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Original poster

Unfit or exhausted? Can't work out my exercise levels

38 replies

Chloe9 · 06/10/2019 16:26

So recently I've been thinking I'm tired because I'm out of shape and need to go to the gym, but at the GP they said I was "very active" because I walk at least an hour every day. I have some health problems which can be associated with being unfit, so was thinking that I should exercise MORE but the GP has made me question whether that would just be putting a burden on my body if I'm already very active and could exacerbate my health problems. I would love to go back to the gym again and/ or workout at home, but the GP has made me think that maybe what I'm doing already is more than adequate so these health problems probably have less to do with activity and more to do with diet quality/stress/other causes. I think either way I'll try and find a yoga or Pilates class once a week because I've always enjoyed that, but am I crazy to think that the gym would be beneficial? Or will I just get more exhausted? Is walking 7-14 hours a week really so abnormal? Isn't that what everybody does if they don't have a car or use of a car for school runs etc.?

OP posts:
Original poster
Chloe9 · 06/10/2019 19:16

@DangerMouse17 I get puffed out and gave to take breaks doing the housework. I could probably walk 20 miles, but the next day I wouldn't be able to move, so not really fitness just I'm one of those people who just gets wherever I need to go that way. I am trying to use public transport more, but it's expensive and often unreliable and I know I can walk 3- 4 miles in an hour and mostly I'm going 1-2 miles so it's quicker to walk. I know people who drive everywhere and don't exercise, sedentary jobs etc. On one side of things, and on the other I know weekend athletes and gym bunnies. I'm happy to be somewhere in the middle, but the exercise I do now is functional not enjoyable or holistic, and I don't think exercise is just can you run for the bus (most people CAN) but are you comfortable running for the bus? Do you get puffed out? How long does it take you to catch your breath? Etc. And I think it being a quantity not a quality thing is the biggest thing. I have felt like I was dying and still walked 10 miles to and from work, that doesn't mean I'm fit or healthy, it meant I was too skint for the bus, didn't have a bike and really needed my next pay cheque.

OP posts:
Bloomburger · 06/10/2019 19:13

An hours walk a day is NOT very active.

To be classed as moderately active you would need to be a construction worker or be running an hour a day.

Original poster
Chloe9 · 06/10/2019 19:08

@ivykaty44

I asked her whether I could do classes or gym again (the obstetrician advised me not to until after my post natal check as I had a high risk pregnancy and wasn't allowed during the pregnancy) and she told me not to bother as I was lugging my kids around and walking lots.

OP posts:
DangerMouse17 · 06/10/2019 18:08

Yes I understand OP. I too as a single parent with no car, do loads of walking every day. I walk for hours...but I realised about 6mths ago that my actual stamina was rubbish. Puffed out washing the bath, that sort of thing. So I started a bit or running at the gym (C25K), am doing a bit of weights and a yoga class once a week. I finally feel now that I actually have endurance and fitness developing....climbing the stairs without huffing and puffing is now a reality!

So definitely do more if you feel like you want to. Just listen to your body and add one thing at a time....see how you get on.

ivykaty44 · 06/10/2019 17:11

You need to clarify with gp what they meant and give black and white examples of what you want to do.

Swimming, Pilates, yoga are very beneficial in many circumstances and may complement your walking - but you need to ask a physician

smemorata · 06/10/2019 17:07

I walk a lot but can't run for the bus. I don't think walking means you are necessarily fit.

Original poster
Chloe9 · 06/10/2019 17:02

I think the GP might be off base, to be honest.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chloe9 · 06/10/2019 17:01

@DangerMouse17

I wish I'd never mentioned it in the appointment but I walked into the appointment puffed out from walking there briskly, and I do always walk fast so I didn't feel like lying about it, but I've gone from being on my feet all day at work, exercising most days (classes, swimming, gym, running), walking loads and generally being quite active in my interests, to not being able to exercise for nearly a year now. I've developed health problems and depression since then. Obviously having my baby born healthy was worth that (and much more) but I'd like to get better now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chloe9 · 06/10/2019 16:55

I walk very briskly (always have) and some days I walk a lot more than an hour (because I don't have a car). But my aerobic fitness is pretty dreadful. I get puffed out going up stairs or whatever. It was my post natal check so meant to be signed off as ready to exercise or not, but just left feeling fobbed off and confused. I have gone back to my full fitness routine too quickly in the past and injured myself so don't want to do that, but also was really looking forward to doing a class or two, and feeling more myself again. I had a high risk pregnancy so couldn't work out for 9 months (not that I felt like it anyway!). I love swimming but rarely find the time or have to take the kids with me so don't get to swim much (or at all if on my own), but would love to do a couple of classes, something like yoga, Pilates or yogalates for strength and flexibility, and something fun like boxing or dancing. Most people I know are running, cycling, swimming (or all 3), dancing, doing spin, yoga and HIIT classes most days, or in the gym, and I'm happy to never be back at peak fitness (as I used to be) but feel like I've lost a massive part of my identity and want a little bit of that back.

OP posts:
nbee84 · 06/10/2019 16:51

Walking is only a cardio activity if you walk at a brisk enough pace to raise your heart rate.

DangerMouse17 · 06/10/2019 16:50

Walking an hour a day isn't very active. That's just normal activity in my view. However I dont think cranking up the cardio is necessarily the answer if you have health issues. Yoga would be perfect and potentially a bit of weight bearing exercise/light lifting focussing on good form etc. Sleep and downtime is also key, so you can start really taking care of yourself OP.

blackcat86 · 06/10/2019 16:35

I had some health issues and also wanted to get gym fit again but was advised so consider something kinder to my body like yoga, walking, swimming etc. HIT and heavy exercise is quite stressful for the body and you're already doing cardio in walking. Yoga would be perfect for a bit of resistance

PullingMySocksUp · 06/10/2019 16:29

What sort of pace do you walk at? Enough to get warm?

Whether you’re getting enough activity and cardio exercise from walking is one thing, even if you are there are plenty of bits of you that aren’t getting a workout.

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