Hey guys I have just joined here and was having a glance through the different posts and decided to ask if anyone could give me some advice about getting back in shape. I am 34 and have a condition called crohns disease (an imflammatory disease of the bowel) and have had numerous operations in the last 10 years. Thankfully all is under control now and I saw my consultant last month who said it would be fine to start getting fit again. Because I have had 5 operations on my stomach, he has told me to stay away from exerting pressure on my stomach muscles (or lack of stomach muscle!!) as that area is so weak now he doesnt want to have to operate on a hernia after finally getting my condition under control. I was always active when I was younger, I played soccer 5 days a week and trained at night also. But when I became ill I had to stop all exercise, I just had no energy to do anything, I have also been on steroidal treatment which has always left me feeling bloated. I am what people call a 'short arse', being 5'5'' and weighing 168lbs means I am having problems getting a long work out going before feeling the strain on my shins and thighs (I know no pain and all that but I suffered from shin splints when I used to do track running and was told to try cross country instead!). I have been so long not getting any proper exercise that I dont know how much I should do to start burning calories, what my heart rate should be, should I be doing anything else apart from running, walking given that I cannot exercise my abdominal area? I would like to do other exercise to get some variety but I am afraid to exert any strain on my stomach. Would press ups be OK to add in after I have done my run? Also I know my diet needs to be changed, I start work at 6am and finish at 6pm which means trying to get for a run before work is out, should I be doing more than the 3 miles I do in the evenings to make up for only getting to exercise once a day? My current friends are overweight also and seriously unfit, I have said I want to get fit again and they just laugh, this is not giving me motivation to go out on my own. Should I find someone to train with to help on the evenings I may think Im too tired? Sorry that I have started my firts post with so many questions but I guess if you dont ask you will never know.
Cheers for any advice.
MLC
PS I cannot afford nor justify a gym membership with two young kids.
Cheers for any advice.
MLC
PS I cannot afford nor justify a gym membership with two young kids.