To trainer or not to trainer....

Hi,

I read many of you say you do time with a trainer.  I belong to YMCA (haven't been yet post-op) and they do have that option for an extra fee.  I used to only use it for swimming, but now I can't resume that until 8 weeks out.  I guess I have a hard time imagining working with a trainer.  I'm 5 weeks out, so I think my lifting restriction is still on (had hernia repair same time as RNY), so it might be a bit early for me to go that route (maybe not? dunno).  At what point (weight/fitness level?) did you seek out a trainer?  What kind of things did you ask them up front?  Have you run into any problems with your trainer? 

Right now, after not being much of an exerciser, I'm walking around the block (dog in tow) 3 or 4 times a week (I think the route is 1/2 mile), plus I try to not park in the closest parking spot I see (BIG change from the past) any place I go.  I of course need to and will up the activity as it becomes more doable.  I just wish I had a professional who already knew me and my issues and could tell me unbiasedly if I could push and do more right now or if this is good at this point. 

Maybe my head's not right with it yet.  Maybe I shouldn't just do what is "doable".  Do I pu**** until I'm panting or sore the next day?  No sarcasm, but is that what I need to do? 

I get my g-tube out this Friday (thank God) and go back to work next Tuesday.  Maybe I will have a better handle on it by then.  ???

Thoughts?

Thanks!  :o)

Here is what I would suggest - ease into it. Begin with light/moderate exercise and once you become accustomed to it and it becomes "too easy" reconsider the trainer. At this point, being so early out, I'm not sure how much of a benefit it would be to you.  I had a lot of exhaustion and dizziness early out and used a trainer briefly but the second time I used one (months later) was much more beneficial to me I think. The first time the trainer just kept saying you have to eat more before I can train you. You aren't eating enough. That's kind of the point, guy. But he was right, the things he wanted me to do required having more energy than I could manage at that point.

Don't push to extreme soreness or you probably won't keep doing it. Challenge yourself, maybe up the activity a little at the beginning of each week, do that for a week, and then up it again as you become accustomed. Try new things sometimes, different machines, alternating paces and swimming strokes, etc.  A little soreness that lasts a day or so is ok, feeling like you worked those muscles, but if you are sore to where you need tylenol or you can't move or it lasts more than a day or so you over-did it.  Never raise your heart-rate/breathing to a point where you can't hold a simple conversation.