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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.blogspot.com
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