Going Back To The Gym

Let’s start with this Instagram video as I walked inside the gym last night.

Before my hip replacement surgery and my mother-in-law’s last few months of her life, I had regularly worked out at the local gym. These workouts were an essential supplement to my martial arts journey as a student and teacher.

Additional Reading

• A Look Back on 2023
• Amazing Recovery…..So Far
• One Way To Be A Warrior
• 5 Essential Tips for a Successful Hip Replacement Recovery
• Taking A Break From Pumping Iron: I’ll Be Back!

Physical exercise is essential for good health, and going to the gym is a popular choice for many people like myself. However, there are times when hitting the gym is not feasible. One reason is that life gets in the way. For many folks, committing to a regular gym routine may not be possible between work, household duties, and other responsibilities. In my case, my recovery and my mother-in-law’s situation combined to make it nearly impossible to go to the gym for several months.

Let’s start with my hip recovery.

First, I had limited mobility for a few weeks after the surgery. I was using a walker, after all. In addition, I was not allowed to drive for six weeks after the surgery. During my initial stages of recovery, my mother-in-law’s health took a turn for the worse. My wife and I were taking care of her full time and her family’s help. Finding a 20-minute block to do my at-home physical therapy exercises was sometimes challenging. Then, in early April, my mother-in-law fell and broke her hip. As a result, she was hospitalized. We spent much time at the hospital until she passed on May 7th. I somehow managed to stick to my physical therapy routine through all this. At the same time, going to the gym was out of the question.

That said, I admit the recovery is taking longer than anticipated.

I have to keep reminding myself that my hip surgeon and physiotherapist have told me, “Brian, you’re only four months post-surgery. Full recovery typically takes six to twelve months, depending on the patient.” In hindsight, I may have waited too long for the hip replacement surgery. I equate four years of limping to four years of deconditioning. And I won’t overcome four years of deconditioning in four months. I’ve realized that it’s going to take longer than that.

I am improving every day, every week, and every month. My average daily steps have increased monthly. To wit:

January = the daily average was 1,760 steps per day.

February = 2,571 steps per day.

March = 5,437 steps per day.

April = 6,512 steps per day.

May = 7,730 steps per day.

My goal for June is 8,500 steps per day.

At the end of each day, my hip is often achy and fatigued, a sign that it is not yet 100% and fully recovered.

Strictly from a martial perspective, pushing off my right foot is the main issue. As many of you know, Modern Arnis and Filipino Martial Arts generally have quite a bit of angular footwork. Sudden shifts and changes of direction are common. My right hip does not currently have the strength to handle shifting to the left and sudden movement in general. It’ll come along.

Anyway, last night, I went to the gym for the first time in months. As indicated in the Instagram video, I did only the upper body. I will wait until I fully recover from hip replacement before I do any leg exercises. I have the mantra “don’t be an idiot” stuck in my head.

Anyway, even with a light introductory workout, I am sore today. I have to be brutally honest with myself. I am scraping the bottom of the barrel. What better challenge is there than that? Hehehehehe.

It’s literally one step at a time, one day at a time. Have a great week!

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