Fitness – just do it, but don't over do it

I can do it, just a little more weight, yes, I can get stronger legs.... Early last spring I was focusing on leg workouts, trying to get a little more meat on the bone, so to speak. Over the last few years, I have successfully lowered my fat content and improved my lean mass. But my legs, well they were still pretty skinny. So I added leg presses to some of my workouts. The problem was, I kept adding resistance - maybe I was thinking of going to failure, but at the time, I was kind of proud of the weight I managed to move on the leg press and the leg extension and leg curl machines. But then I noticed a reasonably round bulge on my lower abdomen. I had no idea what it was. It had the circumference of perhaps a golf ball, maybe a little larger. When it didn't recede after a few days, with some concern, I called my Doctor. He order an ultrasound and a week later, with the cool gel on my belly, the technician informed me that I had two hernia's but at least the one on my right was mild.

Fortunately, the hernias weren't painful, although the left one did become uncomfortable when I was on my feet for a few hours. In August I was put on a wait list for surgical repair as hernia's don't heal themselves. In the fall the discomfort increased so when I got the call scheduling the surgical repair on December 17, the timing was good. I'm now in recovery mode, but no work-outs allowed (or heavy lifting) until February. Its easy to laugh about it - an older guy pushing himself in the gym like someone much younger. But I'm not alone. Not in having a work-out related hernia or for that matter other work out related injuries. Just before Christmas, my friend Jane was in a Pilates class with people half her age. Now Jane is knowledgeable and fit, but like me, she has a little bit of pride. So when the Snake movement on the Pilates reformer was successfully done by some of the younger class participants, Jane just had to show she still had what it takes to do the challenging movement. And that explained the ice pack she wore on her shoulder to brunch when we saw her!

So, the lesson should be pretty clear. Its great to get in shape or seek to stay in shape. And many of you may be trying to step up that effort as part of a New Year's resolution. But do learn from Jane and I and keep you ambitions and pride in check. Work out with vigor but make it age or fitness level appropriate. I also highly recommend, if you can swing it, hiring a trainer to help you at least periodically with your work-outs. A qualified trainer will focus on your fitness objectives while challenging you within resistance levels and techniques that are safe for you and helping you with the important flexibility exercises or movements. Yes, I should've taken that advice from the wonderful trainer that I usually see 3 times per month before escalating my on the leg machines!Happy New Years and may it be among your fittest and most injury free years that you have encountered!