Weight Loss Surgery Friendly Indoor Exercise

Monday, 30 November 2009 08:42

Just because the weather is getting colder doesn't mean that you have to end your fun and active outdoor exercise routine. There are still several indoor activities that you can do alone or with friends in order to stay on top of your weight loss routine post-surgery.

Wii

The Nintendo Wii video game console has games that are a great, low-impact workout which can also be done with children. The Wii Sports game that comes with the console has Wii Boxing-- which, when played with effort, can get the heart rate up quickly. It is also a surprisingly good toner for the arms and shoulders and it is not uncommon to feel soreness in these areas the next day after playing for 15 minutes or more. Wii Tennis can also be a challenging workout as well.

Additionally, the Wii Fit, sold separately from the Wii Console, is focused mainly on providing a fun and easy fitness program for people of any age. The Wii Fit tracks your weight and workout patterns and lets you know when you have made improvements when you use the game regularly.

Group Fitness Classes

Joining a gym or local community center during the winter is a great idea, mainly because they usually offer a wide variety of indoor group fitness classes that can spice things up in your exercise routine. Yoga is a great beginner workout that will help you gain some flexibility. Fitness classes for all fitness levels are always available, no matter where you are in your weight loss surgery journey.

Swimming

Swimming is another great reason to join a gym or community center like the YMCA. Swimming is very low-impact and has one of the best calories burned:time ratio when compared to other cardio exercises. For any weight loss surgery patients that have arthritic or joint problems, swimming can be a great workout that provides relief to joint stress. Because swimming is a high-endurance activity, it is okay to start slow, only doing 10-15 minutes, and then working your way up to longer periods of time. Taking 5 to 10 minute breaks during laps may also help you spend more time in the pool.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is another fun activity that can be done with the whole family. However, it's only recommended for those who have experience or have the help of an instructor or experienced person around. Slipping and falling on the ice can cause great injuries and it's important to start off slow and not to push yourself. That being said, once you feel comfortable on the skates, you will be able to get more of a workout.

Besides these activities, there are several other things that can be done at home in order to get a great workout, no matter the weather-- exercise videos, hand weights, even buying an at-home treadmill. Be creative, and remember, bad weather is never an excuse to slack on your efforts after weight loss surgery.