6 reasons for Strength Training after gastric by pass

1. Strength training will slow or maintain your loss of muscle mass loss

You will lose muscle mass with all weight loss programs, weight loss surgery is no different except for the speed at which you lose weight. And it’s the quickness of the weight loss that has your body also shedding a large percentage of muscle mass. To slow this loss down and start building muscle mass after your bariatric surgery, start adding in consistent and progressive strength training into your workouts.

2. Quality of your muscle mass is poor, strength training will change that

It’s well known that people with obesity have more muscle mass than those who don’t have obesity. The thing is that muscle mass in obese people is of a lower quality. That is the muscle you have is more intertwined with adipose tissue (fat) which in turn makes it less effective. While you may have more muscle, it’s not as strong or as efficient as higher quality muscle (less fat running through it). Adding strength training after gastric sleeve surgery will give you the quality muscle you want to move easier and feel stronger.

3.More quality muscle helps with the uptake of glucose which helps with diabetes

Muscle is one of the biggest users of glucose and the more quality muscle you have and use the more glucose your body can use. Which in turn can help reduce type 2 diabetes. Most people see a complete reversal of their type 2 diabetes after surgery. Yet there is a 21% re-occurrence in WLS patients. It is especially higher in patients that have had type 2 diabetes for many years.  One way that may help reduce this chance of this recurrence is to build the muscle to help with glucose uptake. 

4. Muscle mass is the largest contributor to your metabolism. Strength training after gastric sleeve surgery will improve that. 

Add strength training into your weight loss journey to keep your resting metabolic rate high. That is the amount of energy you need to maintain all the functions of your body – including your muscles . With a higher metabolic rate your body will need to burn more calories to keep everything going right. This of course can help you reduce the amount of body fat your body will hold on to. 

5. Feeling stronger goes a long way to making you feel better about yourself

There is something to be said for just feeling better. Getting all that excess fat off is a good start. Joints and low back feel less pain which is great, yet building muscles you start to feel more positive about yourself. Seeing more definition in your arms and legs has a positive effect on your well being. I know it sounds odd, but it’s always nice to see the results of your labor and it can help you keep going.

6. More muscle helps make daily living easier.

Having more quality muscle makes your life easier. Strength training after gastric sleeve will help. Being able to move up and down stairs carrying a full laundry basket is less tiring, getting up and down off the floor becomes an easier task when you are stronger, picking up your child is easier, going on a long hike becomes doable. Of all the reasons I’ve shared this is the one that I think is the most important. It is all about the quality of your life. What you can do to make it a good and happy life. If you have the strength to do everything you want to do then you are on a great track.