This weekend my husband and I did some yard work. Today when we finished with the task at hand, His comments after were, "Well that was easy work. That didn't take long at all." I was DYING! Yesterday, I cleaned out the big chicken coop which is a pretty big job, as I use the deep litter method (another topic for another day). Anyway, it was a 3-4 hour job of cleaning out a lot of bedding and poo and wheelbarrowing this off to dump in the back, disinfecting, and laying new bedding. Anyway, I did a lot and then we did some trimming and chipping of limbs (yes he has a portable wood chipper). So I was already exhausted when I started the day. Today...more trimming and chipping. My poor arms could barely work.
I guess I should give you a little background. I am not in great shape and have been struggling on this journey for a little over a year. As I mentioned in the initial post, I had a head injury a little over two years ago and a shoulder injury and surgery about 8 months prior to that. Basically, I did no strenuous activity for a good couple years and then started back in about a year ago. Unfortunately, I have not done well. I can blame COVID, but that would only be partially true...the truth is I got lazy!
So, the problem today looking back was really just the fact that I am OUT OF SHAPE! I am clearly nowhere near the end of this journey to optimal wellness. My max heart rate read by my smart watch was 173 beats per minute (bpm)! What? That is crazy. Maybe that is why I had to sit down and take a break a few times. When talking about movement and exercise, one thing we should discuss is heart rate zones. Your maximum heart rate is about 220 minus your age. Mine is 179 bpm (220-41). As far as heart rate zones, there are 5. Zone 1 (VERY light physical activity such as walking) is 50-60% of maximum heart rate. Zone 2 (light physical activity) is 60-70% of maximum heart rate. Zone 3 (moderate physical activity) is 70-80% of maximum heart rate. Zone 4 (vigorous physical activity) is 80-90% of maximum heart rate. Zone 5 (extremely vigorous physical activity) is 90–100% of maximum heart rate. It is not recommended you exercise in the maximum zone. The best zones to try to be in during any physical activity are Zones 1-3. These zones allow you to be in the range of 50-80% of your target heart rate.
Looking back at my heartrate today, it was 96% of my maximum heartrate. It is so hard to believe it was that high. I am unsure at what point it was this elevated. I was not doing anything all that physical. I was trimming Crepe Myrtle bushes/trees and carrying and piling the branches. It should not have been this elevated. Looking back at this, I need to do more light/moderate physical activity in order to get myself back in shape.