Upper body strength?
This weekend I fired up the gasoline hedge trimmer and attacked the bushes. In past years, I used to be able to hold the trimmer above my head and cut the tops of the hedges. After the first big bush,my arms couldn't do it anymore. My arms didn't ache. I just couldn't lift the damn trimmer any more.
I don't know if it's because I lost muscle mass after surgery.. or If I'm not eating enough to have the energy. And If not eating enough is the issue.. do I need more protein, carbs or fat?
I don't know if it's because I lost muscle mass after surgery.. or If I'm not eating enough to have the energy. And If not eating enough is the issue.. do I need more protein, carbs or fat?
Max wt. 500+ WLS workshop 4/6/09 440 Surgery 9/21/09 324 9/21/10 218
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I hope to see someone post op post up on this, BUT, I can tell you that yes if your body was losing and you did not keep protein up you do loase strength due to the loss of muscle. When I was in the Nave I was about 40 lbs over weight. I had always been able to run but not fast. The military had just started with the whole BMI thing and I worked my ass off to lose 40 lbs (first yo-yo for me). I did get down to specs at 199, but I nearly failed out from not being able to make time. When the physical test came I was exhausted. Years later when I had gone on yet another diet and lost the big 120 lbs, I weight trained the whole time and was able to actually maintain my strength. I think that is why the protein firs approach is so important and why we need to get the right amount of grams in each day.
Chrispy
Chrispy
HW 440, SW 386, CW 229.8
Herc, I'm no expert, but I'll "weigh" in here.........pun intended!!!
I work out cardio and weight train and have since 6 months prior to my surgery. I have good upper body strengh now. I suspect that yes, you've lost some muscle, so a good weight routine for upper body strengthening is in order (lots of pushups and pullups will do it!).
Further, I suspect you are not getting enough good carbs when you are burning many calories. You must incorporate some good carbs (whole wheat, sweet potato, beans, etc) when you are going to burn a lot. I always eat some PB on whole wheat bread before a big workout--it does the trick. Don't be freaked out that you will "overdo" it on the calorie side-it may actually speed your metabolism up more!! (it sure has mine).
Kim
I work out cardio and weight train and have since 6 months prior to my surgery. I have good upper body strengh now. I suspect that yes, you've lost some muscle, so a good weight routine for upper body strengthening is in order (lots of pushups and pullups will do it!).
Further, I suspect you are not getting enough good carbs when you are burning many calories. You must incorporate some good carbs (whole wheat, sweet potato, beans, etc) when you are going to burn a lot. I always eat some PB on whole wheat bread before a big workout--it does the trick. Don't be freaked out that you will "overdo" it on the calorie side-it may actually speed your metabolism up more!! (it sure has mine).
Kim
I suspect that you just aren't used to that type of exercise. It's one thing to lift the trimmer filled with gas to waist or even chest height. It's completely different to hold it overhead. Just think about similar exercises with free weifhts. You may be able to curl a certain weight or even do several curl reps, but doing overhead extensions involves different sets of muscles.
By the way, be wary of lifting weights overhead. Other men have warned of possible upper body injuries from lifting weights abouve the chest. I forget whether they are the possiblities of neck or shoulder injuries. I suggest that you ask the question about lifting at that height and that weight over on the exercise and fitness forum. Some exercise may not pose a problem for a young man, but now that you are in your middle age, you may need some restrictiongs. If you still have questions about it, contact the online help service for your health ins (most of them have a nurse available either online or by phone), or contact your primary doctor's office. You may not actually need to see him. Oftentimes they can answer simple questions without seeing you.
By the way, be wary of lifting weights overhead. Other men have warned of possible upper body injuries from lifting weights abouve the chest. I forget whether they are the possiblities of neck or shoulder injuries. I suggest that you ask the question about lifting at that height and that weight over on the exercise and fitness forum. Some exercise may not pose a problem for a young man, but now that you are in your middle age, you may need some restrictiongs. If you still have questions about it, contact the online help service for your health ins (most of them have a nurse available either online or by phone), or contact your primary doctor's office. You may not actually need to see him. Oftentimes they can answer simple questions without seeing you.
Herc,
If you haven't been doing strength training then you have lost a lot of muscle along with the fat. That's the downfall with rapid weightloss. I have worked very hard to get the strength and muscle back but it's a long process. The key for me has been upping the protein to 150-200g daily and good carbs b4 and immediatly after my lifting along with protein after. Don't be afraid of good carbs after a strength training workout as the go strait to muscle repair.
If you haven't been doing strength training then you have lost a lot of muscle along with the fat. That's the downfall with rapid weightloss. I have worked very hard to get the strength and muscle back but it's a long process. The key for me has been upping the protein to 150-200g daily and good carbs b4 and immediatly after my lifting along with protein after. Don't be afraid of good carbs after a strength training workout as the go strait to muscle repair.
No longer about weight , it's all about living.
The other possibility is a rotator cuff tear. It is much more common after the age of 60 (I'm not sure how old you are), and sometimes weakness with raising the arms up can be the primary symptom (i.e. without having much discomfort.)
No matter what, whether it is weakness from muscle atrophy from the weight loss, or a rotator cuff problem, the proper treatment would be strenthening exercises. You want to make sure you learn to do some that are easy on the rotator cuff muscles and also using proper technique. Getting help from a physical therapist or a personal trainer can be very helpful for this.
No matter what, whether it is weakness from muscle atrophy from the weight loss, or a rotator cuff problem, the proper treatment would be strenthening exercises. You want to make sure you learn to do some that are easy on the rotator cuff muscles and also using proper technique. Getting help from a physical therapist or a personal trainer can be very helpful for this.
Don
I'm getting about 100 g of protein per day.
Max wt. 500+ WLS workshop 4/6/09 440 Surgery 9/21/09 324 9/21/10 218
Save $4 on Obesity Help magazine subscription using promo code: HERCULES
www.obesityhelp.com/store/action,addtocart/itemId,1/pcode, hercules /
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