Doctor Wut?
Brent bought me a membership to the Y yesterday. They have awesome fitness rooms, fun fitness programs (free to members), and two pools. Since it's on the way home from work, I don't have an excuse NOT to go. Plus, I love swimming. :) It's a present for both of us because I'm sick of being this fat and out of shape, and he's sick of seeing me so sad and depressed about it.
Anyway, I've always exercised, even at my heaviest weight (i.e. now). The intensity has varied over the years, but I've never been at a point where I haven't done *some* exercise, even if it's just walking around the block a few times.
So that brings me to my question.
Every time I see a commercial, article, or newsletter about exercise/diet, I always see the blurb, "See your doctor before starting any exercise/diet."
What does a doctor do when someone comes to them about that? Do they give a full physical or just check heart and lung function? Do they recommend exercises based on your weight? Is it a BAD idea not to see my doctor first? It's not like I'm new to exercise, and I had an EKG (normal) less than a year ago. My blood pressure is fine too. Is there something I'm missing, or is that a disclaimer aimed at people who never leave their couch for years and years and then decide to run a 5K?
Anyway, I've always exercised, even at my heaviest weight (i.e. now). The intensity has varied over the years, but I've never been at a point where I haven't done *some* exercise, even if it's just walking around the block a few times.
So that brings me to my question.
Every time I see a commercial, article, or newsletter about exercise/diet, I always see the blurb, "See your doctor before starting any exercise/diet."
What does a doctor do when someone comes to them about that? Do they give a full physical or just check heart and lung function? Do they recommend exercises based on your weight? Is it a BAD idea not to see my doctor first? It's not like I'm new to exercise, and I had an EKG (normal) less than a year ago. My blood pressure is fine too. Is there something I'm missing, or is that a disclaimer aimed at people who never leave their couch for years and years and then decide to run a 5K?