…from Cardiac Rehab!!!

After 36 sessions of Cardiac Rehab over the past 4 months, I finally graduated!  Here is my “graduation” photo, which they will hang up along with all of the other photos of graduates, on their bulletin board.

For my last session,  I did my workouts as normal, but the nurses and exercise physiologists talked to me quite a bit about my Individual Treatment Plan (what I can do at home) and answered any questions I asked.  On the first day of Cardiac Rehab they took measurements, and they took measurements on the last day to compare.  I did not really lose any weight or body fat percentage, but I am extremely happy about the 3 inches lost from my waist!  I can tell a difference in my body even if the other measurements don’t show it.

They gave me a packet of information to take home that included my Individual Treatment Plan (listing the things I was doing – speed, duration, weights, etc – in Cardiac Rehab). Within this packet, they wrote down my maximum heart rate, so I know what not to go over when working out, as well as heart rate range I should be in while working out.  They suggested that I take my blood pressure before and after working out and keep a log in case my cardiologist needs it.  I also received a certificate and, most importantly, a Tshirt!

I have the option of moving into Phase 3 with Cardiac Rehab if I ever want to, but I don’t think I will need to do this. This would consist of going into Cardiac Rehab to work out, but without the heart monitor and constant supervision of the nurses.  It’s kind of like going to a gym where someone checks your blood pressure for you before and after your work out, you wear a heart rate watch during the work out, and you work out on your own (based on your Individual Treatment Plan).  This is not covered by insurance and costs $4 per visit, but you have the comfort of nurses around you in case something happens.  Since I already have a gym membership, and my focus is jogging/walking, I will continue my Phase 3 at home and at the gym.  But I can definitely go back to Cardiac Rehab to continue Phase 3 if I change my mind at any time.

I’ve had such an amazing team assisting me throughout Cardiac Rehab.  It helped me gain confidence and decreased some of my anxiety about working out.  Now, I’m on my own, and it’s up to me to continue to workout 150 minutes per week.   Let’s do this!!