Gym Rats

[Positivelife 4]

Hey, Im in week 4 and went to the gym today!!! I was so excited to get back there. I walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes on a rolling incline and then I did 10 minutes of light weight lifting on machines....

arms and legs. 30 minutes was all I could do but I did it! So proud of me!!! Anyone back in the gym yet? Any tips???

[KingMoose 238]

I have been in the gym since 6 weeks out (I am now 6 months out). In the beginning it was slow and could only do a little bit both on the cardio machines as well as the weights. Now I am in the gym for 1 1/2-2 hours 30 min cardio the rest of the time on free weights and a few machines. What is exciting is every time I go I PR on my run times. I typically run on the elliptical for about 20 min and right now I go 21/2 miles in that time. I try to stay above 9mph which equates to around a 7 min and change mile pace. Then my weight training is focused on muscle building and explosive strength. Good luck to you and keep up the hard work, but, listen to your body and don't overdo it too quickly!

[Chrystee 838]

I was back in the gym right after surgery.. finally cleared for everything a couple weeks ago, and loving it!

[OKCPirate 5,323]

For a month following surgery I did nothing but walk. After a month I started to lift again and doing elliptical. I kept weights low and increased 10% per week. I did this three times a week and walked on off days. After a month of careful lifting, I finally started heavier weights, split into 2 leg/ab days and 2 arm/upper body. On leg days I used the rowing machine for cardio (30 minutes) and 30 minutes on the elliptical on arm days.

Please use a program like myfitnesspal to keep track of your Protein. You need even more when you are lifting. But Water and Protein are vital to keeping your skin healthy. The sag will be less noticeable with muscle tone behind it. Enjoy your new start. I'm becoming a full fledged gym rat. I even added in running and did my first 5K two weeks ago.

[NewSetOfCurves 1,553]

Good job @@Positivelife! You took the first step by stepping into that gym and you deserve a huge high five! My biggest tip is to keep it up. Rain or shine, tired or not, something to do or not, MAKE YOUR WAY to that GYM! Like @@KingMoose said, take it slow and at your pace, but get into that gym (or any other physical activity) and continue. You will see, as you build up your endurance and the weight continues to come off, that it will get so much easier and that you can test and push your limits. In that first year post-op, my regimen was cardio focused. After the weight dropped off, weight lifting is what helped to truly shape and build my physique. I love the fact that as I began to add on the muscle mass, my body fat seemed to deplete and burn off much faster. You cannot go wrong with weight lifting! Read, read, read and inform yourself is my other big tip. Inform yourself about the different types of exercises, exercise combinations and isolation exercises, and nutrition for optimal results. I take pre-workout and post workout supplements, and get my Protein in at crucial times (first thing in the morning, 1 hour before my workout, within 30 minutes after my workout, and a casein protein before bed). I know you are only 4 weeks out, but the sooner you inform yourself, the better you will be able to perform and challenge yourself as you continue to change and grow in this new journey to the new you. Good Luck!

[Stephanie Stroup McIntosh 157]

I started going to the gym at 2 weeks. I started with just walking and would stop when my stomach started to ache. I am 5 weeks post op now, and go to they gym 5 days per week. I run/walk 1-3 miles per day, lift weights, take spin class... I am cautious to avoid anything that could be dangerous to my stomach, but I just take it slow until I decide if I can do it or not.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I went back at 2 weeks for treadmill and in the pool for Water aerobics at 3 weeks. Just listen to your body. You'll work up to your regular schedule soon enough.

[Positivelife 4]

Good job @@Positivelife! You took the first step by stepping into that gym and you deserve a huge high five! My biggest tip is to keep it up. Rain or shine, tired or not, something to do or not, MAKE YOUR WAY to that GYM! Like @@KingMoose said, take it slow and at your pace, but get into that gym (or any other physical activity) and continue. You will see, as you build up your endurance and the weight continues to come off, that it will get so much easier and that you can test and push your limits. For me, weight lifting has truly helped build my physique. I love that that as I began to see the added muscle mass, that my body fat seemed to deplete and burn off much faster. You cannot go wrong with weight lifting! Read, read, read and inform yourself is my other big tip. Inform yourself about the different types of exercises, exercise combinations and isolation exercises, and nutrition for optimal results. I take pre-workout and post workout supplements, and get my Protein in at crucial times (first thing in the morning, 1 hour before my workout, within 30 minutes after my workout, and a casein protein before bed). I know you are only 4 weeks out, but the sooner you inform yourself, the better you will be able to perform and challenge yourself as you continue to change and grow in this new journey to the new you. Good Luck!

Thank you sooooo much!

[Positivelife 4]

For a month following surgery I did nothing but walk. After a month I started to lift again and doing elliptical. I kept weights low and increased 10% per week. I did this three times a week and walked on off days. After a month of careful lifting, I finally started heavier weights, split into 2 leg/ab days and 2 arm/upper body. On leg days I used the rowing machine for cardio (30 minutes) and 30 minutes on the elliptical on arm days.

Please use a program like myfitnesspal to keep track of your Protein. You need even more when you are lifting. But Water and Protein are vital to keeping your skin healthy. The sag will be less noticeable with muscle tone behind it. Enjoy your new start. I'm becoming a full fledged gym rat. I even added in running and did my first 5K two weeks ago.

You have definately inspired me!! Awesome!

[Countrygrrl 450]

I hit the gym 1.5 to 2 hrs now. I had to laugh it's Saturday night and I was at the gym 8-10 pm I can do the elliptical at 10 incline now at 8 resistance for 40 min and I love watching my body change and look strong.