Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil Miss C Cups
Start off walking  The fresh air will do you good. They say unfit people should aim for at least 20 mins 2-3 times a week. Exercise should be built up gradually. Jump in at the deep end and you'll only injure yourself. |
Exactly right.
Two-three years ago or so.. I would go out to the mall, or shopping with the GF. Nothing major, just in and out of car going into stores, mall, a lot of walking. I would be WHIPPED in no time. I would get winded climbing more than 2 flights of stairs and almost collapse from lifting anything repeatedly, or for any duration.
Keep in mind I was coming off years of drinking, so I was in bad shape to begin with...
Basically, this kind of stuff had be worried. In my early-mid thirties, I should not be feeling like this. I went out, and bought a treadmill. When I first started, I could not go 2 miles an hour for more than 10 minutes. I would then need a nap.
I would get up, and try again for another 10 minutes, and be whipped. I would require a lot of sleep as well. All the activity would make me very very tired. That said, I stuck with it. I bought Miami Vice on DVD. The series. So I would have something to watch, and take my mind off the treadmill part. Over time I went from 10, to 15, to 20 minutes at 2 miles an hour. In roughly 3-4 months, I was increasing my speed and elevation. I picked up 24 (I had never watched it) and would start watching through all seven seasons. In no time I was up to 4 miles an hour, 4 on the incline, and working 30-40 minutes 3-5 times a week. Depending on the season.
After a year or so of that. I bought a Bowflex. I started working on that as well. That is ONE advantage to winter months in MI. You have a few months of cabin fever, so doing this is actually a nice release.
I started working out on the Bowflex 10-20 minutes a few times a week. Mainly just working on arms, stomach, chest, back. In no time I started getting stronger. I still had that period where I would be sore, incredibly tired, and need naps. But over time I was getting stronger, and I would go to the malls, amusement parks, golfing and would not be tired at all. I started outlasting my friends in energy. My sex drive improved. Good cholesterol went way up, and blood pressure back to normal.
I also started eating a bowl of fruit daily. Meijers (chain grocery store) has them, so I buy a bunch. Also a few salads through the week, and that Crystal Light Raspberry Green Tea. I can't drink water straight for long.
While my weight still fluctuates 10-20 lbs through the year based on my activity levels. I am now stronger, have more endurance, do not need naps, can climb a flight of stairs, walk an amusement park all day, among other things and no longer be whipped.
This winter I will try and kick it up a notch to manage the weight and drop some. However, the DR's have told me I have made a lot of progress from a few years back. Better yet, I no longer take Xanex or have anxiety for the most part. I still get it when I go to the shows, or fly. So I will take it then. But that's it.
Mood better and more consistent. Stronger. More endurance. But it takes time, and you have to stick with it. Even if you do not feel like it, try and knock out at least 10 minutes on the tread mill through the day.
Doing
something is better than nothing.