My doctor didn't clear me for exercise for 8 weeks (other than walking). I have done Chalean Extreme in the past. It is mostly just for building lean muscle. I don't want to lose too much muscle and am trying to prevent a pancake butt, if possible, so I thought I would pull it out yesterday and try it. I did it and just skipped any parts that involved my core since it is still healing and used very light weights. I felt fine and it felt good to do it, but I was wondering if anyone knew if this was acceptable? I plan on not doing the cardio or the core and just doing the strength training. I am very cautious and do not want to do anything to hurt my sleeve.

I just wrote about this in my blog last week...

My doc finally cleared me to be back in the Water again 15 days post op, and Tuesday (first day after the Labor Day Holiday weekend) I went all out. I have a pretty crazy workout schedule. I play collegiate water polo 4 nights a week for 2.5 hours, and I swim on the University’s Master's Swim team on my lunch 3 days a week for 1.5 hours. Again this was only a 4 day week and my first time back in the water in about 4 months, plus post-surgery 3 weeks. The first 2 days were the roughest, I was extremely sore and exhausted. Doing this much working out on such little calories is daunting and not for the faint of heart.

I will say that doing team/club sports is night and day different from going to the gym on my own. I'm lucky to stay focused enough to do 45 minutes on an elliptical or treadmill, whereas when I get in the water I'm not staying place, I'm engaging with other people, being pushed by my team members, and have a coach guiding my workouts. I never get bored. My mindset is not to just survive practice, but to be one of the best, swim the fastest, throw the ball the hardest, and be an MVP. When I do get out of the water whether it was water polo or masters swim- I'm Jello, my body is completely exhausted and I feel like an Olympic champion (minus those sweet little gold medals). I have several fitness goals this semester, and I'm so motivated to get into the best shape ever, regardless of what the scale says. Our first ranked NCAA tournament is 3 weeks from today. Bet your bottom I'm going all Kong Fu Panda on my workouts for the next 3 weeks to be ready for this tournament... and the bonus- I'm going to lose weight. I <3 my sleeve.