What to expect...

happyauntie2015

I'm very overweight and been going to the gym since April. I have medical issues like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. I normally go in do 30-45 minutes of cardio and then strength training. Well a couple weeks ago the manager at the gym talked me into facing my fears head on and taking an hour long foundations class. I enjoyed it and the instructor made some modifications for me. I was sore afterwards the next day but nothing ice and ibuprofen couldn't handle. Yesterday I went and participated in another foundations class but the instructor didn't seem to want to modify much said I had to have more faith in my body and what I could do and not "baby" my issues it's mind over matter. So at 306 pounds this guy had me doing laps around the gym with weights, one leg squats with 10lb dumbbells in my hands (others used 40), doing around the world's on my hands and knees instead of in push-up position and squatting with 20 pound dumbbells. We the class did each of these things for an hour! I wake up in the middle of the night needing assistance to get to the RR and by morning had to have DH help get me up around before he left for work because of the pain and swelling and redness in my joints! Even my wrists are painful and swelled. I don't feel I should be in this type of shape after a workout!! Any suggestions? I'm waiting to see what tomorrow brings but I am going to call my Dr because this just isn't right! Thanks

BasicGreatGuy

I suggest you stay far away from that instructor. He had no business putting you through a workout like that. He put your health at further risk doing what he did. A guy like that should be fired, in my opinion. He obviously is not qualified to be instructing you in matters of fitness given your health background.

happyauntie2015

Thank you Basic for your reply. Do you know how I would go about finding someone who is qualified or is that more a question for my dr? I do know I don't want to go back to where I was months ago but if I have more set backs like this 1 that's exactly where I will be.

BasicGreatGuy

happyauntie2015 wrote: »

Thank you Basic for your reply. Do you know how I would go about finding someone who is qualified or is that more a question for my dr? I do know I don't want to go back to where I was months ago but if I have more set backs like this 1 that's exactly where I will be.

Speak with your doctor. He or she should be able to refer you to a qualified physiotherapist who, should be able to direct you to an instructor who is specifically trained to work with clients like yourself. If budget allows, it would be great if you could work with a qualified instructor (one on one) for the first month or so (at least).

happyauntie2015

BasicGreatGuy wrote: »

happyauntie2015 wrote: »

Thank you Basic for your reply. Do you know how I would go about finding someone who is qualified or is that more a question for my dr? I do know I don't want to go back to where I was months ago but if I have more set backs like this 1 that's exactly where I will be.

Speak with your doctor. He or she should be able to refer you to a qualified physiotherapist who, should be able to direct you to an instructor who is specifically trained to work with clients like yourself. If budget allows, it would be great if you could work with a qualified instructor (one on one) for the first month or so (at least).

Thanks so much I will definitely do that!!

canadianlbs

this is so difficult. i had the opposite experience when i started weights and had to disclose my r.a. in spite of a g.p. clearance, the trainer clearly didn't want me to do anything. mine is mild/latent at present so i was extremely frustrated, but someone who doesn't listen and puts you at overt risk is much worse. i find it's a genuine struggle finding people who'll take us seriously, much less know what the scope and variety of r.a. can mean.

i second the idea of talking to your doctor. and depending on how you feel about it maybe talk to the gym manager. it seems like the first class was a much better experience? idek if you feel like educating these people or not, or if they'll be open to being educated. but you should not have been exposed to that, and if nothing else they should be told how far wrong that second class was.

canadianlbs

^^ idk what country you're in but a lot of places have some kind of non-profit 'society' for rheumatoid arthritis. i hated it, but the one where i live did have a kind of 'r.a. 101' thing that was semi-helpful as a resource. so taht's another possibility.

happyauntie2015

canadianlbs wrote: »

this is so difficult. i had the opposite experience when i started weights and had to disclose my r.a. in spite of a g.p. clearance, the trainer clearly didn't want me to do anything. mine is mild/latent at present so i was extremely frustrated, but someone who doesn't listen and puts you at overt risk is much worse. i find it's a genuine struggle finding people who'll take us seriously, much less know what the scope and variety of r.a. can mean.

i second the idea of talking to your doctor. and depending on how you feel about it maybe talk to the gym manager. it seems like the first class was a much better experience? idek if you feel like educating these people or not, or if they'll be open to being educated. but you should not have been exposed to that, and if nothing else they should be told how far wrong that second class was.

Thanks!! The first class was much better because the gym manager stuck with me and modified everything as it was happening! At the end of class he and I went over to the trainer and he introduced me and went over my history and had given him my file and the trainer assured him he would make the necessary modifications. I will speak to the gym manager by phone tomorrow as I'm still not walking unassisted. My primary is very upset because he was very thorough with the limitations he put in writing and faxed the gym....

canadianlbs

that sounds a little more encouraging. what i mean is: if the manager himself had been part of the problem then you might have to ditch the whole gym. at least if the first session and his awareness level seemed to be right, then you have a 'last known good' to go to upstream from the guy who got you messed up.

making the call seems like a good move. i hope you recover soon and this doesn't ruin your whole interest in doing stuff.

SingingSingleTracker

happyauntie2015 wrote: »

I'm very overweight and been going to the gym since April. I have medical issues like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. I normally go in do 30-45 minutes of cardio and then strength training. Well a couple weeks ago the manager at the gym talked me into facing my fears head on and taking an hour long foundations class. I enjoyed it and the instructor made some modifications for me. I was sore afterwards the next day but nothing ice and ibuprofen couldn't handle. Yesterday I went and participated in another foundations class but the instructor didn't seem to want to modify much said I had to have more faith in my body and what I could do and not "baby" my issues it's mind over matter. So at 306 pounds this guy had me doing laps around the gym with weights, one leg squats with 10lb dumbbells in my hands (others used 40), doing around the world's on my hands and knees instead of in push-up position and squatting with 20 pound dumbbells. We the class did each of these things for an hour! I wake up in the middle of the night needing assistance to get to the RR and by morning had to have DH help get me up around before he left for work because of the pain and swelling and redness in my joints! Even my wrists are painful and swelled. I don't feel I should be in this type of shape after a workout!! Any suggestions? I'm waiting to see what tomorrow brings but I am going to call my Dr because this just isn't right! Thanks

You exercised beyond your training adaptation and are experiencing DOMS (delayed muscle onset soreness) - as well as what sounds like swelling with your conditions. That should dissipate in the 48-72 hour time period (usual day 2 after such a workout will feel worse than day 1 after such a routine). DOMS is a necessary evil, but it can be mitigated with a more gradual introduction to what you went through, but is usually the worst for first timers who have not worked out like you did before. I think the only way to avoid going too far, too soon would be to pony up for a private trainer who has the time and ability for their fee to work with you one on one (rather than worry about the entire class made up of others who are also there to get a good workout).

The more weight you lose, the more your soft tissue (muscles, tendons, cartilage) are torn down - repair themselves - and grow, the better in shape you will get and the better you will feel. It takes time. Hang in there, and don't give up!!!!

happyauntie2015

Just wanted to thank everyone for the replies and give an update. I went in to the Dr and fluid drained from both knees and received some prescription muscle cream. I do feel better some atleast today than I did Tuesday. I also went into the gym today and spoke with the gym manager and he is going to let me see a trainer 1x a week for the price I was paying for the classes. I'm excited to see the changes that I know will be coming my way!!!

renae161

I say if you feel you're up for it and think you can do it then more power to you. BUT, with that being said you also need to listen to your body. Fibro is an autoimmune disease and can cause you to flare up at any given moment. You need to be careful and not push your limits. I dont think it was wise your trainer told you to do what you did without consulting your doctor first. If you had gotten a serious injury from that, you could have sued. Again, listen to your body. Take breaks if you need to, then get back at it if and when you feel you can. I think it's safe to say take a few rest days to let your body heal before going back. I have some friends with fibro who experience a hard enough workout just to take a shower and some who can't take showers on their own cause the pain and swelling restricts them, so don't over do it. If your trainer says for you to to "suck it up again", ask him if he's going to be paying for your next hospital visit if you get hurt from it? Always talk to your doctor before doing something new and extensive. Good luck!

canadianlbs

i like the sound of your gym manager. glad this story had such an encouraging outcome so far. and i want to say again how much credit you get for taking your own ownership here and making these things happen.

renae161 wrote: »

I say if you feel you're up for it and think you can do it then more power to you. BUT, with that being said you also need to listen to your body. Fibro is an autoimmune disease and can cause you to flare up at any given moment. You need to be careful and not push your limits. I dont think it was wise your trainer told you to do what you did without consulting your doctor first. If you had gotten a serious injury from that, you could have sued. Again, listen to your body. Take breaks if you need to, then get back at it if and when you feel you can.

i agree with all of this. in the time i've been lifting, i've been careful/lucky to mostly find people who bring the technical expertise about things like programming and form. what i bring is my knowledge about r.a. and my 'technical' expertise about what my body is and isn't up for at any session. but i think what's made the most difference was that i also insisted on holding out for people who are willing to take me seriously but also make it a two-way team thing. i got lucky with a trainer who works well with me in that way. he takes me seriously as a lifter, but also knows how to recognize when i'm the expert about my own stuff.