How do you add exercise into your daily routine?

Posted by Laurie, Volunteer Mentor @roch, Mar 19 5:18pm

When starting a weight loss journey, everyone strives to be more active. Many of us are dealing with physical limitations and some with fact we have not exercised in years. It is hard. It is easy to get discouraged if get tired fast, joints hurt, get out of breath, have mobility issues, etc…

When I was going thru pre-surgery classes, the dietitian told us about lady who would hang her clothes out one piece at time, back and forth to house. That is how she got her exercise. Or another person who was so proud when she could walk down her driveway to her mail box and back. Only people who have suffered with their weight and mobility would understand how exciting it would be to go get their mail.

Exercise does not always have to be going to a health club.

One thing I do is always park at end of parking lot and walk little farther to store / clinic or whatever. Has very little impact on my day, increases my walking and I probably have fewer door dings by parking away from everyone else.

Please share what little things you do to add exercise into your daily routine.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss Support Group.

Under Mayo's Weight Loss BLOG, a new article was just published "Starting strength training on weight-loss medications". The same suggestion applies no matter how your losing weight.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/newsfeed-post/starting-strength-training-on-weight-loss-medications/
Most people think of strength training as weights in gym. It does not have to be. You can do at home without any additional equipment. I especially like suggestion that can start small, any movement is helpful.

Do you do any strength training that you wish to share?

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Here is another great article on Bariatric Surgery and importance of exercise. Written by an Exercise Physiology at Mayo Health System in Eau Claire, WI.
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/exercise-and-bariatric-surgery

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I started with the LiveStrong program. It was delayed a year due to Covid and I did it virtually I was amazed at my progress but l learned that muscles don’t care if you/they are young or old. They are either strong or weak. That was totally up to me! So I then joined classes at a local park and now 5 years later I am in the best condition since my 20’s! I learned there are many things in life over which I have NO control, like getting cancer. But there are many things in life I have full confidence -exercise is a biggie! So I look at it as a JOB. I have to show up consistently, work hard, get better at it. The pay off is GREAT both physically and mentally!

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I did not have weight loss surgery. I am now on my second month of WEGOVY. My problem is not overeating at meals it is those high calorie snacks. I am in my opinion 55 lbs overweight which is obese.

Some asked about exercise. There are many tricks and things you can do. But I suggest find something you like doing and do it. Walking on beach, walking, swimming, yoga, etc. I do water aerobics 5 days a week (7 classes as on two days do 2 classes).

Some have reluctance to wear a bathing suit. You can wear what ever you want. Many wear shorts overshirts, etc. I carry a lot of weight around my chest so I wear a top shirt. No one is going to judge your appearance they are there to exercise and respect those who are trying also.

Water aerobics is as hard as you want it or as easy. The weights you use make a big difference. The amount of movement makes a big difference. Moving to music is fun and the cadence makes you move to it. The main benefit of water aerobics is two factors. One the resistance of water when doing weights and moving is much harder than out of the water. The second benefit is bouyance of water. Bad knees, bad backs, hips all are helped by the reduction on weight on them.

I also swim and bike ride but don't enjoy them as much as water aerobics. At one location where water aerobics is taught there are about 6-7 men out of a class of 40. At another location I am the only many out of class of 20. If you are interested check with a local YMCA. I have classes at the community I live in and another location that is part of overall communities.

Parking your car further than you need to. Walking up stairs instead of elevators. But this is based on being able to do it. And being heavy limits what you can do. That is why water aerobics is great for many as you basically lose your weight problem that affect your kness, back, hips, joints.

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