Help for post-surgery fitness

[Paula52]

Hello Cathe,

First, thank you beyond all thanks for your outstanding workout tapes and DVDs, which have been a constant inspiration for me over the years. I am 52 years old, and have a dilemma regarding establishing a fitness regime after some months off. One of my feet was operated on this past January, and I am now attempting to devise a way to gain fitness without being able to do aerobics (high or low); I am able to walk, carefully and am hoping to work on a treadmill for cardio. Are there sections of your DVDs which would enable me to work out with weights without standing for long periods of time? I have most of your series -- and have looked at the various pieces which can be done in a seated position -- but is there a plan which would be best for me to follow? Secondly -- since I have not been working out, I have of course become flabby (which my body tends to do when not actively working out regularly); is it possible for someone of my age to regain tautness or at least some tautness? (During the last two and a half months I have lost weight and this may also account for it.) I am a size 4 (not sure how much I weigh). I realize you might not be able to give me a total answer to all this, but I would like your opinion if you can possibly find the time to give it. Many many thanks!

Paula Cabot

 

[blonde ambition]

Hi,

Paula - Good luck with your recovery!!

I would be very interested in a reply to this question, as well. I recently had major surgery and have been advised by my doctor not to do any squatting or weight-bearing exercises while standing for at least 6 months.

Like Paula, I plan to start out slowly with walking, but I would like to add in parts of your strength training routines (abs, arms, and maybe lower body on the floor) to help shed some of the pounds I've gained since my surgery.

Thanks!

(And thanks for posting this question, Paula!!)

 

[Paula52]

Hi to you,

I had given up on getting a response to my message and was happily surprised by yours! My thanks. What I have started to do is the Add Ons from Basic Step and Body Fusion, alternating the upper and lower body by days (meaning Monday - upper, Tuesday - lower, and so on). This seems to be helping and what never ceases to amaze me is that even the littlest bit of strength training really pays off, especially if one did it in the past and is picking it back up. The add ons are only 20 minutes each but they are effective. Since January I have been doing about 5 days a week of Cathe's Ab Hits,both the VHS version and the DVD -- this has paid off as well, in working on properly aligning my body as I add more of a fitness routine. I also do at least 25 reps per tricep of the French press exercise, 5 to 6 days a week, and have added an inner thigh workout of 60 reps 5 to 6 days a week while wearing 3-lb. ankle weights. I am going much more slowly than I would like, but do not wish to jeopardize my foot's recovery. Good for you for walking -- I am not yet allowed to do much more than walk inside the house and do some errands. Hope your recovery is going well and my best wishes to you!