Hampton Roads Weight Loss

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Ever wondered how to make smart food choices, or do you just need a little bit of motivation to continue on your weight loss journey? We write often on weight loss topics like healthy living, fitness, and nutrition. Check back often or sign up for email updates as we share tips for your weight loss success!

Will I Have to Exercise After Weight Loss Surgery?

fit for lifeThe short answer is “Yes”.  Exercise is extremely important following weight loss surgery because you will be losing weight at a rapid pace.  Your body will try to fight this weight loss by attempting to store fat for this perceived starvation.  Your body does this by burning muscle mass and storing fat.  This is undesirable.  To combat this effect, it is important to exercise regularly so that your metabolism is increased and your body burns fat rather than muscle mass.

If you decide to have weight loss surgery, you should seize this opportunity after surgery and integrate activity/exercise into your daily routine. This will not only help you through any plateaus, it will help you build muscle, enhance your metabolism and overall energy, and greatly influence your overall success.

I encourage walking beginning the day of surgery to improve circulation.  Early walking forces the heart to pump blood throughout the body and prevents it from pooling in your legs which could cause clots that are potentially life threatening.    The more walking you can do, the better.  We ask that you avoid lifting heavy weights or doing sit-ups/abdominal crunches until you are at least 4 weeks from your surgery.  Prior to that time, you may ride an exercise bike, or swim (not until 2 weeks from your surgery).  When you choose your particular exercise program, make sure it incorporates weight training along with some form of aerobic/cardiovascular exercise.

Most everyone knows the benefits of exercise – it’s just doing it that is difficult.  We all can find excuses (not enough time, not enjoyable/boring, inconvenient, lack of resources, don’t know how, etc…).  The bottom line is that you must make time for exercise and make it a priority.  This is easy to say, but hard to do.

The benefits of exercise are many.  Some of these benefits include:

  • Decreased appetite
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Decreased stress level
  • Reduced risk for development of heart disease
  • Reduced risk for colon and other cancers
  • Reduced depression and anxiety
  • Improved balance and independent living
  • Improved digestion
  • Improved self-esteem
  • Improved flexibility
  • Improved energy levels
  • Improved sleep pattern
  • Improved sexual satisfaction
  • Improved overall quality of life

So you may logically understand the benefits of exercise.  If you still choose not to exercise, you must ask yourself “why?”  Determine your roadblocks to exercise and then identify solutions to the roadblock.  Once you “get the fever” for exercise after doing some form on a regular basis, you will wonder why you didn’t do it earlier.  If you choose weight loss surgery, you are making a life changing decision.  Maximize the benefits of this decision and commit to a regular exercise program.  You will not regret it.  Your weight loss will be enhanced and your overall quality of life improved.

It does take time and effort to get started.  In addition, after you have had surgery, you may have some feelings of fatigue for the first one to three months after surgery.  Until you can begin a more vigorous exercise program (4 weeks after surgery), walk as much as possible.  If you are unable to walk due to a health problem/disability, perform as much upper body exercise as you can tolerate using light weights (until 4 weeks after surgery).  If you have cardiac/respiratory problems, be sure to obtain clearance for starting an exercise program from your primary care physician and/or specialist.

Choose a fitness program that will work for you.  It should be tailored to your specific needs, abilities, preferences and activities that you will enjoy.  Otherwise, you will be tempted to quit.

Remember that at the Center for Weight Loss Success, we love making fitness fun and specialize in starting wherever you are.  We work privately with our patients and offer three personal training sessions as a part of their Weight Management University for Weight Loss Surgery™ program.  Our certified trainers love working with clients at all levels of fitness.  You can also participate in our Group Fitness classes as a part of your program.  Remember, you are not alone.  Please use these resources available with your experienced bariatric surgeon/center to enhance your weight loss and improve your overall health and metabolism.

walking_feetWhen starting a workout program, take it easy.  Be sure to gradually work up to at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise three or more times a week.  Stick to it and strive to make exercise a habit (usually considered a habit once performed regularly for at least three months)!  You won’t see dramatic changes overnight but you will see dramatic changes over time.

When you exercise, be sure to warm-up prior to the activity and cool down/stretch after the activity.  Do not lift too much weight (increase weight gradually), and remain hydrated – be sure to drink water before and after your workout.

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Tina Dawson, Assistant Retail Manager

With over 30 years of experience in IT, Finance, and Healthcare fields, Tina has served the healthcare industry in such roles as Project Manager, Practice Manager, Physician Recruitment and assisted with electronic medical record (EMR) conversions. She attended the University of Maryland in both Asia and Europe majoring in Computer Science and is fascinated with learning new technologies. Tina enjoys educating our clients on our products and programs and “celebrating their successes and milestones…one pound at a time!”. Don’t be surprised if she gives you a hug! For fitness and fun, she likes to “slog” (slow jog) races and enjoys competing in half marathons. “Come out and join me for the next one. Believe in yourself and you CAN do it!” For more information on weight loss in Virginia, please contact (phone or text) us at (757) 873-1880 today!

Jessica Kirby, Medical Receptionist

Jessica croppedJessica is the newest addition to the team here at CFWLS.

Dani Colley, Medical Assistant

Dani has over 35 years of experience in the medical field and has been working as Dr. Clark’s Medical Assistant for over 15 years. Her area of expertise is with the surgical patients. She works closely with Dr. Clark and is always just a phone call away to answer your questions or just lend an encouraging word!

Dani spends her spare time volunteering at an equine rescue or riding rescue horses.

Dawn Olson, LWMC, CPT, Education & Fitness Coordinator

Although her initial career was in Finance, Dawn’s passion for health & fitness motivated her to re-direct her energy toward helping others reach their goal toward a strong & healthy life. Counseling patients and teaching My Weight Loss Academy™ classes in lifestyle modification and nutrition keeps her smiling. “This is far more than a job, it’s an opportunity to help people learn and make positive changes in their health. Each day brings a new reward!”

Dawn is a certified personal trainer and worked in various fitness facilities before joining us in 2009. She also holds certifications in Exercise & the Older Adult, Aquatic Exercise, Chronic Diseases and Disabilities, Facilitated Stretching, Fitness Therapy and Lifestyle & Weight Management.

Cat Williamson, Office Manager

Cat Williamson was born and raised in Hampton Roads. She feels blessed that she lives close to the Ocean as well as the Mountains since she enjoys taking weekend trips with her Hubby. Cat has worked in a medical setting for more than 35 years and started working for Dr. Clark as his Surgical Coordinator over fifteen years ago. Due to her longevity here at CFWLS, she has “well rounded” knowledge in each program (medical or surgical) that Dr. Clark’s Center for Weight Loss Success offers. Cat, as the Office Manager ensures that daily structure is handled with a balance of professionalism and excitement for each of our Patient’s weight loss journey. She feels rewarded each time a Patient or Client peeks into her office to share yet another milestone toward their new life!

Cat Keller, Retail Sales Manager

CatCat Keller has a wealth of experience in marketing, e-marketing, advertising and customer service and manages our Weight Loss Nutritional Store. She is always planning something fun and exciting. special events, discounts, giveaways – it’s never a dull moment. She is happy to help you with questions you may have regarding our products or services. Cat is a graduate of William & Mary, where she studied Government/Pre-Law and minored in Marketing.

“My ultimate goal here at Center for Weight Loss Success is to help our clients be successful in their weight loss. We all know how wonderful it is to win a long fought battle. The battle against weight gain, and the poor health it eventually brings is, I believe, one of the most important to win because it brings with it the biggest pay off of all…a longer, healthier life. That is what motivates me to come to work everyday, it’s the opportunity to help a client achieve a renewed zest for life.”