How to Exercise After Weight Loss Surgery
Having gastric bypass surgery is the first step towards many lifestyle changes that will help you lose weight and, hopefully, keep that weight off for years. One of the lifestyle changes your doctor will recommend is that you begin to exercise after weight loss surgery. For people who are currently obese, this can sound like a daunting task, especially if your weight affects your mobility or joints. Take these steps for safe and pain-free exercise after weight loss surgery.
How to Exercise After Weight Loss Surgery
- Talk to your doctor: Before starting a new exercise program when you’re obese, it’s important to talk to your doctor about any physical limitations or health concerns. Ask for recommendations, and discuss which exercises, if any, you should avoid until you’ve started losing weight.
- Start with low-impact workouts: One of the most difficult things about exercise after weight loss is the stress that your weight can put on your joints, especially your knees. For this reason, it’s a good idea to stick with exercises that are low-impact. Some examples of low-impact exercises include swimming or water aerobics, chair exercises, and elliptical machines.
- Monitor the intensity or your workouts: You may be tempted to work as hard as possible in an effort to lose weight more quickly, but working too hard could be a risk to your health. Instead, focus on low-intensity workouts that improve your endurance. Talk to your doctor about staying within a target heart rate.
Be patient with yourself. You may not feel like you’re doing enough, but every little bit of exercise after weight loss surgery helps move you closer to your goals. In time, your strength and endurance will improve, and the range of exercises you can do will increase.