Now that you're working regular exercise into your weekly schedule, you want to make sure you're getting the most out of it. For your heart's sake, spend at least five minutes of each workout doing something that makes you work at an intensity that leaves you winded. It's great for your respiratory system and also burns calories. Run up a hill, jump rope, do jumping jacks, dance, sprint up the stairs, or bike up a hill. Do anything for five minutes straight that leaves you huffing and puffing. I like to save this for the last five minutes of my workout. It makes me feel proud to push myself hard, and afterward, I always feel full of energy.
Fit's Tip: If you have asthma, ease into this type of high-intensity workout. You may want to keep your inhaler near by just in case, since breathing heavy can provoke an asthma attack.
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I like to wear a heart rate monitor, and often find that my breathing rate rarely matches my heart rate. If I push myself to the point that I am winded, my heart rate has shot up into dangerous levels. Is this something that will adjust as I become more fit? For the time being, should I continue to focus on my heart rate?