Before your surgery, what did your leisurely routine look like? A couch, a television, and your favorite snack? Maybe you sat down for a few minutes to unwind, only to find yourself still there hours later, wondering where the time went.
How many times did you tell yourself, “Tomorrow, I’ll start that gym membership,” only to let fatigue take over, leaving you back on the couch, saving your ambitions for another day?
Before you knew it, you no longer recognized the person in the mirror. The weight gain seemed to happen quickly, but the emotional impact may have lasted longer. You’re not alone—many people experience these same feelings, which is why bariatric surgery became a life-changing solution. But after surgery, how do you maintain this momentum?
The answer often lies in one simple habit: exercise.
The Emotional Impact of a Sedentary Lifestyle
Your pre-surgery routine might have left you feeling sad, tired, anxious, and unmotivated. Why? The lack of exercise plays a big role in how you feel emotionally and physically.
Humans are built to move. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors developed physical traits that allowed them to catch food and survive. This need for movement eventually became instinctual. However, in modern Western life, sitting for long periods at work or home contradicts this natural need for movement.
According to Psychology Today, humans have a "capacity to sense and respond to the movements that move them in ways that promote their own ongoing movement." When we exercise, we honor this instinct and, in turn, generate feelings of well-being (Psychology Today).
The Science Behind Exercise and Emotional Health
Exercise has a powerful effect on brain chemistry. When you exercise, your brain releases “happy” chemicals, including serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine.
1. Serotonin
Serotonin helps regulate mood, social behavior, appetite, digestion, sleep, and even sexual desire. Low serotonin levels are often linked with feelings of depression and anxiety (Medical News Today).
2. Endorphins
Endorphins reduce pain and stress, acting as natural opioids for the body. After bariatric surgery, when your body is adjusting to significant changes, the release of endorphins through exercise can be especially beneficial in reducing stress and improving emotional well-being.
3. Dopamine
Dopamine helps regulate motivation, attention, and pleasure. Low dopamine levels are associated with negative emotions and are common in people who experience depression. Exercise helps increase dopamine production, creating a direct link between movement and emotional well-being (Harvard Health).
Exercise as a Healthy Distraction
Exercise also provides a healthy distraction. When you’re sedentary, it’s easy to fall into negative thought patterns. Have you ever found yourself stressing over something simply because you had nothing else to think about?
By exercising, you redirect your mind away from stress and focus on something that is bettering your body. Over time, this can increase your motivation and confidence as your body changes and improves. As Psychology Today highlights, regular physical activity not only promotes physical health but also builds emotional resilience (Psychology Today).
How to Incorporate Exercise Post-Bariatric Surgery
Post-bariatric surgery, exercise should be a central part of your routine to maintain not only your weight loss but also your emotional health. Start slow and gradually build up your stamina with low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling. Over time, you can increase intensity as your fitness improves.
Consistency is key—the more you incorporate movement into your daily life, the better you will feel emotionally and physically. Plus, regular exercise combined with a healthy diet will help take your post-bariatric body to new levels of health and fitness.
Don’t Forget the Nutritional Support
Exercise alone won’t be enough to maintain your overall health after bariatric surgery. It’s essential to take a complete bariatric multivitamin to support your body’s unique nutritional needs. Vita4Life! Multivitamins provide the essential vitamins and minerals that bariatric patients require for optimal health. These supplements can be paired with your exercise routine to support healthy muscle growth, recovery, and emotional well-being.
Make Vita4Life! Bariatric Vitamins part of your daily health regimen, and get ready to feel stronger, healthier, and emotionally balanced!