Workout restrictions - how do I proceed with losing weight?

mollyW2012

Hi, I joined about a month ago, lost about three pounds and was doing pretty well keeping track of food and getting some awesome workouts in each week. I have issues with heart palpitations and an arrhythmia, that over the past year seem to be more frequent and a little scary. I saw my cardiologist, who wants to run some more tests just to make sure everything is ok. (this was about a week and a half ago). I have since, gained my three pounds back.... and haven't been exercising much due to the beta blocker med he put me on. It makes my heart rate rather low and I am a little nervous still about working out. He didn't say I had restrictions, just cautioned me that if I do a crazy run or workout class, I could feel light headed and dizzy. So, how do I do some moderate cardio and or strength training to lose weight? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance everyone!

Awake_Alive

I am just coming back from a stomach surgery, and the recumbent bike is the way for me! If I feel good enough, I can push it up a few notches, and if I feel dizzy, I'm not worried about falling down! Strength training with cans of veggies while sitting is helping me feel like I'm doing something too. Good luck, take care and get well!!!

microwoman999

You should try yoga its very relaxing and I have heard many good things about weight loss with it.

missikay1970

restrict or better yet, cut-out caffeine COMPLETELY if you can. this is a huge source of problems when you have heart issues. i think eating beforehand would help keep your blood sugars nice and regulated, so you aren't working-out with no food in your system and risking passing-out. also drink a lot of water and watch your sodium intake. sodium and water balance are key when dealing with blood pressure issues, which is basically the output of your heart. take it slow. ride a stationary bike, so you aren't likely to fall over from running on a treadmill. stop if you feel winded, and only lift heavy weights with a spotter.

pholbert

Stay under your calories and walking

trudefaith

how about walking? or yoga ? or pool walking if you have access to a pool

dittmarml

How about swimming?

vjrose

Do you need to workout at home or do you have access to a gym? Suggestions only here: Home, there are hand weights, resistance bands and more as well as online videos with very short workouts, and lots of bodyweight exercises. Just move slow and don't lay flat on the floor, when you get up it can drop your blood pressure and you'll get light headed. If you could go to the gym you could do resistance training on the circuit machines, don't go to heavy on the weights and you should be fine since you are sitting down on them. Just take your time and don't expect to be speedy gonzalez and you will be fine.

supplemama

I also have a heart murmur that was causing me issues. My doctor had me STOP running and just walk. It's all I can do for now (that and light swimming) so it's what I do. She said I can walk as much as I want. I have the Leslie Sansone 5 mile fat burning DVD and I walk to it every single day. I walk 2 mile in the morning (24 minutes), 3 miles in the afternoon (36 minutes), and 5 miles in the evening (60 minutes).

yarwell

you can lose weight lying in a hospital bed for 6 months - it's all about the food intake.

ashsmile78

i agree about watching your food intake. I try not to just focus on the calories on myfitnesspal but my fat, sodium, and sugar intakes. I do a lot better when I stay within the daily allowances they give you (though I do less on some of them like sodium). You may already know this but this is something I have only realized recently how important what I eat is. I can exercise when I overeat but there are only so many calories that I can burn off and then I am stuck with the rest. So I would exercise as much as you safely can but really watch your diet. And especially drink a lot of water. I drink about 3 liters on my good days. I hope you get back to your normal exercise regimen soon. Take care and feel better.

Lipstickcherry

Here is something that was recently passed along to me that I will pass along to you
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/15/how-1-minute-intervals-can-improve-our-health/

carld256

Don't worry about exercising right now. It's much less important than diet. Follow MFP's guidelines and you'll lose weight.

After your medical problems are under control and you've lost some weight you'll feel a lot more like going outside for a nice walk, or swimming, or whatever you enjoy. Exercise has a lot of benefits, but if it's a struggle for you right now just stick with the diet.

mollyW2012

Thanks for all of your wonderful replies and ideas. I am thinking Yoga might be a great thing for me to try. That, and sticking to my calorie range and eating well. I would have posted sooner, but my internet went down. lol, such timing. I truly appreciate your responses.