I've been diagnosed with DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) and SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) somewhere between 2008 and 2009 and in between ages of 20 and 21. The DCM is super minor/mild and under strict control. Mostly been or beta blockers, but also the likes of Valsartan & such. Posting from EU so maybe different names, but currently just pacing on Propafenone/Rythmol after months of Sotalol. Used a bunch of relaxants to subdue the series of extrasystoles and palps but done with those for good (hopefully).

I've been all over the place with weight, my ideal one being around 94kg/207lbs, but in the recent years I've gained extra weight - went from 99kg/218lbs to 107kg/235lbs and then upwards to the historical maximum of 121kg/266lbs. This was around a couple of months ago. Mind you that this wasn't some bulking phase, but just a passive state of eating out, drinking coke and enjoying Nutella. Fuck, I love Nutella. But either way, just felt like I had to do something about it.

I did the whole obligatory testing, got the GP's green light to start working out and I picked up the iron. I figured HIIT wasn't the way to go because of the increased pulse and thereby the series of extrasystoles and the likes of my pulse shooting up to the 160-170 levels, so I picked a private trainer to do 1-on-1 sessions with strictly strength training. Mind you that my last time working out actively was years ago and that I needed someone to guide me through this new phase to be mindful of the correct form, breathing and possible injuries. It's also cool to have someone to spot you if you push it so there's that. But anyway.

Started around the late of august and currently lost 8kg/17.6lbs. 4 times a week and around an hour per session. We follow a course of:

• arms
  
• chest and back
  
• legs
  
• rinse & repeat

During which we do the likes of:

• bench press
  
• incline offsets
  
• overhead triceps extensions
  
• zottman curls / BB curls
  
• back squats
  
• leg press
  
• leg curls
  
• leg extensions
  
• dumbbell bench press
  
• chest press
  
• lat pull-downs
  
• weighted lunges
  
• weighted squats
  
• a bunch of sit-ups
  
• a bunch of other mix & match stuff depending on the mood

In regards to the diet which is about 70% of the overall work, I wasn't that meticulous with following the appropriated program. I get the idea behind the overall diet, but I chose to eat the way it suits me but just removing the pastas, bread, pastry, anything related to sugar and processed sugar and obviously junk food. I do incorporate a cheat day (sunday) but I don't go over 2500kcal on sundays. I've been talking to people about diet coke and though there are mixed opinions about whether you can/should drink it throughout the process, ultimately, it's probably not good for the liver because of the artificial coloring/phenylalanine so I've been cutting that off as well to maybe one or two cans a week if I'm in a somewhat of a crisis. But anyway.

The point of this post should be to motivate someone (who obviously has a good to go green light from their cardiologist/GP) to maybe try and think about starting if in a similar predicament. Key benefits so far are: creating the habit of regulated breathing; first few weeks I paid more attention towards the correct breathing rather than performing/the correct form. Now it's a routine and it translates towards exerting oneself in real life events cause now you know how to breathe when you push yourself thereby severely impacting the increase in pulse and thereby reducing the amount of time to pace away the extrasystoles. Breathing aside, it's an apparent increase in strength. Once you push past the initial period, the post-workout pain doesn't even appear and you're ready to go again tomorrow. You actually have the strength to go again tomorrow. It's an awesome feeling to be able to know you're capable to do stuff this way. Strength aside and in my case only - severe reduction of anything heart related, being palpitations, series of extrasystoles or just about anything causing discomfort in everyday life and away from gym. Sure, I get tired in the gym and at the end of the hour I'm drenched and somewhat grasping for air, but when I leave and walk home (walking is also important) I control my breathing and leave almost all of the heart pacing issues away. During the current period of working out I haven't felt one single instance of me needing to go get an emergency dose of pills or whatever. None. Heart issues aside, it benefits the overall health and creates a likable frame. I'm 6'5 and most of the extra weight is stored on my belly and thighs so to kinda watch it melt away and to watch your upper body getting reshaped in such a short period of time just because you've been lifting up iron is super awesome. There are apparent changes with my chest area, I guess it was the first place to reduce with the extra weight and now it just looks toned down and tbh impressive. My arms are noticeably stronger too and it does show. I also fit into these one pants I wore a couple of years ago and just been feeling great recently with better sleep cycles and overall a better general feeling.

If you're thinking about it, go see someone to get checked up and once a-ok'd, go do it.

My goal weight is about 94kg/207lbs so 19kg/41.9lbs to go. It's probably not going to happen soon because I want to work on my arms and my forearm strength but I will update when it happens cause I'll work my ass off for it.

Hopefully someone finds this read useful. Either way good luck and thanks for reading.