Become a Fitness Fanatic

Posted: Oct 09 in Weight Loss Blog by Staff

Ask your weight loss surgeon about exciting fitness opportunities after bariatric surgery

Weight loss surgery is a time of exciting changes—as you transition to healthy new habits, you will change the way you eat, the way you move and even the way you think. You may need to wait until you’ve fully recovered from surgery to make changes in your exercise habits, but changes like diet will need to begin immediately.

Though you may be excited for these impending changes, your new exercise needs may also be a source of anxiety—and that’s okay. Transitioning into an active lifestyle is challenging, especially when you aren’t used to working out regularly. However, getting more exercise is an achievable goal, especially if you cope with this lifestyle change by easing into fitness a little bit each day.

You won’t be able perform strenuous exercise for several weeks after your weight loss surgery, but you’ll be free to try all kinds of exciting new activities once your weight loss surgeon says you’re ready to start working out. Just remember to take things slow—all changes worth making take time.

After getting the go-ahead from your weight loss surgeon, try these tips to adjust to your new, fit lifestyle:

• Keep an open mind. You can’t expect to become a marathon runner overnight. Transitioning into an active lifestyle will take time—especially as you adjust to your new body after weight loss. Remain optimistic and realize there will be good weeks and there will be bad weeks. Don’t sweat the small stuff and keep your eye on your weight loss goals to stay on track for success.
• Start out small. You don’t have to crank the treadmill to its highest speed to start getting in shape. In fact, it’s smart to start out small and slow around your own home. There are plenty of low-impact activities you can do around the house that will elevate your heart rate and start improving your metabolism. You can mow the lawn, wash the car, rake leaves, vacuum the house or just take a walk through your backyard. You may be surprised by how much these small activities can help!
• Schedule your workouts. Life is busy—you already have a million things to do on top of making time for exercise. You are more likely to stay committed to workouts if you actually schedule them into your day. Pencil in times for fitness just as you would a work meeting or doctor’s appointment. Post your schedule in multiple places—the fridge, your car, your desk and bathroom mirror—and stick to these commitments as you would any other.
• Break up your workouts. If your weight loss surgeon has suggested working out for thirty minutes each day, you can break up this bulk of time to make things easier. You can exercise for a quick 15 minutes in the morning and another in the evening. Even if you plan to work out for an hour each day, you can break this time up into four sessions to better work with your busy schedule.

Starting a new workout routine after weight loss surgery is exciting, but it can also be a challenge. Easing into fitness one day at a time will take some of the pressure off and save you from injuring yourself by doing too much too soon. Don’t jump the gun and start working out before your weight loss surgeon tells you it’s OK, but use these tips to get on the way to fitness when the time is right.