One of the greatest benefits of weight loss surgery is the ability to be more active. And through engaging in regular exercise, it is more likely that you’ll live longer with improved heart health, reduced cancer risks, stronger bones, a healthy blood sugar level, heightened brain power, better weight control, and more energy–well worth the time and effort required. As the weather heats up, it’s time to take it outside.

Download Healthful Tips: It’s Time to Get Outdoors and Exercise

What to Do?

Outdoor activities this time of year are only limited by your imagination. Here are some ideas to get you thinking—this year with social distancing in mind.

Bike Riding
Shooting Basketball Hoops
Playing Catch
Canoeing
Dancing
Flying a Kite
Fishing
Throwing a Frisbee
Gardening
Hula Hoop
Hop Scotch
House Cleaning
In-line Skating
Jumping Rope
Nature Walk
Run
Clean out Your Attic or Garage
Walk the Dog

Get a Fresh Perspective Walking Outdoors

Walking is a great form of exercise for most people. It’s easy, inexpensive, and it can be done almost anywhere. An important benefit of regular walking is lower stress hormones—something we can all use with the uncertainty of the COVID era. So get out of the house, get your blood pumping, and feel the energy and enthusiasm return to your body.

Start slowly, 7 days a week if possible, and then add time and distance. Before you know it, you’ll be able to walk 5-7 days a week for 40-60 minutes—just follow the schedule below.

WEEK	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT
1	15 min	15 min	20 min	15 min	20 min	15 min	20 min
2	15 min	20 min	20 min	15 min	20 min	15 min	25 min
3	15 min	25 min	20 min	15 min	25 min	20 min	25 min
4	20 min	30 min	20 min	20 min	25 min	20 min	30 min
5	20 min	30 min	30 min	20 min	30 min	20 min	35 min
6	25 min	30 min	30 min	25 min	30 min	25 min	40 min
7	25 min	30 min	40 min	30 min	30 min	30 min	40 min
8	25 min	30 min	40 min	30 min	40 min	30 min	50 min
9	30 min	40 min	40 min	30 min	40 min	40 min	50 min
10	30 min	40 min	50 min	30 min	50 min	40 min	50 min
11	40 min	40 min	50 min	40 min	50 min	40 min	50 min
12	40 min	40 min	60 min	40 min	60 min	40 min	60 min

 

Remove the stressor from your life. Sometimes, it is time for a change rather than continuing to try to respond in a healthy way to a stressor. This may be as simple as no longer watching the news; avoiding the negative-nelly at work; cutting out activities that you don’t have time for or taking a break from social media.

Minimize stress by changing how you choose to respond to it. Balance your life with time for eating right, exercise, work, relationships, relaxation, and fun.

Read more:  Stress Management

Enjoy your pet. There is a reason for therapy dogs—pets can have a profound effect on our moods and anxiety.

Minimize stress by changing how you choose to respond to it. Balance your life with time for eating right, exercise, work, relationships, relaxation, and fun.

Read more:  Stress Management

Listen to calming music. Music can have a relaxing effect on the body. If you search for relaxing music, you’ll find that certain frequencies are known for relaxation. There is music for sleep and music for relaxation or simply listen to your favorite relaxing tunes.

Minimize stress by changing how you choose to respond to it. Balance your life with time for eating right, exercise, work, relationships, relaxation, and fun.

Read more: Stress Management

Laughing improves your mood, relaxes muscles, reduces the stress response, and helps your immune system.

Minimize stress by changing how you choose to respond to it. Balance your life with time for eating right, exercise, work, relationships, relaxation, and fun.

Read more: Stress Management