Walking

[Nafi]

3 months to the day post ablation and follow up appointment soon. I am feeling reasonably good and now try to improve my fitness after basically no exercise since January. Decided to up the walking, dog appreciates this at least , and although lots of information re resting heart rate not sure what reading is good whilst walking. I know it will obviously vary depending on fitness levels but a rough totally unfit figure?

Thank you 🐕

[BobD Volunteer]

Best advice is just listen to your body. I was once told you should be able to walk and talk at the same time. If you are too out of breath to talk then you are going to hard. Far better that worrying about numbers!

[Nafi in reply to BobD]

Thank you BobD , I admit I am obsessed with numbers ! I can walk , talk and climb stiles etc without any problems but there again I am not power walking more casual walking lol... Hope you are doing well?

[Ianc2 in reply to Nafi]

Hi Nafi

If you are obsessed with numbers you might want to try getting a fitbit or similar. You will be able to measure your distance travelled, heartbeat as in pulse rate, number of steps in a day, get reminders to move on an hourly basis if you have been sitting still, weekly reports and comparisons with friends if you wish. You will be able to look at weekly, monthly and annual charts and show to your cardiologist to stop him getting bored...

Or as BobD said -just listen to your body and enjoy the green stuff. Nice and easy does it. Good to hear you are walking.

[Nafi in reply to Ianc2]

Hi Ianc2 , I have invested in a versa, i know some people say its not a true reading but I do check it against 'manual' fingers on pulse and seems to correspond with fitbit which is where i am getting the dreaded readings from ... yes , I will see if they want to look at it in a couple of weeks when I go for check up. Think my biggest problem is over thinking it all ! But you can't change how you are.... just had a bad attack of IBS lasting several days , very painful, which seems to tie in with slight increase in heart rate or so I am telling myself.. not sure if pain affects rate 😏 another question for specialist!

[bennie06]

I have used walking several times to reestablish general fitness after surgery. To me this was not for pleasure but a necessary chore so i counted steps, approx 2000 steps per mile. This helped to focus the mind and also to gradually increase my goal. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly i was walking for pleasure. I know my bits from my bytes but i tend to avoid technology where possible, otherwise our brains will die before our bodies!

[jedimasterlincoln]

I think as long as the HR doesn't go so high as you feel unwell, and returns to a 'normal' level at rest you should be fine.