Getting Active after Weight Loss Surgery
Einstein once said that the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. It might sound like a pretty basic idea, but when it comes to losing weight too many people get caught in the same-old loop. It’s like there is a voice hidden somewhere deep inside your head that says if you just try the same thing over again, this time it will be different. But the reality is that if it didn’t work in the past, it probably won’t work in the future.
To lose weight you need to bring actual changes into your life. After weight loss surgery, this means making fundamental changes to the way you eat, as well as how you spend your spare time. To reach your weight loss goal exercise needs to become a regular component of your daily schedule. However, this doesn’t mean you have to jump into an intense gym regiment from day one. Increasing your level of activity gradually can help you achieve a more active lifestyle, which is a major step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle after weight loss surgery.
Here are a few ways that you can naturally increase your personal level of activity as you work towards losing weight after bariatric surgery:
- Get a pedometer and start counting your steps. Many phones have pedometers built in, and thanks to the advent of smart watches keeping track of your steps is actually a trend right now. So think about you can take a few extra steps sporadically throughout the day, maybe by parking in a different spot or using the copy machine on the other side of the office.
- Socialize with more active friends. Try making time for some of your friends who are a bit more likely to get active themselves. If you don’t have an active social network, now might be a good time to form one. Join a local fitness club or walking group to fit your workout into your social life.
- Start a new hobby that keeps you on your feet. Just because it isn’t a trip to the gym, that doesn’t mean it isn’t exercise and worth your time. Consider walking the trails to search for rare birds, or take up window shopping at the mall before the stores open when the hallways are clear.
The only way to ensure that you can lose weight and keep it off is to make lasting changes to your lifestyle that will encourage you to live a more healthy way of life. Slowly building your activity level after weight loss surgery can help you as you continue working towards your weight loss goals. Talk to your weight loss surgeon for recommendations on how much activity you should be getting as you work towards reaching your weight loss goal.