Yes, Warhawk, that will be the hardest part. Even this past weekend, I really blew it an seemed just pig out on a bunch of junk food. I even think I put on a few pounds over the weekend. Making these types of changes to habits that are years old will be the hardest.
I'm on an every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday routine for my rehab/workout sessions. Today was the second one for this week. I had mentioned in a previous posting that I was trying to push myself a little bit beyond what the nurses that supervise the sessions are asking for. It just didn't seem that some of the routines were challenging enough. Well today I started out on the treadmill. They tell you what speed and for what amount of time. I just kicked up the incline a little bit to make it a little harder. Then it was on to the elyptical machine. This is my favorite because it seems to give me the best workout. Again, I am told what resistance level and time to set the machine on. I just figured that I would try to hit it as hard as I could. The machine has a calorie burning counter. I had a target limit I had set for myself and was looking to meet in my session. Towards the end, I had really cranked it up and was giving it my all. At this point I see one of the supervising nurses come running back towards me and telling me to slack off. I am hooked up to heart monitors and they are tracking my heart activity. I had gotten my heart rate up to 170. Target for me is 140. The nurse startled me and caught me off guard. I had forgot that I was being monitored and I guess they got concerned at having my heart rate at that level right now. Oh, well, I hit my target calorie burning before they shut me down anyway. I guess I will have to tone it down and remember that these sessions are not meant to be pushing my endurance.
I just figured that I would try to hit it as hard as I could. The machine has a calorie burning counter. I had a target limit I had set for myself and was looking to meet in my session. Towards the end, I had really cranked it up and was giving it my all. At this point I see one of the supervising nurses come running back towards me and telling me to slack off. I am hooked up to heart monitors and they are tracking my heart activity. I had gotten my heart rate up to 170. Target for me is 140. The nurse startled me and caught me off guard. I had forgot that I was being monitored and I guess they got concerned at having my heart rate at that level right now. Oh, well, I hit my target calorie burning before they shut me down anyway. I guess I will have to tone it down and remember that these sessions are not meant to be pushing my endurance.
Quote from: SLYinKC on December 05, 2007, 08:39:12 PMI did the elliptical during my cardio workout tonight and also got up in the 170-something heart rate range, so you were going at it pretty hard. 140 seems VERY conservative, though. Barely moving, in fact. But at least you burned some calories and proved you can go up to 170 without feeling any ill effects.
I am by no means a fitness expert, but the nurse/fitness monitor (I'm not quite sure if they are nurses or not) said that anything above my target range didn't do me any good. I don't know if she meant that from a health or fitness perspective.
Hey Rick, sorry I'm late on this, but glad to hear you're doing well and working on getting into top shape.
Just a quick update. The cardiac rehab/workout sessions are still continuing, until the end of the year anyway. After that my insurance probably won't pickup the cost, so I may just try to go it on my own.
Quote from: SLYinKC on December 13, 2007, 06:23:03 AMJust a quick update. The cardiac rehab/workout sessions are still continuing, until the end of the year anyway. After that my insurance probably won't pickup the cost, so I may just try to go it on my own. I'm sure your physical therapist can recommend a good place to continue and give you an outline for a one year plan. Considering the benefits, a gym/health club membership is cheap. It's a habit, and although a good one and hard to get into, at least you know it.