6 weeks after my eye operation, I decided to get back to The Gym. I found that I could only do 5 minutes on The Stepping machine after previously managing 15. My legs were also sore the next day. I have always felt fit, but this has made me think that I’m just getting old and should I keep trying to maintain fitness. I have used a gym all my adult life and ran many 10 K ‘s
. I’m reluctant to ‘call it a day’, but does there come a time when you just have to give up.
I am your age and started running in 2018 too.
My take on this is that a six week lay off feels like a big deal. I would certainly lose a lot of fitness over that period. My approach is always the same; just build things up steadily from whatever I can do, and pretty quickly I see week on week progress. That is the key really; feeling that you are on the way back. You might think about repeating C25k, or Bridge to 10 if you are ready for that?
I will never give up running; if running decides to give me up, then I will have no choice!
🍏 I love Beachcomber66 reply & feel much the same way. Do what you can for as long as you can. Recovering after an op is a process of building back not only strength but confidence too. Relax enjoy it & soon you will be where you left off. 😊
Three As Acknowledge, accept and adapt... Your situation has changed, things move on.., we age , ( not a negative thing), and we adapt.
The strength and flex forum has many, many tips and posts which will help you move forward safely and enjoyably.
Loads of advice for sore, everything! Loads of links for legs! Take a look !
Maybe ease off from the gym and start building back up with walking... ?
healthunlocked.com/strength...
The two replies from Beachcomber66 and Annieapple have given you some great advice.
Slow and steady is my mantra... it has served me well... many issues, many setbacks, but always. that mantra puts me back on course...
Many of us can empathise with you... but, there is never a time to give up, ( I am 74+ ), circumstances force change, but not finality...
I will give you another of my favourite quotes.. ( I love my quotes) !
" There may come a day, when I am no longer able to run... Today, is NOT that day. "
Believe it... and we look forward to your next post
Any gap in activity is going to have an effect and it takes time to get back to where you were.
This last year has taken a toll on my fitness level due to a gradual reduction in the frequency of activity over the first half of it, then an extended break due to an injury (dropped something heavy on a toe).
The watch stats show my heart rate is much higher for the same amount of effort. I've gained about 10% body weight over the last 18 months which doesn't help.
I'm not (yet) showing any signs of improvement and I attribute that to not being consistent in my activities. I need to make sure I do a set number of runs a week, with a minimum overall duration, then very gradually crank that up.
The muscle strength is still there to do that but the metabolism has reverted.
I used to run six days a week, with at least two 10km runs each week and a half marathon distance once a month. There's no way I should do that currently, but I'm confident that I can gradually work back up to that.
Don't despair. It happens to all of us. It just takes time (and effort) to build back.
Thank you for that feedback. I just compare myself now to what I used to be, probably not a good idea. I’ll do what you are doing and gradually work my way back to gaining my fitness.
The day after
What do I do in the gym
Disappointed at the gym
How often to visit the gym?
Suggestions/Tips week 1 run 2 
