Weight loss surgery is a wonderful tool in leading a healthy lifestyle, helping people to control portion size and food choices and enabling a successful weight loss journey. It’s not the only tool, however, and following a regular exercise plan is another necessary component for a successful lifestyle change. Whether you’re new to an exercise plan or looking to energize your current plan, the tips in this issue will help you to find your inner athlete, that person who loves exercise.
Starting Out with the Right Environment: We all have different exercise styles: Some of us prefer to work out at home, while others enjoy the energy and camaraderie of a gym environment. If you prefer to work out alone and want to stay in the privacy of your own home, make sure you designate a space and set it up with the right equipment. You’re unlikely to use that elliptical if you have to move a couch or a stack of books to get to it, so make exercise a priority in the home. This could be as simple as finding a good comfy exercise mat, a jump rope, and a set of resistance bands. If you like the motivation of working out with others, a gym might be a better solution. Keep in mind that different gyms have very different atmospheres. Some are more family- oriented with lots of classes, others cater to the individual exerciser. All can be intimidating to a novice so ask around for recommendations, read the online reviews, and go visit. When you visit, ask any of the questions that might be holding you back—are there weight limits on the cardio machines? When are the least crowded times of day? Can a trainer teach you how to use the machines? Choosing the right gym for you can make a huge difference in your motivation to work out— so don’t just settle for the first one you visit!
Getting Help From the Experts: Don’t be reluctant to ask for help, whether from the staff at the gym, a friend whose fitness plan you admire, or by hiring a personal trainer or exercise physiologist to devise a plan for your specific needs. An expert can help you to refine your fitness goals, make your workouts more effective, and help to motivate you to achieve. We work closely with Stephen Kelly, MPT to help you develop an exercise program that is right for you.
Setting Goals and Measuring Success: Keeping track of your pounds lost is only one way of measuring the success of your exercise plan. Start to notice other ways in which exercise can enhance your life: by improving energy and mood, creating flattering shape and definition in your physical appearance, keeping your heart healthy and strong, and improving your sense of achievement. One great way to see your success and increase your motivation is to set attainable and written goals. For example, if you start with an initial goal of working out three or four times per week, and write down in a calendar or notebook each time you complete a workout, at the end of a month you will be able to see your progress and feel incredibly proud of making exercise a habit in your life. Depending on what exercises you prefer, you might set goals such as a particular distance or amount of time walking or running.
Thinking Outside the Treadmill: More advanced exercisers know that once you get set in the routine of an exercise plan, you can start to feel that your results slow and you become less excited about the same old routine. For these reason, it’s important to “think outside the treadmill” and find activities that you enjoy and that also help you to move your body. At any level, incorporating different exercises and activities ensures that you vary your exercise from day to day so that your body doesn’t become too accustomed to one thing. Maybe there’s an activity that you’ve always wanted to try—perhaps salsa dancing or kayaking or tennis. Now’s the time to take up that new activity!
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