Well, it’s Nov 21 and just a little over 2 months that I have been out of the hospital and what an experience this has been with my recovery.  I was in good shape when I went into the hospital but very bad when I came out.  I had lost over 35 pounds most of which was muscle.

The first month out of the hospital I still had nerve problems in my leg which prevented me from pressing off my right foot so I was limited in what I could do regarding exercises.  So I started out doing weight training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday where I would pick one exercise per body part and do a whole body circuit with about 15 to 20 reps per set.  I did this for 2 to 3 circuits.  Then I would try to stretch and do the bike for cardio for about 15 minutes.

When I hit the 4 week mark I tried to pick up the intensity some.  I started training 2 times per day with the AM session I would do 30 minutes of stretching followed by another 30 minutes of Pilates and then I made myself walk on the treadmill in front of a mirror to try and correct my limp.  In the evening I’d meet my brother and train 1 body part doing 4 or 5 exercises for a giant set of about 15 reps.  For my rest time I would do 2 minutes on the Precore and then repeat the giant set.  We would do this 4 times and then I would do core exercises followed up by 20 minutes on the bike.  Three days a week I would go to the Physical Therapist for 1 hour and 1 day per week I would take a private Pilates class.

With it now being the 8th week I still can’t do a calf raise but I’m having more feeling in my calf and I’m feeling a little increase in strength in it.  I’m back working my job at the hospital as a nurse so I’ve had to cut back on training.  I weight train one body part per day except not legs yet.  I do about 16 sets per body part of 15 reps.  I’m trying to use free weights now and strengthen my lower back.  I do 20 minutes of cardio per day and if I’m not too tired another 20 minutes of Pilates a day.  I go to PT three days per week and we’re being more aggressive in PT.  On my off days from work I train 2 times a day and do stretching along with walking in front of the mirror again.

I feel great on the inside, even better then before I got sick but still have a long road with the body.  But I know I will HEAL as I won’t accept anything less.  So never stop dreaming because if you work hard enough, dreams do come true!

Tags: cardio, circuits, exercise, physical therapy, recovery, streching, strength, train, treadmill

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