Getting Active Even if You Are Large
After weight loss surgery, it’s important to get active in order to improve your health. The benefits of an active lifestyle are undeniable. Exercise provides protection against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke.
Size is frequently a barrier to getting active, particularly if you have been sedentary for many years. Taking baby steps toward a more active lifestyle is important. There is no need to overdo things in the first few months following surgery, but research shows that your long-term success is closely linked to how soon after surgery you start increasing activity. We recommend that you get more active immediately after your surgery.
One of the best low impact activities you can take on is walking. Here in Hollywood, Florida, we are blessed with pleasant weather for most of the year. Take advantage of it, and get out and enjoy walking the beaches and nature parks. During times when the weather is not conducive to outdoor activity, many people choose the mall as a walking destination after bariatric surgery. Start off with short walks, moving slowly. As you become more comfortable, you can take on longer walks and a more vigorous pace.
Using a pedometer is an easy way to keep track of progress. Although your daily goal is 10,000 steps, it may take many months or even a year or more until you can achieve this. Start by setting a goal of 500 or 1000 steps and be proud of yourself when you can achieve it consistently and easily. Once you are comfortable at a specific step count, increase it by 500 steps and work toward your new goal.
Dancing is another excellent physical activity. It combines socializing with activity making the entire experience more enjoyable. Many large people do not feel comfortable dancing socially to begin with. Moving to music in the privacy of your home is equally beneficial and will help you gain confidence.
Whether you choose to take a class, go to ballroom dancing events, dance to live bands at social events, or just turn on the tunes in your living room, dancing is a pleasurable activity that doesn’t even feel like you are working out. Plus, the benefits are enormous: not only does dancing get your heart rate up for improved cardiovascular health, it helps with balance and coordination. Additionally, engaging in physical activities that you enjoy is great for your mental and emotional health.
What is most important to remember is every little bit of physical activity helps. Just getting active for a short period of time each day has benefits. Take baby steps that involve adding a little more physical activity to each day, and over time you will see a dramatic improvement in your physical fitness.