Did you know that water-based exercise is not only good for aching joints—it can also help you lose weight? For those with an unhealthy BMI and who carry excess weight, this could be the first step toward a healthier lifestyle.
Weight problems are a proverbial catch-22. Excess pounds stress the joints—most commonly in the back and knees. This, in turn, makes even the simplest forms of exercise—like walking—difficult. Not exercising can lead to further weight gain.
But water workouts are easier and much more tolerable than land-based activities. Why? Because when your body is submerged in water, gravity is removed from the equation. The buoyancy of the water allows you to feel less fatigued and short of breath while decreasing pain along with your risk of a fall or injury. Water workouts also help build muscle and improve strength, burn calories, and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
“Bariatric surgery can reverse the proverbial catch-22. The weight you lose after surgery will make you feel better which will allow you to exercise and in turn, lose more weight.” – Alfred C. Trang, MD
Many post-bariatric surgery patients with arthritis or chronic joint/back pain are encouraged to participate in aquatic exercises. Alfred C. Trang, MD, bariatric and general surgeon at St. Mary Medical Center, has recommended this option to many of his patients.
Examples of common aquatic exercises include:
- Walking
- Lunges
- Standing on one leg
- Side-step shuffles
- Leg swings
- Treading water
- Arm raises
While water exercises are a great start to your weight-loss journey, numerous proven studies have shown that once your weight has reached a certain level, bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment to improve your health and regain your quality of life.
“Bariatric surgery can reverse the proverbial catch-22,” says Trang. “The weight you lose after surgery will make you feel better which will allow you to exercise and in turn, lose more weight.”
St. Mary Medical Center’s Bariatric Surgery Program is designed to provide you with the resources you need before and after surgery and to help you lose weight and sustain it long-term. Request a consultation with one of our providers.