How much is too much???

[Doug]

Here is an issue my Dr. and I knew I would encounter.
I do what the therapist tell me to do. I rest and do some more. Then I find their workout isn't that challenging. I added the stationary bike. Everyone says to work hard for good results.
Now, can anyone tell me when or where the magic line is between doing enough and over doing it? I have clearly found out when I did too much but I feel I need to keep pushing myself.

 

[referee54]

Here's what my PT told me---it is a great deal similar to weight-lifting. I will do extra stuff too---but when you start putting exercises on back-to-back days, you are not giving your muscles time to rest and to heal. Your heavy PT stuff should be done every other day---it seems; just like lifting weights (which, in acutality, you are doing.) It gives your body a chance to rest and to regroup. For example---I do my heavy PT stuff 3 X's a week---Monday, Wedensday, and Friday, On the three other days, I ride the bike and do my rubber band exercises---no weights.

Another point to consider is not just the quantity of the reps, but the quality---once you begin to get tired, you really have to focus onthe quality of the reps to work the muscles correctly. Normally, 3 sets of 10---I do maybe 5 reps extra---should suffice. (That is with the weights at the PT or at the gym.) Remember---quantity and quality are what get the muscles back in order.

Tim C.

 

[Doug]

Thanks Ref. I have really enjoyed your various posts, and will try to apply your advise. Breaking it down to a limited number of sets/reps will help keep the workout in perspective. At 55 I have gotten used to pushing harder to get the results I got with much less effort than when I was younger.
I had a horrible night. I've put it off for several days but I think I'm going to have to ask the Dr. for some pills with a little more kick to them.
I'm 12 days post op. and there are times that I find myself sitting here holding my breath gritting my teeth, etc.

 

[referee54]

I am 53 and had them both done in November. I am impatient, and I try to do more than what is asked of me. I am lucky, though---my PT is from the Cleveland Clinic and has worked with the Browns, the Indians, and the Cavs. He told me that a little pushing wasn't bad, but if I overdid it I would actually put myself behind as I would not be giving my body a chance to rest and recuperate. He challenges me when I am there, and he knows that I like to do more, but he cautioned me to let my body rest, as the muscles are not back to full strength yet, and after a really good, hard workout, they need a chance to recuperate. I will do a few more (maybe 5 instead of 10,) but he realy works me hard, so I am plenty tired when i get into the truck to come home.

If your PT is not challenging you, I would discuss it with them. Do you use rubberbands? Let the PT know that you are not spent after the session. My PTtold me, that if you do a session correctly, you should be plenty tired.

My best to you,

Tim C.

 

[referee54]

I was sleeping the LazyBoy---that was the only way I could; butI felt too much like an invalid so I moved to the bed. I would sleep, get up, sleep get up---I was watching "Law and Order SVU" at 2:00AM---it was fine while I was home recuperating, but when I went back to school I did get some Ambien---not that I wanted to, but I had to. They worked, but I have to tell you it took 2 1/2 months for me to get a decent night's sleep w/o chemicals!

Do you know what i am talking about about the rubberbands? I have a green one, a blue one, and a maroonish one tht I use to do stretches and exercises. They help out a great deal on days when I am not at the PT's

Tim C.

 

[Doug]

Don't know about the colored rubber bands yet.
I had found an old rubber "tension band" I used to take and use when I traveled.
I've been placing that at my ankle and pulling back to flex the leg. I try to keep a little tension, watch some Law and Order, and release it.
Seems to work well. I keep waiting to see some of these staples shoot across the room but so far so good.