If you've recently had surgery, you may be anxious to get back to the gym and resume workouts as soon as possible. To best protect your health and healing, first be sure to get your doctor's approval before going back to the gym. Once you've recieved the all-clear, take it easy and ease back into your workout regimen. Below are a few tips to help you with this process.

How to Resume Workouts After Surgery

1. Rethink Your Goals

Before surgery, you may have been setting significant goals for your workouts, like lifting a heavy amount of weight, running so many miles, or maintaining a specific heart rate. Post-surgery, you should revisit and amend these goals so that they take into account the ways your body has temporarily changed. 

Don't pick up where you left off and push for huge targets. Instead, adjust your plans to fit what your body, in its current state, can do and just how much it can be pushed. Consult your doctor and a personal trainer for their input and guidance. Don't force yourself beyond what your body can comfortably do right now.

2. Be Mindful of Your Diet

As you recover from surgery, make smart, healthy dietary choices. Both the recovery period and the easing-back into exercise will naturally be less active times, so diet is crucial for maintaining health and weight and having the necessary nourishment to resume full workouts later. In general, aim to consume plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and some healthy carbs, such as brown rice and fruits, and avoid foods with processed sugars and additives, along with in-between-meal snacking as much as possible.

3. Start With Cardio

Cardio can be a good place to start after surgery. Choose a cardio exercise that is low impact, such as walking, swimming, or working out on an elliptical machine. These exercises get your heart rate up and your muscles moving again, slowly reintroducing you to workouts without overwhelming the brain and body. Go slow, stay hydrated, and take breaks as needed.

When you're ready to return to the gym and start your workouts, visit Anytime Fitness. Located in Chesterfield, MO, they are a full-service gym offering cardio and strength training equipment, free weights, and other amenities. They also have onsite personal trainers and a regular schedule of group classes. Schedule a fitness consultation by calling (314) 485-8986 or visiting their website.