Getting in shape isn’t easy. But after all that hard work, how long do we actually maintain it? Turns out that even the great effort we put into training, taking a bit of time off can mean that we become “unfit” much faster than it took us to actually get in shape.
To understand how the body becomes “unfit”, we first need to understand how we become fit. The key to becoming fitter – whether that’s improving cardiovascular fitness or muscular strength – is to exceed “habitual load”. This means doing more than our body is used to. The stress that this has on our body makes us adapt and become more tolerant, leading to higher fitness levels.
My respiratory physio told me that you start to lose fitness after a mere 2 weeks of inaction, which certainly chimed in with my experience during my hospital stay. I was horrified when I saw how flabby my stomach had become. Went to the the gym; got fitter; then a year plus of lockdown and back to square one. 😖😖😖😖
Obviously I don't know to what level you can exercise but I found some walk at home exercises on You Tube about 4 months ago, some 7 minute some 10 minute some 15 minute and some longer ones. I started with the 7 minute and have progressed to the 15 minute 1 mile 2000 steps walk at home and try to make sure I do it every day, Yes I do get out of breath but feel that it is helped me stay mobile. Wish I had found them last March when Covid started. Hope that you can find a level of exercise that will help you. Best wishes. xx
Hello Snackjack. Thanks for your advice. I tried to post a reply yesterday, but the laptop threw a wobbly and I lost the post. This machine is overdue for a visit to the repair shop. I was going to say that, although I can sometimes manage quite long outdoor walks when the weather is OK, I've been hampered lately by bad weather and having the builders in. So I have indeed just started looking at 10 minute exercise programs. Yesterday I tried 2-first a Joe Wicks one- quite strenuous, but with plenty of rests, then a walking one posted by a mother and daughter. Looks easy-peasy, I thought. Hm! It left me feeling quite knackered. I'm obviously not quite as fit as I would like to think I am. I shall try to follow your good example and do something every day. Today daughter and I went out to look for bluebells before they go over completely, then went for a gentle stroll around the Chappel viaduct- do you ever come south on your travels?- where they've set up a lovely little walk, playground or kids, wildlife areas and historic WW2 defences for my daughter to enjoy. I'm knackered again, but in a nice sort of way. Best wishes, Chris xxx
I live in Suffolk so am sort of south of the country. Yes I am usually a bit breathless when I have done my 15 minute daily exercise but it is gradually getting easier. Not sure if my breathlessness will ever let me get to the 30 minute exercises. Sounds like you had an enjoyable walk with your daughter. Keep up the good work with the exercise, Take care and best wishes. Sue xx
Possibly also one of the reasons why survival rates from being on a ventilator with Covid are so low. The diaphragm being a large muscle getting out of condition after a machine has been doing the work has to have an effect after the ventilator is withdrawn.
I presume a lot of specialist Physiotherapists will be needed to help out with these recoveries, so less available for other things, need more, as with most jobs in the NHS
MMMMMM Doing a bit more than I do now, sooo walk to my sitting room and back 4 times a day, instead of 2 times. Do not want to increase walks to loo, as means Crohn's playing up. 15 mins of bed exercises instead of 10. (am and pm). Stand at cooker whilst soup heating up, instead of sitting to watch. Do 2 lots of washing up instead of 1. Am knackered already. Think I will leave out the balance exercises, done at the kitchen sink.Great read Thanks. (I mean it, I need a kick every now and again)
The stairs from my front door, to the street level (1floor) are my final aim. Not done since summer of 2018, the last year with one to assist. Next aim inside is to read my 2 meters, which require a short step up on a step ladder, if I vanish for a few weeks, got stuck up the ladder. Do not worry, have a once a week carer, who has my Key Safe number, so she will unstick me.
That made chuckle with a mental picture of you stuck up a ladder calling "cooooey am up here and have been for days!" Much to the bewilderment of your carer!
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