Physical Activity

If you have had or are considering weight loss surgurey, you will need to exercise. If you already exercise and have activities that you love to do, then okay. But if you are like me, and hate to exercise, then sit down, and think about your past and what you liked to do as a child. What you didn't like to do? What would you do if you had more energy, were thinner, more fit or had better knees? Make a list and keep it handy. Make goals for yourself of when you will do these activities. What equipment do you need? Do you need to save money to buy the equipment etc... Start thinking about what you can do to make exercise a part of your life.

Here is a list of physical activities that I would like to do.

Swimming / aqua aerobics. I have bad vision, so I don’t like to be in the water without my glasses on and also I’m afraid of the deep end of the pool. I can float on my back and can dog paddle in the pool as long as I’m close to the side of the pool. Aqua Aerobic is fun, but what I don’t like about it is that the classes are usually geared towards retirees, which means they are offered in the mornings when I am at work. But that does not mean I can’t do exercises in my pool at my apartment complex on my own.  Equipment: I have a pool at my apartment complex. I have a bathing suit, but will have to replace it as I lose weight. When: Right now.

Biking- When I was a child, I loved riding my bike. As an adult, I had a bike for a while, but it was too hard on my knees as I got heavier. I would love to go for bike rides again. Equipment:  I will need to buy a bike. When: Goal to buy a bike next April to have next summer.

Hiking- I love to walk on the trails near my house. If I have time on the weekends I go, but usually during the week, I’m too tired or busy to go in the evening after work. It is also hard to go with others as they want to walk faster. I’m looking forward to being able to keep up with them.  Equipment: Just tennis shoes, and bug spray if I go on that one trail that is in the woods. When: Right now

Badminton- I only played a little, when I was a teenager. I remember loving the feeling of hitting the birdie. Equipment: A badminton set along with a net. Also need people to play with that don't mind that you are just learning. When: Check out sales on this type of equipment at end of summer, so to have for next summer.

Wii Fit- I got a Wii Fit, but haven’t hooked it up yet to the TV. When I was younger I could hook up equipment to my TV but lately, I just don’t want to. It seems to frustrate me and make me anxious to think about it. Equipment: Have the box and the board and the game, but it needs to be hooked up. When: Saturday, call friend who will help with the hook up.

Ice Skating- I used to go ice skating at the local park in the winter when I was a kid. Now there is a nice skating rink in my town, and I have taken my daughter there once for a birthday party. I could have skated but was too afraid of falling with my weight and bad knees.  I can’t wait to try it again. Equipment:  Can rent skates at the rink. When: Plan to go this winter, no later than February.

Roller blading- Never went. I went Roller skating once as a teenager and fell and got a big bruise/goose egg on my knee and never went back. I can’t wait to try it again. Equipment:  Can rent skates at the rink, or buy a pair of roller blades. When: next summer

Miniature golf (putt putt golf). I went and played a couple of weeks ago with my daughter. We had fun. I want to go at least once a month. The price wasn’t bad either. Equipment:  none, can get the putters and balls at the center. When: Right now

Zumba- I want to go once to see what it is like. My daughter is on a cheerleading team for kids with special needs. Their gym offers Zumba a couple of evenings a week for cheerleaders and their parents. This is something that my daughter and I can do together. Equipment:  none When: as soon as I am cleared for exercising after my surgery.

Yoga-I’ve done yoga on and off. I’ve taken Yoga for Big Bodies, but it is so hard to get down on the floor then up again. Equipment:  loose fitting clothes. I have those! When: as soon as I am cleared for exercising after my surgery.