Starting all over again, need help.

[pollux]

I started martial arts when I was 13 years old. I have always been active and in shape. I even had several "unsanctioned" fights and did very well. My problem started about two years ago when I was involved in a car accident (16 year old girl ran stop sign, hit me head on). This accident really did a number on me physically, and i havent been able two work out constistently since then because of the various surgeries and spinal problems, not to mention the depression. The worst injury was to my right foot and ankle. I have been able to lift weights a little up to now but no cardio for about two years. I just had surgery on my ankle a few weeks ago and I'm in physical therapy yet again (hopefully for the last time). My legs are especially weak. My question is this: I have never really been out of shape before. Frankly, I don't know where to start. How do i get back into fight shape again? I'm 5'9 and 30 lbs overweight. My flexibility is a joke. Can anyone help me out of this hole? I'm afraid I 'm going to need someone to spell it out for me. Any help from someone who has been there would be incredibly appreciated.

[Jodi]

Sorry to hear about your situation.

The first place I would start is doing a circuit machine training. IOW - 3 days a week. One day back & biceps, second chest & triceps, third day legs and shoulders and repeat. You are probably limited on what you can do for lower body so that you will have to play with. I wouldn't go hard core into any weights just yet. Build yourself up to the free weights. Skip the cardio for now unless your gym has a rowing maching. That is all back and chest and an excellent cardiovascular tool.

You may want to try this:

Chest & Tri's
4 Sets Machine Chest Press
4 Sets Pec Deck
4 Sets Machine Triceps

Back & Bi's
4 Sets Machine Rows
4 Sets Lat Pulldowns
4 Sets Machine Biceps

Lower & Shoulders -
This will be tricky because I don't know what you are limited to.
Maybe.......
4 Sets Leg Ext
4 Sets Leg Curls
4 Sets Overhead Machine Press
3 Sets Lateral Raise
3 Sets Reverse Pec Deck

This will get you started and if you have a rowing machine great, if not then don't worry about it. Just concentrate on what you can do for now.

[pollux]

Thank you for the reply and the info. I start your recommended program today.

[Eric Persson]

Jodi knows the score. Her routine seems logical for you. Try to eat right and never give up. Getting back from such a serious injury make take a long time but you need to believe in yourself and the things you can achieve. I am trying to get into shape and get stronger myself and the road is bumpy but all when can do is our best. Post your progress.

[Jodi]

Thank you for the reply and the info. I start your recommended program today.
How are you doing with this? :)

[pollux]

terrible. It's been one thing after another. Currently, I have a pulled muscle in my left hip/upper quad that won't get better and hurts all the way down to my shin most of the time. My ankle is very stiff despite PT, my back and neck pop loudly and ache for days after a workout. I also found out that I am allergic to wheat. no bead, pasta, anything containing flour, ect. My hair, however, looks great since I found a new barber. So I guess all in all, things are great!!

[Shinbone]

I feel sorry for you pollux. I really hope you recover well eventually. Just don't give up!
I know it is a lot easier said than done. You have to keep faith.

[pollux]

Thanks Bro. You guys have no idea how much that little bit of encouragement menas

[Shinbone]

Thanks Bro. You guys have no idea how much that little bit of encouragement menas

I do, that why I want to encourage you.

[Dado]

Yeah man, keep going it at! It shows youre very commited to improve your shape despite the accident and setbacks.

Go hard at it and the improvements will come without you even noticing!

[Sixtus]

I know this thread is reasonably old but..

Do you do any swimming? Its great for sore muscles and injurys. I used to do swimming training 5 days a week after school and it really helped when I had sore muscles or joint pains(growing pains=)).

[pollux]

No, I haven't ever been into swimming but it sounds like a great idea. Because of the problems I talked about earlier, my doctor has me on several prescriptions drugs and for some reason they have left me with absolutely no energy at all. It is completely ridiculous how little energy I have. I get on the treadmill for 15 minutes at a walking pace and after 10 I'm wondering if I am going to make it to 15! I am only 28 years old and yet I'm dying an old mans death. But I figure that there is nowhere left to go except up, right? But swimming is definatly something I havent tried. Thanks man!!

[pollux]

OK. I know I have just been lurking on here for a long long time. So here is an update. You guys and this website need to take this as your victory, because I did it with this forums help. I have lost 80 pounds, Im finally in shape again, and my life in on an upswing. Im now shooting for a cage match maybe next month. My medical is good, Im am straight now. you guys and your positive, never say die attitudes kept me going. always. Thanks everybody!!!!!

[( o Y o )]

80lb? Damn mate, congrats!

[heckyl]

thats FUCKING awesome dude! congratulations.

[Lord Gaul]

Man I just checked this page randomly and 80lbs is a crazy amount of weight to drop. Congrats man.

[loreia]

80 lbs. How much is that in kilograms?

[( o Y o )]

just under 37kg

[loreia]

37kg, that is impressive.
Hey pollux, can you give us more details? It will be an interesting story and a great encouragement for anyone who tries to walk the same path.

[pollux]

For sure. To start things off, I want to begin by saying that determination is the only thing in the world that matters. If you give up, that is exactly what happens, you give up whatever it is you want. That said, I will expound a bit on what happened. I started going to docters to find out why i had horrible heartburn all the time, why i couldnt sleep, lose weight, or find enough energy to even get through the day. Doctor after Doctor told me that it was because I was fat (my heaviest was about 265 or 270, or about 122 kilos, im 5 foot 9 inches tall, so that was FAT!!) out of shape, and lazy and that was why. Ech time I heard it I would hit the gym relentlessly, diet hard, and for weeks at a time, get nowhere. I finally decided to seek help elswhere and it was finally acupuncturist that told me that i was allergic to some kind of food, and that i should maybe ask for an Insulin resistance test. Thats what I did. I found out that I am allergic to wheat, and eating it makes my immune system attack my internal organs. I was also extremely insulin resistant, and they werent sure if I was going to be able to avoid Adult Diabetes. I did my own research, constructed my own diet using information from you guys and this site, and my own experience, and held to it, using you guys and your encouragment and stories of trials and failures to keep me motivated.

I lost 80 lbs in about 6 months, and my energy came back after about 6 months of avoiding wheat at all costs. Now I am training hard and I want to go to Thailand to train at Fairtex Bangplee for a month sometime soon (gotta take some time off of work), I am also enrolled in a course to complete my Personal Trainer Certification, after which I plan to get my Certification in Martial Arts Conditioning. I am finally myself again after all this time. It was the Warrior Spirit of this site and its members that I used for fuel when there was nothing else to keep me going. If anyone wants more information on any of these things, please let me know. I feel iv been given a second chance and now its my duty and responsibility to help anyone else who may be in a similar situation.

[loreia]

What a great story.
Thanks for sharing it with us. I am really glad that Kakutougi.info helped you keep yourself motivated.

An inspirational story no doubt.

[Fozzy]

I know this is a god old topic, but question for Jodi, what is with the recommendation of getting a guy who wanted to be in fight shape, to use machines?

good job on the fat loss though dude. I went from 253lbs to 170lbs myself.

~Foz

[pollux]

I know this is a god old topic, but question for Jodi, what is with the recommendation of getting a guy who wanted to be in fight shape, to use machines?

good job on the fat loss though dude. I went from 253lbs to 170lbs myself.

~Foz

Thanks bro! Thats awesome too!!