Exercise is a huge part of living a healthy lifestyle, and so after having weight loss surgery you ought to consider what type of exercise you think will keep you most engaged and motivated as you work towards achieving weight loss success. Running a couple of miles may seem totally out of reach as you start on your weight loss journey, but as time goes on, this is a totally doable goal. The trick is taking your time and working at it one step at a time.

Weight loss surgery is a launching point for a series of huge changes in your lifestyle. This includes changes to the way that you eat, the way that you spend your free-time, and of course how often you exercise. In the early weeks and months after weight loss surgery any sort of intense exercise isn’t highly recommended. The reason for this is that your body has to heal and you need to give your body a chance to adjust to your new way of being. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t want to move at all.

Low intensity and moderate activities are a great way to help your body heal. And as you lose weight you’ll find yourself more able to participate in the type of activities you might have never envisioned for yourself. So while week two out of weight loss surgery you may just be taking a slow paced walk around your property, it is within reach to believe that two years post-surgery you can be crossing the finish line of your first half marathon.

Here are a few pieces of advice to help you reach this milestone:

• Do something every day that brings you closer to reaching your goal. You don’t need to make a breakthrough every day, but you should be trying something.
• Focus on the positives that you experience. Don’t dwell on what you haven’t achieved.
• Always tell yourself “yet.” It isn’t that you aren’t at your goal, it’s that you aren’t there yet.

Keep in touch with your weight loss surgeon as you are embarking on your physical fitness journey. You may also want to find a friend or walking group to get involved with, as  company can be a great form of encouragement when it comes to working out. No matter what, always stay positive and focus on what small steps you can take to reach your goal.