exercise!

[Guest guest]

> Question for everyone... how do you feel about cardio exercise vs.

> weight training?

Sorry, but you really need *both*.

> I find I really love the weight training, but hate

> the cardio!

You hate it because it *is* work and makes you sweat and strain.

> I usually can only handle 15-20 minutes on the bike, and

> even less if I do the treadmill

Do what you can and work your way up to longer periods as you get more fit.

It *will* happen.

>I just get so out of breath and my chest

> starts to ache (I do have asthma, so I'm sure that is part of my

> problem)

Take your emergency med (usually Ventolin/Proventil or some other

fast-acting med) about 20 minutes before you go to the fitness room. That

gives it time to start working *before* you need it and helps bring more

oxygen into your lungs so you don't feel so drained and exhausted.

>and my knees feel like they are on fire.

Find a different exercise. A lot of people can't handle treadmills or bikes.

Maybe something gentler, like a Sansone video, is better for you.

It's mostly walking in place, kicks, knee lifts, and an occasional grapevine

or double side step. Or if your apartment complex has a pool, do some water

walking. It's about as strenuous an a treadmill but much easier on the

knees.

> If I can reach my target heart rate with very light but rapid weight

> repetitions,

Then you're doing it wrong. The secret to weight training is to do it

s-l-o-w to build up the muscle, and you're usually warned *against* rapid

repititions because they can lead to muscle injuries or worse. This type of

exercise is known as " anaerobic " meaning without deep breathing and an

increase in heart rate. If you try make your heart rate increase while doing

anaerobic exercises, there's the possiblility of passing out or even heart

damage. Do you have a book you're using to teach yourself strength training,

or is there a trainer at the fitness room to tell you how to work each

machine, do each exercise correctly?

>but can't handle much walking/biking/etc at

> my current weight (281).

Read the list's messages form last week - there was just a whole thread on

chair exercises. Visit the Links section for more ideas.

Sue in NJ

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I can say that nothing helps me more than exercise, whether or not I am

on prednisone.

It is the saving grace for me...the release of stress and tension, the

experience of being in charge of my body. Physical empowerment.

The only thing about it is that I have to monitor my asthma, make sure I

am taking enough medicine so that I can perform well in my

cardiovascular activities.

I love exercise for mental health, physical resilience, and as an outlet

for pent up energy.

I am a Pilates instructor in San Francisco with Samter's and I am

starting a program for a Master's in Public Health in Community Health

and Education this fall to try to learn about how to help those who are

poor and/or disenfranchised by our current health care system to get the

fitness and wellness resources they need.

--

Beldon

Body Integrity