Getting started....questions!
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| Mon, 06-11-2007 - 8:54pm |
Hi all-
Having finally finished my MBA, I am now focusing on getting in shape. My weight is fine, though I am resisting the urge to diet off the few pounds I gained while in school (we are trying to get pregnant and I've read weight loss can reduce our chances). I definitely need to get more fit, however.
I am a healthy 30 year old female, aside from not exercising much. We have a fitness center in our apartment building with the typical machines, some medicine and balance balls, but no trainer on site.
That said, a few questions. My apologies if they are nitpicky or silly.
1) I'm confused about 'maximum heart rate' and optimal range. The elliptical says that my target heart rate is 152 for a cardio workout, and the "standard" formula says my maximum would be 190. What does this mean, exactly? What is 'too high' during a workout? It seems like I should pull back when the monitor hits 165 or so, but I don't feel winded, nauseous, or dizzy at that point. Anyone know what the guidelines for this are? Do I go by the monitor, or just how I feel? (For the record, my husband is a cardiac radiologist, and he used me as a 'volunteer' for an MRI last summer. The scan and the EKG were both totally normal.)
2) I do not feel dizzy, nauseous, or anything *during* the workout, but sometimes feel a little woozy afterward. Not anything major, just a little...floaty. My husband says this is normal when you first start working out. Does anyone else know about this?
3) After 15-20 minutes on the elliptical, I suddenly stop feeling tired or breathing hard, though my intensity is the same. Does anyone know what this is? What do you do with it? Do you use it for a little extra push, maintain pace, or start winding down?
4) Any suggestions for books or other resources for working out? Especially, for setting goals that are not related to weight loss (or bulking up)?
Any other suggestions, warnings, or pointers?
Thanks!

First of all, welcome to the board!! And those questions sure aren't nit-picky at all! In fact you've brought up some great issues for anyone here regardless of whether we're just starting out or fitness gurus! (uummmm, I'm not the guru, btw, LOL)
1) I'm confused about 'maximum heart rate' and optimal range.
2) I do not feel dizzy, nauseous, or anything *during* the workout, but sometimes feel a little woozy afterward.
3) After 15-20 minutes on the elliptical, I suddenly stop feeling tired or breathing hard, though my intensity is the same.
4) Any suggestions for books or other resources for working out? Especially, for setting goals that are not related to weight loss (or bulking up)?
Hi Miranda-
Thanks so much for the thorough response. (I say, links aren't cheating, they're just efficient!!)
The site on heartrate was very helpful. I guess I had gotten the impression that the maximum heart rate was some red-alarm point at which your heart calls it quits or something. I know that's somewhat fantastical, but I went over 180 one time and it was very scary (I was 18 and nobody had told me not to drink espresso and take the codeine they gave me for my wisdom teeth). It looks like I am well within a safe zone at 165 so long as I feel okay.
The possibility of post-workout hypoglycemia is not unlikely, as I have had issues with getting hypo for years (mostly when I go too long between meals). I need to experiment to find my ideal pre-workout snack and timing.
I'll talk to a doctor (besides my husband) at some point, it's just that my insurance in is flux right now having just graduated, and I wanted to be crystal clear on the heart stuff.
Thanks for your help!
Hi, and welcome!
I knew Miranda would get that one squared away! LOL (and Kristine {bookwyrm} thanks for your trainers response to the mid-point feeling question.....I'm glad that happens too!!)
Welcome to the board Lily Rose :-)
Since there are no real questions left for me to answer.....I'll just add in my agreement with the dehydration in regards to your 'floating' feeling. Have some water prior to working out, and while your exercising drink when you feel quenched. (I have my handy 20oz'er on hand for walks and stuff.)
Have you checked out our summer challenge? Feel free to join us! (Never mind.....just saw you there!)
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Cool...though I've been stopping at 20 minutes (I've only done three workouts so far) just when that kicks in. Maybe I'll run it a little longer next week and take advantage of this when it happens!
Thanks!
I do keep a bottle with me when working out, though I probably need to drink more in general since summer's kicked in.
It will take some trial and error, I think, to make sure my sugar and hydration stay balanced. I'll figure it out eventually!
Yes, I'm on the challenge this week, though only partly since I'm back in the sticks to prepare for moving. Next week I get to go to the gym again!
Thanks!