How Many Still Exercise?

[Jkm7]

For those who are more than 6 months post op, do you still walk on a regular basis? Do you bike or go to the gym or get any sort of regular exercise?

If you were not physically active prior to your surgery but became dedicated to the mandatory walking after surgery in order to help heal, did you keep it up or have you 'slacked off'?

I've been curious about this for a long time.
Thanks those who don't mind answering.

 

[Jen]

Yep. daily elliptical machine for 30 min at lunch, stationary bike at home for 10-15 and LOTS of walking thru out the day. Weekends are road bike and jogging. Lost 35lbs since June 7th - my "birthday"

 

[Jkm7]

Thanks, Jen.
Have you had surgery?

 

[Debbrn]

I definitely keep it up. I am not exercising as hard as possible right now though. I am trying to catch up with things that I have been behind on for a long time.

Debbie

 

[Boston Tiger]

I still take walks whenever I can. Other people head out for several smoke breaks a day, so I feel that I can make the time for a 30 minute walk. I tend to need that in the afternoon, since I need something to wake myself up now that I've given up caffeine. I need to find some other ways to exercise too, because the dadgum beta blockers they still have me on ended up contributing to a pretty hefty weight gain. I never stopped to think that those were changing my metabolism until I realized how many pounds I had packed on over the course of a year.

 

[Guest]

Yes, I still exercise. I find I feel a lot better when I keep a scheduled program. I listen to my body and when I feel like I need a rest, I take it. I've had some foot issues this past year but overall, I'm back at it and would not think of not having exercise as a part of my life. I ran a lot before my surgery, not as much as I'd like post surgery, hopefully I'll stay active for a lOOOONG time.

I see this older woman running in my neighborhood, early in the morning, sometimes on my way to work before the sun comes up. A couple of weeks ago we were at freezing, she was out there in the cold getting in her morning run. I find myself looking for her on my way to work, thinking "I want to be running at her age." She is at least early 70s. Nice long white ponytail, gotta admire her.

 

[D.C.]

Yes I am also still at it. Go to the gym 4 days a week for about 1 hr of weights(some heavy) and 20-30 minutes of cardio. The weight training average heart rate is usually about 105 average and 135-145 peak. Cardio usually about 120 average and 130 peak. Lost about 18#'s in the last 6 months and body fat going down. Just trying to guard against over use injuries, because I get carried away with the weights. TYPE A kind of guy.

 

[yotphix]

I was pretty active before surgery but in rehab I learned the habits of tracking my exercise and keeping record of it. As a result I am now more diligent and consistent (and considerably more fit!). I'm 2 1/2 years post surgery.

 

[Duffey]

I've remained active over the course of the past six and a half years, but it ebbs and flows.
Currently I'm walking between two and three miles a day, about five days a week.
On a scale of 10, the amount I'm now doing is about a 6.

 

[Superbob]

I faithfully walk my dog twice a day, up to a mile each time. (She makes sure I do at least that.) :smile2:

I really want to do more than that -- exercise equipment at the Y, etc., and I have no heart-related limitations on doing more. But I have orthopedic challenges -- knee and back -- that I'm fighting. May have to have a knee replacement before long. I want very badly to keep up the walking/hiking for the duration.

Lately I've been to the Y pool for some water workouts. It's a challenge to fit that into the schedule but I need to do it.

Exercise is very important going forward after surgery. I took cardiac rehab after my surgery 7 years ago and I found it very helpful. But with or without cardiac rehab as a starter, I recommend a sensible exercise program -- check it out with your doctor and maybe get the advice of fitness specialists, nurses, etc.

 

[Jen]

Yep, June 7th - bicuspid aortic valve replaced with Onx 21mm conformix(hence my new "birthday").. Just got my home INR tester last month!!

 

[dick0236]

I exercise 3 to 5 times per week, depending on if weather does not permit outside activity like golf or fishing, at a local gym....20-30 min cardio and 40-60 min strength. Started a regular program about 10 years ago to build upper back muscles to help with spinal "disc" problem. The upsurge in small neighbohood gym locations has made exercising very convenient and affordable.

 

[RobThatsMe]

I exercise 4 -5 times a week.
30 min cardio, then 30 min of resistance exercise, high reps with light weights.
The days of my heavy weight lifting are over, but I do keep very proactive in regards to my exercise.

Rob

 

[Jkm7]

This is so great to read.
I was not a regular exerciser prior to my surgeries, but since them, I have been dedicated to serious walking at least 5 times a week. I was feeling like I might have been a 'lone wolf' making that substantial change in my life. I have no doubt the exercise really does make a difference in our physical and mental well being.

Thanks everyone. I was hoping some would respond.

 

[tprice54]

Well, not to skew your results, but yes, I have been back at running since 6 weeks post op, and have done 2 marathons, and the Goofy Challenge at Walt Disney World. There is no reason not to keep at it and get fit.

 

[AgilityDog]

25 to 30 minutes of elliptical 5x per week
Except for December crunch at work, 20 minute walk at lunch 5x per week (workload exceptions)
Dog agility class every thursday night
Dog agility trials every weekend OR agility training plus field training every weekend, weather permitting.
Dog walks every evening, except thursday, weather permitting. Except during December crunch at work (so DH walks the little girl dog, instead of "US" walking her).

Yep, I guess I exercise.

 

[epstns]

I was quite active before surgery, so after surgery and rehab, I've just continued on with the regimen prescribed at rehab. I exercise 5 days a week, typically with some weight training in the early morning (light weight, high reps) and then after work a trip to the gym for 20 minutes on the Airdyne and 20 miutes on the treadmill. Since my knees are complaining so much lately, I no longer run, but I walk at a quick pace (12:30/mile) with a 10% incline. Seems to do the trick for me. I plan to keep this up for the long term, too.

 

[gari5891]

I walk 30 minutes everyday at lunch time and go on the treadmill on Saturday at the gym. Would like to do some weight training but am not finding the right routine. have lost 13 pounds since surgery which was exactly a year ago.

SG
MVR And Maze procedure
Dr Cohn at Brigham and Womens Hospital (Nov 22 2010)
Home testing since 2010

 

[RunMartin]

I exercise every day, usually run, swim or a cycle. I am still seeing improvements but as has already been said I have to listen more to what my body tells me.

 

[normofthenorth]

I was a frequent bicyclist (just getting around town) until the day before my OHS, and I returned to it fairly soon post-op. I was also into ~2x/week competitive volleyball (with a bunch of young folks), beach and court, until a year pre-OHS, when I tore my (second!) Achilles Tendon playing court volleyball. Now, ~1 year post-op, I'm back to the competitive volleyball, full speed.
E.g., as I posted to FaceBook on Sunday,

Had no idea I'd played 3.5 HOURS of beach volleyball last night (mostly 4-on-4) until they announced that it was closing time at North Beach - 2AM! Making some "old man noises" today, but it feels good.

In-between OHS and now, I did a bunch of Cardio Rehab, settling into a great 1/wk routine on an exercise bike with a HR monitor. Toward the end, I was doing that 1/wk and volleyball 2/wk, and it seemed like a good schedule. I haven't found a good substitute for the exercise cycling yet, but I'm looking. Maybe I'll dust off one of the machines in the house.
My right knee is starting to dislike court volleyball (the next day), so my regime may have to change. . .