A word to the Wise

M

Mar

Cathlete
Hi all,

Just wanted to comment on the importance of hanging on to your beginner/low-impact/shorter videos. I had major surgery 5 weeks ago. Incision is from mid breast area to below bellybutton. Was very painful. When doctor cleared me for moderate exercise, I got on my stationery bike. I forgot how much I hate that thing. Didn't last long. Went for walks - that got boring too. I had been trading most of my older/less intense videos at VF. Luckily I held on to Gay Gasper(fat buring for dummies), Gilad (step), Gilad (chest/back/arms/shoulders/hips & thighs) and Kathy Smith (Peak Fat Burning). I'm doing those for cardio and strength which is really all I can handle at this point. I'm pushing 50 so I don't want to take any chances. Dying to get back to Cathe, but at least these will hold me over until then. I'm so glad I didn't trade these. Only wish I had more. Any suggestions?

Mar
 
First of all, I do hope you are on the mend. Major surgery is no joke, and you sound like a true-blue hero for getting back in the saddle exercise-wise so soon afterward.

Don't know what you've got for Cathe workouts, but a suggestion is try to focus first on frequency (building up number of workouts per week) and then duration of each workout. Stay consistent with the strength training aspects, and try to be progressively heavy with your weight loads but make those weight load increases very cautious and incremental.

If you're interested, tomorrow I'll bring in an excellent article that I read in my most recent IDEA magazine (IDEA is a member organization for group fitness instructors, personal trainers and other fitness professionals) that recounts a fitness instructor's / trainer's bout with cancer survival; I'll reprint some of her comments.

And thanks for the cautionary tale about letting go of workouts you've outgrown; always helps to have an insurance policy of a wide-range of intensity-levels for workouts.

I'm interested in others' responses here too!

Get well soon!

A-jock
 
Hi Mar,

You're very smart to be cautious about getting anything too intense. I hope your recovery is going well.

I injured my hamstring while skiing last Spring, nothing compared to what you're dealing with, but I was told by me physical therapist to lay off the cardio and leg work for about 4 weeks. When I started getting back into it, I went way back to my Step Reebok tapes (with low impact modifications) for cardio. I also tried out an Aqua aerobics class for the first time.

As always, check with your doctor first. Take care. :)
 
Hi Mar! I sure hope that you're feeling better! My opinion on any injury is slower is definitely better! Have you thought about trying something new like Pilates or yoga? This might be a great time to try either of these in a rotation with the tapes that you already have.
Also, you might want to see a personal trainer just to get some ideas.
Best Regards, Barbara
 
Hi Annette,

I would be very interested in seeing that article and thanks for your knowledgeable suggestions!

MAR
 
Mar,

Altho I haven't needed them (yet), that's the reason that I've held on to my beginner FIRMs. I figure, at some point, I may need to start over or back off due to injury or illness. You never know.

Good luck to you, Mar, and here's to your speedy recovery!!! :7

Edit: I also have a Margaret Richard tape called 'Getting Better'. It's all seated and floorwork. MR made it when she was recovering from foot surgery. And there's always Leslie Sansone walking tapes.
 
Mar, good luck with your recovery.
I had knee surgery 1 year ago this month and the winsor pilates tapes were great for "getting back in to shape" tapes."
 
Hi Mar!
I would recommend Buns of Steel (the Original) with Greg Smithey. This one you can probably pick up for $5.00! I held onto it and resurrected it recently. I'm glad I did. Nothing too strenuous, but a killer leg workout on the floor.
Hope you heal quickly.
 
hey Mar.. glad to see your doing it slow and good luck and get well! By the way. i have some older "tame" videos i can send your way. Email me and i will tell u what i have ..if you like any of them i would be glad to send them to you! :+

[email protected]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top