Exersize Regimen as of 6-26-2012 (10month post-op)

Exercise is a huge part before/after surgery. I suggest you get into a decent exercise regimen before surgery, even if it's just walking. I've always been a really active person... I played lots of sports, did dance, swimming, etc.. And I have no doubt that is partially why recovery from surgery was so easy for me. In the months leading up to surgery, mostly I just walked and swam. I did a little big of strength training, but not much. I never really enjoyed exercising. Swimming I loved, and still love, because you don't really feel like you're exercising. Growing up I was forced to do Richard Simmons exercise tapes.. At 7 years old. I resented my mother so much for it. And jogging and all that.. Aside from how active i was in dance/sports. Because That was stop/start a lot of the time. & I had to do an hour solid aerobics 5-6 days a week.. Which I know helped me. And I thank her for that. But still. It wasn't fun. -- But. again, I think it's what's made it easier for me now.

Now I actually enjoy exercise. Because I've seen results for the first time in my life, because of the surgery.. I have more hope in other things working.

So now about 10 months out from surgery, I have no restrictions, this is what I do:

2 days a week I go to the pool. I do swimming for half an hour to an hour, depending on how crowded it is. It's usually a mix of laps, and leisurely swimming. It's far too crowded to do laps for the entire time period. Haha.

3-4 days a week (not on the days I go swimming) I'll stretch, and then do a cardio workout... for 20-30 minutes. Recently I actually looked up cardio exercise routines on YouTube. I don't own any DVDs anymore. And I found this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAuwO0vxwck&list=FLRXPpD3SipXQ1tt6A9pEkyw&index=9&feature=plpp_video which is what I've been doing lately. It's way too hot/humid to go outside to jog. I reserve that for spring/fall when it's weather permitting. Haha. But yeah. After I do the 20-30 minutes of cardio, I'll add in some palates.. Just simple things that I got out of magazines, that I do with a resistance band.. Along 2 reps of 10 push ups, squats, and sit ups. and 2 reps of 20 bicep curls, with 3lb weights..

During the Cardio, for half the time I also hold the 3lb weights. I'm really determined to get my arms back... Haha.

On the 1-2 days I don't do cardio/aerobics I just do the strength training. I use the resistance band in almost every way possible. Google exercises you can do with it. It really helps tone muscle. then I use the 3lb weights a few different ways.

Of course, occasionally I miss a day or two when I'm sick, or go to concerts.. (I have a few days coming up this summer where I know I'll miss it due to festivals, all-day concerts, etc...which will involve a lot of walking.. all day.. so I'll still be getting exercise) But other than that, I'm pretty obsessive about it.

So yeah. That's what I do. In August, I'm actually supposed to meet with a personal trainer for free through my program.. To learn more things I can do at home, etc.. So that will be good. (:

Sorry I haven't been updating as much lately. It's summer. My schedule is extremely off. and I don't have proper motivation for very much, other than trying to enjoy it. The past few summers have been miserable for me. So I'm trying to make the most of this one. (:

Feel free to contact me if you ever have any questions, or just want to talk! I'd love to know if anyone actually reads this blog and/or gets anything out of it. I'd like to meet other people that are in similar situations that I'm in. I've met some of my best real-life friends, online. I love the Internet...

Have a great day!

-Ashley.

PS: on a side note, my moms iPhone crashed. I had to back all of her pictures up to my computer, so I found lots of pictures, obviously... Personally, I can't see any weight loss. I'm having serious medication issues, and I haven't lost any weight in months. I actually gained 3 pounds. But I'm trying to stay optimistic. but when I look at these pictures I can see a difference for the first time.. So I'm happy. (:

Mid-December 2011, we went out to eat for my moms birthday... I was probably around 225lbs then..?

This was like 2 weeks ago at my brothers baseball game.. (I have 3 brothers.. this is the youngest and only healthy one, Nolan. Shh Don't tell the others, but he's my favorite. [;. ) All the weight I've lost, I've lost in my legs and chest.. I've gone down from a 26 to a 17/18 in pants, and from a 46DDD to a 42C in bras.. But I still have a ton of weight in my stomach, face, and upper arms I need to lose.. But i can see it in this picture for some reason.. Maybe it's because that shirt fits me, it's a little snug, but it was the only size they had, and it's a medium? or because I was actually able to buy those shorts in the juniors section at walmart..? or because bracelets fit my wrists now..? and all of those components are in this picture? I don't know why. But I can see it now for the first time. So I'm a very happy person. (: