Bouncing back after surgery and complications

danielles19862015
danielles19862015 Posts: 48 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone

I don't post much here so firstly, hello!

I want to lose about 20lbs - of which 14lbs has gone on since I started my job as a trainee solicitor in September 2013 :( A lot of this has gone on in recent weeks as I have had some health problems.

At the start of April I decided I wanted to try to lose a few pounds. Unfortunately in the meantime, I had to have minor surgery and was told not to go to the gym for 6 weeks. As a gym bunny this is a big no no. The gym is how I keep my weight down and not having time to go to the gym has caused me to gain weight.

So, of course I ignored this advice and suffered complications as a result (basically, I lost a litre of blood and was in the hospital).

It is only in the last few days I have felt up to leaving my bed, let alone going to the gym. I have done two workouts, but can definitely feel that I am a lot weaker than I was.

I am so frustrated by this. I used to be really fit, much slimmer (14 lbs slimmer) and I just want to bounce back to that.

Does anyone have any experience of this? How can I get back to how I was? :( I just hate resting up, I find it so frustrating and the fear that I am going to put on even more weight just rests at the forefront of my mind :(

Replies

  • DesertGunR
    DesertGunR Posts: 187 Member
    Sorry to hear you've had a set back. I can empathize since I am 3 years and counting in a recovery from an injury myself.

    As much as you may hate being still, before starting up again make sure your Doctor clears you to do so.

    Once you are cleared to start, the simple fact is you are going to have to start slow and light in both cardio and strength training. It is not going to come back instantly. You already know what works for you in the gym. All you have to do is modify it to fit your current fitness level. Most programs have a beginners level, use that for now and follow its progression. For example I have used StrongLifts 5x5 most of my life. When I am able to resume I will start at the beginning again. With my the strength I have lost I will need to modify the progression to use more fractional weights (fractional weights are 1/2lb., 1lb., etc.) instead of the normal 2.5lb. and 5lb. increases. You will most likely have to do something similar, though for you it will probably be in kg.

    As you start back to the gym do not forget that when it comes to strength training, recovery days are just as important as lifting days. They allow the body to rest and repair itself. Also keep an eye on your diet and adjust the protein intake accordingly to give your muscles the nutrition needed to build themselves up again. Until you are fully back to your old self you will also need to adjust your calorie intake to deficit in order to lose weight. Though I suspect you already know that too. Again, until you are lifting at your previous level it might be a good idea to find an easy low impact cardio to add to you calorie burn.

    I know this may not be exactly what you want to hear. It is just how it has to be for now. With time and patience you will be back to your old self and feeling 14lbs slimmer and stronger in the long run. The important thing is not to rush it and risk aggravating your injury and setting yourself further back than you are now.

    Good Luck!
  • danielles19862015
    danielles19862015 Posts: 48 Member
    thank you for the reply.

    it's just very frustrating. i love feeling fit and strong nd i just don't feel that way at the moment :( but you are right, need to be careful. i guess a lot of the weight gain is due to being used to eating a certain amoutn of food, which i used to need, and at the moment i do not need that much. habit.
  • DesertGunR
    DesertGunR Posts: 187 Member
    You are welcome.

    I understand the frustration you are going through. I can't lift now and don't know when I can resume. I have only recently been able to start riding again. I had to sell all my normal bikes and get a trike. I went from 225lbs with a six pack to 285lbs. with a spare tire to match. :( Got to love what meds can do to ruin your health while supposedly helping. With dieting alone I have been able to get down to 240lbs. Though, now I have stalled out. Now that I can ride again hopefully I can keep on losing. I know I will be basically "skinny fat" for a long time. Especially not knowing when I can start lifting again. Which makes frustration the understatement of the century.

    Just be patient and you will be back to skinny jeans and being a full blown gym bunny again. Remember this is more a mental game than a physical one. Keep your head in the game, regardless of what the body is currently capable of.

    Good Luck!
  • robinbjanney
    robinbjanney Posts: 1 Member
    I too understand what you are going through. I have had 2 knee surgeries and have just now gotten back to the gym instead of Physical therapy. I gained a good bit of weight not being able to weight bear for almost 6 months. Though I do have to say that once I have gotten the ok to start again....it has been a challenge, but at least now I am finally losing weight (slowly but thankful that I am going in the right direction). Hang in there and do what you can even if seems like it is not much at the start.

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