Nothing is more disappointing than hearing a gastric bypass patient brag that they didn't have to exercise to lose weight. It's true; patients will lose weight without lifting a finger. In fact, for many, the lack of physical effort required to lose weight is an appealing part of weight loss surgery. But patients who do not use the time of rapid weight loss to incorporate exercise into their lifestyle are doing themselves a grave disservice.
Obesity cripples the body. Bone tissues are compromised, joints are swollen, the vascular system is inadequate and the skeleton overburdened. Some morbidly obese people are so crippled from carrying excess weight they are confined to wheelchairs and scooters. They yearn to walk painlessly through a park or museum. When pre-operative patients imagine life after weight loss surgery I suspect there is no wheelchair, scooter or walking stick in that dream. Patients dream of mobility and strength in their bodies.
As weight is lost, the burden on the bones, joints and vascular system is decreased. And the body is a magnificent machine ? given proper nutrition and physical motion it will rebuild its broken framework. The systems will become strong and vital.
The most effective way to heal the body from the ravages of obesity is to exercise.
Patients don't have to jump up from the surgical bed and run a marathon; in fact, they never have to run. But they have to move their body: walk, stretch, bend, inhale and exhale. Patients who want to take full advantage of weight loss surgery must engage in daily physical exercise.
Exercise, however defined, is the most effective, most enjoyable, most beneficial gift one can bestow on themselves while recovering from life threatening, crippling morbid obesity. Patients who initiate an exercise regimen quickly after surgery report long-term success at weight. Exercisers seldom report weight regain.
There has never been a better time to become fit. Exercise philosophy has changed. Gone are the days of "make it burn" and "no pain, no gain." Exercise experts say move your body 30 minutes a day, and the benefits will resonate throughout your being. Injuries are down and exhaustion isn't the objective. Consistency is all that's required. Fitness is no longer considered an exact science ? we are given permission to find what works and enjoy it. Incorporate cardiovascular, flexibility and strength training into the exercise program: the three work in combination to help you become healthy, agile and maintain metabolism.
If quality of life is to be preserved ? or restored ? exercise is required. The body was designed to require a certain minimum level of physical activity. When physical activity is absent obesity results. Our bodies do not thrive when they are sedentary. It is therefore crucial to deliberately incorporate movement into our lives.
More than any other time in your life, following surgery the body is ready to respond to the benefits of physical motion. Surgery is the first step to better health and controlling obesity by restricting food intake. Following surgery is the golden opportunity to muster all the discipline possible and take a stand for a healthier, happier, longer and more productive life. Patients must exercise more than we have in the past and more than is convenient.
I implore patients, "Do not make the mistake of delaying your exercise program until the weight is gone. If you fail to exercise during the phase of rapid weight loss your skin will sag, your energy will lag and your metabolism will slow. Weight loss will be more difficult to accomplish. You will miss an opportunity to feel good about yourself as you set realistic fitness goals and achieve them. You will miss the euphoria from oxygenated cells. You will betray yourself."
Copyright ? 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved.
Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery (WLS) success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.com - Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.
tidy up service Glenview ..If I Want to Lose Weight, What Can I Do... Read More
I clearly remember how much I loathed having my picture... Read More
Metabolism is the process by which your body changes food... Read More
Losing weight is a tough and demanding task for most... Read More
If you are a mom at home on a diet,... Read More
Using healthy low carb recipes are an important part of... Read More
It is not recommended to lose more than 1 pound... Read More
The most recent shocking news related to Atkins diet UK... Read More
I have put off writing a motivation article because of... Read More
Once upon a time, I fretted about going to a... Read More
The answer to the title of this article is "none."... Read More
This is the second article in the series, Weight Loss... Read More
What if by making a few small changes in your... Read More
In our never ending search for the illusive "Fountain of... Read More
Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More
America loves fast food. Last year, consumers spent billions of... Read More
It's now official. The simple act of fidgeting can mean... Read More
Since gastric bypass weight loss surgery gives us a second... Read More
Are you ready to lose some weight? Perhaps you're surfing... Read More
If you are committed to the low carb way of... Read More
When most people think of low carb diets they automatically... Read More
Research from Harvard, recently published in the highly respected peer-reviewed... Read More
How to Break Your PlateauToday is a typical morning like... Read More
Perhaps you've had them too, nightmares about rice cakes, granola,... Read More
I personally lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
full-service cleaning Mundelein ..This year, we all made some of the typical New... Read More
Please feel free to comment, to provide good information and... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
Now that the temptations of the Holiday season have passed... Read More
Are you committed to losing weight and keeping it off?... Read More
Metabolism is essentially the speed at which our body's motor... Read More
Obesity, once seen as akin to laziness and overeating, is... Read More
Thinking about weight loss surgery? You're not alone. Over two-thirds... Read More
THE 200 POINT SYSTEMWith so many different diets available, how... Read More
Just because you're working hard, doesn't mean that you're working... Read More
If you want to reduce your body fat, focus on... Read More
For those of you who aren't familiar with ephedra let... Read More
In today's bustling world we are constantly surrounded by media... Read More
As hoards of low-carb proponents invade the nutritional landscape, the... Read More
If you're on a weight loss program you're under constant... Read More
In December 2003, the FDA incorporated an ephedra ban making... Read More
How many of your New Year's resolution start out with... Read More
Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) is often viewed as a quick... Read More
According to Veronica Atkins, the widow of Dr. Robert Atkins,... Read More
This past Christmas Season, as most of us stuffed our... Read More
To see the "low carb" diets on the way out... Read More
There is no doubt about it; Americans are eating in... Read More
There has been a recent surge in the experts weighing... Read More
If anyone knows anything about fitness, it's that a low... Read More
1. Persistence!Violate this step and you'll never achieve permanent results.... Read More
Weight Loss |