As long as you’ve got two feet, walking is as simple as putting one in front of the other, right? While this might be how it starts, walking is about much more than just getting from point A to point B. As most people who have had weight loss surgery in Salt Lake City can tell you, walking becomes more than just a basic movement when you are trying to lose weight—it is also a valuable form of exercise.
Walking is one of the most highly recommended forms of exercise after weight loss surgery, especially right after weight loss surgery when most forms of fitness are too strenuous. But not all types of walking are equal. There are several different levels of walking intensity, and each level serves a particular function. While sprinting back and forth across your kitchen won’t do you too much good while you are trying to cook dinner after work, walking at a slow and leisurely pace isn’t ideal when fitness is your objective.
Understanding the different types of walking can help you gauge your own activity level and ensure that you are putting in the right intensity level for the right task.
Here is a breakdown of the different walking levels you can engage in after weight loss surgery:
- Intermittent: Simply standing more often increases the amount of steps you are taking compared to when you are sitting down, but this is far from an intense workout. Intermittent walking refers to the level of intensity you would put in while filing papers at the office or cooking dinner.
- Casual: When you are out with a friend or strolling through the mall you aren’t usually moving at a very fast pace. This is known as casual walking, and it involves moving at a pace of about two mph. This is a good pace at which to start walking as you recover from weight loss surgery.
- Aerobic: This form of walking is done for the express purpose of exercise. This is an aerobic or cardiovascular activity, which means it will quicken your heart rate and blood flow. You may move at a pace of anywhere between four and six miles an hour at this level. Aerobic walking should cause you to break a sweat. Do not attempt this level of walking intensity until your weight loss surgeon says it is okay for you to do so.
After weight loss surgery, put on your sneakers and start pushing yourself to take a few more steps every day. Whatever intensity level you can start at, walking is a great activity that will help you burn calories and lose weight.