Walkin' The Walk!
Today, at 11:00 a.m., everything I've done in the last 13 weeks in the Cardio Rehab program comes to light. Everyone from the two 37 year-old army base men, (who you could hardly believe had experienced heart attacks) to the three 78 year-olds with me in between, will find out how much we've improved since the start of the program, when we had the initial stress test.
All that sweating on the torture treadmill, the many fast-paced laps of the hospital basement, the tiring 10 minutes of groaning on the the bikes, and the sets of shoulder-burning hand weight exercises all culminate in this tell-tale test. Too late to study now!
I know I've improved but the long road to full capacity stretches out before me yet. These programs are much too short and I feel like a young bird being pushed out of the nest before learning to fly. The goal is to do 30-60 minutes of exercise daily, with 20 minutes in your target heart rate zone. Everyone's target zone is different depending on your age, resting heart rate and condition of your heart. My zone is 125-137 beats/minute which seems to be high.
Most of us have not worked in that zone for even 10 minutes. Some days it is more of a struggle to get there because you may be more tired that day. Some medications make you feel tired and some just make you sweat like crazy! I really wish I could sign up for another session. Other programs are 6 months to a year. I'm sure there will be a certain percentage of people who will just be unable to carry on the program in a similar way, especially elderly people who may not have access to equipment or safe places to walk.
But I guess the bottom line upside is that we are all a heck of a lot better than we were at the beginning of the program, and this must be very rewarding to the doctor who is testing us today! He'll certainly be smiling and I will smile back. (And I'll say a thank-you as soon as I catch my breath!! HA! HA!)
Mother of Invention, doing my stretches!
posted by Mother of Invention at 7:18 AM
14 Comments:
Cancer Sucks: No, not at all! On the contrary! I quite welcomed that comment, as it was just the clever line of thinking I might have used. (I have a light sense of humour and can easily poke fun at myself but I also realize that not all people can recognize that or do so with themselves.)
As all of us bloggers know, it is a personal blog, to do with what we please, and thus, it is also our prerogative as to the purpose it serves. Hence, sometimes we need to edit our own posts and comments carefully to delete material that doesn't contribute to the greater purpose, one of mine being to spill my ideas to a general, wider audience for which as little as possible will offend anyone.
Taking that further, it is the reader's choice as to which blogs they wish to follow and make comments. You may realize that many you started to read are just not your style and you are no longer interested in their "fluff from the dryer". That's okay...there are a billion out there!
I wonder what purpose it would serve for anyone to comment with the intention (or even just the result) of tearing down or insulting the writer, unless it is to feel that power, and the power to elevate the self? That might be a sad thing indeed. People are a reflection of their own writing in many ways.
Sorry that you misread me on that one and so much more. (Note that my comments to others here and on their blogs are very supportive. People usually respond in kind. What a bonus when they are complimentary, however, I shouldn't think one's ego is all tied up in a few comments received every couple of days.)
Please remember that you invited me to delete a previous comment, and when I exercised my right to do so, you said it was probably wise. I think we were both on the same page and exercised good judgment.
You seem to have a lot of poetry that you love to share, so maybe you could post it on your own site for a specific targeted audience and we could all read it as we choose. You may find it more rewarding to hear the feedback directly.
Wishing you good, and perhaps happier blogging days ahead!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Ruth,
Were you able to leave a comment on my site? There's not a single comment from Michele's Meet and Greet and I wondered if there was a problem with my site. Wonder if it's not taking comments for some reason?
Can you email me at southernhospitality@comcast.net and let me know?
Kim
Monday, July 17, 2006
Mother-I hate Cardio stress tests!!!! It is difficult to maintain a program, but once you get in a groove it comes easier. Recently, our job insurance covers a portion of certain gym fees, of which I plan to partake in when I get a little ahead cash wise. Other than that, walking is important and usually free.
Hang in there, you will come up with some sort of program. In my imagination I can see how you might feel about leaving that venue. Take care!! an congratulations.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Old Lady: Thanks for your encouragement. It will be hard but I'm motivated...I have too many risk factors I have to keep under thumb! Actually, I just got back from my test and the doctor said my heart was A-1, he shook my hand and said I was free to do just about anything (except marathons! HA!) Big relief!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Glad to hear that you are dedicated to exercise (I need a program like that!). I hope the news with the doc is fantastic and keep on walking!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Ms M of I,
Thank you for your erudition. I have a blog, two years old now. I publish all manner of word salads on it. I allow few to read it. I am the anti-blogging blogger. Cancer Sucks is my second blog. Navel fluff as it were. I will email you a sample of my 'real' blog verbage
Monday, July 17, 2006
Sorry to hear you had a heart attack, glad to hear you are doing better.
I can imagine the grueling paces they put you through to try and get you up to your target heart rate.
I have never been one for strenuous exercise. I have always preferred less strenuous activities like walking or cycling.
Some people seem driven to constantly running. A friend of mine is like that, he has some need to engage in intense running - usually as a part of hockey or soccer.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Good luck today with the tests. You could join a gym with a personal trainer... that might feel kind of like being in a program. Some gyms offer really good deals around the beginning of the school year.
This is all coming from a person who has not seen the gym since April.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Brooksba: The news was just about as good as it gets! I felt proud, relieved and sweaty!
BP: Not sure why an anti-blogger who only allows a few to read his blog would want me or anyone else to read it. I'm sure the few carefully chosen people have comments that are more personally meaningful to you. It is nice to get feedback though, so why not publish these for an ever-expanding audience? People can always get professional feedback from a writer's union or club. I won't promise to read and comment on everything, as there seems to be quite a lot there! You should send some into publishers! Good luck with your writing.
Richard: Thanks. It has been a long strenuous haul since March I can tell you! Very scary! I sure won't be exercising as hard as they made me today! Yikes! I was so out of breath! I'll be doing more cycling.
My husband is a great athlete, and runs, bikes, and skis competitively. he has run 10k races since age 11! Wish I was as healthy and fit as he is but I'm doing my best!
Bobealia: Yes, I was thinking about a personal trainer too. Might check into that! Thanks! Okay, so, you first! HA! HA!
Monday, July 17, 2006
It sounds like a great regimen for those of us who haven't yet suffered a heart attack. Could you send me the details of what you do on a daily basis? I'm sure you will be faithful to carry out the doctor's orders to avoid future heart problems. Here's to your continued good health!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Barbara: Thanks! Yes, I don't want to go through that again, but I know the risk factor of 38 years with Type 1 diabetes makes it increase the likelihood that I might, so I will work hard to reduce that chance. The regimen is different for everyone and I'm sure what you do daily is already more than I do at the moment but I'll send some more details.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Dear Mother,
I missed a couple of days of posts. Seems we were hit by 2 tornados. Hope you guys faired well a little north. I am writing a comment for multiple posts. The rose is lovely, and I am inspired by the work you have accomplished at cardio rehab. I was gettin my bike dusted off and addin a few new toys to it like a removable grocery basket and saddlebags and I was thinkin of you drivin ye ole bike at Bordon. I thought of you on tornado day, and I thought of you eatin chicken wings(that was mostly because I was going over in my mind what local folk would benefit from the information on the restaurant.) Then tonight, when I thought I would be in bed early so I could rise early, and did not because of a distraction....I thought of you again. Sometimes a message hits so hard it is mind boggling. As I watched I was keeping a finger and toe tally of all the folks I know of with problems in the same area as mine. I watched a video.
A documentary put on google video. It is called "Sweet Misery". Please take the time (as long as you wish) to look at it, and tell me how you feel.
Here is the link:
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=1871783678882092937&q=sweet
Friday, July 21, 2006
Make sure your page is at full size before you click the link cuz it looks incomplete on the little view.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Lynn: Thanks for commenting and thinking of me. No tornadoes right here but a few big trees down around town. I will try to watch that video...it's a long one and I've never watched one before on my computer so i hope it has the juice to do that. I'm going to a cottage next Tues. so I'll not be on then for a few days.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Post a Comment
<< Home