Is it me or is my doctor crazy?!

Kweenwolf
Kweenwolf Posts: 6
in Fitness and Exercise
Sooo. I had a most interesting visit with the Physician's Assistant at my doctor's office this morning. I was asking her about my new low calorie eating and exercise plan, and I almost fell off my chair when she condemned me for using the Gazelle.

I have had the same knee operated on twice due to injuries twenty years apart. First one was an injury during soccer, and then last summer, I hurt it while running C25K (which I love, but have been told to discontinue until further notice). If I damage it again, I will need knee replacement surgery, and at the wonderful age of 41 years young, I feel it's too early for that.

I bought the Gazelle because the motion is similar to running without the shock to the joints of the knee. And when I use it, I feel almost the same high I used to get from running. I sweat by the bucket and feel my muscles burn...it's amazing! I would've opted for an elliptical, but it's simply out of my price range. I digress. At any rate, the PA was really snotty when I told her I use the Gazelle. She told me it was a waste of my time, that the Gazelle is worthless and I would do better to walk. She went on to say that the Gazelle uses only momentum and does not use any muscles whatsoever. WHAAAAAT!? How can that be true? I can FEEL the difference between walking and the Gazelle. My heart rate doesn't go up high enough when I walk/hike, I don't sweat as much while walking because I'm simply not working hard enough. Is she right, or is she just talking trash? Does anyone have experience or knowledge in this area? Feel free to share!

Thanks for reading, and yes, I'm already looking for a different doctor. Whether she's right about the Gazelle or not, she was pretty snotty and discouraging, and I just don't need that.

Replies

  • _Josee_
    _Josee_ Posts: 625 Member
    She is crazy... Look at his face; how can't it be a good workout ?!?

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  • BarbieAS
    BarbieAS Posts: 1,414 Member
    Exercise is what you make of it. If you're worried that she's right, get a heart rate monitor and figure out what you're burning that way, and compare it to another exercise. That way, you'll get a slightly clearer picture (though, remember, it's all still estimates!!) of how hard your body is working.

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