Exercise Is NOT A Four Letter Word

When the “E” word—exercise—is mentioned in pre-surgery classes, people shift in their seats and appear shocked, as if it were an obscenity. However, the lifestyle change of adding physical activity is just as important as any dietary changes. Both diet and exercise are needed for success after weight loss surgery. Participation in a regular exercise program reduces cardiovascular disease risk and can improve body composition, mood, physical function and quality of life.

The importance of beginning an exercise program needs to be stressed early. You may have an aversion to exercise due to previous unpleasant experiences, but the more you understand its benefits, the more likely you are to follow through. There are no immediate negative consequences from not exercising, unlike the dumping syndrome that can result from poor food choices. The only risk associated with lack of physical activity is that of developing blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) immediately after surgery. Nevertheless, regular exercise can strengthen the heart, bones and muscles, ease depression, improve mood, help you relax and reduce the chance of comorbidities.

Before beginning an exercise program, check with a physician to see what activities are safe for you and then see an exercise professional to create an individualized program. A referral to a physical therapist or a clinical exercise physiologist with a master’s degree is recommended for those with chronic diseases or more complicated medical histories. These professionals can be found in medical centers or hospitals. If you have fewer complications, get a referral to an exercise physiologist or personal trainer with a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, exercise science or kinesiology and a certification from a reputable organization, such as the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association or American Council on Exercise. These professionals can be found at health clubs, YMCAs and work site wellness programs. An exercise professional can tailor a program to your lifestyle, taking into account medical conditions that will impact exercise and any likes and dislikes. The exercise professional can also provide further education on the importance of exercise and address any barriers or concerns.

Variety helps to keep exercise interesting and challenging to all muscle groups. An ideal program would include large muscle endurance activities, exercises to improve strength and flexibility exercises. You should start off slowly with a small, easily attainable amount of activity and progress as tolerated. Working with a series of short-term, attainable goals helps people stick to a program. Any exercise, no matter how little, is better than no exercise at all.

It is important to understand safety considerations with exercise to avoid injuries. For optimum benefit, exercise at moderate intensity to increase your heart rate and respiration. Monitor your heart rate to be sure it stays within the ideal range for weight loss.

You may lose weight after surgery from changes in diet alone, but the weight loss will be in beneficial muscle and bone tissue. Daily exercise tells the body to burn fat rather than muscle or bone, and it keeps your metabolism up so you keep burning calories after an exercise session. This is because muscles are more metabolically active than fat. It is important to monitor body composition (percent body fat and percent lean body mass), not just weight, since muscle weighs more than fat. Measuring the percentage of body fat will show that body fat decreases with exercise even if the total body weight does not. Studies have shown that exercise is needed for the maintenance of weight loss.

Exercise has gotten a bad rap long enough; it should be enjoyable, not painful or scary. It is time to understand that exercise is good and beneficial in improving overall health. Making exercise part of one’s lifestyle is critical for long-term weight maintenance, and exercise increases metabolism, improves cardiovascular and respiratory function and improves quality of life. Ideally, you should be referred to an exercise professional to develop an appropriate exercise program that will maximize outcomes and compliance with increasing physical activity. Having a comfortable and successful exercise experience will help ensure that you continue your exercise program.

Why Exercise?

EXtra Energy Results from Calories burned Improving Self Esteem