PAstudent

That is good progress!! I started on the elliptical two weeks ago and I am still on level 1 incline1. I am afraid to hurt myself so I am advancing time first.. I say slow and steady wins the race because an injury could set you back.

Oh yes, an injury will set you back. Best to ease in to your workout when you haven't done any before or you've been out for a while. I was upset I couldn't do my heavy lifting going back, but had to take it slow. I'm just about getting there now. Keep it up, before you know it, you'll be stronger than before.

Also have you talked with your trainer about your strength training? What's his/her idea to get you going?

My surgeon said I had no weight or activity restrictions, just that I shouldn't push myself too hard right out of surgery. Definitely trying to avoid injury! In terms of cardio, which I do after strength training, I'm at higher inclines, but I keep the intensity low (so my heart rate is supposed to be around 140-150)

My trainer says it's to be expected that I feel tired easily and don't put on muscle as quickly as someone who hasn't had the surgery. (It's near impossible to gain muscle mass on such an extreme calorie deficit) But we're working on maintaining the muscles I have now and making going to the gym a regular part of my life. I'm working on getting up to 3 days of strength training a week: push, pull, and lower body. I work my core on all of these days

I don't know if you guys are familiar with weight training at all, but it's such a strange and unsettling feeling to get your muscles to the point of failure. I'll try to go for my last rep and my arms just won't go any further for a few seconds hahaha! On the bright side, I've increased 10 pounds on my chest press! On the not so bright side, I still really struggle on the absolute lowest weight the machine has for the shoulder press.

Hoping I'll be fit someday