Need help Ladies and Gents

[cincywbbw]

I went out today and bought a palates starter kit, it has the resistance band, a 20 minute DVD and the 22 inch stability ball.

A little bit about me so you can help me or give advice.

I have very weak/bad ankles and have been sedentry for at least 2 years. I basically have no strenghth in my feet and have to wear braces on both feet to walk. My feet and ankles are not very flexible because of authritis.

I weigh 258 as of today and I am 5'3.

Someone suggested that I get a stability ball to help strengthen and tone up.

If there is anyone out there that can help me get started slowly so I dont hurt myself I sure would deeply appreciate it. I really dont see the DVD helping too much right now because I have no experience at all with excersise, so I really want to do this right.

I am thinking 10 minutes 3 days a week for the first 2 weeks. Does that sound like a good goal, is it too much or too little. I really have no idea, all I know is I got to get moving somehow without over doing it to the point of not being able to do it anymore.

Is there anyone out there willing to help me challenge myself, or that will keep me motivated?

Thanks Sooooo Much!!!

[ValidRouge]

Re: Need help Ladies and Gents

Cincy, I have never done pilates before....so I can't be of much help there. However, one thing you can do to slowly start out is SIT on the ball while at the computer or watching tv or whatnot. Keeping your balance on the ball, just sitting there to begin with is going to work your core muscles (those muscles in the trunk of your body). This is always a good foundation for ANY future exercise program. A good strong and balanced core muscle group.

Then in a few days or a week when you've got your balance, you can look online for other exercises you can start with.

I'm VERY proud of you for getting started!!!

[cincywbbw]

Re: Need help Ladies and Gents

I sat on it for a little while today, ok a couple minutes, and I could feel something working..lol I wonder how I would know if it is blowed up enough. There was really no documentation with it. Unless it is included on the DVD, I guess I should pop it in just to get an idea of what I should be doing.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Need help Ladies and Gents

Can't hurt. You want it blown up enough to support your weight when you sit on it.

[cincywbbw]

Re: Need help Ladies and Gents

Well the DVD was a bust..lol It stopped playing for some reason. Just my luck!

[cincywbbw]

Re: Need help Ladies and Gents

So today I am sitting on the ball at my desk, its somewhat uncomfortable and a litlle painful on my hips and shins, but it aint supposed to be easy right?

[ValidRouge]

Re: Need help Ladies and Gents

That's right. You want to use your stomach muscles and hip muscles and the abdominals in your sides to hold you upright on the ball.

[julirama723]

Re: Need help Ladies and Gents

You can also do arm exercises with the ball.

You might think, sure, it's filled with air, how hard can it be? Well you can either stand or sit and hold the ball in front of you, arms straight, with one hand on each side of the ball. Slowly bring the ball into your chest, and slowly take it back out. Do as many of these as you can.

You can also hold the ball in front of your face, and lift it straight up, above your head. This really works the shoulders and the arms. You can either stand or sit while you do these. After quite a few reps of these, you should feel it in your muscles! The slower you go, the harder it is!

[sadie147]

Re: Need help Ladies and Gents

I have moved this thread to the Exercise forum, it was in the exercise dvd and video review forum.

cincy, I love pilates, You can get alot of dvd's that have modified moves for beginners, I find the winsor pilates are the ones i like best, they are not too complicated, and they have a person doing 'modified' for those that are just beginning.

Also look for dvd's that specifiy they are for beginners, that will be a big help to get you started.

[cincywbbw]

Re: Need help Ladies and Gents

Julie that sounds simple enough thanks for the tips. I definately am starting out slow because the athritits in my ankles generally forces me to.


Thanks sadie I always manage to put them in the wrong space..lol..