Friends and Fitness after Bariatric Surgery

No man is an island. When it comes to working out and meeting your health and wellness goals after bariatric surgery in Albany, this may be something you need to remind yourself of. While your bariatric surgeon will help to guide your choices and weight loss efforts, you will be left to your own devices and the support of your friends the majority of the time. Including your friends in your workout goals is a great way to bond, as well as to increase the intensity of your exercise sessions.

Friends are valuable when you are working out. Whether you are at the gym, in the pool or on the road going for a long walk or jog, a buddy by your side can provide entertainment, encouragement and even friendly competition to help you reach beyond your comfort zone on the path to a new healthy lifestyle.

Getting bariatric surgery doesn’t limit your friends to those who have undergone the same procedure as you. Bariatric surgery will start a huge journey in your life. Including your friends on this journey can provide you with added motivation along the way, as well as make the trip a bit more enjoyable.

Haven’t worked out with friends before? No problem. Here are a few fun ways that you and your friends can become more active together while having fun:

• Walk and talk: Catching up over dinner is great, but catching up while jogging down the road or walking at top speed along a trail is even better. On top of getting to spend quality time with a buddy, the shared boost of adrenaline can actually strengthen your friendship.
• Join a team: Sometimes it takes going back to school to find time to spend with friends. Adult community sport teams are a great way to make new friends as well as schedule in fun time to spend with existing ones.
• Try a race: Training for a race is a great way to boost your motivation. The set date of the race gives you something to work towards, and doing a race with a friend is a great way to encourage healthy competition while working towards one common goal.
• Find a class: If you and your friend require a bit more structure to get the most out of your exercise experience, then consider finding a fitness class that will keep you interested. Fitness classes are a great way to schedule in your workouts and are often very upbeat and entertaining, especially classes like Zumba and kickboxing.

Does working out with your friends improve your motivation to keep up with your fitness goals? Share your thoughts and experiences in a comment below.