Family Think I Am Over Doing Exercise

[lutonloony]

I figure if the Doc says your k, and you're enjoying then carry on the good work. Haven't seen if any of the doomMongers in your family are fitness types. Would love to see the Strava for your swimming

 

[hoopdriver]

Hi all,

Just some background information first.

I am 34 years old and I have been road cycling for around two years. I first started when I was over 18 stone and managed going from 6 mile rides which I struggle with big time to 50 miles in my first year covering around 1000 miles in total.

My second year of cycling this year I have gone down to around 16st 12 but this year I have covered around 2000 miles with my biggest ride being 75 miles. I have also joined a regular road club and In the last two years gone from being someone that never exercise and being on the sofa to now someone that enjoys exercise and getting out.

My general exercise over a week would be a 25 mile ride on a Wed evening and the odd 50 mile ride on a Sun morning both with my road club in hilly areas. Yes I struggle on hills and not the fastest but I enjoy it and do sometimes get tired from hilly rides.

I have also recently started to jog/walk 5km on a Sat morning at my local ParkRun. If I can't make this I sometimes do this on a Thursday. I do get tired from this and enjoy it.

I also have started to attend a coached swimming session for an hour on a Monday with member's from the cycling club.

Getting to the point but my family all seem to think I am over doing it to a point of certain family members speaking between themselves about me and one getting upset about the whole thing saying they think I am doing to much and they don't want me to become ill or have a sudden heart attack etc. They just think am doing to much and will become ill.

I try and have the odd rest days between exercise. I to get tired from exercise but I also feel refreshed after.

One concern from this is down to heart conditions running in the family. I lost my dad over a year ago who had cardiomyopathy of the heart. My sister has also just been diagnosed with the same condition.

Since the problems with my dad and sister I have visited my Dr for a ECG test which came back ok. They also referred me for an Echo Scan of the heart at the hospital cardiology unit to look for signs of cardiomyopathy and no signs of issues was found at present and said I was ok and nothing else was needed. It's not to say I will ever get the condition as it can show later on in life.

Blood pressure test by Dr also ok.

I have also been tested for asthma which I don't have as well as blood tests which came back fine.

From the above tests nothing came back and the Dr did not ask for me to return for anything else. Yes I am a little oversized and I know that but that's the only thing the Dr said.

What's peoples thoughts, should I cut back a little or carry on or stop all together

I can understand your family's concerns but it sounds to me like you have gone about all this in a sensible and measured way and that your exercise regime will be quite beneficial and reduce the risk of heart/health problems developing later. Listen to your body - and be respectful of those around you, recognising that they care.

 

[Leaway2]

I get it off the GF and Mum all the time. My Mum even offered to pay half towards a car last week!
If the OH is fine with it, that is all that matters.
3800 miles so far this year at 59.

 

[si_c]

Definitely looking much healthier. Don't worry about family, as long as your wife is OK with it, and your GP doesn't think there is anything to be concerned about.

Maybe stop posting all the rides just so you get some peace and quiet.

I did much the same as you, started cycling a couple of years ago at 34 and 20+ stone which even at 6'5" was too heavy.

Now much lighter and commuting 5000 miles this year.

 

[chrisb1357]

Hi all,

Another update. We just had our club presentation evening the other week and I got awarded clubman of the year award :-) out of the 150 members :-) and was not evening expecting anything.

On another note I have not been on the bike for 2 weeks as I have caught a viral cold from people at work so have knocked any sport on the head for last 2 weeks to rest and this is the first day I have felt good so giving it another week and will go on the turbo but I feel like I have lost all motivation. My family think I have got a cold and been ill for the 2nd time in the last 2 months due to to much exercise and over doing it and not having any vitamins!!!! which again has made me loose motivation

 

[CXRAndy]

Congratulations on you club award

My family think I have got a cold and been ill for the 2nd time in the last 2 months due to too much exercise and over doing it and not having any vitamins!!!! which again has made me loose motivation

Jesus H, just get on your bike/turbo and do some nice and easy rides, the motivation will come flooding back.

Your family, well!

Eat a balanced diet with lots of varied type vegetables, get some early nights and don't hang about with people with coughs and colds.

 

[LeetleGreyCells]

Congratulations on the weight loss and health improvements...

...and that’s your motivation to continue. Without exercise (and dietary improvements) your weight will increase and the likelihood of issues with your heart increase. From everything you’ve posted, I’m sure you don’t want that.

Keep up the great work. Be well!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Hi all,

Another update. We just had our club presentation evening the other week and I got awarded clubman of the year award :-) out of the 150 members :-) and was not evening expecting anything.

On another note I have not been on the bike for 2 weeks as I have caught a viral cold from people at work so have knocked any sport on the head for last 2 weeks to rest and this is the first day I have felt good so giving it another week and will go on the turbo but I feel like I have lost all motivation. My family think I have got a cold and been ill for the 2nd time in the last 2 months due to to much exercise and over doing it and not having any vitamins!!!! which again has made me loose motivation

Well done on the award! Chapeau!

I haven't cycled for weeks either. I don't have a cold....or too many other excuses to be fair, just been busy and a bit tired. Let's face it, it's not the greatest weather either. I've been a regular cyclist for donkeys years and it's not unusual for me to have a bit of an off-bike period at this time of year for a few weeks even a couple months, but suddenly I seems to start to ease my way back into it, and off I go, mental about it as before. So don't fret, enjoy the rest, get well and then start-off with some gentle Turbo spins or some leisurely rides and you'll soon be back at full steam ahead.

 

[simon.r]

I started cycling as an adult at about 30. 20 + years on and I’m still enjoying it. I’m by no means super fit or super slim but I’m absolutely certain that I’d be less fit and fatter if I’d not been cycling for that time.

Like @Fab Foodie my motivation comes and goes. Over the last 3 or 4 weeks I’ve only done short rides to the shops etc., but even that helps my mental and physical well-being and it soon adds up to 2 or 3 hours of gentle exercise a week.

I imagine that in a few days / weeks / months I’ll be wanting to get out ‘properly’ again. I’m not bothered about my current lack of motivation as I’ve been here before and I know things will change.

You seem to have a very sensible attitude (medical checks, resting when you need to) and the numbers you quote re. weight loss, heart rate etc. sound very good.

I strongly suspect that if you give up now you’ll regret it immensely in a few years time. So don’t!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Ignore the armchair critics

 

[Drago]

Those who can't, instruct others. Ignore the weaklings.

 

[jay clock]

I went through all that sh1T. I was 16st5 at highest. started like you with a cycling, the sniffing swimming, before mainlining on running. Before you know it I've done 4 Ironmans. Slowly. At one point I had a company medical and alarms were sounded about enlarged heart muscle but turns out that was due to being so fit.

They are the weird ones for doing sod all. You've been checked out. Keep at it.

My GP is very supportive and wishes more of his patients were as active.

I have now been diagnosed with Parkinsons - unrelated and luckily the number one treatment is cycling, so I am using it as an excuse to cycle across the USA next Feb.... www.cycleusa2018.com

Funniest thing is going to see the specialist where the alarms go off on their monitors at my resting heart rate of 44...

 

[jay clock]

@chrisb1357 also if you want encouragement and support for doing triathlons, I am very keen to help

 

[jay clock]

Just to add that when you get to triathlons they will get really mad. And they will think the sound of a half IM is just as tough as a full one. Agree what someone said earlier to play it down. A colleague of mine was genuinely amazed that I could do a 15 mile lunchtime ride and thought that for her it would be impossible ever to contemplate doing 15 miles in one go!

 

[ColinJ]

Many people don't have a clue about fitness, even people who really should know better. When I was recovering from illness my consultant used the phrase 'elite athlete' to describe me and to explain why I was making a relatively rapid recovery. I have never been fit enough to race at any level ... I can plod along all day, but I can't do it quickly!

If senior doctors can make assumptions like that, then it isn't surprising that unfit members of the public don't understand.

It is pretty sad really that many people have allowed themselves to get as unfit as they are.