r/Exercise

One of my friends is about to go through a pretty intense disc replacement surgery and she's an extremely active person. Works out just about daily and her mental health relies heavily on her ability to exercise, weight train, hike and push herself. I'm reaching out to this community in hopes that someone else may have gone through something similar and has tips on how to keep the endorphins up when you physically cannot exercise.

Hi! Recently, I've decided to take up working out as a way to get active after over a year of bedrotting due to severe health issues, and I have zero strength. genuinely, I can't even lift 4lb weights without straining my arms. I have a fast metabolism and am very thin, maybe a little bit protien and iron deficient, but not unhealthy (i'm working on the diet part as best as I can..!), and was hoping for some tips (or if there's any channel or site that I can use) that would help me start. I am mostly looking to gain more upper body and arm strength, so that is my only goal for now. please send any tips!

I (51f) fell off my bike and mangled my thumb. Awaiting an MRI to tell me what I did and if I’ll need surgery. My typical workout routine involves dumbbells twice a week to target arms, chest, and back. I can only manage a barre arms workout with 3 lb weights right now. Any suggestions for workarounds to keep strength in my upper body without putting weight on my thumb?