Fantastic Karlos. I loved reading about what you're doing. May be you can offer some hints, tips and advice on weight-training. I currently do it on my own and learn technique via the internet
One question I want to know is; how do you know you've run out of steam from when you've trained your muscles to failure. I'm not sure what training to failure is ... is it when you train to the point that you lose 'form'?
Thanks CC
I know when I start to shake that my energy levels have depleted and its time to stop. There is no way we can take in enough carbs to fuel the kind of workouts I did when I was in my twenties LOL. I used to bench 230 lbs and squat 450 lbs on Olympic bars, these days I struggle to bench 130 lbs

Mind you I'm an old trout these days LOL :cry:

With resistance exercise, form as you say is the absolute key. I see so many young guys at my gym throwing the heavy weights around using momentum, not getting full range of movement, (This shortens the muscle belly) and other body parts to shift the weight. I often think plonker you're just kidding yourself LOL
Lifting 10 kilos correctly taking several seconds to raise and lower the weight, isolating the muscle you want to train, is far more effective than throwing 20 kilos around.
Form is key in effectively isolating and stressing the muscle fibers until they break down. Its this that causes them to have to repair themselves and get bigger to cope with the stress. Then feed them with a high protein meal/drink to help them repair
Failure is when that muscle simply has used up its energy stores and cannot raise the weight any more. Depending on the type of training you are doing (Toning, building, or strength building) will determine the amount of weight, and the number of reps/sets you need to complete to stress the muscle until it breaks down. A set of 8 reps will use the first 6 to use up the energy, it's really the last 2 that break down the muscle
Toning routines would require 4 sets of 15 reps with 30 seconds rest between sets for each exercise. That 30 seconds max is the key in keeping the muscle group stressed with lighter weights
Mass building requires 3 sets of 8 to 10 reps increasing the weight when you can complete 10 reps. Higher weights, though still maintaining good form and posture with 60 to 90 seconds rest depending on what body part you're working
Strength work uses really heavy weight that you can lift for no more than 4 to 5 reps. 3 minutes rest will be required as we can only keep up this level of intensity for short bursts. This is the hardest because we deplete our energy stores really quickly post op at maximal intensity.
It's harder training on your own and if you're using free weights it can be dangerous as the weight increases so take care. When you advance to using negative reps and pre exhaust sets you really need a partner, this also makes you drag your arse there when you don't feel like it.
I train with my other half and even at 51 she is as fit as a fiddle as anyone who seen my holiday pictures on facebook will attest

she makes me sick LOL it keeps us motivated.
I would never do cardio and resistance training on the same day. I spin Mon/Wed/Fri and lift weights Sun/Tues?Thurs, Saturday if I'm not shooting I ride my bike. We don't take in enough energy to fuel both on the same day in my opinion
PM me if you want more ideas and if we're not too far apart maybe you could get to our gym or me to yours. Keep it up your an inspiration to us all