[Anonymous]

#1020170

I have been feeling great lately off my beta blocker and I actually feel normal. So I decided to start working out again with a trainer. Today was my first day, we took it slow, at one point I pushed myself and my heart acted up a little, I was just wondering what you all thought, I was thinking its like any other muscle in my body I need to stregthen it slowly, or maybe Im working out too soon? Also it was a total shock at how weak my body really is, but with excersice Im hoping to build it back up again. Thanks all for listening.

Renee

[Anonymous]

#1076221

You should not exercise unless your doctor has given the OK.

If your doctor has given the OK, start very slowly. If the trainer you use is not used to dealing with people who have been extremely ill, find someone else for the initial stages unless the trainer takes the time to determine precisely what your strength issues are. The trainer should make absolutely no assumptions, and carefully assess your current levels. And, yes, the heart is a muscle, too, although it is made up of a different type of muscle fiber than those in your arms or legs, etc.

When I first started working out with weights after being so ill, I was assessed as having 8% of the strength of an average woman of my age. Eight percent!!! You might be better — you might be worse. Be careful.

Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1076222

Bobbi,

My doctor said I could walk last year after coming out of
A-fib, nothing else. I didn’t even feel up to that last year. I was worn out most days just walking around at work.

After RAI and going hypo a little over a month ago, I feel 10 years younger and have lots of energy. But, I know that I push it some days to the max. I get sharp pains in my legs and arms at times that feels like I am ripping the muscle. The doctor has said what I do is okay, but I agree with you for Renee, she needs to be careful. I just had an episode of chest pain and racing pulse this week. After wearing a monitor I found out that my heart is in good shape, probably was from stress. Renee is probably still releasing stored hormones from hyper and her meds, but that crash before hypo is coming and this is when I still needed extra rest. I waited until I was completely hypo and on meds for a couple of weeks before I started to push myself. I work in the yard mowing, etc. and have just bought 2 lb weights for my arms.

Strength training at this point could be very dangerous.

[Anonymous]

#1076223

If a doctor has OKed exercise, strength training could be quite necessary. The point, however, is to be very sure that you are doing it within the limits of your strength issues. You are right, Mawmaw, that there is a possibility of muscle tears and injuries if you do too much, too soon. We’ve had reports of major shin splints when folks have tried to go immediately back to jogging, for instance. But that does not mean someone cannot start “some” strength training or other exercise program. When I began, I used small paperback books as “weights” once I had determined that they were the heaviest item I could hold for resistance that would allow me to do twelve reps. Even one pound weights were too heavy. We need to start out slowly, and listen to our bodies to determine the degree of exercise that will improve us, not wear us out, and continue gradually to strengthen our muscles and increase our stamina.

Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1076224

Thanks Bobbie and Trish-

I am taking it very slowly, doing only what my body can handle, the trainer I am useing is not pushing me an understand that I am trying to get my body back to “normal” again, I have been walking on the treadmill and like you Bobbie only doing very minimal stregth training, using 1 lb wieghts. I will be sure to mention to my doctor the episode I experienced to see what she would recomend, I was just wondering if I should take it slow or just stop all together. The doctor told me the last time I was in that I could start excersing once I felt ready, as long as my heart was not acting up. But maybe I should just keep it to the walking for now. Thanks again all

Renee

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