Getting back to mild/moderate exercise

It's been almost 12 weeks for me - and it's time to get my carcass moving again.... I know I could/should have done it before now - but mentally I was apprehensive. 

I'm not fit - but was already on a weight loss journey to lose  ~130lbs.
I lost 50lbs before becoming battery powered, so I want to pick up where I left off - which is another 50lb goal. 

I usually just walk on a track/treadmill, and use a stationary bike for cardio - is there anything I need to be aware of? Are bikes/treadmills safe? I'm thinking the ones that have the metal gripps things for measuring pulse - or the bikes with the big fly wheels - I have no idea what I'm talking about, I never had to care before, I just hopped on them and used them :D 
Can I just hop on? Should I tell the ppl at the Y that I have a PM now?
 


7 Comments

Boring

by Gotrhythm - 2023-06-07 16:31:08

The truth is almost boring. Well it would be if it weren't so good. 

The truth is that with a pacemaker you will be able to exercise up to whatever your fitness level is. And you will be able to improve your overall fitness level as you exercise more. And hopefully in a few months, you'll be feeling better than you've felt in a long time.

As for what you must watch out for...hmm, well...nothing actually. Seriously.

You still have a body of course, and it can suffer all the usual calamities, illnesses, bumps, bruises, and breaks---that hasn't changed--- but there is nothing, zero, zilch, nada about having a pacemaker that makes you fragile, or delicate, or needing to be careful of, or on your guard against anything.

As for equipment, even electronically enhanced, anything not dangerous for the average person is safe for you. If they are safe for little kids, pregnant ladies, and old people, you'll be okay too.

If you want to tell the people at the gym you have a pacemaker, do. If you don't, then don't. They do not need to know. It will make no difference to how they should treat you.

See? There really isn't anything to look at, talk about, watch out for. Boring.

Focus on how well you feel, how much more you are able to do now. That's what actually changes about your life when you get a pacemaker. And feeling good is the opposite of boring.

Boring is good!!!!

by Echoplex - 2023-06-07 16:35:46

Thanks gotrythym!!!

Boring is good! Honestly, it is so good... one of the reasons I got the Y membership was to help show my kids that if mum can do this? So can they!!! And now it's a message with double the impact, I think! :-) if mum is "old", chunky and Battery Powered and can do this... so can they!!!  

Here's looking forward to another 50lbs down! 

 

Cheers!

 

Go get em girl!

by Lavender - 2023-06-07 18:13:44

Godspeed on your goal! Show those kids up!🤣

That's great!

by AgentX86 - 2023-06-07 19:46:01

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't lose weight by exercising.  We're both examples. Since I started walking, I lost about 100lbs since my CABG in 2014, a bit more than half that in the year or so after my PM in 2018.  I'd like to lose another 10-15 but I've been stable (+/- 5lbs) for four years.

I'm not a dieter and it takes a lot of exercise to lose weight but it can be done. I walk 10mi/day (~4M steps this year), mostly for this reason.  My cardiologist thinks I'm nuts but it works

I don't find it boring at all but if I don't get it done as soon as I wake up, I probably won't. If it's decent weather (not raining, and less than 80F) I walk around our neighborhood and listen to podcasts or audio books. Otherwise I go to the gym and use a treadmill and watch NetFlix.

Getting fit(her)

by Julros - 2023-06-08 02:36:51

Good for you for getting to the gym. You could always wear biking gloves with the stationary equipment if you are concerned. I  to just put my hands beside the sensors. You might consider adding some resistance training, like light weights or resistance bands for core and arm strengthening. I joined a gym and met with a trainer 4 years ago after getting my device. He told me at my age I wouldn't be able to lose weight. I lost 40 pounds over 6 months and have kept it off. 

Thanks Lavendar, AgentX86 and Julros!

by Echoplex - 2023-06-08 09:47:34

Thanks for sharing! Well done on your successes AgentX86 and Julros!!! It's reassuring and inspiring! Wild that a PT would say you can't lose weight - I believe almost anyone can, it's using more than you consume. So even if you don't diet, as long as you exercise more off then you ingest, that's weight loss! 

I lost the 50lbs by ditching sugar and avoiding white carbs, and the bike & walking. 
Went from a size 24 jeans to a size 18 :D I'm still chonky on top, but that's OK. I'm a girl - hahaha! 
My doc and I also think I have a gluten intolerance, although I've never been tested - so those 2 moves alone helped me. 
I have a 100% desk job, and between that and driving my kids to all their activities, there was no time for me. But now the kids are a bit older, they can be more independant at the Y, and give me that time I need for myself. What's nice is that my teen will come and join me (and not always just go and do "her thing" :D ) 

I brought my A1C from 11.7 to 6.7, and then 5. I'm back up again around 6.5, but I know that I can do this!!!! 

I did take a "break" for a bit over last fall and winter as life with 2 kids, working FT, and being alone DOES get hectic :D hahahaha... and then the last 3 months have been dealing with my new normal - so NOW is the time to get back on the wagon and do this for me and my kids, and be an example to them. 

Diet wise - just to share - I would consume 20% below my BMR - so around 1500-1800 cals a day depending on if I exercised or not -and that's what worked for me. I don't do strict calorie counting, I just read labels and make sure I'm not ingesting added sugar, and aim for 500cals per meal with as many veggies and as much protein as possible, and I'd add nooch too for the extra protein and vitamins.
I'd walk or go on a stationary bike for 30-60mins 4-6 times a week. 

I do intend to add some strength training to my routine once I've shed the bulk of the bulk. I don't want rolls and jiggly parts to get in the way. I tried doing weights and yoga before, WAY back in the day, pre-kids, and I don't like the awkward feeling of working around my body shape, if that makes sense? Like it makes things feel worse and more awkward in my head :D 

Sorry for the ramble, I'm excited about this part of my journey! :D 
 

Getting back to excercise

by EFB61 - 2023-06-08 17:06:29

Congratulations!  I also was reluctant to get back to excercise.  Briefly, I had a stent in January, started Cardiac Rehab and on my first day of Cardiac Rehab I collapsed for 10 seconds.  Since it was cardiac rehab I was all hooked up and they found a heart block for 8 seconds.  Never before or while in the ER.  Anyhow, a pacemake a day later and when I got home in Feb 2023 I still was reluctant to go back to excercise.  Upshot of my long story is I went back to cardiac rehab and am no running 5K's  If you have any hesitation, I would suggest that you go to cardiac rehab and it will allow you to ease your way back in.  You are always monitored, cardiac monitor and BP every 20 minutes, you go at your own pace but they encourage you to try harder,  Its a safe place to test out your limits. 

Ed

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