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Running and Workouts/5 Months Post Take Down

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Posted 10/6/2013 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I hope everyone is doing well. I wanted to give an update on my workouts. I hope I don't come off as bragging or cocky. It was really hard for me to believe I'd be able to return to my old self after surgery so hopefully I can motivate someone.

Running- I ran 16 miles last weekend. This is a lifetime record distance for me. I've always been more of a half marathon type runner but I've been so focused these past few months I've actually become a better runner now than I was before surgery. I generally try to run 5 miles a day but on days when my legs feel fresh I will run my longer distances. I get in about 50 miles a week on average.

Lifting- I'm now lifting 160lbs for most of my lifts (Bench/Squats). I'm still behind where I was presurgery but I weight 160lbs so I'm pretty happy to be lifting my weight in my sets.

Limitations- I've decided to avoid situps for a year just to be safe and I always wear a lifting belt. To be honest, situps are some what overrated. My stomach really gets defined from running and core excercies like bench, squats, lat pull downs and sholder press.

Diet- I'm eating a lot now. Probably 3,500-4,000 calories a day. My stomach seems to get full quickly so I'm eating small meals all day to get calories in and usually a big meal for dinner. I've added protein shakes and Cliff bars(nutrition bars) because they are a lot easier for my body to digest. I have like 3 shakes a day and like 5 bars in between meals.

Well, that's where I'm at. Working out really has helped me in so many ways. I had nerve damage from my incision and I've been able to come off all my meds in a large part from being active. It's really a blind faith because it's a lot of hard work and sometimes you don't see immediate results but then it changes your life and you can't live without it.

mossmi33

 

Posted 10/6/2013 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
well, ahem, I'm starting a new fitness center this week or next. Just basic stuff.
You're doing great, Moss.
Posted 10/6/2013 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Mossmi - you are an inspiration! I was never the runner you were pre-surgery but I am planning to run a half marathon next year. I don't know if I will be a lifelong runner but I love to do things once just to prove it's possible. Yesterday I ran two miles without stopping for the first time, I'm nine weeks post takedown. The half marathon will be six months post and I think I can do it!
Posted 10/6/2013 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
That's amazing! Keep it up!
Posted 10/7/2013 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Happy to hear that you've come this far. It's an amazing story, full of inspiration and hope.

Since your doing so fantastic....you should come for our marathon this weekend?!?!?!?!
Posted 10/10/2013 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Fantastic!

I think not knowing if I could regain my active lifestyle was one of my biggest fears going into my first surgery. Like you, I found it was possible through determination and just working as much as your body will let you. It seemed to take forever at the time but, I remember being so very excited to be running a half marathon (with my temp ileostomy) seven months after my step 1 surgery.

I had my takedown in Jan '12 and, like you, I've found I am so much stronger than I ever was while I had UC. I am running my first ever full marathon in ten days and I'm so thrilled to be able to do it. As I finished each long run this season, I felt so grateful. For a long time I thought this was something I would never be strong enough to do.

So, yes....congrats to you. I love seeing these stories shared because there are others out there like us who are scared they won't be able to run, bike, swim, lift, (or whatever else they do) as well after surgery. I think it helps to see people who are actually doing it! As for the ab work, I find planks to be so much easier for me than sit-ups. Way more effective, too. You might try them in a few more months if you feel up to it. :-)
Posted 10/10/2013 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,
So I am six weeks post op and I can finally start slowly working out. I plan just doing arms and back and weight bearing exercises with light walking for now. My question is should I use anything while working out to help prevent damage to stoma or a hernia. I wear a ostomy belt and I have this elastic piece of material that fits over the ostomy but I usually wear that under swimsuits.
Thanks!
Posted 10/10/2013 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hey smd- I am also perm end ileo and had 12 weeks of doing no strength training because 6 weeks after my own colectomy, I had plastic surgery to fix a non-healing re-opened outer incision, tacking on another 6 weeks of core rest just as I was rerung to go to the gym again. So throughout that 12 weeks I went crazy with hiking- up to half marathons in length- and then when I got cleared I did a couple sessions with a oersonal trainer to get back into weight machines safely. When doing machines and weights in the gym, I wear a Nu-Hope ostomy belt for extra support, but the main thing I do is not work the abs directly anymore- no crunches or anything like that- I work them indirectly. low resistance drect ab stuff - yoga and pilates and gentle core stuff is prob very safe, just be careful to have good firm and work up resistance gradually on machines. I am doing pretty good moderate to high resistance on the machines now. It's amazing how fast strength came back for me- I guess it's because I worked out a lot before surgery, so the muscle fibers were hibernating in there. I am 5 months post surgery, working out a few times a week in the gym, playing tennis, biking, the works... It comes back fast.

Post Edited (Probiotic) : 10/10/2013 3:47:31 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/11/2013 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice
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