Weight Loss After Hysterectomy
I have had a really hard time losing weight after my hysterectomy. Will I ever be able to lose it?
If you are post-hysterectomy and feeling pudgy, you may wonder if the changes in your body from your surgery have affected your ability to lose weight. Not so! Although the change in your hormone levels may cause some issues in weight loss that require extra effort, the basic plan to lose weight remains the same.
It’s No Mystery
In order to lose weight, you have to burn more calories than you eat. And, although it sounds simple, we all know that the discipline of eating less and exercising more can produce disappointment and frustration.
Sometimes it’s easier to make small changes day by day, rather than major changes all at once. Consider it a lifestyle change to eat healthier, low-calorie foods and increase your activity. You will find success in the long run!
The Basics
To lose one pound of fat, you must burn approximately 3,500 calories over and above what you already consume during your daily activities. That is a lot of calories! However, if you increase exercise and a reduce calorie intake, you can lose that one pound of fat over the course of a week, which translates into 4 pounds in a month, 8 pounds in two months, and 12 pounds in three months.
You won’t see the fast loss that you may admire on “Biggest Loser,” but you will find that the adjustment to your new eating lifestyle is easier in baby steps.
Calculate Intake
Find out how many calories you eat by tracking your food consumption, writing down what you eat and drink each day. Be accurate!
Calculate Activity Level
Use a calorie calculator to determine how many calories you burn when you are sitting, walking, standing, and exercising throughout your day.
Calculate your BMR (basal metabolic rate):
Your BMR is what your body needs to maintain normal functions. This is the minimum number of calories you need to eat each day.
Now Do the Math
Take your BMR, add your activity calories, and subtract your food calories from the total. If you are eating more than you are burning, you will gain weight. If you are burning more than you eat, you will lose weight.
Make a Plan
Before you go to the store again, take some time to sit down and plan out meals and snacks for the week that include healthy foods. This way, you have a list in hand that will make it easier to replace junk food with nutritious, healthy foods. Keeping your kitchen stocked with low-calorie, nutritious foods makes it easier to make good food choices. Learn to eat healthy food after your hysterectomy.
An exercise plan also helps. Planning for exercise ahead of time can make it easier to exercise when the time comes. Even if your schedule doesn’t allow regularly schedule exercise, you can plan more movement into your daily activities: park farther from the store, take the stairs, and take breaks to move around when you have been sitting for a long time.
5 Successful Health Goals After Hysterectomy
Check-in With Your Doctor
If you find that you have struggled with weight gain, overall feelings of sluggishness and discouragement, make an appointment to see your doctor. Discuss menopause symptoms, if any, and explain your frustration with this area of your life. Expect to have your blood drawn in case your thyroid or hormone levels need support. HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or thyroid medication is often the answer for aging body’s lack of response to normal weight loss methods.
Add Sister Support
The HysterSisters community forum has a special area for fitness, weightloss and support surrounding healthy lifestyles. Come join us in the HysterSisters Fitness and Weight Loss forum with sub-forums for Tips for Workouts, Eating Right and Wellness Challenges. Have a question? Need support? The HysterSisters are ready to include you.
Now is the time to create a sensible, achievable plan for your own weight loss. Take action! Today is the day.
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. Reprinted with permission: Weight Loss After Hysterectomy
Shutterstock.com/Dmitry Lobanov
