Diet & exercise with a stoma
New year, new you… Not something I like to encourage or promote as I feel diet and exercise in general should be something that is incorporated into everyday life as a way of life rather than a News Year’s resolution that, let’s be honest, a lot of people will not stick to. So how do we do this?
In this blog I will offer some tips to keep you on the right path, but keep in mind not one size fits all!
List your goals
This is a very individual process with individual wants and needs and not one diet or exercise routine will fit the specific needs of everyone so for my first tip I would recommend making a list of what you want to achieve so listing some goals and making them realistic. Some people want to lose those extra pounds others want to build some muscle some just want to get more active and improve their overall health through nutrition and exercise so its finding what you want to achieve.
Make small changes
My next tip is to make small changes and build on this. So instead of picking up that fizzy drink, or bar of chocolate make a conscious choice to choose the better option. Although as an ostomate sometimes these things can’t be helped and sometimes our diet has to be adjusted in specific situations such as high output or a partial block and keeping to a high residue diet can often mean eating in a way that would not been seen as healthy, so where you can apply this to everyday life do so.
Find something you enjoy
My third tip is to find an exercise you enjoy as you are more likely to stick to this. Exercise comes in many different forms. The gym isn’t for everyone and that’s ok! You can exercise at home, go walking, dancing, swimming or take a studio class. Do something you know you will more likely stick to!
Ask for guidance
Tip four is to reach out for help. If you want to exercise but you are unsure what to do, or if you are afraid to exercise due to your ostomy, or your confidence level, contact someone who can guide you in the right direction. This can be your stoma team, another ostomate, a personal trainer or a local gym who will provide a fitness instructor to deliver an induction of the equipment and show you how to use the equipment safely and correctly.
Correct clothing
Tip five, wear the correct clothing, footwear and support wear. Respond offer a range of support wear and support belts. These can be individually made so your stoma nurse can measure you up to ensure the fit is correct and will offer extra support for your stoma bag, core and back during exercise. This will also help prevent a hernia. Respond also offer a range of flange extenders which offers extra protection around the baseplate of the bag to prevent it from lifting during exercise. Wear comfortable gym gear, I like to wear high waisted leggings for extra support and a proper gym shoe is also important.
Consult a professional
Finally, consult with a medical professional that you are in the clear to train especially if you are not long post-surgery.
The first step is normally the hardest. Make a commitment to yourself by making time for your health and adding exercise to your daily routine. No one ever regrets a workout!