The Gym...

[Avery's Mom 315]

On ‎4‎/‎16‎/‎2019 at 11:41 AM, Avery's Mom said:

swimming is great too. wish I had a pool lol

21 hours ago, domi said:

Look at your local high schools. Many of them have open swim times especially during summers.

we go to the Y when we can. only thing I miss about apartment living lol

[Tejee 32]

I got to the gym 4 or 5 days a week and I do 30 minutes of cardio (elliptical, treadmill, or recumbent bike) and 15 minutes of strength training machines at the gym using 40 pounds for my arms and 150 pounds for my legs.

Thank you! How is your weight loss going?

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[Tejee 32]

Following! I'm also intimidated by all the hard bodies at the gym, and don't know what to do either.

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I finally decided just to go (I'm at a women's gym now) and it's been okay! Still getting the hang of things.

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[Tejee 32]

I don't think you have to go to the gym unless you want to do some heavy lifting or use a machine you don't have at home. There are lots of great at-home workouts you can do. I like to use Fitness Blender's HIIT videos on YouTube or do some Pilates (Blogilates is fun but HARD) or yoga videos. None of these require any equipment.
That said, don't let the gym intimidate you! Everyone has to start somewhere and good on you for wanting to go. If you can afford it, I recommend paying for some sessions with a trainer. They can help you learn the ropes and create a workout plan for you. I go to the gym twice a week and lift weights so I don't use any machines beyond the squat rack, but you can always ask a gym employee for a tour. When I started going to the gym years ago, I went to a women's only gym -- that took away some of the intimidation factor for me.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure you're enjoying it! Good luck, you got this!

Thanks for the response.... this really helped me just start to go and I've gone three times already. I am hitting a stall though and trying to keep motivated. These responses to my post have been so helpful so thank you.

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[Tejee 32]

Join a gym and get a personal trainer to help u to get started, if you feel froggy look at some videos on youtube and how to do them, just go light and get familiar with your gym.... Just use very light weights in the beginning and watch others. But, I vote for a personal trainer for about a month to show you the basics... Good luck

Did you start with a personal trainer? I have started going and have been looking up videos...but I am still not as strong or good at cardio as I would hope to be before getting a personal trainer.

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[Tejee 32]

I used to have this fear years ago about Being the “chubby out-of-shape” one at the gym... but in my years so far, every gym or class I’ve taken I’ve never felt like I aaa being judged or didn’t fit in. I did Jazzercise for a few years and there were so many women there all different ages and sizes. You just learn to modify the moves to what you can do. Then I joined the local Y and took all the fitness classes there. Great thing about them is they have classes ranging from advanced/ moderate exercise to chair yoga. Never felt judgement or felt I couldn’t keep up. Plus, if they are good instructors they will never make you feel singled out and will show you modifications. If anything, I’ve always found a group of women just like me that have become friends. As far as the machines... just grab your headphones and put blinders on. I know you will feel like everyone is staring at you... but they aren’t at all. Just get in there! You will be amazed how good you mind, body and soul will feel after. Everyone started at some point!

Thank you so much for the response. This was very motivational. I've thought about doing jazzercise. I did it many moons ago for about a year but that was when I was much lighter than I am now. I have gone to the gym three times so far and your response really helped me go. So thank you. Im hitting a stall now at 10 weeks and trying so hard not to be disheartened.

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[Tejee 32]

Listen, this surgery wasn’t an easy one nor light decision to make. We are who are and shouldn’t worry about others. Believe it or not those same people we are intimidated by have more insecurities then we do. Go with a friend so you can keep the focus on your goals and not who is looking at you. I had to learn this.

Thank you for this. I needed the motivation. I have gone three times so far and I'm not letting intimidation get to me.

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[Tejee 32]

Just remember, we didn’t gain all the weight in one day and we are not going to loose it quickly either, I have been going to the gym pre op, I just put my head phones on and do me.. those hard bodies didn’t start off like that, so just work at your pace until you get where you want.. you got this!!!

Thank you! I appreciate the positivity! I find it hard to stay positive but I'm really trying. I've hit a stall and am trying to stay motivated.

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[Cheeseburgh 3,080]

I’m really fortunate, my hospital has a state of the art gym. Bariatric patients are offered a 3 month membership for $100. It includes a personal trainer, before and after body composition and anything (including spin, classes and pool) you want to participate in. If I decide I like this gym it is $85 a month after that. I meet with my trainer this afternoon. I waited until I was closer to my goal weight because I knew that was when it was going to get tough!

I think programs would be wise to offer this when feasible.

Edited April 19, 2019 by Cheeseburgh

[KimB7811 115]

I’m glad you are going! Now more than ever is the time to keep up the gym through the stall. Your body sometimes retains Water the more you workout or it’s in the process of building muscle. You will see the scale move but it just might take a week or 2 to catch up! Don’t give up!

[GradyCat 3,695]

2 hours ago, Tejee said:

Thank you! How is your weight loss going?

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I'm stalled right now at 16 weeks post-op, but I think that's a natural plateau time. Keeping the faith.

[Elaine E 1]

My first suggestion is to get a personal trainer. They are wonderful at teaching you how to use the machines and teaching you correct form. They also know how to push you to the next level. Next, try new things until you find something that you love. For example I joined a gym that lets me take unlimited classes for free. So one day a week I tried a new class (zumba, figure 8, belly dancing, kickboxing, yoga, etc), until I found the classes that I enjoyed. I never imagined that I would love kickboxing and body combat classes, but now they are the highlight of my week.

[Formygirls2019 38]

I started slow - 10 minutes on the treadmill, 5 minutes on the bike and elliptical. This was in early February. I am now in the gym 6 days a week. 4 days pure cardio (40 mins on the treadmill; 20 mins bike; 10-15 mins on the elliptical). 3 days cardio/weights (30 minds cardio/circuit at Planet Fitness). The stress release is intense and seeing the pounds and inches melt away is amazing.

[Queenbee34 71]

I use to feel the same way about going to the gym but you have to keep the mind set that you aren't there for other people and that you are there to be a better you. I joined my local YMCA and I have had nothing but support from the people in the classes I've taken and from the staff that are there. Maybe that could be an option for you. My Y has a gym and pool. I have 4 kids and they also have kid programs about being healthy and doing different activities with them while I'm working out.

You can ask for engage more specialist and they can help you get acclimated. I also took advantage of their 30 min wellness training which they showed me how to use the machines and how to set them to an appropriate amount of weight and how to adjust them to my height. Don't be scared. You've come this far and life is only getting better. Hope this helps you.

[KateBruin 344]

So I hate cardio. I have popcorn lung and my lower lobes trap air. I was fit and extremely athletic till my mid 20s when I started gaining from seroquel. Fast forward to 2017 and 267 lbs, I joined a HIIT gym like orange theory or Barry’s. Post sleeve I did it 10x a week. I started off as the fattest, most out of shape and had to modify. Lost 105 lbs, 40 of them from workout alone. I got a hernia repair and decided to switch focus to core so I started barre 5x a week, Pilates 3x and HIIT 1-2x. Then I tore my shoulder and now I just got bypass and will have the other shoulder soon.

That’s my long way of saying it might be easier to start in a structured class like orange theory, training mate if you’re in LA (the best!!), F45 or something along those lines. Meet with the trainer before and explain your limitations. Screw anyone who judges you. Anyone who judges someone trying to better themselves is awful and can kick rocks. No matter my weight I always admire the extremely heavy or in LA just the overweight people in workouts or at the gym. Basically I don’t do cardio except the intervals of rowing, ski erg, and quick reps of some exercises.

Everyone be kind to yourselves. We all have to start somewhere!