300 Part IV: The Part of Tens
Remember, supplements are just that. They’re not meant to take the place of
food, but to supplement what you get from the foods you eat.
Add Physical Activity
Calories in minus calories out equals weight loss, right? Physical activity is
half of the equation for weight loss success.
Find activities you enjoy and make them part of your lifestyle. You do not
have to go to a gym for hours each day. Break physical activity up into
smaller pieces. Get out and walk for 10 minutes three times a day if you can’t
find 30 minutes to exercise.
Any extra movement is good. Remember, physical activity increases your
metabolism, improves energy, and boosts your mood. Incorporate movement
into your day by
✓ Parking further away from your office
✓ Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
✓ Marching or doing squats while talking on the phone
✓ Exercising during commercials
✓ Going outside and playing with your kids
Continue to Follow Up with Your Surgeon
Your surgeon needs to be your lifelong friend. You made this a lifelong
commitment, and he or she is part of that commitment.
Your surgeon should require you return to his or her office for a series of
postoperative visits (no, not just one) during the first year, and then annually
after that. It’s important that you keep these appointments, even if you think
you’re doing fine. You need to have ongoing monitoring of your weight loss,
lab values (to detect possible vitamin or mineral deficiencies), nutritional
status, and other medical concerns you or your surgeon may have.
