The holidays are known to be a time of over-indulgences, which can spell disaster for someone that has recently undergone JSAPA Weight Loss Surgery. Additionally, if your calendar is filled to the brim, it can be difficult to get to the gym.  Most bariatric surgeons recommend that you try to work at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your daily life. Don’t let the holidays rattle your best-laid plans, instead heed these tips and learn how to work exercise into your everyday activities.

When you head out to do your holiday shopping, don’t be tempted to look for the closest parking spot. Instead, head to the back of the lot where there are plenty of spaces and walk briskly to the entrance of the mall. It’s important that you increase your heart rate and feel slightly out of breath in order for your trek through the parking lot to count as exercise. Once you get inside and begin your shopping, forgo the shopping cart and put your muscles to work for you by carrying your packages. For someone who has recently undergone weight loss surgery, both of these suggestions are well within the scope of recommended activities.

Housework is another great way that weight loss surgery patients can get their recommended daily dose of exercise. Since most everyone has plenty of preparations to complete during the holidays, you can use this opportunity to work your muscles. Activities such as vacuuming, mopping and schlepping laundry and totes filled with holiday decorations are wonderful ways to work your legs and back.

Getting your life back after weight loss surgery is a journey that can’t stop just because the holidays arrive. If you can’t make it to the gym, you can find other ways to increase your heart rate and work your muscles. Simple suggestions like walking briskly between airport gates or kicking a ball with the kids at a rest stop while driving to your relative’s home during the holidays are things that you can do to work a little physical activity into an otherwise busy time of year.