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Exercising... but with a problem
I don't know if you know about this subject in terms or medical conditions, so if you can help that's great but if not that's fine too.
I'm a 15 year old girl trying to drop a few pounds and the exercise factor is kind of complicating things. I would gladly go for a run on weekends or again after my school's lacrosse practice but I have a medical condition (which I hate with a burning passion, it holds me back from being the athlete I wish I was) that makes it difficult for me to do so much cardio. It's called Thalassemia, and it's a type of anemia. I have the minor one, doesn't usually show symptoms, but unfortunately I do. I can usually last for running about a mile at a jog and then I have to take a break. My doctor said it's like having a 25-30% handicap. My doctor also thinks I may have asthma so I also use an inhaler. Other than this I am pretty much perfectly healthy and in good shape. But if I'm working on losing weight, and I'm trying to eat right, getting exercise is going to be a little harder for me.
My question here is does it matter how quickly you run? If I'm still going for a mile and my mile time is generally around 9 minutes and 20 seconds when I try my hardest, (and I probably won't get much better because of my condition, I've already come a long way and I think I am about at my potential now), will it have the same effect as someone who runs a mile in 7 minutes? Because with a the thalassemia I think it causes my heart rate to increase faster? (Not totally sure - but medically speaking, thalassemia is an insufficient amount of hemoglobin, so my blood doesn't carry enough oxygen and I get worn down pretty quickly) Like if I'm going as hard as I can while I'm already so tired, it's only going to be about a jog because I don't have it in me to pick up the pace - so would that be less cardio or because I'm compensating for the problem I have would it be close to the same effect?
Sorry for that being so much to read! If you can help me out at all that would be great. Thanks! =]
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Maybe give some free advice about: Fitness?
I myself am a runner, but not a particularly fast one, and it has definitely helped me keep in shape despite that. Running, even at around a 9 minute mile time, will still give you a pretty good workout. In addition, if you want to go a step above jogging, you could try varying your speed--going for a while at a slow pace, and then running for a shorter time at a slightly faster pace. This could potentially help you extend your workout time. It's also totally okay to take breaks and start again after a rest, and bring water and drink lots of it!
While I can't say for sure how your medical issues will effect this, since I'm not much of an expert in that area, hopefully some of that will help a bit. And in any case, any exercise is good exercise!
Best of luck!
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