Quote:
Originally posted by gchappel
....First get clearence from your MD to excercise......Buy a $75 heart rate monitor and do your own testing. Wind sprints and hill climbs will find your actual max heart rate- do your percentage measurements from there. ..........Train wisely, and the weight will come off. Wish mine would come off faster!
Gary
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I forgot to metion this when I posted this thread: My total cholestrol recently tested at 179, consistent over the years. My LDL and HDL are in the desireable range as are my tricylcerides. I had a CT scan at Heartcheck America when I turned 50 at my doctor's suggestion as my father had severe cardiac issues the last 20 years of his life and it ultimately killed him. My mother has had one mild stroke. In both cases, my parents smoked, heavily in Dad's case. I NEVER have. My CT incredibly showed NO plaque, no blockages. Doctor says I am the winner of the "genepool jackpot" on this, as it was very unlikely with my parent's history. So, "clearence to exercise" is not an issue.
I am 5'-10" tall (but am shrinking) and currently weigh about 215 - just too damned much for my frame. I'd be very happy at close to an honest 190. If I could come anywhere near approaching 180 I'd be very near my high school weight and ecstatic. NEGATIVES: I sometimes have lower back issues (partly weight, partly an old injury) and plantar fasciitis (sic?) in my right foot, so running is currently out of the question, walking is somewhat limited but not completely. Off and on over my life I have run, but I always stopped. I thought I was onto something with biking til I was hit and it queered me on continuing...but I've GOT to get my weight under control.
I'm not going to suddenly become what I never have been: drammatically better about diet, a regular weight lifter. For now, the one thing I KNOW I can do is road biking on a regular basis and it is only because I know I used to enjoy it. I don't CARE what my max heart rate is other than to help determine what rate I should target to maximize fat burning. I already have a heart rate monitor, but never use it. More suggestions/advice?