I am having surgery in a month and the doctor said I would not be able to go to the gym or do any intensive workouts for six weeks after.

I normally go to the gym about 4-5 days a week and spend about an hour to an hour and a half either running or doing weights. The longest break I've had from the gym or any physical activity is probably less than a week.

I'm a bit concerned that I'll gain some weight from not working out or an improper diet and that I'll lose my motivation to train once I have recovered.

Has anyone had any experience with this? If so, what did you do?

Thanks :)

After I had hernia surgery, I had to take about the same amount of time off from exercise.

To be honest, I didn't really change anything about my diet, perhaps a SLIGHT reduction in calories (like a couple hundred at most). Over the 7 weeks afterward, I didn't gain any significant weight (can't remember exactly, maybe 2-3 lbs), and the weight I did gain came off again quickly once I started exercising.

I think the biggest thing is to just not completely abandon your good eating habits. I.e., don't eat fast food and garbage based on "I can't exercise, what's the point?" Do that and you'll be fine.

I had surgery in November 2003. You don't wanna know what I had done. Trust me.

I was out of work for ten days. Use the usual tricks. Don't buy junk, and keep it out of the house. If it's not there, you can't eat and if it is there, you will eventually consume it. Get rid of it and keep it out of the house. Assuming you'll be able to move around, keep healthy choices there. Pre-prepare some food so it's easier for your that first couple of days.

I was back at the gym using the treadmills two weeks after my surgery. Set a goal for yourself now so you have something to focus on, and make yourself accountable to that goal by writing it down, posting it here, telling someone, etc.

Good luck.

-R

To be honest, 6 weeks is pretty short compared to some time-period layoffs you might have to endure, depending on the surgery. However, exercise is only one facet of a healthy lifestyle. If you factor in the effect not exercising has on you, then there's no reason to be concerned. What's more important is to allow yourself to recover fully. Going back too quickly will ruin any potential gains you think you might make if you injure yourself. That is entirely dependent on what and where your surgery is.

Andrew.

I was in a pretty bad car accident about six years ago and had to have emergency exploratory surgery. Luckily, they found all the problems which were too numerous to list right now. The bad part was being in Intensive Care for two weeks.

Pre-accident weight: 215 lbs with alot of muscle
Two weeks later: 165 lbs and looking very bad

Some of the injuries included two collapsed lungs (yes both!), broken vertebrae, broken pelvis, broken ribs, etc. I didn't recognize my own reflection when I saw myself two weeks later! When I finally got home, every task was exhausting. I wasn't cleared to perform any light exercise for 6 weeks after coming home. When I was cleared, I stuck to stretching and very light calisthenics because my muscles were very weak. I was back to a normal routine, but at much lighter weights, about 3 months later. Luckily, I gained most of my weight back about 4 months after the accident. Once I started moving around and eating normally, my muscles realized they needed to start working again.

Hopefully, your surgery isn't anything too serious. Good luck in your recovery!

When I had surgery on my shoulder I was DYING to work out again. I was so sick of sitting on my ass that by the time I could do anything, I was doing everything I possibly could.