Why is it so hard to get back into exercise?!
 

Hey guys,

So I had to have surgery about 6 weeks ago to have my tonsils out. Before I had to stop going to the gym and exercising, I was going great, I went to the gym 3 times a week, and did pilates twice a week, and I had been doing that for 3 months before I had to stop.

I didnt want to stop working out, but my specialist told me to avoid places where I could get sick or pick up a bug, because if I got sick he wouldnt be able to operate on me, so I avoided the gym. He also suggested that I take it easy until I had my surgery because if I exercised too hard I could get run down, which could make it easier for me to get sick, and then he couldnt do the surgery, and I really needed it.

So my question is this: I have had 2 months off exercise, why is it so hard to get back into it? It isnt the routine thats bothering me, its the physical exertion! I am hurting worse now than when I first started out, and I have done a fraction of the exercise I normally would! This week, I have done a 1 hour boxing session, a 45 minute gym session, a 30 minute pilates session and I went 10 pin bowling last night. That is it for the week, and I feel like I am a million years old! Has anyone else experienced this? Does restarting your exercise regimen get harder every time you stop?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

It's definitely hard to start again after having stopped for a while. But I wouldn't necessarily say it gets exponentially harder every time you start and stop... Maybe you don't exactly remember how you felt right when you originally started? Or maybe you really eased yourself into it before and started out with less exertion than what you're doing now? I haven't gone in about 2 weeks and I'm dreading starting again next week, but I have to.

I made notes on everything I did when I first started out, and I made sure I started slowly at the gym, as slowly as I did last time. I didnt think it would be so hard! I love exercising and everything, but it definitely wasnt this hard last time. I will stick it out because I miss the way I felt before I stopped; my journey isnt really about me losing a number on a scale, I am chasing the feeling of being fitter, stronger and more disciplined, even though I know that eventually the scale will go down, as it did last time. I miss feeling strong and fit, so this is why I stick it out :) Goodluck starting back next week, you will be fine, and I hope that things get easier after your first week! I sure hope mine is easier now!

One thing that is making it harder is you had surgery. Anytime you have surgery it takes a while to get your strength back.

Instead of trying to go back full force just try walking and slowly built up until you feel better.

It could take a while before your exercise doesn't tire you out. Just go slowly.

I started out too soon and fast after my surgery and I bleed. But don't give up on it. Just know your body needs time to recuperate from your surgery.

Hope this helps.

Can anaesthetic have an effect on your muscles or something? I only had my tonsils and adenoids out, but wow, I feel like I have been hit by a truck! I am not sick or anything either, and I have been getting lots of sleep, havent been stressed much, eating properly, etc. Like yesterday I did 30 mins of pilates and went 10 pin bowling for maybe an hour and a half, and today I can hardly move!

Your muscles are just starting to re-acclimate themselves to the physical strain. After not exercising, even for a short time, muscle fibers will rearrange themselves and muscle tissue will be slowly metabolized because it is an unnecessary expense for the body's upkeep if you are not using them (when you took time off from the gym to avoid a bug).

Once they rest and repair after the initial stress of getting back into your routine, you won't feel like you're a million years old. They'll be "ready" for the next gym session.
I say, give it a week or two and if you are SUPER sore then rest that day. Soreness maybe coming from tendons that haven't been stretched in a while more than muscle soreness too.
But after that, you'll probably be right back where you were without the soreness. It's more about fiber rearrangement than mass in such a short time frame anyway. Luckily, fiber rearrangements are easily made by the body.
So it'll be quick.
I find its also hard to restart after a while because, mentally, I feel defeated even before I start. Like, what's the point now that I've lost so much momentum?

Any kind of surgery is stressful on your body. Don't expect to go back to "normal" right away. Ease into it. Everyone reacts differently to anesthesia, stress, etc.

I agree. But don't let it stop you, just go slowly and get back to it! You can do it!!!

Ohh I am not going to stop, let me assure you guys. I am trying to psyche myself into going to boxing boot camp tonight, and I am terrified and kind of excited at the same time, because I was in the worst pain after last weeks little session that I couldnt walk properly til 4 days after the session lol. But I am determined to do it. No pain, no gain, right? I just think that boxing must be doing something good for me if I am that sore after it, and it makes me feel stronger and more in control (I like the self defence lesson in it too) so its a good thing, even though I will probably cry myself to sleep tonight like I did last night from the pain lol. It makes EVERYWHERE hurt! I was hurting in places I didnt even know I had muscles, wow!