Just created a workout today (it's after midnight, so I should say, "yesterday," but I think you get the point) and wanted to make some notes. 

I started working out about 5 years ago at a local gym that had a really good membership fee of $10/month. I'm disabled and on a fixed income, so "cheap" is in my price range. I was pretty good for the first 3 years, but started falling off and eventually quit going, despite paying for the membership. I kept telling myself I was going back, and a few times I tried, but something always came up: I was too busy, too sick, too tired, etc.

Last June I moved to a new apartment and the complex has a fitness room I can use free. So I finally stopped paying for the gym and told myself I'd start going again now that it was so close. It's been a few months, but I finally went on Monday. I have created a strange workout schedule, and I'll explain why.

The schedule is 2 days on, three off. The reason is because I have back and leg pain and my doctor has me on low-dose patches for the pain along with pills for when the pain gets severe. The patches last 3 days, so my plan is to wear a patch until it runs out, then workout the next two days using the pills to control my pain. I found when I try to work out wearing a patch, it increases the rate I get the medicine to the point that it nauseates me. Being disabled, I don't expect to become a fitness model. I just want enough physical activity that I keep my weight down and stay healthy.

My challenges are that I'm HIV+ (28 years and counting!), have had back surgery (laminectomy and spinal fusion in lumbar area) and have had both hips replaced (osteonecrosis caused by my medication regimen). I'm a type 2 diabetic, also, and we tend to gain weight. I'm most concerned that I don't do anything that will cause problems with my artificial hip joints. I've been told not to do any "impact" exercise, so walking is Ok but running is out. Weights are fine, as long as I keep it within reason and don't try to put too much stress on the joints.

I'm actually glad to be getting back to the gym. Because I worked out Monday and had an evening already planned today, I skipped today but will pick up tomorrow with the new plan. Here we go!

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