Physical Exercise Makes Me Scared

[2Peanut]

Hmm interesting. I was just reading through this thread and I've never experienced this while exercising. Exercise was one of my major coping mechanisms in dealing with my abuse so I'm glad I've never had that problem of feeling "scared" during exercise! Well also I started working out because when I started high school I was scared I'd have to start physically defending myself, but that's another subject entirely!

 

[Claire]

Thanks for you input Don. I've been looking at heart monitors actually so funny you should ask that. I could try it. Yes, the lighter exercise but for longer is what I need to be doing at the moment anyway while I get some strenght back in my foot. Do you rate the idea of training in target zones? I've heard mixed things about it. This week I've done a couple of classes in the day time at the gym. They have been much better as they are less crowded and also the classes have been balance work and pilates so quieter by nature.

 

[Don]

aerobic workouts

Do you rate the idea of training in target zones? I've heard mixed things about it. This week I've done a couple of classes in the day time at the gym. They have been much better as they are less crowded and also the classes have been balance work and pilates so quieter by nature.

Well Claire, physical fitness has several components (notably: strength, flexibility and improved heart health).

For aerobic activity (good heart health, calorie burning during and for some time afterwards), you do need to be aware of your exertion level. (eg. If you'd have trouble talking coherently, you might be pushing it a bit.)

While you can make do without a heart monitor, it's a nice gadget that refines your awareness of your activity level, and more easily gives you definite targets to aim for (which makes for much better use of your aerobic exercise time) -- the newer ones even have "alarms" that can be set to go off if you've slipped below your target rate.

I've read in several places that conventional wisdom for good heart health urges an aerobic workout every second day of at least 25 minutes plus warmup and cooldown times (really, proper warming up and cooling down, typically by just doing the same activity at a reduced pace, are essential towards avoiding injury -- the warmup in particular helps our muscles get warmed up and more resilient, while our joints become more lubricated through use, = less clumsy and less prone to accidents).

Our heart rate is an excellent measure of the intensity of our workout and its effect on our hearts. Keeping a record of your heart rate (before getting up in the morning, and, later on between meals when sitting around relaxed), will give you something to refer back to (the lower your 'resting pulse', the healthier and stronger your heart has become). Another measure to track is "recovery time": how briskly your heart rate returns back down to normal after a vigourous workout. As you improve, this will greatly shorten.

Don

ps. Sounds like your gym & class settings are an excellent way to get out and enjoy some light socialization activities. I'm addicted to my home treadmill (& TV/vcr/DVD), some light equipment and just walking outdoors -- and have never become used to gym settings. Still, I'd like to join a local walking/hiking group and might tackle that this spring.