Back on the bike, and discouraged

Hey Everyone,
I just started cycling this spring with my husband who races. I was very fit and able to pick it up with some ease. However, I ended up having major surgery, spent two months in a bed and am now trying to get back at it. But, all of my endurance is gone and I want to turn around after only five miles. I'm exhausted all the time and I never feel like doing anything. I'm discouraged because it has been almost three months since my surgery and I feel like I should be doing more by now. Plus the wind and the cold has really picked up with the Michigan fall.
I'm thinking of joining a spin class at my gym to keep me motivated through the winter.
Anyways, I could use some encouragement if anyone would like to pass some along.
Thanks!

Spin is an awesome way to get yourself back into the shape you were in before. The cool thing about Spin is when you start getting tired ('cause hey major surgery does that to you) you can stay on the bike and just turn the resistance back and easy pedal. Instead of of being five or ten miles from home. :) I love the camaraderie at my Spin classes too. If the weather is too yucky to be outside, Spin is a good substitute.

Veronica

Hmmmm...ok one nice thing about midwest fall/winters is that all of the racers tend to get fat n' sassy. This is your chance to hit those spin classes and really hurt that racer-boy hubby come early spring! :D

Err unless he is one of those sick souls who lives for 'cross season. Then you really are in trouble :p

Seriously, 3 mo. after major surgery is not all that long. You'll get back into it. Hang in there!

i know how you feel.... i have been out for about the same amount of time. i have a different approach to staying motivated. i watch a lot of the velo hotties on OLN. what can i say, i love 'em all.

also, if you got through major surgery and you are now healing, you can get through anything. i know you can... you are a woman of course!!!!!!

Something from the world of diabetic cats which may be applicable -- start low and go slow.

After abdominal surgery two years ago I got discouraged about my loss of fitness, and would sometimes make things worse by overdoing it. I eventually realized that I'd just need to let my body heal on it's own schedule, and turned to non-bike activities for most of my recovery. I found walking very helpful, also tai chi and stretching.

So don't beat yourself up, and if you make returning to fitness a goal, it will happen.

Girl - you hang in there! Spin classes are great. Get yourself a new toy, e.g., a heart rate monitor, some cool shorts, whatever, to make yourself feel better. And be sure to ask for support from this group - it's awesome.

Limewave,

I think you are just going to have to give it more time.......... probably not what you want to hear, but a fact. Major surgery takes a lot out of a person, 3 months just isn't that long.

Maybe set yourself easy goals, ones you are pretty sure you can reach now, but might stretch you just a little bit. If you want to turn around at 5 miles, do it. Say "Today I will ride out 5 miles and then go home. That'll make 10 miles. That's pretty good!" Do it a couple times in a week, and the next week, add just a mile or two. If you are still tired, hang at that mileage till it starts to feel better. In between ride days, go for walks. Walking is wonderful for recovery.
Spin classes can be great, but don't overdo it. They can also be pretty intense if you try and keep up to everyone else. Use your resistance knob on the spin bike to keep it at a level you are comfortable with until that starts to feel easier and then move it up a notch. Every time you are able to go a little farther or up that resistance just a little bit, be proud of yourself! It doesn't have to be large improvements all at once. Small improvements will add up. Give yourself this fall and winter to gradually work your way back into shape and you can look forward to starting out the new season in 2004 refreshed and ready go go. Good luck!

Dogmama has the best advise...go get yourself a new toy. Nothing like the feeling of a new toy to motivate you into using it! If spin classes are too agressive, get a video and a trainer, spin at home. I loved spinning back into shape the one time i did it as i could still ride with all my riding buddies, but they couldn't drop me! Maybe invite a bunch of people (men and women) to grab a trainer and come spin in your basement on some really cold snowy day...

Well, I've had half a dozen reconstructive surguries in the past few years, and depending on what got done, you may need to cut some slack for a while yet. Spin is cool, but with a whole gym full of options mixing it up will probably do more good. If you did much time in bed you need to work on core strength (yoga, Pilates, weights) and just general low level cardio vascular conditioning. A good pair of running shoes to powerwalk in is a great start back. It doesn't overstress, you can still go outside, it builds more stamina than you think. Can do a treadmill too.
The Lifecycle is a good start too- use a heart rate moniter and just crank out your set number of minutes by the numbers. Boring, but really effective.
I found charging right into a class to be trouble. Always went way too hard too soon.
One thing to be cognizent of- if you have any pain, it'll drain you like a flock of vampires. Sometimes you'll have a low level of pain for a while that'll be like an albatross around the neck. All my stuff was orthopedic, so this has been a problem for me. Had to manage it to get anywhere.
Hope this helps.

Lizzy

Instead of mileage, go by time for at least a few weeks even outside. On a bad day you may get less distance at less speed, but it's easier to slow down and not hurt yourself if you just watch a clock.