Hello everyone!
I have been working out at my local YMCA since February 15th. I made the commitment to exercise 4-6 days a week to help me reach my goal weight in July. I started out at 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer and 10 minutes on the rower... and am now up to 60 minutes on the elliptical and 15 on the rower (in one workout.)
I feel ok after workouts, a bit sore and tired, but not totally drained. I have more energy than before, and find it a lot easier to get to sleep at night and to get my butt out of bed in the morning. My right shoulder is a bit of a problem lately, but I have been treating it as gently as I can, with slow movements (I think my heavy use of computers and the mouse are stressing it out, combined with the exercise.) I've even noticed my moods are much better and my confidence is improving too.
My question is about my heart rate. My resting heart rate is 80 beats per minute. I've calculated that my "target zone" for cardio workouts, taking into account my resting heart rate, should be 137-177 bpm.
When I first started working out 2 weeks ago, I was all over the map during a single workout, from 150-175 bpm.
Yesterday I was at 155-165 bpm on the elliptical. My rate of exercise is pretty slow, going at Level 1, 40-45 rpm. No matter how much I slow down, my heart rate stays pretty high, at least on this machine. I can get it down to 140, but only going so slowly the machine thinks I "paused" Friday night I went a bit psycho on it, listening to dance music, and got my heart up to 185 bpm for a few minutes Eeek! Since my "max" is supposed to be 194, that was scary heh! What happens if I ever go over 194? Would I faint and keel over? Have my heart go "bang"?
On the rower, I go slow too, about 27 spm, at a 3:00 pace for 500 meters.
So, I'm wondering, for all you exercise pros out there, is it ok for me to be working out regularly at the high end of my range? I really do not want to burn out! Am I ramping up the exercise too much? I don't plan to get any higher than 75 minutes in one workout... I'm planning on 1 hour during the week, and a bit more on weekends.
I know just a short while ago, I was a inactive slug, who last saw the inside of the gym in October, and only then for a few days. I want to get in shape quickly, and lose the weight fast too... but not damage myself I think of boot camp and I know the human body is capable of amazing change quickly, but I don't want to end up an injured mess from pushing it too hard, too fast...
Any advice out there from seasoned losers and fitness buffs who used to be couch potatoes like me? Thanks!