Suitable excercise for 300+ lbs folk

[Waterbabe_Helena]

I read a lot about doing exercise, but what exercise can be expected/demanded of a 312lb body 5ft 4 inches high, that is accustomed to a sedentary life?

Can anyone tell me what one should do daily? I cannot run, jog, use a walking machine - my joints hurt.

Frustrated, UK

[cleochatra]

When I weighed 325 pounds, I walked. You could also try a stationary exercise bike or swimming, both of which put much less pressure on your joints.

[brabea22]

I started this way of life a little over a Month ago (March 23) at 575 pounds. I did very little activity, basically moving from one place to the other to sit. When I started I could walk ten minutes, but felt like I was about to fall down dead afterwards.

If you are following DANDR, you will check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program, but understand that psychologically you might be telling yourself that you can't do anything when physically you are able. I know that was the obstacle I had to get over personally.

Good luck with your exercise. I know you will do great, and I am here if you should need some encouragement.

-bran

[latte]

Hi there..do you have acess to a pool? Water jogging or anything in the water takes the stress of the joints..Or maybe look into walking 5 min at a time..or working out sitting down..to start with...or pilates for the floor..That is one heck of a workout..I have pilates for dummies...Good Luck... :icondance

[fr1endly2]

Well when i started atkins at 300 lbs and very out of shape I loved the walking away the pounds tapes that was referred to me by Pammie of this board.

I bought them at walmart and they were the best. I started with the 1 mile and it only took about 10 - 15 mintues to do. As i was getting better i was doing the 1 mile two times a day! They were perfect for a very out of shape mom at the age of 42.
HOPE it helps!!!

LISA
fr1endly2

[RunAwayMichelle]

I hear you Frustrated.

I started Atkins over 350 lbs, very seditary, with a bad back and in pain. I started with walking to the corner and back. About 1.5 blocks round trip. My speed was snail pace, but I was up and moving. Believe me that 1.5 blocks was exhausting. Now I can walk 10 blocks easily and I am ready to increase my distance again.

You can start with walking for 5 minutes then turning around and walking back home. If you can go everyday you will get stronger faster but it may be more realistic to start with a 3 days a week goal.

[Origam]

I did walking (on the treadmill and off) and a stationary bike when I started, I was around 400lbs. I also did a few stretching exercises that a personal trainer taught me.. bought myself a yoga mat and did them at home.

[TryingToStayHappy]

Hello!! :hug :joy

I didn't start excercising till i got down to 350, and then i did the treadmill for a couple weeks and got lazy. I tried the treadmill again when I was around 305 and was able to do 30 mins at 3.0 mph!!

Got lazy again. Now I joined Curves and did it good for three weeks, but gads, I am so fricking lazy!!!

:hug take it slow... maybe just walking, okay?

[sidrah]

I am with Lisa on the Walk Away the Pounds tapes. You can start at one mile and do that once or twice a day. It really does not seem like in that time you have gone a whole mile, but I clocked it on the pedometer and you do. I do like to go walking, but with people. I have no one to walk with here, so I liked this better.

I also think some type of exercise video will help you as well. The Richard Simmons ones are kinds iffy. If you can tolerate him, go for it. Some of the stuff confuses me, but most of it short enough spurts to keep you going and then get a break.


If I had the choice, I'd say bike!!!! It's fun and if you wanna start inside, you can get an inside exercise bike. If nothing else, jump rope or stretch out. Some of teh yoga tapes will do good for you. Do something fun so you will keep doing it. Good luck. Let us know :wave

[Waterbabe_Helena]

Walking tapes

Many thanks for the replies.

What exactly is the point of the walking tapes? I mean, do the tapes say something to you - and what do they say? Why is that better than walking without a tape, or with some music for example? I'm in the UK and we don't have Walmart here so I cannot buy them easily.

I am just off to the Pool to do some water jogging. This for me is my Day One.

Love

Frustrated.

[fr1endly2]

you proly can oder the tapes on EBAy and have them shipped to the UK!
The tapes are good my reasons:

1. AT my largest size, doing my excersise in the privacy of my living room was all i had guts for. I wasnt gonna be taken my tonage down the street anywhere.

2. If i was home and couldnt do it, i can stop.

Its a walking in place routine that does give you a workout! There are a few steps to do with it. THERE the best tapes for excersise, and a great private place to stop! And if makeing time for your excerise is a problem there quick too for he 1 mile!

But these tapes are very popular, sorry i hadnt realized you were from the UK!

LISA

[Richt]

tryingtostayhappy wrote -

Got lazy again. Now I joined Curves and did it good for three weeks, but gads, I am so fricking lazy!!!

I think that is one of the biggest tips for anyone who is starting out with the excercise.

Vary your routines constantly as this will stop you from getting bored and keep you motivated.

Rich

[MotherNature]

Frustrated......You said you had access to a pool for water jogging. There is no better exercise than water aerobics when you are overweight. The water keeps you from stressing your joints, and every move you make in the water is exercise since you are pushing against the resistance of the water. Get a beginners water aerobics tape and work at a routine that you can do 3 times a week. When you feel able, start swimming laps. Swimming gives you a whole body workout and is wonderful exercise for the overweight. Good luck!

Cathy

[Waterbabe_Helena]

Swimming/jogging

I went swimming and water-jogging for one hour this morning and walked home - a 40 minute walk of which the last 10 is uphill. Felt pretty good. In the UK there are very few large ladies about. I've never met anyone my size (312 pounds) and everyone at the pool was slim to medium. Still, I did it and will keep doing it.

[bizzlekitty]

Re: Swimming/jogging

I went swimming and water-jogging for one hour this morning and walked home - a 40 minute walk of which the last 10 is uphill. Felt pretty good. In the UK there are very few large ladies about. I've never met anyone my size (312 pounds) and everyone at the pool was slim to medium. Still, I did it and will keep doing it.

Good for you!!!!

One of the biggest motivators and confidence-boosters I've had on this WOE is that even if other people around me are thin, I know that I am doing something to finally fix it so I am not just getting thinner, but healthier as well.

Give it time and energy and it will work. Exercise is a big part of that. I made the mistake of not exercising my first year on Atkins (and still lost 65 lbs then, but would have probably been more had I exercised). I started working out in January doing the treadmill and lifting weights and it has made a huge improvement in how I feel (the weight loss hasn't quite followed yet, but I am building muscle and burning fat I think). I started out really really slow due to my health condition (fibro) and have ramped up slowly to be able to do more.

Exercise is not just for losing weight, but a necessity of life like eating, sleeping and breathing. Even if you cannot jog or do aerobics, there's lots of possibilities to find what will work for you. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise, and it's especially good for those of us with joint/muscular issues.

Keep up the good work yay!