Workout Rotation Before Surgery

[BulldogMomma]

Hi Cathe,

I'm a scheduled to have a hysterectomy on February 17th. I have 6 more weeks of working out before the surgery. How should I train? Heavy weights to build muscle, lighter weights to build endurance, or focus more on cardio? I currently do not have any restrictions and I own most of your workouts.

My surgeon told me that I wouldn't be able to lift anything for 6 weeks after the surgery - so my plan is to focus on walking during that period.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Margie

 

[balletgrrl]

Hi Margie,

I am not Cathe, but here are some thoughts:

You may want to focus on heavy weight training to build muscle mass. This is because muscle acts to speed up your metabolism - even when you are at rest. This added muscle would then help keep you from gaining weight while you are recovering from surgery. Also, I think I remember Cathe saying that it will only take you about half as long to recover your strength gains after taking time off as it originally took. So if you train for 6 months before surgery, you should be able to get your strength gains back in only about 3 months after you recover.

I would also continue to do cardio, though, at least 3 times a week so you don't loose any of the cardio endurance you've gained so far. I hope this helps!

Alison

 

[wutherhi]

Oh, Margie, I was just wondering how you're doing. I'm so sorry to hear you have to have surgery, now. I was hoping 2004 was going to get off to a better start for you. I'm impressed, though, that you're already planning for how you're going to maintain your fitness throughout your surgery and recovery time.

Shari

 

[BulldogMomma]

Hi Shari,
Although I'm not crazy about having another abdominal incision, I'm glad that it will be the end of all the other problems I've been having!
My "plan" is to start walking as soon as possible after the surgery and then to eventually work into a running program - something I've always wanted to do. I will really miss lifting weights for 6 weeks!

Have you started another Physique Transformation cycle, yet? Keep me updated!

Margie

 

[BulldogMomma]

Hi Alison,

Although, I've been leaning towards going heavy for the next 6 weeks, I didn't think about the metabolism side of the equation! Thanks for the reminder!

Margie