During the previous trial of the increased Toprol dosage (last summer vacay), we established a way of quantifying the exercise that is possible while taking it. That is a handy nomenclature now that I am back up to that dosage.

Basically, one "set" (a unit just like tennis or weights), is the amount of exertion that one can stand while very short of breath (as in Perceived Exertion Scale lingo), and when one is no longer able to talk but not yet dead-- a 7 or 8 on that PE scale. The set is as long as the day's state of fitness allows, and is therefore not time specific.

The set ends when one must sit or lie down to recover breath, muscle effectiveness, and pain level to a level that one can start the next set. The pace of the set is governed by aerobic factors-- one does not want to pass out but does want to stress the heart enough for building that muscle, and/or lung function.

The number of reps (like weights) is governed by recovery time needed and soreness, to avoid over-stressing the muscles faster than they can hel from the "training stress."

So these are ways of defining and quantifying-- and reporting on-- activity levels. Later today I will also get a pedometer to count the number of steps, but for now, it's 3 reps of these sets, a long rest, and probably another 3 reps before bed.

The idea is that in training, one increases the number of reps before increasing the intensity of the sets (duration or pace).

Vacation-level is usually 2 reps per day at the start of vacay and more like a total of 10 by the end of the vacay (CAMPING), which is calculated to produce a fitness result. The hard part has always been maintaining ANY of that during the ensuing year. This year, due to all the efforts involved in working on that attic room, and keep also an upstairs-office schedule, I held onto a whole lot more if it. My lower back muscles are always the first to go and the worst to hurt. I'll be changing pain management/meds for that, this year.

Today I got the van ready to reload the scooter and also be able to switch back to sleeper mode when that new cot arrives for my trip on the 30th. The rest of the week will be porch-restoration-- a lot of crap got dumped there during the winter, which will afford many steps and bends, but also comfortable seating to rest up between sets.

We all have to start (or restart) somewhere. I'm picking up where I left off, TBTG, about last November. I guess I could say I took the winter off, while I dealt with being way too damn cold every damn day.

~Susan