Cardio Deconditioning

[Gulfstream2]

I haven't been able to really get outdoors as much as I used to in the past year or so, and because of this I think I've become deconditioned which I really don't like as I'm somebody who likes being fit. As for the reason why I can't get out that much it has to do with personal / family circumstances and nothing physical in nature.

For a three month period I had bad anxiety, which was all cardiocentric mainly because I wasn't exercising and thought there was a problem with my heart because one day I had palpitations for apparently no reason. At the time I had no knowledge of basic cardiology and didn't know what palpitations really were. It didn't cause me anything other than me being alarmed by them and having a slight unease since. I did not have any dizziness, chest pain or anything else accompanying them except some anxiety. I don't know if I had experienced them before and simply not noticed them and this one just caught my attention. Before this all started I was living in Florida and was very active, jogging and swimming on a daily basis and doing quite a bit of weightlifting (never had any symptoms during these activities) and then since then, haven't been nearly as active as I would like to be.
Ever since I was a kid I was always very active aerobically speaking, biking evey single day, playing soccer, swimming and never had an any issues whatsoever.

I don't get any problems when out brisk walking or jogging, except that I tire out more quickly than before - I suppose this is just all deconditioning from not getting out and keeping active? My heart is healthy, I'm healthy - never smoked, I don't drink, eat very healthy and am thin, I stand 5'10" and weigh 144 pounds. My heart rate at rest is good, usually at around 54 to 60 beats per minute when I check it (first thing in the morning in bed) and when up and active it averages 76-80 BPM, when sitting it is at 64-68 BPM. My pulse feels completely normal, my rhythm is totally normal.

Occasionally I lift weights, again I feel great during and afterwards (my anxiety causes little twinges of worry about it) and I enjoy it. I feel I should do more cardio, but I just can't due to my ridiculous circumstances. I can only get twice per week to exercise and it drives me bananas. Could just two days per week of brisk walking get me by until I can afford to move? And, it is it normal to see some aerobic deconditioning after more than a year of not getting enough exercise?

Thanks for taking time to answer my question. ;-)

[Mom2four85]

Exercise is an excellent way of alleviating quite a few health problems and anxiety; or it was for me...I miss that the most and it really can play havoc on an otherwise healthy heart so anything you can do daily may be beneficial

do your g'parents have cable, satellite etc? there are some really great exercise programs in different intensities on most major providers...

another thing is I'm not sure if you have any gaming systems? but I do know our Wii and K'nect have games that are fun and active plus they do use the Wii in some rehab centers and have shown to be good - you may be able to pick up a good used on and a sports or exercise program pretty cheaply.

[Gulfstream2]

You know that is a good idea, I will see if I can look into it for the time being.

My circumstances may change in a few months, not too sure at the moment but they very well could and if so, I will be moving from here.
Sorry to hear that you had some tough times from the economy as well, hope all is going good.

Thanks again for responding and for the advice. ;-)

[achillea]

That makes sense in these tough economic times.  My inlays took my son, their grandson, in under similar circumstances when he was your age.  Darn generous of them, too.

Is there any chance you could get a used exercycle and keep it someplace where it wouldn't get in your grandparents' way?  You can get an awful lot of conditioning AND reading done with that combo.

[Gulfstream2]

Thanks for replying, I appreciate it.

My ridiculous circumstance you asked - well to keep a long story short, I live with my grandparents in a retirement community which has a strict age restriction of at least 55 years of age, whereas I am only 20. Thus, in order to prevent them from getting into trouble I must stay indoors five days out of the week. On the weekend I can get out. As for why I'm living there, it was due to family problems about two years ago, and my mother and I had no where else to go. So that's my current situation.

[achillea]

Twice a week is better than nothing, so if you can do that, do it.  

Of course it is normal to get reconditioned.  The heart is a muscle, and if you don't use it, you lose it, as they say---and it starts happening very fast when you stop exercising, within about two weeks:

http://www.faqs.org/sports-science/Ce-Do/Deconditioning.html#b

I wonder about your 'ridiculous circumstances.'  Are you physically endangered because of your neighbors, or is this an anxiety thing?