1 401]

6'weeks out I started to exercise ....helps me with stalls. I do 30 minutte medium stenuous exercise and swim laps. 3-4 times per weeks ..I also do strength exercise for lower body with weight machines.

[BookWorm 87]

I spent 2 days in the hospital when I had surgery. The day after I got home I started walking. I workout faithfully everyday! I'm now almost 5 months out and I run 5-6 miles a day. Your ultimate long-term success is going to be dependent upon exercising. Good Luck!

[Stacy_wls 135]

I started shortly after surgery. I didn't put much pressure on myself - just go and do something. It had benefits beyond weight loss -- it makes you feel good! It makes your heart healthier. It stops you from wanting to eat b/c you are busy!

I also noticed such significant growth in my ability early on - b/c as the weight dropped off walking and running became so much easier.

At my support group this past week, I asked my NUT what some of the characteristics of people are who have had long term success. Her one main response was people that incorporated exercise into their daily life.

[uwillwillu 10]

Thank you all for the responses. MegaBob, I know I am just being lazy. I will make a better effort this week. I just hope I soon receive that energy burst.

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

I had my surgery 01/07, my doctor released me to go to the gym Feb 3rd. I go three days a week. I notice it most in my arms. They are really slimming down and toning. The more stubborn areas are dragging behind. Everything is getting smaller though. I am so excited! Went from a 3xl to a xl shirt! And two and half pant sizes. I am Apple shaped so that is huge.

[AvaFern 3,516]

I started walking as soon as I could after surgery and then within 3 weeks I was back to running (ok more like limping, but it was a little faster than my walk). I went back to my boxing gym 5 weeks after surgery and within 2 months I was fully back to working out at least 1-2 hours a day.

The burst of energy never came for me either- I just had to drag my butt up and do it. I'm now a little over 5 months post-op and I totally have more energy, but it's still generally a bit of a battle to get myself out the door for a run everyday.

Good luck!

[macman 603]

I had some complications with surgery so I was not cleared for exercise until week 5. The last three weeks I have been working on cardio. Today I did 40 minutes.

Besides the help with weight loss there are general health benefits as well. Strengthening and toning helps burn calories and if you ever are concerned about excess skin, start exercising now.

[Amanda Nicole Hosaflook 65]

I'm 7 weeks and still can't exercise. I don't have enough energy.

[Nell65 44]

Today I am just 10 days post op. Day of my post op appointment, I went right after to the mall and walked a total of 2 miles. I called them yesterday as I was concerned about my BS still being a bit high(at least for me). I was told I could start the treadmill. So off to Gold's I went. Got in a hour on the treadmill. I wear my FitBit-so total walking everywhere including the mall again tonight was 11, 906 steps-and the day isn't over yet! Not sure if it's all the meds I am now off of, but I have SO much energy! It's like I am the energizer bunny. Going again in the morning to do another 2 on the treadmill. It's going to have to be daily for me as I want those numbers down!

Nell

[RebeccaRN 27]

I had surgery on 1/7/14 and it took me awhile to get into exercising. I hadn't exercised in quite some time because it was very uncomfortable at my higher weight. So it was hard to convince myself that I needed to do it. I started out by trying to increase my walking (I wear a FitBit and often had days with only about 1,000 steps since I have a sedentary job). Once I was cleared for exercise at 4 weeks from surgery, I hired a trainer for once a week to start some strength training. Today I just signed up for a "First Step" program which is for 6 weeks with a group trainer 2 days a week. So by the time I am 8 weeks post-op I will be working out in the gym 3 days a week and doing some type of walking every day.