Coaching clients who have had weight loss surgery can be challenging and VERY rewarding! Many clients are unable to use a gym initially because their weight is too high to use commercial gym equipment. They may also be hesitant to go to the gym because of the stares and the social stigma that surrounds obesity. Many of these clients have tried and failed at many previous attempts with weight loss and exercise. They need encouragement and must feel confident that they are not being judged. These clients are best worked with in their homes or if they are comfortable, in a local park that has a flat, paved walking surface. So many of these clients have never exercised beyond walking and do not have even basic knowledge of kinesiology. This demographic will be starting at ground zero.
The client needs to understand 3 basic concepts; strengthening, flexibility and endurance. At approximately 6 weeks post op with medical clearance, they should be encouraged to start walking at a brisk pace 3 times per day for 10 minute intervals. So that they are not overwhelmed, I do not have them monitor their heart rate. I do request that they journal their food, exercise and hydration level so that they can be accountable to their commitment of getting healthy. As you notice your client’s confidence start to build, encourage them to walk once per day for 30 minutes and start to incorporate some strength training exercises. I find that resistance bands are a great option. As the client progresses and is showing enthusiasm for exercising, I use this time to dialogue with the client to determine how they are feeling about their success so that we can start to add more of a variety of exercises to their routine. Are they ready for the gym or possibly water aerobics? I ask during every coaching session how the client’s joints are feeling. Are they having any pain after exercising? Is the exercise plan on point or is it too taxing for my client’s joints. I always stress how important it is to stay hydrated since their anatomy has been altered and they have a different rate of absorption.
Bariatric clients are also not candidates for sports drinks as the sugar, even in small amounts, can cause metabolic dumping syndrome and that is something that will make your client violently sick for an hour or so. If the client is on track with the exercise goals to date, it may be time to start adding a variety to their workout. Free weights, biking, yoga or they could be at a weight that standard gym equipment can support. This is the time your client will start showing great enthusiasm. They have lost weight; they are exercising and feeling healthy. This is also the time that your client may start to develop loose and sagging skin. This is very common after weight loss surgery. The client should be encouraged to wear tighter exercise clothing that is wicking and also to use a body gel such as Body Glide to avoid friction irritation to the areas of loose skin.
It is also the time when the client may feel invincible and start taking on too much too soon. I encourage them at every opportunity but also caution them as they are still novices and have more to learn. I help them understand queues that their bodies are giving them. Are they eating enough protein prior to their workout, are they getting in the proper amount of calories daily? All of this is vital to the long term success of the bariatric client. These clients are learning an entire new way to eat, exercise and generally live life. They have been given a second chance at life and as their coach; it is so rewarding to see how these clients bloom into enthusiastic, healthy people. It is an honor to be part of the process that the bariatric client is embarking on. This journey is nothing to fear. It will help you as a coach or trainer to become even more diverse and compassionate to all the clients that request our help in becoming the healthy person that we all desire to be!
My name is Patricia Bogard and I am a Certified Wellness Coach. I am an avid runner and currently training for the 2015 Chicago Marathon. I am also a Bari-Athlete and I run competitively. I have successfully kept off 277lbs for 5 years after having had Gastric Bypass surgery by eating a healthy diet and daily exercise. https://www.instagram.com/BARI_WELLNESS
