I’m working hard at trying to climb out of the hole I’ve been in again. The last few years of severe depression followed by the unexpected heart attack and diagnosis of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) have seriously derailed me from just about any “normal” function of daily life.
I’ve gained weight back and am just generally feeling kind of weak and easily winded doing most things. It’s frustrating. I used to be one of those people who’d wake up and decide it was a good day to rearrange all the furniture, and then proceed to do it all myself!
After the heart attack and reading up on SCAD, I was kind of afraid to do a lot of anything that seemed like it might be overly strenuous. I was literally just bopping around the kitchen loading the dishwasher and tidying up when I realized I was having the heart attack. It’s frightening. But it’s been about five months now and I think it’s time to shove down that fear and hope for the best.
This morning I finally dragged out my old rower and sat my butt on it for a slow five-minute session. Five minutes doesn’t sound like much, I know. It’s a full-motion rower and five minutes is enough to wind me. I’m thinking if I can force myself to do two to three five-minute sessions a day for a week or so, I can maybe push myself up to three ten-minute sessions a day and eventually start increasing my speed and cranking up the resistance too.
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Even at my “best” I maxed out at 15- to 20-minute sessions on that thing. It’s tiring but effective, in my opinion at least. The one I use is from Sunny, but I see they have a newer “smart” model available too.
(Please note: If you visit the product page I have linked, be sure to look specifically at the model selections. The product title is for the smart model, but both are available on the same page. Be sure the model you actually want is selected before purchasing. I have the SF-RW5639 and it does NOT have app connectivity. The SF-RW5639SMART is the model that connects to the SunnyFit® app.)
If I had the extra money, I’d consider upgrading mine, but I don’t, and the one I have works just fine right now. I like the full-motion models best because it feels like it gives a better “full body” workout for someone who isn’t already fit and generally hates exercise. Bonus: It can stand up against the wall when not in use and if my bed had 12″ of clearance (it doesn’t), it could easily slide under that.
Probably the easiest exercise to get started on would have been walking outside, and I probably should have been doing that the past few months. I don’t mind walking, but my anxiety the past year or so has gotten worse, to the point where I am afraid to do anything at all outside where neighbors and such might see and judge me. I realize how irrational that is — I really do — but I can’t seem to push past it right now. Also, it’s been winter here! ❄️
Spring is right around the corner though, so maybe I can try to push myself outside for a walk around dawn or dusk on some days. For now, I’m going to stick with building up my stamina a bit on the rower. Maybe as that gets a little easier I’ll build up enough confidence to propel me out the door to brave the neighborhood. My general mood is likely to lift somewhat with the upcoming change in weather patterns too. 😊
Best to all,
