slow and steady wins the race

TheWorstHorse

In my case, this is certainly true. Today I logged thirty days on MFP. Here's a brief timeline of my fitness and weight gains so far:

11.19 - open heart surgery: new valve and aortic aneurysm repair. weight: 227lbs. fitness: day after surgery,
a ten minute walk that covered about two hundred feet.

11.28 - flew home, started rebuilding diet. weight: 220lbs (weight loss from water, surgery-induced anoxeria).
a ten minute walk for about three hundred yards.

1.18 - joined MFP, started logging food and exercise. weight: 205lbs. fitness: walking twenty to thirty minutes
a day for about a mile.

2.17 - MFP for thirty days. weight: 199lbs. right on target at 1.5 lbs/week loss. fitness: forty to sixty minutes
of HR training six days a week plus 30 to 60 minute dog walk. ready to start strength training and, with
doctor's approval, HIIT.

Now six pounds and logging may not seem like a big deal, so to put this in context, in the fourteen months I have had a motorcycle accident, endocarditis, two bouts of anorexia, six weeks of IV antibiotics and open heart surgery. I wasn't able to exercise for almost a year and my weight has varied between 185 and 227 lbs. My body was really kind of beat up and, at 55, rebuilding is a challenge.

I still get cravings. I am still lazy. I still have weight (probably 20 lbs) to lose, my fitness level is still well below my previous base and it will probably be another year before either of them is where I would like them to be. But rebuilding is possible, even with a beat and battered old body and lazy mind like mine, if I am willing to be consistent, honest and patient with myself and my progress.

In the long term, relearning the value of consistency, honesty and patience is more important than the pounds I've dropped or the cardiovascular fitness I have gained. And I am grateful for the lessons; thanks MFP!

bradXdale

This is amazing and inspiring especially for anyone who says it can't be done because of surgeries, ailments or conditions.

Keep going.

kerricus

Surviving open heart surgery is a victory on it's own. Then having the drive and will to be walking a day later is incredible.

Even if you hadn't lost a pound, your story would be inspirational. You really are incredible! Keep up the good work. Perseverance pays off.