I knew the words were coming.
"No strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for 2 weeks."
I am pretty sure that the doctor could see my expression change from being an attentive listener to "Holy moley, this woman is crazy!"
She then asked me if I exercised often and I told her I was a dedicated runner. After biting her lip, she said, "Well, you may be able to do some light running after a week on flat surfaces...but no hills." I automatically assumed that the doctor was a runner, understands the obsessive nature of runners, or just plan gets that not every one enjoys being sedentary.
With that news, I decided that I will not be taking my intended week off following the 4th of July. I will run up until the day of my surgery as I normally would, then take the time off as recommended. Fortunately, it will not interfere with any races. After the 4th, I don't have anything planned until September.
The question is, what do I do to maintain fitness?
Strenuous exercise is kind of my thing! However, I have tried googling "non-strenuous exercises" and my only option appears to be walking. There has to be more.
HELP!
Have you ever had to restrain yourself from non-strenuous workouts post-surgery? What did you do to maintain fitness or did you just relax?
I am SO glad you posted this! I have to get my wisdom teeth out in a few months (I booked the consult with the oral surgeon for early August) and I am freaking out about not being able to run. My plan? Super-duper long run the day before surgery so I feel like resting in the aftermath. Also? Books! Knitting! I think we run around so much that we forget there is joy to be found in sedentary activities, too.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad idea. Now I'm thinking of a long run the morning of my surgery.
DeleteThe first week of having to rest won't be so bad. I had every intention of taking a week off in July. It's that second week that's really going to irritate me. I don't hate being sedentary. I love writing, reading, and just chilling out. Thank God, we have a hammock now too. I just hope it doesn't take too much of my fitness away. It will definitely be difficult to jump back into things.
Thanks for your suggestions! I wish I could knit! I'm more of a loom gal. :o)
Yeah I know how you feel. I got this wierd sweat rash that my doctor said was exacerbated by strenuous exercise. He said to wait 6 weeks if I wanted it to go away ASAP. I sort of think he is making it up...
ReplyDelete6 weeks from a rash?! Whoa! I have never heard of that before. Is this something you've been dealing with recently?
DeleteIt depends on what kind of surgery you're getting and what it's affecting. A friend of mine is suffering from severe stress fractures and was instructed not to run for MONTHS [total bummer]. So, she keeps up with fitness in ways that don't hurt her shins. I.e., cycling, pilates, yoga. You don't have to sweat buckets or almost kill yourself every workout to get or stay in shape. It's life and you have to roll with what you got.
ReplyDeleteKeep an open mind and eat well! Good luck with your surgery.
Pilates and yoga do seem like great suggestions. I've done both and am quite partial to pilates though I have not done it in some time. I just fear that taking 2 weeks off is really going to make it difficult getting back into the swing of it.
DeleteThanks for your suggestions! :)
I had hip surgery and haven't been able to run since January. Still wont be till August. 2 weeks sounds bad, but I promise it could be worse! Pilates and yoga are amazing (I still can't do those yet) and will be great for your mind/body. it will go by faster than you think!!
ReplyDeleteOh my! I am so sorry to hear you had hip surgery! I hope your recovery is going well and is painless! My dad had hip surgery and he was out of work for a while because of it.
DeleteI know, I may be overreacting for a simple 2 weeks. Running is just my addiction, as I am sure you understand.
Good luck in recovery and I hope that you will be on your feet running when August comes about!