Finding a Training Program

kanscope

I apologize as this may be a little long. To start with let me say I have lost a lot of weight since I had gastric bypass surgery four years ago and while I still have about 20 pounds to go my focus now is on fitness and getting my body in better physical condition. At a couple of points in my journey I was running and going to the gym but two herniated discs in my neck and chronic pain from that stopped my exercise efforts about six months ago. I am now 16 days out from an anterior cervical fusion surgery. I have been cleared by my doctor to walk and am up to a mile a day with clearance to go up to 5 miles a day slowly. I will not be allowed to start running again for 3 to 6 months.

My sons are both Boy Scouts and we do a lot of hiking and camping. In January I committed to making a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in June 2017 with my surgeon's blessing that I will be well healed and able to make the trip. For those that aren't familiar, when my oldest son went last summer he hiked 86 miles in a 12 day period including going up a mountain where at one point they were going through knee deep snow and other times had 100 degree heat to deal with all while carrying a 40 pound pack as they camp each night while on the trail.

My question is where would you look for a program or a guideline to go from where I am now to be prepared for where I need to be in a little over a year? In the past I have jumped into doing too much way to fast and then suffered an injury which then sets me back for months and I can't afford to do that now. While I would love to find a personal trainer to work with it is not in the budget at this time.

julie_broadhead

Will your insurance cover extra physical therapy after your surgery? A good PT or OT would be who I would talk to in your situation.