Lose Weight at Florida’s Beaches
Living in close proximity to St. Petersburg and Bradenton’s clear water and sandy beaches, it’s only natural to spend your summer days relaxing beachside. However, don’t let your summer fun in the sun thwart your weight loss goals after having received surgery for lap band. St. Petersburg and Bradenton’s beaches can be used to your advantage for putting in a little physical fitness time while you’re out soaking up the sun’s rays. If done right, your day at the beach can essentially be a day that helps you stay on top of your weight loss goals.
Here are several beach activities that aren’t only fun but great for your physical fitness, too.
Beach Volleyball – This beach sport may require some skill, but even if you’re not an expert you can burn countless calories while giving it a try. Beach volleyball is an excellent form of physical fitness as the sand provides your body with a significant amount of resistance. Also, beach volleyball requires a lot of movement—stopping and going and jumping will ultimately help you to expend more energy which supports weight loss.
Beach Frisbee – There’s no better place than the beach to play Frisbee with your friends or pet. Throwing this plastic disc around may seem effortless but your body will actually burn more calories when you play barefoot on the beach. The sand provides your body with the resistance needed to expel energy as your feet sink into the ever-changing areas of sand along the beach.
Snorkeling – Saving the best for last, snorkeling may seem like a calming activity but it actually provides you with a chance to engage in some physical activity. Turn your snorkeling adventure into an exercise by alternating the way you’re swimming. First, try taking ten strokes while only using your arms to propel you through the water. Then, for your next ten stokes only engage your lower body by kicking your legs. Finally, take ten more strokes while combining both your upper and lower body and then repeat this for however many reps you’re up for.
St. Petersburg and Bradenton have some of the best waters for fitness while snorkeling.
Egmont key is just southwest of St. Petersburg and west of the Tampa Bay area. This area allows snorkelers to explore the ruins of a fort that dates back to the Spanish-American War. Egmont Key is also teeming with marine life, making it the perfect destination for snorkeling and kayaking, which is another excellent physical fitness activity that can help you burn calories and build your stamina after lap band surgery. Grab the family and head to Florida’s west coast for an underwater snorkeling adventure.
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is a short drive North of St. Petersburg that is well worth the trip. Once in Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, snorkelers have the unique opportunity to swim with manatees in open water. Manatees can reach lengths up to ten feet and can weigh between 800 and 1200 pounds. Don’t be alarmed, despite their size manatees are gentile enough for children and adults to safely approach them—but as with most sea life, it’s better to look than touch.
The Regina Sugar Barge sunk just off of Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island nearly 70 years ago after it was capsized by a storm. This old sugar barge sits only 20 feet below water and 150 feet off the beach, making it the perfect sunken spot to snorkel over. The wreckage itself is over 200 feet long, so you can spend your time burning calories as you turn your snorkeling adventure into a fitness activity for weight loss. The ship wreckage is Florida’s 10th Shipwreck Underwater Archaeological Preserve and it’s right in your back yard. Take the family to Anna Maria Island from Bradenton, Florida and head down Cortez Road where The Regina sits underwater at approximately 7th Street.
Make your day at the beach a day of fitness by incorporating some of these calorie-burning activities after bariatric surgery. Make sure to always consult Dr. Bunch before engaging in any new physical activity after your surgery.