I’m having problems getting back into the gym after i had surgery. Let me start by saying I’ve been body building for 6 years now and have been researching for longer so please dont take me as a beginner. About a year ago, i had emergency galbladder surgery - a fairly minor surgery - but they had cut through alot of my core muscles. I’ve tried getting back into the gym 3 months later…but after seeing the massive loss I have suffered I’m having a hard time getting back into my routein.
Im maxing out at my old starting weights and I’m not quite sure on how to go about getting back into the game. i’ve always wanted to make it as apart of the METRX strong man community. I still want to strive twards this goal but Im having a hard time pushing myself. Im hoping you guys can give me a little bit of either a POSITIVE push - preferred but not manditory- or tips on how I should go about getting back into it without falling deeper.
I believe the only way to handle this as a mature adult is to simply recognize the following:
“This is my starting point. I am where I am today secondary to a surgery that I had to undergo for medical reasons. The only way to get back on track is to accept that life is not smooth for anyone and there are many ups and downs. Disappointment and frustration and sadness do occur in life as well. So, as a mature, healthy adult male, I will pay whatever price to fulfill my goals and take the necessary objectives to reach them.”
That’s it!
After all, how else could you look at this in a mature way? Tell me.
You just said you are maxing out at your starting weights. Well, you will have to use your starting weights for now. What else can you do?
I am more knowledgeable about powerlifting and bodybuilding and strongman. So, I would suggest that if you can only handle your starting weights, then do the routine that you started with!
That is what I had to do. Only not from surgery. From bulking out of control. I am damn near all the way back to my starting weight and strength before my bulk 1.5 years ago. I had to come to grips that I messed it up. And this is my starting point now.
Every day I am trying to better my body from this point on. The past is the past. You have to look to the future. Just strive to improve yourself from here on. Compare yourself only to yourself from yesterday, not from last year. Your strength will come back quick.
I’ve heard a lot of people on this site mention something about muscle memory, where if you’ve had muscle and lost it due to whatever reasons, dieting, injury, etc., it is easier to get it back. So at least you have that going for you.
Additionally, I’m far from the biggest, strongest guy at the gym I go to, but seeing some results in the short term has made me more motivated. Its hard not to compare yourself to others, especially when you might have been bigger and stronger before. Its something to work back towards. I eat right and train hard, and I do it for myself and nobody else. Its just what I do and its what I like to do. I think if you just get back in the gym, remember how much you enjoyed working out regardless of how much you lifted or what you looked like etc, the motivation will return and you’ll be right back where you left off. You might have to do some more mobility work, warm up a little bit more, or do some preventative exercises, but everybody will eventually start doing that stuff as they get older. Plus you are teaching and forcing yourself to do something that you are having a hard time doing. I wouldn’t be surprised if you it made you more focused and dedicated than you might have been before your injury. Plus thats what makes you tough, more so than just being able to lift heavy things.
So, start again small or start again big, just get started because I think you have a lot more going for you now than you are willing to accept.
Step by step is the game. Your body will remember where it was before and get back there quicker (much quicker)than it took to make those numbers the first time. The body follows your expectations of it - not the other way round.
All you gotta do is start. The best part is that with 6 years under your belt, you know all the things NOT to do.
thank you all for the strong words. Bricknyce, there is no more mature way of putting it than you did. thank you all for being a little bit more sensitive than saying “shut the fuck up and start over!” It truely does help ones selfesteem knowing there are more out there willing to be your rocks and in the most logical way they can be. thank you all. I have been MIA from here for awhile but I’ll keep logs of programs, diets, routeins and pictures if any are interested. Also, if there are any programs or suggestions you all may suggest, please feel free to enlighten me. any and all help I recieve will be much appreciated.
whatever happens, i’m still here (thank God), and provided i’m still there after its all said and done,it doesnt matter what it takes, or how i get there…the constant thing is that i end up on the other side of the obsticle…and since thats not changing…might as well get there asap and slow things down and do what it takes…if that makes sense at all
its like if you’re in a relationship that you know that you want to be in…if you’re having a stupid fight, its not that bad, because you know it’ll be over and then just a blip on the radar in the long run because both people what the same thing, to be happy together…and as long as you want the same thing in the end, things should work themselves out in the process (with some effort of course)