Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 1 hr ago
After brain surgery, Kelly Gandhi Gahr returned to strength training
Kelly Gandhi Gahr rebuilt her strength through a virtual training program after becoming less active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program combined resistance training, nutrition guidance and regular coaching.
She trained five days a week and followed a high-protein diet as she gradually increased the weights she lifted.
Doctors had been monitoring a cancerous mass in her brain, and it began growing again in early 2023.
She had surgery and went home after two days, although doctors had initially expected her to stay in hospital for five.
She says the strength and endurance she had built helped her recovery, but she could not go to the gym for two months.
With support from her doctor and coach, she gradually resumed activity, starting with walks and later returning to training five days a week.
Kelly Gandhi Gahr said strength training helped her feel prepared for brain surgery and supported her recovery.
She began changing her routine in 2022 after becoming less active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In early 2023, a cancerous brain mass began growing again and required surgery.
She was discharged after two days, although doctors had initially expected her to stay in hospital for five.
After surgery, she waited two months before returning to the gym and began rebuilding her stamina with walks.
- Who
- Kelly Gandhi Gahr, who shared her experience with Women's Health.
- What
- She described returning to strength training after surgery for a cancerous brain mass.
- When
- She began changing her routine in 2022; the mass began growing again in early 2023.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- She wanted to feel strong after becoming less active and losing muscle. Her brain mass required surgery after it began growing again.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gahr said her usual routine stopped and she became more sedentary.
At age 51, she decided to make a change and applied to the Wonder Women Official program.
A cancerous brain mass that doctors had been monitoring began growing again, requiring surgery.
She went home after two days, although doctors had expected a five-day hospital stay.
She could not go to the gym.
She felt ready to move more and began walking about 2,000 steps a day with her coach's guidance.
- Age when she began changing her routine
- 51
- Strength training before surgery
- Five times a week
- Expected hospital stay
- Five days
- Actual hospital stay
- Two days
- Time away from the gym after surgery
- Two months
- Walking at week six
- About 2,000 steps a day
What people are saying
I was up and walking shortly after surgery and able to go home after two.
I was strength training five times a week and did cardio every day
by week six, I felt ready to start moving more.