Regaining strength

[RiveterRosie]

I realised today how much strength I've lost. I couldn't even turn my key in a rather stiff lock to get out of my back door. So, I need to regain physical strength and I'm hoping MNetters can suggest how.

I am very short of money so a gym sub is really not possible, and I'd only be able to afford minimum equipment for home. I had very major abdominal surgery around this time last year and am still quite scared of doing anything that puts a lot of strain on my abs.

You don't need a lot of equipment to get started, bodyweight exercises are a really good way of getting started - squats, lunges, plank, build up to things like press-ups and burpess then squat jumps. You can use tins of beans / soup for arm exercises instead of dumb bells or put a few books in a back and use instead of a barbell or kettlebell (look at overhead press, squat & press, upright row). If you can afford one then a pilates resistance band would be a good bit of kit to own and doesn't take up any space.