By Dave Patania

Question: I am an active 53-year-old male who is going to donate a kidney to a family member in about three weeks. How should I train to get ready for surgery, and how do I resume training once it's over?

Answer: Being that you are active, I think you are going to go through the process with flying colors. Nevertheless, if I were you, I would concentrate on consuming very nutritious foods so as to make sure your body has ample nutrients that will aid in your recovery.

Be sure that your muscles are being stimulated with some form of resistance training. I would recommend weight training with light to moderate weight and repetitions in the 12-20 range.

Refrain from training with heavy weight until you are fully recovered because it forces your body into longer periods of recovery. Focus, instead, on great technique, moderate weight and high repetitions.

Be sure to keep your heart and lungs strong with 30 minutes of cardiovascular work at least four times a week and to stretch every day to maintain flexibility.

Using the four keys of fitness (strength training, aerobic work, flexibility training and proper nutrition) will be very effective in helping you prepare for and bounce back from your surgery. Just be sure to check with your doctor throughout the whole process and to take it slow after surgery. Don't try to come back too soon.

Start by doing very moderate forms of activity, and as you recover, slowly increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. Be sure to eat nutritious foods and keep me posted.

Q: I just started working out, but my husband doesn't seem interested in joining me and I'm getting frustrated. What can I do?

A: The best thing you can do is to keep doing your thing and lead by example. It's my experience that he will slowly come around.

Results speak louder than anything, and when you are getting results, people will start asking questions. I have clients whose loved ones scoffed at fitness until they saw my clients getting results. They started asking for nibbles of their chicken breast or asking to take a walk with them on one of their workout days.

Sometimes, reluctant loved ones never come around, but in my experience, when one person is really committed and focused, people around them are inspired to reach the same level of commitment. Let me know how it goes.

Contact certified personal trainer Dave Patania by e-mail:

davpatania@aol.com.