I do have to exercise as part of my preop stuff, but not the steps thing... I do know others have to tho...

I think it would be like any type of exercise, start small and work your way up...

Don't think of the HUGE # just yet. Figure out what you can do now... and add just a few more steps each day... Even if its a much smaller # you are starting with, if you add to it, they will see you are making progress... And I think, IMHO, that is what they are looking for... At least at my surgeons office. Sure, they set some guidelines, but they seem to be more interested in seeing I am making progress even if I am not there yet.

I know I'd be in a world of trouble if I had to do a specific # of steps per day cause with my knees, hips, arthritis... There is NO WAY! So, I do what I can do, and try to improve on that as I go...

Hope that helps a little!!

10,000 steps is what the "average" person takes a day. you WILL be able to do this...maybe not the first week, but you will get there.

You can get a pedometer (I suggest a fitbit) to help you keep tabs if you don't already have one. walking is the BEST exercise to get your body going again after surgery...especially when you are healing and are not cleared to start doing any kind of impact exercise.

Keep your chin up, you can do this! :)
Tracie

Well you really dont have to do the 10,000, but you should get about 30min-1hr where you are doing cardio 3-5 x per week. Its important to get your heart rate up to a cardio level so you can burn the fat and keep it off. Not everyone can do 10,000 but you can keep going with the ultimate goal of maybe attaining it someday. My Doc gave me a pedometer I use it but I tie it to my shoe double my results and use it on my bike, I am no where near 10,000, but someday maybe it will be. I have set some short term goals, maybe that is something you can shoot for...Best Wishes

I had to do the steps . keep in mind walking in the house to go the bathroom is steps you . i got one of those things that counts the steps . you can do it

I had to lose 10% of the amount that I have to lose to which was 215 lbs (21 lbs to lose) . debby

I have to walk 6000 to 10000 steps a day. For the moment walking rapidly for 30 minutes... and some day I reach it and some day not... but I don't worry because it is better that what I was doing before. Also, when I will put back my other activities (some are boring like cleanig the house) or be back to work, I am going to walk more in my day!

My goal is to walk 1 hour or 2x 30 min... ventually I want to run!

I walk 3 miles a day and around my job and home and it does add up.

I was asked to do 30 minutes a day of cardio excercize. I walk between 3 1/2 and 4 miles, 6 days a week.

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Yeah, I went for a 30 minute walk yesterday and was suprised that it was only about 3000 steps. (Finally got a pedometer) Made me kind of freak out for the 10,000 steps. :)

I didn't have to do anything like that pre-op or post-op... I do walk, and go to a fitness class 3 times a week in the water, and am planning to join the gym next for the days I don't have class....

I know I walk a lot around my house and the steps will add up... You can do this.... Increase a few steps each day and you will be at your goal before you know it.....

(When I read the requirements so many have to do, I am so grateful to where I went for surgery.... )

Aloharada - don't sweat it too much right now. After you have started to lose some serious pounds you will get your energy back and want to be active. I was an energizer bunny today. Walked, worked in the yard, did tons of house work etc. Couldn't have done that pre-surgery, but I have so much energy now I can't sit still :)

All i was told 3 weeks out tomorrow is to walk 30 minutes a day - nothing about how many steps that would be. just walk so i haven't been counting steps as long as i walk for 30 minutes. I will increase it over time, but I'm good getting that in as a start. We all progress differently and i for one am not in a race. It will happen when it's meant to happen.

How long after surgery do you have to wait to exercise other than water