I need advice...

I have posted on this forum only a couple of times and have posted the same tired questions that everyone posts that is just starting out...but this time I really need advice...

I am being given so much conflicting info between my gym (which is geared for women only), my husband (who is a hardcore lifter), my doctor (or should I say my surgeons staff that give out generic answers for EVERYTHING) and well-intentioned friends.

Background - I am 10 months post op, I weigh 183 (down from 292)  I have virtually no muscle mass, strength or energy.  I did walk 45 min each day on my treadmill until December when I got a promotion that requires 10 + hours per day at a desk.  Now I am hit and miss at the gym not for lack of want but for lack of time.  I am also the mother of four very socially active kids. To my horror, I discovered last week that I can no longer swim a lap in a pool. (something that I could do at 292lbs)
Labs are fine and protein intake is fine.

I want strength, endurance, energy and stamina.

My questions are...
1) how much cardio?(minutes per day?  everyday?)
2)should i focus on weight or reps?
3)what do i eat before workout and after?

Thank you in advance for your replies...

The worst thing you can do is carry no muscle.if you still have weight to lose then I would do both cardio and strength training. You don't have to have a lot of time for the weights. If you go with a plan and are focused you can wreck yourself pretty quick. Do your cardio on the days you can find the time. I don't know what your husband has told you but I say lift as heavy as you can for around 8 to 12 reps.
Good luck

Nate, you are right on with what my husbands advice is.  He says to make it hurt and build the muscle mass and let that burn the fat.  (Works very well for him... )
But the gym and surgeons office say to stay cardio focused and lift less weight more times.  I like to leave the gym feeling like I have accomplished something - basically feeling the muscles that I have worked and their method doesn't do that for me.

Thanks for your advice!!

I'd say any good plan mixes cardio and weights.  I don't know a lot about weights, so I won't try to comment on them.

I would eat a protein/carb mix before a workout of any kind, and follow up with some protein when you are done. 

Don't forget to hydrate!

Thanks for the food info!  My surgeon has me scared of carbs of any sort.  A lady at the gym yesterday suggested a banana, 2 tbsp of peanut butter on a whole grain waffle before and a quality protein shake after.

definitely stick to whole grains and complex carbs.  I understand the fear, but you will need that fuel eventually.  just depends on how long of a workout you are going to do.  Early on, maybe you don't really need a pre-workout snack, but as you work harder/longer, prepare to have something ahead of time.  Banana, peanut butter/whole grain are great suggestions.

 no easy simple answers, but I am with Nate, develop a strength training routine and focus on that.  If you only have 45 minutes, I'd spend 25 minutes in strenth and the rest doing cardio, and make sure you are getting lots of protein in.  Hit the big muscle groups lats, chest, legs, shoulders.  I use this site a lot to learn a bit more about strength training and ask away, no tired questions here, we all started in the same spots:

http://www.scoobysworkshop.com/

sounds like a great plan!  Now - cardio first or weights first?

 i like weights first as it allows me to put the best effort into lifting, prior to cadio.. its contraversial, some say one way..  

I will try that tomorrow!