OP here with an update:

Thanks everyone! I took it slow and JUST FINISHED CLEARING MY DRIVEWAY! The end of it was all ice blocks I had to drive a metal wedge into, then lift and carry elsewhere.

I take a water aerobics class and walk/run my energetic dog, so while I don't think I'm in great shape, I'm not a couch potato either.

I have just asked my doctor for a cardiac monitor and whatever other testing she thinks I need. I've had little weird heart beats every day.

Phew!

Stretching - stretching before shoveling is key. Take breaks between and do some heart raising activities like jumping jacks to keep your heart rate up.

Better see a cardiologist and pay for someone to handle that snow.

What is your workout routine like, OP? Having a normal BMI isn’t the same as being fit. I’m a 43 year old woman and didn’t have much trouble shoveling. I’ve been going to Burn boot camp regularly and felt like this was the easiest time I have ever had shoveling. A lot of the movements there are pretty functional I think. For example, squatting down to pick up a medicine ball from the ground and tossing it over a shoulder repeatedly. You have to use your legs if you don’t want to ruin your back, just like with shoveling.

I get heart palpitations unrelated to exercise. Stress and dehydration are triggers, and probably hormones. I had them checked out to confirm they are nuisance palpitations as the cardiologist called them. So get checked out, but if your frustrated think about what you can do to increase your cardiovascular shape and strength. This is a worthy goal independent of body weight.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think i can retire here because of the snow. How to reliably hire someone to shovel?

This area has a lot of smaller self owned landscaping companies. You call them and set it up before the storm. Many do a year long contract - mowing, weeding, leaf removal & snow removal.

I get palpitations just thinking about shoveling!

I don’t think i can retire here because of the snow. How to reliably hire someone to shovel?