I am confused. I have all of Schwarzbein's books but she seems to change her opinion on exercise in every one of them. I know I can do yoga regularly but what about swimming? How much? How often?

I'm not into cardio but should I be doing a small amount? I mean I get really tired if I have to run for a bus say and think I should be fitter so should do some cardio but that seems to be at odds with what she says.

I am IR with PCOS and have no adrenal gland problems.

Can anyone clear this issue up?

hi Scarlet,
if you are IR with BOA I know that in her last 2 books, she recommends only small amounts of cardio, and 3 sessions of strength training a week. So, unless you are extremely exhausted, a little wouldnt hurt. Maybe just go for a light-moderate 20minute walk 2-3 times a week. In her books, she recommends eventually building up to 30-60minutes 2 times per week. But the crucial thing is your strength training. What every form that may be, weight training, certain types of yoga (e.g., ashtanga), pilates or fitball work, that should be performed 2-3 times per week for around 30-60minutes per session (i think..? mayvbe 30-45min). But something like that.
So the focus should shift from doing hours of cardio to only 2-3 sessions per week and incorporating strength and stretching.
I have PCOS too and have been always told to do hours and hours of cardio everyday, and its just nonsense. You dont have to kill yourself, but the benefit is in the strength training.
Goodluck with it Scarlet,
stace

Thanks Stacey

That's helped clear it up yes, is it only Ashtanga yoga that's good for strength training? Where does swimming fit in?

Swimming can be either cardio or resistance depending on how high your heart rate gets. Below 90 beats per minute is resistance, and above 90 is cardio.