This topic is about using fitness, blogging, and openness to overcome challenges like anxiety, weight-loss setbacks, and insecurities after surgery. The writer, who has an ostomy, shares their journey of building muscle and improving their physique while dealing with the emotional and social challenges that can follow major abdominal surgery. Here are some key points and advice from their experience:
1. The writer aims to set new personal records in power-lifting and continue increasing muscle mass, sharing updates to motivate others.
2. They plan to post training updates and physique photos, not to boast, but to inspire and encourage others on similar journeys.
3. Sharing lessons from past relationships, the writer emphasizes the importance of being open about medical history to foster intimacy.
4. By blogging candidly, they hope to help partners, friends, and family better understand life with an ostomy.
5. The writer seeks to connect with others who are dealing with anxiety, depression, or challenges in gaining weight after surgery.
Additional insights include:
- A follow-up post mentions that a competitive bodybuilder has reviewed the writer's workout, and they will start sessions with a strength coach to overcome a plateau in progress.
- The writer offers to design a "light, hernia-safe" workout routine for another member who has had multiple hernia repairs and wants to start weight training.
Advice and insights from the community:
- Blogging about your experiences can be therapeutic and motivate others, so keep writing and setting public goals.
- Consistent exercise, even low-impact activities like daily swimming, can help maintain fitness and confidence after surgery.
- For those with prior hernia repairs, approach resistance training cautiously. Seek tailored programs that avoid excessive intra-abdominal pressure, focusing on light weights, controlled tempo, and core stability.
- Community support is valuable; many readers express enthusiasm to follow the writer's progress and offer encouragement, showing that openness can lead to helpful dialogue.
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