I thought exercise was supposed to make you feel better

Submitted by Lynn on Sat, 01/06/2007 - 3:48pm.

This cardiac rehab thing is really getting me down. Yesterday was an absolute disaster. I think I did too much. I'll spare the details but suffice it to say that I felt so crappy after I finished working out yesterday that it took me two hours to get home, most of it waiting until I felt fit to drive, and I spent the rest of the day on the couch. I took a long nap, too, and today I feel like a wet rag--a very sore and tense wet rag. In short, I'm flaring.

John thinks I'm not exercising enough on my "down" days, but I thought you were supposed to be able to exercise three times a week and have it mean something. I'm progressing; I started out doing 20 minutes of aerobic activity, and now I'm doing 40 minutes, and that was in the span of 3 weeks. I'm wondering if I'm pushing myself too fast, but then there's always that nagging voice in the back of my head: "You're just a lazy no-good malingerer looking for attention." I'm going to talk with the gals at the clinic.

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Kerri's picture

time for a reality check!

Submitted by Kerri on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 12:34pm.

come on Lynn... you're bound to be trying to achieve more in a week or two than anyone could reasonably expect in 6mths of hard work, so look carefully at what you're trying to achieve. You must take into account your physical conditions - all of them, not just the cardiac issues because it isn't your only health issue - and your own past history. If you've never done much exercise you cannot possible expect your poor abused body to suddenly get the hang of it.

try to take a step back and listen to the voices of the people around you who can see the bigger picture. You've already pointed to the fact that you've doubled your aerobic exercise in a very short period of time so part of you knows this isn't realistic.

you aren't lazy and your illnesses aren't in your head, so stop for a minute, breathe and get some serious perspective Lynn because if you push yourself too far too fast you'll end up doing more harm than good, and that is kind of not the point!

being a perfectionist workaholic is never going to make life easy, but do try to make allowances for yourself. Eye-wink

Kerri.

Becky's picture

do talk to the gals at the clinic

Submitted by Becky on Thu, 01/11/2007 - 6:35pm.

They may be able to make some modifications for you so you can exercise for longer, as you'd like to, without the bad effects.

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