I didn’t let my cardiac blockage or age stop me from pursuing my fitness goals – and if I can do it…you can too!

 

As a 61-year-old individual who has undergone stenting and cardiac rehab, I have been able to reclaim my health and life, thanks to my fitness routine. While I continue to focus on my own physical and mental wellbeing, I intend to help others like me get started on their fitness journey too!

 

And Here’s How I Did It!

 

In my thirties, I had a flourishing career in manufacturing management but wanted to achieve a better work-leisure balance with suitable activities. It felt good to take up recreational running as a way of keeping fit and balancing out the stresses of my work life. From starting out slowly, I enjoyed running a few times in a week with no particular goals in terms of time or distance.

 

As I got used to the running, I was able to run every day for about five to six miles that took 60 to 90 minutes to complete.

 

My weight was at a healthy 150 pounds and running helped me not only maintain this ideal weight without worrying too much about my eating pattern but also to “clear my head”.

 

After slowly getting addicted to running, I did not want to miss out on this activity during winters or rainy days. Naturally, I went ahead and bought a treadmill that I installed at my apartment to continue my daily runs on bad weather days.

 

This is a routine that I was able to stick to through my forties as well. I was pretty regular with my visits to both the primary care physician as well as my cardiologist. Medications helped me keep both cholesterol and blood pressure under good control. Both the doctors always gave a clean chit, as far as my heart and overall health were concerned, at each visit.

 

I was physically and mentally fit and felt great while continuing to maintain my weight.

 

A Change of Heart!

 

It was in my fifties that things began to change. A change of job meant longer work hours lasting up to 14 hours a day and six days in a week! The stress of the job not only ate into my running time but sapped my energy as well. Running that was once an everyday routine, became less and less frequent. I could run only a few times in a week but eventually, I stopped running altogether thanks to the stress and strain of the hectic job.

 

Obviously, this meant a gradual increase in body weight, in addition to low energy levels and a constant feeling of being stressed. I was not feeling too great physically or mentally. It got to the point where I had to make a firm decision to turn things around with a New Year’s resolution that I made in 2014 December.

 

I restarted running on the first of January in the morning hours under partly sunny skies at Long Island. Managing to run for three and a half miles, I felt great again!

 

The same night, however, a bad heartburn woke me up. Antacids and cold water were ineffective as it got worse steadily. The next morning, things got bad enough for me to get myself to the emergency room. A CAT scan revealed an 80% block in an artery. The same evening, the cardiac surgeon placed a stent to clear the blockage.

 

As is the norm, I was asked to undergo a cardiac rehab session that was supervised by both a physical therapist and a registered nurse. The twelve-week rehab sessions consisted of ninety-minute workouts three times a week.

 

Doing More with Fitness

 

Thoroughly enjoying the “me time” these sessions brought me, I was able to tune out everything else and refocus on my health and wellbeing.

 

I continued the workouts on non-rehab days as well in the clubhouse at my apartment complex. I was now working out for thirty minutes for five days in a week. These cardiac workouts replaced the runs that I used to do in my thirties and forties.

 

So good was the feeling post these cardiac workouts that I decided I needed and wanted more of these after my sessions ended. I studied more of the techniques of cardio training and also joined a gym. Gradually my workout sessions got increased to 45 minutes a day for six days a week.

 

Losing 22 pounds and gaining in health, I felt great both mentally and physically. Adding resistance training three times a week made the workout more balanced.

 

I took up the CPT exam conducted by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) in August 2017 to become a recognized Certified Personal Trainer (CPT).

 

I continued to learn more and add to my existing knowledge while also adding areas of specialization.

 

Fitness for me is an ongoing commitment and I believe that just like me, others can achieve their fitness goals irrespective of their age or medical condition.

 

My services include Personal Training with emphasis on Cardiovascular Training, Fitness Education, and Educational Blogs. I also specialize in training programs for individuals whose everyday lifestyle commitments give them limited time to pursue fitness.

Credentials

• National Academy of Sports Medicine – NASM
  • CPT – Certified Personal Trainer
  • SFS – Senior Fitness Specialist
  • GPT – Group Personal Training Specialist
• Athletics and Fitness Association of America – AFAA
  • CGFI – Certified Group Fitness Instructor
• Precision Nutrition – PN
  • PN1 – Level 1 Nutrition Coach