First let me apologize for being MIA lately. Things just never seem to slow down and when they do it is usually at bedtime and I'm barely coherent enough to think. In any event, all is well in Barbie land......I guess?? Still have a squirrel lose inthe house, still trying to have a baby barbie and still plugging along with my diet/exercise routine. I must admit that I have really been trying to recognize true hunger and only eat when I am in that place - I'm not doing half bad at it and I'm proud of the progress that I've made over the last week.
So on to my heartrate saga - I bought a heartrate monitor which confirmed what the doctor had already told me - I have a low resting heartrate - like 55 BPM - a normal woman of my age should be at about 70 - 75 BPM. Okay, no big deal, doc says that it's a good sign. Well it's only a good sign if you aren't concerned about calories burned during a workout! What I mean is that I can't get my heartrate up past 150......it is insane. Last night I puked in the middle of spin class - I'm not kidding when I say that I thought I was going to pass out and how many calories did I burn 475 - now that isn't anything to complain about but when others in the class who are my size and are athletic are burning 750 to 900 - it makes you a little pissy!! Not to mention, I'm afraid to push myself any harder during a workout but I need to get my heartrate into the 160's to be exercising at 80%
Does anyone have any ideas???
This picture makes me cry!
Thought it was time to change my picture
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Oh my.....I haven't been here in a long time but I fear I need to educate you on heart rate! (Because I think you are fine) First off, what brand is your monitor? Is it in the proper place? With heart rate monitors, you do get what you pay for, so the nicer they are, the more accurate they will be. Make sure you wet them underneath before class, and get it right up under your bra so that it stays in place during your workout.
The old 220 minus your age equals max heart rate is total and utter bull, so don't measure yourself by that. You can find your max heart rate quite simply by taking an average of your heart rates immediately following periods of heaviest exertion. So in spin class, it would be mid-way through class, during a sprint where you go all out with as much resistance as you can muster. My max HR on the bike is somewhere near 175.....running, it's 204. So, that's a HUGE difference....it's quite possible that your max heart rate on the bike IS 164 beats per minute, and that isn't a bad thing. So, no flipping out just yet. Check your heart rate monitor, make sure it's not picking up the chick next door, and then pay close attention to the differences in your heart rate between activities. A low max heart rate isn't a bad thing-- it's pretty fantastic, really, and a testament to the excellent shape you are now in.
No more puking in class trying to get a high max heart rate! Don't listen to the silly trainers at the gym. I bet you are there. ;)
sheesh, i think it is pretty darn important for you to keep your heartrate within your limits so that you can stay with us...and make one of those kelly dolls for all of us to admire on your blog. i know it's frusterating. but you gotta listen to the doc. gonna have to work out longer? i guess?? sorry barbie. but i love ya!
No stressing out Barbie!!! You are doing such great things for your body, remember everyone is different and if the trainers are telling you your HR isn't high enough they are full of crap! You know your limits, stay in them! I don't want to hear about anymore pucking or passing out during spin class!!!
Missed you, and HUGS!!
You know I have a low resting heart rate, and a crazy low blood pressure. Last time I was in my blood pressure was 87/50 or something crazy like that. They kept asking me if I was feeling alright and stuff, it was too funny.
Steph, thanks for the comments! I'm a huge fan of triathlon now, so if there's anything I can do to push you over to the dark side, just let me know. ;)
I was somewhat athletic as a kid. Did swim team in elementary school. Volleyball and basketball in middle school. Tennis in high school. Rode horses competitively through college. But I was not stellar in the least and quite frankly, running petrified me. I wanted to do triathlon because it pushes me mentally, and working with my coach has really helped me to push myself and to reach milestones I never thought I could reach. Through walk/run (you see the C25K plans around, which utilize the strategy quite well), I've gone from not being able to run a mile, to running 6 continuously. It's crazy! But you can do it, too.
See, I like to think that all the time in the gym is worthless if you aren't using your body for something more. In your case, you have become this strong cyclist in spin class-- what a shame that you don't take it out on the open road and open up a can of whoopass on someone in a race. :)
Anyway, don't let the heart rate issue get to you. The most important thing is that you see a good recovery in the heart beat after you reach your peak, whatever that peak my be. If there's a recovery, then you know you've put forth enough effort. (I also find that the more fit you get, the harder it is to get to max HR by seated sprints alone....standing with more resistance gets it up higher)
Anyway, sorry for the novel!
Clearly I need to play catch up and I'm doing it backwards but it's me remember.
Um, did you say you have a squirrel loose in your house? Are you fucking kidding me? What is wrong with your cat, and how did the squirrel get in. OMG are you trying to give me a heart attack?
Now this heart rate thing. I have a really low resting heart rate too, like questionably alive on occasion but I can get the rate up pretty easily. I had no idea a low HR was a bad thing. I thought it meant I was "mellow." Do you have a HR monitor? If so which one, now I think I need one too. I've always wanted one really so this is just another excuse as to why I NEED one ;).
I have a low resting heartrate too. OMG it must be an epidemic since Swizzlepop also has one. I can work my tush off and never get my heartrate up like everyone else does. I know how frustrating it can be!
How did a squirrel get into your house?? I'm sure you didnt open the door and invite him in. LOL I hope you are able to send him on his way soon. Take care and have a wonderful weekend. :)
I always thought that athletes have low resting heart rates because they are so conditioned. I never thought about the need to elevate your heart rate to burn the calories but I suppose thats something I"ll have to keep my eye on as I go along.
A squirrel in the house? Swizzlepop already said it "are you f'in kidding me?" I have to agree
Sorry, I'm too much of a newbie to have the answers you need, but I'm mighty impressed that you're burning 475 calories during a spin class. Is that like for an hour?
I've been a slacker - I've been reading blogs but not commenting. But I wanted to let you know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers!!
Getting to the gym was tough - but well worth it. It takes a ton of motivation and forethought to get there!!! I'm glad that I am motivating you...but there have been plenty of times that you ahve been the motivation for me!! Did you get to your 6am class??
Hey there Steph. I'm late to the party as I've also been an MIA case - or at least I have been a lot rarer on the blogs than I used to be. Still trying to stay connected though.
HR - say what? For those who are out of shape they will burn a lot more calories than those who are in shape. 1st - make sure you've got that thing set properly. 2nd - It's just a tool. You have to go by how you feel. I'd say pukey could be good, but don't push yourself harder than you're comfortable doing. 3rd - Corinne does workouts that would cause my HR to go through the roof and considers herself lucky to burn 400 calories. She's in so much better shape than me that her body is more used to the high intensity.
Cheers,
Hey Steph! Sorry I've been MIA and out of the loop for so long! I hope you're doing well! Anyway... just wanted to stop in & say hi. I'm going to be posting on my old site at Roni's again & plan to actually get all the way to my goal this time!! Anyway... plan on getting more regular comments from me! I've missed reading your blog! ttys! :D
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