I originally posted this as the August Fitness Thread. Well last night in live chat we started talking about exercise. Since we have a great deal of newbies in all stages of their WLS Journey so I thought the now was as good as any to repost a modified version of this. Kaye, I believe said that 2008 is the year of Self Kindness. What better way to be kind to yourself then to exercise and in the words of Twisted Sister, “WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT!"


2008 = “WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT!"

What is she talking about? Marla is a gym rat – I’m not! I don’t have her attitude! I knew she was nuts! Is she going to pull out the soapbox and preach to us? Oh My Gosh – what is Marla talking about? We’re Not Gonna Take what?

Don’t worry my friends, I am not here to preach. And since I am only 5’3”, it is a bit difficult getting on and off said soapbox. I just want to share my enthusiasm and passion for living life to the fullest. One vital component of this is FUN. You need to be having fun. Exercise is and should be fun – otherwise what is the point! And who decides what is fun for you? YOU!!!!! This leaves YOU with choices for what to do for exercise/ fun!

Oh, we’re not gonna take it. No, we ain’t gonna take it.
Oh, we’re not gonna take it anymore! ~ Twisted Sister, We’re Not Gonna Take It

Now about this “WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT!" stuff…

For all of 2008, stop worrying about what other people might think and do what YOU want to do. YOU want to join a gym , do it proudly and don’t worry about the hard-bodies. YOU want to start playing a sport you used to play , do it. YOU want to try a new physical activity, DO IT PROUDLY! Focus on yourself & doing what you want to do. Exercise can be fun – don’t let other people dictate how, when, & why you have fun and exercise. Do not give up your power! SO – say it with me –“WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT!" It is MY life and I am living it for me. No longer will I let people control me – consciously or sub-consciously!

Now kids raise your hands to any of the following if they pertain to you, ok?

How many of you wanted to join a gym? Wait for it – but never did because you felt the evil catty little hard-bodies might snicker at you? I see a couple hands. C’mon raise’em high.

How many of you pushed forward and joined a gym, went once and felt EVERYONE was staring and snickering at you so you never went back? Ahhh, more hands. Don’t be shy, this will help you will see.

How many of you have wanted to try a new sport or physical activity but didn’t because you felt people might laugh at you? Anyone? Anyone?

How many of you have avoided exercise in the past because it was awkward? Hands, people!

Be honest now! Are you raising your hand – did you raise your hand at all? I am raising both my arms and legs!!!!!

So how did I get to be a gym rat – hard work, perseverance, determination & loving myself enough to take the first plunge. Once you dive in, it is easy to build on that. The first plunge is always the hardest. However, the endorphins are so very worth it

Trust me, I know exercise is hard. But it can be done & I promise you it can be fun. You don’t have to be a gym rat! I am not looking to convert all of you into gym rats, however; that would be wicked cool!

We all know that Exercise is an important part of the post-WLS life/lifestyle. However; how many post-ops really embrace exercise as a tool for success and a source fun? Eating, sure – WE all have to eat or else we die. Plain and simple right? Well, if we have to eat and we strive to make eating enjoyable – why not strive to make exercise enjoyable.

About me:

I am a spandex wearing gym rat! I live my life and if people have a problem with that I don’t let them stop me. Well, at least I try not to let them stop me. I might by a LAWLS baby, however; it took me years to fully develop my attitude on life. It wasn’t easy. I was laughed at, teased, had my spirit crushed and well, I felt so broken. After the sting wore off and I started dealing, I learned that no one can bring me down UNLESS, I give them the power. And that isn’t going to happen.

Another thing you need to know, I have bad knees. I have bone on bone osteo arthritis in my left knee if not both knees. I strive for low impact, high intensity cardio workouts. High impact is not good on the joints and not good for my joints. I do tend to do high impact stuff at times. I love tae-bo. However, I modify moves and things all the time to make it work for me. Know yourself and know your body. And please modify. There is no need to sit life out when you can modify and achieve your goals. There is no right or wrong, but there is safe and harmful when it comes to exercise. Build up your endurance! If you are just starting out walk to the end of your driveway of to to the corner and back and each day go a little further. That is how I started, heck that is probably how we all started. Then I found out about my knees and started doing water aerobics and that helped plus PT. More about me later.

I am me… if you find me inspiring or motivating, THANKS! That is great and really sweet. However; that is not my intent. I am living my life and am just trying to share my enthusiasm and passion for living and having fun with y’all. Just try something new whether it be joining a gym, a sport, or another physical activity. Whatever you decide to do HAVE FUN! If you aren’t having fun, stop what you are doing and move on to the next thing. Life is short and for the living. If WE didn’t want to live, would we have had WLS? We are in this together and we are in it to win it! Do this for YOU – because you are worth it! Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, “YOU HAVE THE POWER!” Use it don’t be afraid of it! Get out there and exercise, live and have fun… and remember, “WE”RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT!” ~ Twisted Sister

So let's all get off our duffs and reach for the stars and achieve our goals! How will we do this with? Togetherness, support, the 4 rules and by making exercise fun!

Discuss! So what do y'all do for fun that could be turned into exercise...

Oh, my! You made me realize I will be able to play softball again this summer! Yahoo!! No more batting & having Ethan do the running.

Great post, Marla. You are so right about not letting others keep you from doing what you want (and need) to do. Exercise is a vital part of our journey. Let's all get going!

As for my plan for 2008: I am riding my stationary bike 15 min. 3 X weekly. Yesterday I realized I am going to add to the 15 min. very quickly...could have done it then, but was in a time crunch. I will also increase to more days. I am currently parking way away from my office to get in more steps, also. Once this very cold weather warms & spring arrives, I plan to hit the streets, both on foot & on bike. Who knew I would actually take this exercise thing seriously!

Jeanie

Jeanie, that is wonderful.. Yes you can. If you want it, you can, make it happen. I played in a fun softball tourney this past summer.. Good times. however, I didn't stretch and I sprinted to the base.. not good on my knees so in the end I need a pinch runner. However, it was great and I hadn't played in years!!!! it was wonderful!

Make sure you stretch!!!!!


I want to take a dance class... at 350 lbs in college I did belly dancing with friends and at 375 in NYC too. i kind of miss ballet and other dance. i was a ballerina for 7 years i think. I want to take an adult class!


Who else, speak up... I want to hear from everyone!

I plan to KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON!!

Make it to the gym more and do MORE weight training so I can make this BODY LOOK EVEN BETTER!!

Ok...SO LET'S DO IT!!

Julie

Rock on Twinlet!!! Let the sun shine in!!! Great attitude!

Great pep talk Marla. It is absolutely the truth. My goal is to get into the water aerobics class on Monday so you pep talk is just another confirmation!! Thanks!

Ro

How is the exercise going this month?

Mine is hanging on. Need to bump up a teeny bit more and add more variety. I was going to take a water jogging class tonight. I took it about two years ago after my surgery. Well, I forgot I Have plans tonight. Oh well, starting next week Tuesday nights will be water jogging night. I am recomited to doing 2 spin classes a week and feel good.

Now I just want to drop 100lbs before May (I am a bridsesmaid in 2 weddings this summer) all will be great!

Okay, advice anyone? The weight dropped off so quickly after the surgery, and I never lifted an arm or leg for it to happen, so I am at a loss exercise-wise. My one experience in the gym prior to the surgery resulted in me on the treadmill and a spandex-clad woman came up to me and asked if I would let her have the machine, as I was " already way beyond hope"... I know that at this point, I NEED exercise, and some days crave it...but live in the middle of nowhere...no gyms...no streets...nothing. Add six feet of snow outside, and you see my predicament...so my question is this...

What would y'all suggest for inside exercise?

Okay, since posting this, I went online and bought a treadclimber...cost an arm and a leg, and will be paying on it for years, but whatever it takes to get healthy! I have been reading the posts...and everyone is so motivated...I decided that was really what was lacking in my life...the motivation to succeed the rest of the way. Doing the 5 day isnt going to magically 'fix' me...getting moving and in gear will! So, this morning I did the stairs...over and over and over again...and pulled out some old...<dont laugh> richard simmons sweating to the oldies tapes that were in my moms belongings tucked in the attic! Did an hour workout this morning...and will be doing another tonight, as well as my normal hour walk with the dog. Hope it is a good start

I am going to run a 5k this year. I started the couch to 5k program two weeks ago. So far, so good.

Good START?!!! Good grief, girl! You be blowin' out the carbon there!
And as for Richard Simmons.. if you've never read, Never Say Diet, the simple
workout in that booked helped me to lose weight and get in the best shape of my life
at one point! How did I manage to let go of it?! The workout requires NO equipment
and is based on just the basic resistance of the body against it's own weight.
Starts out 5 mins in the morning and 5 mins in the evening. Wonderful! I'd HIGHLY
recommend it to anyone.
And congrats on the new Exercise equipment! What fun! Tell us all about it when it arrives!

Hi JenniKate! I don't think I've ever welcomed you, yet. I'll go into the intros and see if I can find you... I'm "running" a 5K on Feb 2nd...I used the coolrunnings couch to 5K plan. Good stuff. Can't wait to see how you do on your race!

Marianna: You BOUGHT a treadclimber, just like that? Wowwwwwweeee wow wow wow!!! You are my SHERO! (female hero) Go girl go! Please tell me how you like it, ok? I'm in the market for a new piece of equipment.

Mickee...now I am going to have to find that book on amazon and buy it...I am up for trying anything to switch things up a bit. I find myself finding the couch more and more comfy as my exercise routine gets more standard.

Sandi...I had been considering buying one for at least a year...but with michigan winters and no gym nearby, I needed to stop being complacent and get in gear! It was my gift to myself <even if it means paying on it for the next few years!> If I have learned nothing else from this site...it is accountability...and if i won't move, no one will do it for me.

That's right, Marianna, you're talking sense to me. I lost all my excess weight on my trusty old rusty old treadmill, and I love that thing so much I'll NEVER throw it out, but after running on a new one at a motel I stayed at a few week's ago, I decided, I'd like one for the TV room. My old one is out on the deck under cover. I use it when it's raining, etc. I love running out there in the fresh crisp air and don't have to worry about being attacked by dogs or running in the dark and getting hit by a car, etc.

Taking care of business. That's what gets you to goal. I'm PROUD of you for doing this. You will not regret it, and if you get bored with it, just trying running along the highway some time...Or email me, and I'll give you a rump warming! TAWAANDA!!!!

Exercise! I've changed things up a bit over the past week or so. Three days of cardio (an hour of walking with the dogs) and three days at the gym doing an hour workout with the weights and such. I make it a point NOT to do the same machines or exercises each time I'm there. I really think that it is important to confuse our bodies!

Good food in the body makes for a good solid workout. Healthy in, healthy out!

Might as well... then my body will match my mind!

LOL Mickeefynn, you just crack me up!

Mickee: that doesn't make me laugh at all--I totally get it. I don't have to work at that though. I'm automatically confused on all levels...

Hi Everyone

Reading all the inspiring posts about peoples exercise plans has made me decide to post my weekly programme to make me more accountable. This is the 2nd week of this programme. What I set and what I actually do might be two different things but last week I got about 85% of it in.

Monday - Curves
Tuesday - 4-5km walk at 6am (hubby going to join me too starting tomorrow)
Wednesday - Curves at 6am then open water (beach) swim for approx 800m in the evening
Thursday - Same as Wednesday
Friday - Bike ride at 6am (Hubby going me on this too)
Weekends I hope to get at least one long walk or bike ride in. It will depend on the demands on my time and the weather.

This coming Sunday I will be doing my 2nd triathlon and my 3rd is on 2 February.

So there we have it. It's down in black and white. Feel free to check up on me in case I procrastinate hehe

Barb

Good for YOU Barb S!

Since you posted yours, I will do mine too, in the spirit of accountability:

Sunday: long "run" (more like a stumbling shuffling lumbering walk, but I FEEL like a super athlete!) this week: 6 miles
Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday: walk for an hour, sit ups (up to 50), pushups (1 boys/10 girls), "pull ups" (still just hanging there like a sack of cement for a minute now)
Tuesday/Thursday: the uphill walk/jog--6% incline for 30 minutes at fastest possible pace (where I can still sing the national anthem) with 10 minutes warm up and cool down on either side

Also on Saturday and Monday: something physical for fun: golf, tennis, bowling, dancing....

This is my "plan" however, life happens and I refuse to feel guilty if I can't do every single day just as it's written. Sometimes, I may have to change the activity or the timing or even skip it all together. C'est la vie!

Hope my plan inspires you and your commitment to fitness. My goal for this year is to run a half marathon and be able to do a pull up and a boys push up. I'd also like to actually count my score in golf without having any mulligans...

great job everyone. Starting tomorrow, I am going to add a tuesday night water job class into my exercise schedule. I need a wee bit more variety. I love to swim and water jog won't hurt my knee. Cardio and no knee pain, SWEET!

BUMP!

How is everybody doing??

Right now it is too cold to go walking outside with the dog..just a quick run for her to do her business and back inside before we both freeze! I have put together about half the treadclimber so far today...am taking a break, and then doing the rest. That thing is heavy! Aside from that, still doing Richard Simmons until my new dvd's from netflix arrive!

I need to buy some weights...simple for basic exercise. I don't know what weight to buy. I figure I will get an assortment from 2-10lbs.

Hi...I am new to this neighborhood. I found your post to be so inspiring. I raised my hands to all the questions. I have hit a plateau after 7 mo and almost 100 lbs. I still have 100 to go. I have done little exercise, because I was too embarassed and felt people were looking at me. I want to ride a bike again. I also want to go to the gym. My husband is in the Army and we have a free...yes free gym on post. I am only a mile away and have yet to enter the doors. I am gonna do it though. I am not gonna take it! Thanks so much for your encouraging words!
Lacey Redditt