The Initial Workout

We recommend training three days per week for the first few months of your comeback, with at least one day of rest between workouts. You'll be lifting upper body (back/shoulders) for Workout 1; lower body (legs, calves) for Workout 2; and upper body (chest/arms) for Workout 3. If you're doing Workout 1 on Monday, you'll have plenty of time--three days--to get over the upper-body soreness you'll feel at first. After you complete the cycle, take two days off before beginning again. The program calls for three sets with most exercises, but start out doing one or two. You don't want to burn out after the first week.

Don't worry about how much weight you're using for the first of weeks. In fact, don't worry about weight or reps the first few times you get to the gym. Use these initial sessions as a way of experimenting, figuring out exactly where you are strengthwise. For all your exercises, start out using much lighter weight than you remember, and concentrate on feeling the muscle you're working. You might not feel it at the beginning of the workout, but you definitely will the day after.

Shoot for eight to 12 reps on most exercises and do not go to failure. Form is the most important factor in this program. If you're using a heavier weight but sacrificing form, you're not doing yourself any favors.

As you'll notice, this program doesn't call for cardio work. The theory is, if you've taken time off, you'll see results from any form of exercise. If you insist on doing cardio, we recommend doing it away from the gym to avoid burnout.

"Instead of taking the bus to work, walk or bike," Avens says. "Bring your change of clothes with you. Even at lunch, spend a half-hour and go for a brisk walk. Do something you enjoy, because if you're not enjoying it, you're not going to get any benefit from it."

You should start seeing results within a few weeks. If after a few months you're ready for a new challenge, you'll be just in time to move into Stage 2 of our yearlong program. Even if you're not, we guarantee you'll be much better off than when you started.