Good day. This is my first post here and I’m hoping to obtain some feedback pertaining to my situation from those who have infinitely more knowledge than myself on these subjects.
I am a 41 year old female, about 5’ 4”, and I’m guessing around 125 pounds (I never weigh myself).
I have a 15+ year chronic upper arm condition whereby I cannot apply more than about 5 pounds of weight and certainly not sustain that. I have mobility in my upper limbs, but for all intents and purposes, I cannot apply pressure to them.
I have an 8 year osteoarthritis condition in my ankles and feet. I can stand for about 10 minutes before I experience pain and walk for about 45 minutes in one go, once daily, before I experience pain. Most of the soft tissue in my toes is no longer pliable, and I cannot bend my ankles and feet well and pain usually accompanies attempting certain sitting positions (I used to be a floor sitter – and I can no longer do this).
As you can imagine, this has wreaked havoc on my fitness level. I have tried swimming, various mild workout routines etc. These have been disastrous.
My doctor recommended a recumbent bike. After some research I bought a lovely Bodguard R6X and have been using it for a couple of weeks. I understand about reaching target heart rates, warm up and cool downs etc. But what I’m honestly uncertain of, is what I should be doing and for how long.
Right now I’m doing a 10 minute warm up, a 20 minutes programme on the bike (at level 1, but it does have peaks and valleys), and 5 minute cool down. As I haven’t exercised in ages, I thought this was safe and so far my ankles seem to be tolerating this well.
My concerns are that higher levels on the bike’s programme regimen will demand too much pressure and give me pain. Would this pain be something that would be alleviated in time and in essence, is it safe to push through it or is that a signal that my feet, like my arms, have a built in tolerance level and exceeding that would be bad™?
My other question is: I would like to ultimately do a 45 minute bike programme (from 20 minutes). Do I stay at level 1, work up to 45 minutes, then move to level 2 and drop to 20 minutes on level 2 and work up to 45 minutes? Or something else?
My goal is some fat loss (being 41 and inactive for all these years has given me a bit of a tummy), but mostly cardio and being healthy.
Thank you for your kind answers. I hope I’ve come to the right place to ask these questions. As helpful as my doctor is, I think right now I need more practical advice.
Best to all.
Cheers,
Xandria
I am a 41 year old female, about 5’ 4”, and I’m guessing around 125 pounds (I never weigh myself).
I have a 15+ year chronic upper arm condition whereby I cannot apply more than about 5 pounds of weight and certainly not sustain that. I have mobility in my upper limbs, but for all intents and purposes, I cannot apply pressure to them.
I have an 8 year osteoarthritis condition in my ankles and feet. I can stand for about 10 minutes before I experience pain and walk for about 45 minutes in one go, once daily, before I experience pain. Most of the soft tissue in my toes is no longer pliable, and I cannot bend my ankles and feet well and pain usually accompanies attempting certain sitting positions (I used to be a floor sitter – and I can no longer do this).
As you can imagine, this has wreaked havoc on my fitness level. I have tried swimming, various mild workout routines etc. These have been disastrous.
My doctor recommended a recumbent bike. After some research I bought a lovely Bodguard R6X and have been using it for a couple of weeks. I understand about reaching target heart rates, warm up and cool downs etc. But what I’m honestly uncertain of, is what I should be doing and for how long.
Right now I’m doing a 10 minute warm up, a 20 minutes programme on the bike (at level 1, but it does have peaks and valleys), and 5 minute cool down. As I haven’t exercised in ages, I thought this was safe and so far my ankles seem to be tolerating this well.
My concerns are that higher levels on the bike’s programme regimen will demand too much pressure and give me pain. Would this pain be something that would be alleviated in time and in essence, is it safe to push through it or is that a signal that my feet, like my arms, have a built in tolerance level and exceeding that would be bad™?
My other question is: I would like to ultimately do a 45 minute bike programme (from 20 minutes). Do I stay at level 1, work up to 45 minutes, then move to level 2 and drop to 20 minutes on level 2 and work up to 45 minutes? Or something else?
My goal is some fat loss (being 41 and inactive for all these years has given me a bit of a tummy), but mostly cardio and being healthy.
Thank you for your kind answers. I hope I’ve come to the right place to ask these questions. As helpful as my doctor is, I think right now I need more practical advice.
Best to all.
Cheers,
Xandria