After bariatric surgery, you will need to take up an exercise routine to help get into shape and lose the excess weight. Water aerobics is a great, low impact way to get started. The water cushions your joints to limit stress and avoid injury, while helping you to build flexibility and move your muscles while reducing the overall impact of the activity. Here are some moves to try next time you are in the pool at your health club or one of Ft. Worth’s community pools:
- The Figure Eight. To do this exercise, stand in chest-deep water holding a small barbell in each hand. Your feet should be just over shoulder-width apart and your arms extended in front of you, palms down. Slowly draw a figure eight on the surface of the water.
- Knee Tucks. This is a great core exercise to help build strength after weight loss surgery. Stand in chest-deep water with your feet at shoulder width apart. Squat down from the knees while keeping your body upright. One at a time, lift each knee to your chest. Keep your abdominal muscles taut while doing this exercise. Be careful that you do not bring your leg down too quickly.
- The Torso Twist. Stand with your back to the wall of the pool so you can use it for support. You should do this exercise in shallow water. Lift your arms out of the water and rest them on the wall of the pool. Lift your legs in front of you. Slowly twist your hips first one way, then the other. Hold the twisted position for a moment in order to really work the muscles.