 Exercise - Stationary Bike for Weight Loss? |
From the Fitness After Hysterectomy Articles List |
 Related Articles
Options to Hysterectomy
Pre-Op Hysterectomy
Post-Op Hysterectomy
Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
Hysterectomy Stories
Ask A Doctor
Advertisement
I have been struggling with my weight since my hysterectomy. I started on the treadmill a few months ago and got bored of it within a few weeks. Now I am riding a stationary bike. How long do I need to ride it each day to lose weight and which do you think is better for overall health?
In general, a person will lose weight if they eat less than their energy output--essentially, energy in versus energy out. How you burn the calories is really secondary. We have different modes of exercise so that our body will continue to react to exercise rather than adapt. We also have different modalities because we become bored. Our muscles would not be balanced if all we ever did was ride a bike or walk. Varying it up works different muscle groups, but weight loss really just revolves around burning more calories than you take in, regardless of how you burn those calories.
Therefore, the best thing for our bodies and minds is to have many different types of exercise that we engage in. Some people prefer walking outside to enjoy fresh air. Others like to watch television or read while walking a treadmill or riding a stationary bike. Still others prefer water aerobics because it is easy on the joints. If you choose a stationary bike, many doctors recommend a recumbent bike. With a recumbent bike, you lean back slightly, and the pedals are in front of you rather than underneath you. You get a lot more gluteal work from one of these.
As you pedal, make sure your spine has good alignment. Hold those abdominals in tight. To increase intensity for the upper body, you can use light weights (no more than five pounds) and do bicep curls, anterior (front) straight arm lifts, lateral (side) lifts, and shoulder presses. Be creative! Just be safe and don’t push yourself too hard or too fast.
If you like what you are doing, you are more likely to continue and reach your goal.
In terms of weight loss and circulatory health, experts say that in order to get maximal benefits from your aerobic exercise, you need to maintain your target heart rate (which varies by age, gender, and weight) for a minimum of 30 minutes. That means a total of 40 minutes. You need at least five minutes to warm up and five minutes to cool down.
This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.
Sally Bradley, M.D.
13250 Hazel Dell Pkwy
Carmel IN 46033
317-843-9352 |
Larry R. Glazerman, M.D.
USF College of Medicine
12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC 62
Tampa FL 33612
813-259-8500 |
Elizabeth C Chase, M.D.
770 Central Avenue
Garrison Women's Health Center
Dover NH 03820
603-742-0101 |
Melodie Wilson, M.D.
3650 Joseph Siewick Dr. #203
Fairfax VA 22033
703-391-1500 |
Laurence Orbuch, M.D.
202 Spring Street
2nd Floor
New York NY 10012
212-343-3040 |
Steven McCarus, M.D.
400 Celebration Place Suite310
Celebration FL 34747
4073034190 |
Susan Carter, M.D.
North Colorado Medical Center/ MCR
1800 15th Street, Suite 220
Greeley CO 80631
970 353 1335 |
David Zisow, M.D.
2005 Rock Spring Rd Ste. 3
Forest Hill - Baltimore MD 21050
410-879-1139 |
Richard W Farnam, M.D.
1700 N. Oregon
Suite 520
El Paso TX 79902
9155335600 |
|
|
|
-- January NewsletterPost Hysterectomy Fitness and Health is the theme of our January, 2012 newsletter at HysterSisters.com. Visit this link [ More]...
Advertisement
 Helpful Links
|
|
|
Store »
Hysterectomy Checkpoints
