5 replies to this topic

[Centurion]

Hi Guys,

As youll have probably guessed from my lack of posting I have fallen off the bandwagon of healthy living for quite a while, I have spent the better part of a year with a pretty poor diet and very little exercise (I walk everywhere in the city but no regimented gym routine). I work, I go home, eat, maybe go out to the pub with my friends, come home sleep, repeat. No doubt this has had some ill effect but im not sure just how much.

Ive noticed I feel out of breath quite easily these days, perhaps this is due to deconditioning? My main question here is, should I be concerned that after six minutes of rowing I feel exhausted (roughly 1200m), headache, chest tightness?

I bought a polar heart monitor, my resting heart rate is 62-65 or so upon waking, my heart rate during the day while sitting around is something of the region of 80-90. On a treadmill, a brisk walk of 7kph (zero incline) is all that is needed to bring my heart rate to the 140-150 range, knocking it up to 10kph or so for a light jog quickly brings the heart rate to 160 and above.

I'm about 165lb weight 20% bodyfat, according to the monitor I'm using at any rate (atrocious I know) and 5ft 8 inches in height.

To you guys does the above look like just some deconditioning that needs some work, or more like something isn't doing it's job properly (family history of heart defects) and I should see a doctor?

Doctors here in Northern Ireland are notoriously against proactive healthcare, if you drop in for a checkup youre treated like a hypochondriac, so I just wanted to run it past you guys first before I "waste" some poor doctor's precious time.

Thanks in advance,

(A quite ashamed and bashful) Centurion

[Shepard]

There is really no way of knowing without a thorough examination, but increasing conditioning work certainly wouldn't hurt.

[luv2increase]

Your situation sounds like a textbook description of someone whom is out of shape. I didn't hear of you saying anything about chest pain or dizziness etc... yet only "tight chest". Do you smoke, anything?


I think you'd be good to quit the drinking at the pub and get yourself back on track with healthy eating and healthy exercising. Just take a slow on the exercising note. You'll be back in shape in no time. If your family has heart issues, take CoQ10, fish oil, extra virgin olive oil, and Vitamin K. I have numerous heart problems on both sides of my family, therefore I'm taking preventative measure by keeping my Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio quite high.


I will admit that 5'8", 165lbs, at 20% bodyfat is not very good at all. I'd start being "proactive" on getting in shape now. I believe the better an individual takes care of their body at the earliest age possible, the better outcome for longevity and pleasant old age living they will have.

[Centurion]

Your situation sounds like a textbook description of someone whom is out of shape. I didn't hear of you saying anything about chest pain or dizziness etc... yet only "tight chest". Do you smoke, anything?


I think you'd be good to quit the drinking at the pub and get yourself back on track with healthy eating and healthy exercising. Just take a slow on the exercising note. You'll be back in shape in no time. If your family has heart issues, take CoQ10, fish oil, extra virgin olive oil, and Vitamin K. I have numerous heart problems on both sides of my family, therefore I'm taking preventative measure by keeping my Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio quite high.


I will admit that 5'8", 165lbs, at 20% bodyfat is not very good at all. I'd start being "proactive" on getting in shape now. I believe the better an individual takes care of their body at the earliest age possible, the better outcome for longevity and pleasant old age living they will have.

When I push it I wouldn't say I get chest pain so much as a "holding my breath" sensation. Although my breathings fine and I've been tested for asthma. After half an hour on the treadmill I'd say I was reasonably dizzy today, not about to pass out but certainly not as sure of my steps. I've also had a mild headache all day since.

Yeah I know my condition sucks. A year ago I was about 180lbs at 12% bodyfat. Wasn't amazing but it wasn't as bad as this!

Thanks for the input guys. I think I might see a cardiologist to be on the safe side.

[mustardseed41]

Most bodyfat monitors such as the one you step on or hold with your hand are a joke. They dont take into consideration hydration in the body which can have a huge impact on readings. They also dont take into consideration stubborn fat for those chasing down that last bit of fat.

[Shepard]

Most bodyfat monitors such as the one you step on or hold with your hand are a joke. They dont take into consideration hydration in the body which can have a huge impact on readings. They also dont take into consideration stubborn fat for those chasing down that last bit of fat.

While, impedance scales aren't that accurate, calipers aren't perfect, either. Nevertheless, even an impedance scale isn't going to mistake 12% for 20%. It can at least give you a rough estimate of how much junk is in the trunk.

Edited by shepard, 01 September 2008 - 01:30 AM.