Where to get a personal trainer

[carista]

Would anyone have any idea where I could start to look to get a personal trainer that would be knowledgeable about heart conditions? I always have been the type of person that has to have a work out buddy to keep me motivated and to shake up my routine here and there. Well, ever since I found out I couldn't bodybuild anymore, and that I couldn't do my usual cardio routine, I just stopped working out altogether. I need someone to motivate me again but I also want to make sure that they would know all my restrictions, etc. I already have the jist of things I should and shouldn't do, but I'm so nervous anyway and I know I would feel much more comfortable about it if I had someone there with me that knew what they were doing, or rather what I should be doing. If anyone has any ideas on how I could find someone like that it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You
Carista

 

[geebee]

Carista,

Does your insurance carrier have a "wellness program"? That would be the first place I would start. Also, you might want to try a local hospital that has cardiac rehab because they would be familiar with your issues.

Good luck.

 

[gadgetman]

Carista,

Depends on how "personal" you want to get .

I just started a Cardio Rehab program offered by a local hospital. Its covered by insurance. I must say they are very, very thorough. Before I even got there they received copies of all that I had done in the hospital and also records from my Cardio. I go Mon, Wed, and Friday. They weigh me, place a pulse monitor on, measure my blood sugar, take my blood pressure, and then get me going on a treadmill. They start off slow and then work up speed in incline, all while monitoring your pulse by computer. About halfway through the walk they take the blood pressurer again. After 15 minutes on the treadmill, I then start on a stationary bike. I did 10 minutes today. After finishing this they monitor your pulse for a few minutes to make sure the heart is going to calm down. Then, for me, they take my blood sugar again.

And they do motivate you. I am supposed to go in tomorrow to walk the treadmill while hooked up to a breathing monitor. It will give them a base line to monitor my progress (or lack of). He said today that copies of all the records (on computer) of my visits would be forwarded to my Cardio for his evaluation.

So check around. They might offer something where you are having your surgery or at another hospital close by. But do check them out. Some are not as good as ot

 

[gadgetman]

I HATE this laptop of my wife's . The keys are too close together for my fat fingers .

To finish what I was saying above, some are better than others. The one I could go to at the military hospital consist of just treadmill and a few weights. The one I'm going to right now is a multi-purpose rehab facility, with just about every work-out machine known to mankind.

Good Luck and,

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Guest]

I HATE this laptop of my wife's .

*rolls eyes*

Sadly, this is ironic for me tonight. For some unknown reason, my computer has decided that it doesn't like AOL ... keeps throwing an error in my face when I attempt to open it to get online. Ssssoooo...the friend (cousin's boyfriend) who built my computer for me is going to stop by tomorrow after he gets off work to take a peak at it for me. In the meantime, I'm stuck using my parents' computer. Not that it is bad...just not what I'm used to...and it can be frustrating .

Anyway, to the topic at hand....

Carista...what about asking around at the gym at which you work? You might be surprised.... If you want, I can check with my cardiologist to see if she knows of anyone in particular....


Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 31swm/pig valve/pacemaker
'72,6,9/'81,7.hobbies.chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
MC Guide = http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html
What's it like to buy your favorite car brand new? Wish I knew...

 

[nailnhed]

Well, ever since I found out I couldn't bodybuild anymore, and that I couldn't do my usual cardio routine, I just stopped working out altogether. I need someone to motivate me again but I also want to make sure that they would know all my restrictions, etc. I already have the jist of things I should and shouldn't do, but I'm so nervous anyway and I know I would feel much more comfortable about it if I had someone there with me that knew what they were doing, or rather what I should be doing....
Thank You
Carista

C-

You sound JUST like me!!! I was a major running nut prior to finding out about my condition and afterward I have been so nervous about hurting myself that I've just quit altogether.

I think you have the right attitude though...find someone who KNOWS about the condition(btw...I had the same diagnosis as you too.) And who can chart a safe plan for your pre-op exercise.

Be ready to experience an unbelievable increase in how good you feel after your surgery. It's amazing how gradually get sick, but then once the valve is replaced you feel fantastic and you can't believe the difference!!

Now....I need to copy you and start looking for a personal trainer(who can keep up with me after I get back in shape...lol)

good luck!!

Mike

 

[carista]

*rolls eyes*

Carista...what about asking around at the gym at which you work? You might be surprised.... If you want, I can check with my cardiologist to see if she knows of anyone in particular....

Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 31swm/pig valve/pacemaker
'72,6,9/'81,7.hobbies.chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
MC Guide = http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html
What's it like to buy your favorite car brand new? Wish I knew...

You know, that's very funny you mention that cause I did just that. There was a guy working out at the gym tonight that I just happened to remember used to work at Bally's as a personal trainer. So I talked to him and asked him if he had any idea how I could find someone, and as luck would have it...he went to school for it and who he used to train was cardiac patients. So I asked him if he was familiar with my problem which he said yes and told me exactly what my research has pretty much told me as far as working out. So we most likely will be setting up some time, hopefully soon, and I'll start training again. I think this will help me out sooo much and I'm so excited. So anyway...good advice knightfan cause that's what worked.

 

[carista]

C-

You sound JUST like me!!! I was a major running nut prior to finding out about my condition and afterward I have been so nervous about hurting myself that I've just quit altogether.

I think you have the right attitude though...find someone who KNOWS about the condition(btw...I had the same diagnosis as you too.) And who can chart a safe plan for your pre-op exercise.

Be ready to experience an unbelievable increase in how good you feel after your surgery. It's amazing how gradually get sick, but then once the valve is replaced you feel fantastic and you can't believe the difference!!

Now....I need to copy you and start looking for a personal trainer(who can keep up with me after I get back in shape...lol)

good luck!!

Mike

Which valve did you end up getting? Thank you so much for mentioning how good you felt after the surgery cause that is the one and only thing I am so very looking foward to right now. I've heard people mention they didn't realize just how bad they felt until after their surgery and then realized how good they felt after. Oh I can't wait for that...I only wish they could somehow knock me out about a week before the surgery and not wake me up until about a month after so I wouldn't drive myself crazy Ah, well, I'm a tough girl. I'll deal I suppose if I must.

 

[Don Giaquinto]

Would anyone have any idea where I could start to look to get a personal trainer that would be knowledgeable about heart conditions? I always have been the type of person that has to have a work out buddy to keep me motivated and to shake up my routine here and there. Well, ever since I found out I couldn't bodybuild anymore, and that I couldn't do my usual cardio routine, I just stopped working out altogether. I need someone to motivate me again but I also want to make sure that they would know all my restrictions, etc. I already have the jist of things I should and shouldn't do, but I'm so nervous anyway and I know I would feel much more comfortable about it if I had someone there with me that knew what they were doing, or rather what I should be doing. If anyone has any ideas on how I could find someone like that it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You
Carista

Don't talk in can't do's like its never going to happen. Talk like, for right now I can't do this but I will be able to soon. I was a body builder since I was 18 and a very dedicated cyclist. I also was a tree surgern, this would have been my 27th year climbing.

I know that for right now I can't do what I did before. But I know that I will be there again.

I know that I can start to work my new, Black Onyx, aortic valve and my new aorota with cardio routines like walking, stationary biking, calf work, leg streatches, stairs, passive squats {all with no weight other than body weight.} I am 5-weeks post op today and have not been to cardio rehab yet.

I monitor my heart rate with a polaris training monitor and keep records of everything. Judging from your post, so do you. Don't worry about it, you'll be back to where you were before. We just have to listen to our bodies and our doctors and all will be fine.

Don G

 

[carista]

Don't talk in can't do's like its never going to happen. Talk like, for right now I can't do this but I will be able to soon. I was a body builder since I was 18 and a very dedicated cyclist. I also was a tree surgern, this would have been my 27th year climbing.

I know that for right now I can't do what I did before. But I know that I will be there again.

I know that I can start to work my new, Black Onyx, aortic valve and my new aorota with cardio routines like walking, stationary biking, calf work, leg streatches, stairs, passive squats {all with no weight other than body weight.} I am 5-weeks post op today and have not been to cardio rehab yet.

I monitor my heart rate with a polaris training monitor and keep records of everything. Judging from your post, so do you. Don't worry about it, you'll be back to where you were before. We just have to listen to our bodies and our doctors and all will be fine.

Don G

That was actually going to be one of my questions when I get my second opinion...will I be able to be back at normal? I mean I know that I would have to take it slow and that I'll be able to work out and do cardio and all that, but will bodybuilding ever be something I can actually do again safely? I don't care how long it takes me, I just want to be able to get back into it.

I try not to talk in can't do's but to to tell you the truth, i wasn't angry when I found out I would I have to have surgery, I wasn't angry about the side effects and that it might be a little while before I get the surgery..but I was angry that I couldn't bodybuild anymore and I have a horrible attitude toward it right now and I admit it. I know, I know things could be so much worse. But just let me be mad for a little bit and whine

 

[Guest]

You know, that's very funny you mention that cause I did just that. There was a guy working out at the gym tonight that I just happened to remember used to work at Bally's as a personal trainer. So I talked to him and asked him if he had any idea how I could find someone, and as luck would have it...he went to school for it and who he used to train was cardiac patients. So I asked him if he was familiar with my problem which he said yes and told me exactly what my research has pretty much told me as far as working out. So we most likely will be setting up some time, hopefully soon, and I'll start training again. I think this will help me out sooo much and I'm so excited. So anyway...good advice knightfan cause that's what worked.

Excellent! Glad to know my advice helped!

*pauses*

But, this "good advice" thing...let's keep it a secret just between you'n'me...OK? I mean...you wouldn't want to ruin my bad reputation, would ya?

Seriously....that's great that it worked out that way! I guess us guys have a bit of intuition, too, eh?

Good luck and keep us posted about your progress with this.

 

[nailnhed]

I've heard people mention they didn't realize just how bad they felt until after their surgery and then realized how good they felt after.

Heh heh....that is exactly the way I'd put it. It's a suprise to learn AFTER surgery how sick you WERE.

I'd bet that most people here would agree that the only truly un-pleasant part of the whole thing is getting the breathing tube removed the morning after surgery. Everything else is kind of minor. Since you are an athlete I trust you will have the same experience.(i.e. we athletes let most little pains pass right through our conciousness without much thought...)

I had my aortic valve replaced. Now I have the same click click that many other people here have. It's a great way to put babies to sleep!!(they associate it with the in utero heart beat they've been so used to.)

Good luck with all!!

Mike

St. Judes' Valve installed 9/26/94
Dr. David Perkowski (1968 olympic swimmer)

 

[Guest]

I'd bet that most people here would agree that the only truly un-pleasant part of the whole thing is getting the breathing tube removed the morning after surgery. Everything else is kind of minor.

AMEN!

At least, imho.

After my last open heart surgery, just over 2 years ago, the breathing tube was a terrible and frightening experience. A couple of times, I thought I was breathing my last. Heh...I remember vividly thinking to myself at one point in particular, 'Dangumit...I come through the dang surgery and I'm going to die because I can't freekin' breathe.'

Course...that was toned down for this message board . And, of course, I didn't die....

 

[Don Giaquinto]

That was actually going to be one of my questions when I get my second opinion...will I be able to be back at normal? I mean I know that I would have to take it slow and that I'll be able to work out and do cardio and all that, but will bodybuilding ever be something I can actually do again safely? I don't care how long it takes me, I just want to be able to get back into it.

I try not to talk in can't do's but to to tell you the truth, i wasn't angry when I found out I would I have to have surgery, I wasn't angry about the side effects and that it might be a little while before I get the surgery..but I was angry that I couldn't bodybuild anymore and I have a horrible attitude toward it right now and I admit it. I know, I know things could be so much worse. But just let me be mad for a little bit and whine

Hi,
I probably have a more positive atitude for other pepole than I do for myself. Today was the first day that I started an organized excerise program. I also did some light gardening. Two of my passions I am sore as a basterd. If I didn't know better I would think I was having a heart attack But it's my sternum being sore.

I am sure that there is going to be a lot of days like today and I am sure that I am going to be very worried that I am not going to be back where I was before

Your right, things could be worse, I have been seeing just how much worse things could be for 31 years. But we tend not to think about that when we're going through it.

You'll be find

Don G

 

[inlaguna]

Carista,

Normal.....Wow.....I had my surgery 4 months ago and I am like a kid in a candy store. I run/swim /lift 6 days a week and I am loving life. I always tried to stay active and workout, but this has been a really great surprise for me. I still remember dialing up the treadmill to 6 miles an hour about 5/6 weeks after surgery and realizing 20 minutes had gone by without a feeling passing out, chest pain etc. I was beside myself when I got home. Since....I have increased that time and intensity weekly. My weight lifting has been a little more subdued. After reading many of the posts here....I want to take that slower. I have, however, started back into a program with no complications at this point. The aerobics.....do it up.....the lifting......take your time. You are young and active going into surgery so you should be good coming out. Don't do anything your body is telling you isn't right though. This IS the best I have felt in 15 years! Hope that is encouraging for you.

Dan

 

[carista]

Carista,

Normal.....Wow.....I had my surgery 4 months ago and I am like a kid in a candy store. I run/swim /lift 6 days a week and I am loving life. I always tried to stay active and workout, but this has been a really great surprise for me. I still remember dialing up the treadmill to 6 miles an hour about 5/6 weeks after surgery and realizing 20 minutes had gone by without a feeling passing out, chest pain etc. I was beside myself when I got home. Since....I have increased that time and intensity weekly. My weight lifting has been a little more subdued. After reading many of the posts here....I want to take that slower. I have, however, started back into a program with no complications at this point. The aerobics.....do it up.....the lifting......take your time. You are young and active going into surgery so you should be good coming out. Don't do anything your body is telling you isn't right though. This IS the best I have felt in 15 years! Hope that is encouraging for you.

Dan

Thank you!!! That is very encouraging! And if nothing else, it actually made me realize that if I feel that good after, then really that's all that matters. I can deal with everything else no problem just as long as I feel GOOD!!!