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

[Chloe9]

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.?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

@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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

@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.

Your GP is correct. Although you walk an hour a day, your are still recovering from pregnancy. Getting back into heavy exercising too soon can result in injury as your ligaments will still be soft from pregnancy.

If you're puffed from a brisk walk you're far from fit.

Start doing some body weight exercises and instead of walking fir the hour have a little jog.

Can you see a PT who has a post natal qualification perhaps or a physio who is more clued up on what you should and shouldn't be doing after child birth.

Be careful though, don't do HIIT or high impact stuff if you're 20 weeks post natal or are breastfeeding. You'll still have relaxin I your system and it could result in a joint injury.

Something like 33% of people do NO physical activity in an average week. So yes an hour a day makes you very active.

There's a long tail of people who do lots lots more.
You should do the amount that fits with your life & makes you feel good.

Have you had your iron levels checked? Anemia can make you tired and puffed out easily

My iron levels are fine. I don't think I'm fit. I'm the most unfit I've been in my life. I feel my body is straining under the extra weight, joint pain, tension headaches, hypertension, can't run up stairs, the housework is exhausting, but I do walk about 10 miles most days, and about 2 or 3 miles the rest, out of necessity. I don't get puffed at about 3mph but if I'm going faster than that I'll get puffed (like a power walk not just a walk IYSWIM) and I usually push pretty tight for time so get a stomp on! I'm not breastfeeding. I just generally feel ill and run down and like there's something wrong in my body. I don't know if that's "just" because I'm less fit and heavier than I've ever been before, or if I'm actually sick. I think maybe I need a new GP, because I don't really feel listened to and just leave feeling like I've had a pat on the head. I'm seeing them again next week, but want to go better equipped than last time.

@YeOldeTrout

That's the thing, I feel run down and down, not sleeping well, etc. So even though it might not be nothing (can't believe 33%!) I'm not doing what id like to he or what makes me happy.

Regardless of how many people do nothing an hour a day does not make you very active. It just makes you not sedentary (which is what the people who do nothing are) I'm a PT and have to work these things out on a weekly basis for clients to increase their fitness and I run classes in which we have quite a few post natal ladies.

Do you walk an hour each day or 10 miles each day? Your first post says an hour, your last one says 10 miles (although I've just taken out my lenses so forgive me if I'm wrong).

Glow go and see another gp and see if there is any reason medically why you can’t go and do gym classes

@Bloomburger

I walk at least an hour every day, many days two or three hours

@ivykaty44

As far as I was aware it was pregnancy related and I'm no longer under the obstetrician but I will check

You poor thing. I think you need to clarify with the/a GP exactly what was meant. Make clear you really want to get back to more vigorous exercise. Lugging kids around and walking isn't the same if you like eg HIT classes, and I completely understand about wanting that bit of your life back. I'd ask exactly what the risks are if any, for specific classes or exercises, and tell them what you used to do and like.