Weightlifting With an Ostomy Bag

A lot of people tend to see ostomy bags as a death sentence when that is usually far from the truth. A lot of people that dealt with chronic illness have talked about how getting an ostomy bag has made their lives easier for them. Yes, no one is going to deny that ostomy bags and a stoma come with their unique limitations and guidelines that need to be followed, but, at the same time, you can still carry out a lot of normal activities like before, and this includes exercising. We will be talking about weightlifting after getting a stoma, and if you are interested, you can look into weightlifting with ileostomy bag belt or other ostomy sports accessories.

• You really cannot expect yourself to hit the gym a week or two after getting a stoma. This is major surgery, and like any other surgery, you want to be sure to fully recover before trying to exercise. It is important to remember that exercise and weightlifting, both engage the abdomen, which is where the stoma is. So, you want to wait a couple of weeks until your doctor gives you the clear.
• You also cannot hit the gym and the weight rack immediately. You have to start training your body and getting used to physical exertion with a stoma slowly. You start with walks, and then slowly increase the distance and speed over time. You have to get your muscles used to a certain level of exertion before anything else.
• You should always opt for a qualified trainer to assist you. The trainer should ideally have experience dealing with people with stomas since they offer their own set of challenges and differences.
• You want to get the right sports gear to keep your bag properly held and supported when you exercise.