Finally able to break a sweat!
After I’d read a lot of accounts from other people with ATRs, I’d built up this idea that my healing was much slower than others. If my healing was actually slower than other’s, it was likely due to my stubbornness and unwillingness to refrain from over-activity.
It was about the beginning of December that I’d finally been able to walk 5 KM and not feel such soreness than I previously had. (7 months post operation) What a thrill! To venture out into the streets and add a little bit of distance to my walks each passing day - without the post effects like swelling! Then came the 20th of December - back in the operating room - this time for my vasectomy. The beauty was that this time I was rushed in to the OR because there was a cancellation - and so I was in and out so much faster than the ATR surgery. The best part of the operation was that I was kept awake the entire time.. and the drugs were splendid!!! (I’m not advocating drugs as I don’t even use Tylenol for head aches). Healing and swelling passed much faster… but still… I had to refrain from activity for a week. It didn’t help that I was back on my duff again during the Christmas holidays. I quickly found myself shoving the sweets down and gaining weight fast. By new years I was 17 pounds heavier than the day I tore my tendon.
Like many, once 2011 rolled in, I decided to join the gym and take control of my body. Having succeeded in natural bodybuilding only 2 1/2 years prior, it was intimdating to enter those familiar walls as an overweight (by 20-25 pounds) and somewhat handicapped person. The first day there, I decided to try the cross trainer and see how my tendon would take to it since long distance walking was becoming so much more comfortable. After feeling only a few odd sensations, I was happy to say that I got through my first cardio session just fine and most importantly, it was my first exercise-induced SWEAT I’d broken in almost eight months! Woohoo! My heart and lungs were just as thrilled… sort of.
Well, it’s been a month into my diet. I’m down 15 pounds, and I can attack the cross trainer wonderfully. I can go full intensity for the machine’s maximum allowed 1 hour without any discomfort. I’ve also been doing 1 legged calf presses and I’ve gone from pushing 30 lbs. to 125 over the past few weeks. I’m quite certain that had I not joined the gym and pushed myself past these limits that the progress and strengthening of my tendon and calf muscle would be utterly stunted. As for now, I can’t help wonder when I might be able to push out my first standing, 1 legged calf raise. Ah well, no rush for that as it’s not that practical anyways. I think running is the greater goal I’ll place in my sights!
Ah yes! There’s nothing quite like a new season of life!
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