newby with bad knees

vsawyers357

Hi everyone this is my first day with my fitness pal. I am looking foward to making friends and get help with loosing wieght. I am looking for good ideas for exercises because I have bad knees as well. I don not have a gym membership so what can I do at home. I will start walking 3 mile tomorrow.

blably

heiii and welcome, im Mon.

you didnt say your height and weight / how much you want to lose, and you didnt specify your knee problems.


but youtube some videos, with walking, maybe gettin a stat. bike to help strenghten the muscles around the knees would and will be good, so thatway your stamina and possibilities will improve,

vsawyers357

I am 5"4 and I 200 lbs my knees have broken cartilage

blably

http://life.gaiam.com/article/best-cardio-exercises-bad-knees here you go here are a few excersises.

you should look on youtube some pop pilates videos from cassey ho, she has some that dont involve the knees, and yet are very affective

MelStren

3 miles on day one may be too much for bad knees. Start with one mile, time it and see how long it takes you to walk it. Work on making that one mile faster THEN work up to 2 miles, then 3.

I have bad knees too and I do not run. I walk about 3 miles twice a week now but I've taken 3 years to work up to that. I also take chondroitin and glucosamine and have been for about a year and half. it took about a year for me notice the effects but I wouldn't be without it now!

squats are a good way to build up the muscles around the knees. Just do what you can and add weights once you can do them comfortably without.


edited to add that I also have damaged cartilage in my knees. You can work up to walking 3 miles a session but it will take time.

vsawyers357

Thanks, good looking out

MorningWhispers

Check with your doctor or your local hospital they might have a therapy / fitness center that you can use for a low cost with a swimming pool Swimming pools are great for people with bad knees and most major hospitals have some sort of therapy / fitness center but it's not widely advertised, you have to actually ask about it.

vsawyers357

Good ideal, I'll look into it. Thanks

carolemorden9

Swimming might be a good option for you. My mom also has bad knees, and she's been going to the pool a lot this summer and just water jogging and using a noodle to help her float so she can work her legs. She got her right knee replaced last year, and is looking to have her left knee done as well.

kzakian

Hi and welcome! I've only been on here for less than a month so far, but feel free to add me as a friend if you want some support.

I don't have bad knees but I had noticed that running made them hurt a lot because of the weight my legs had to support with a high-impact exercise. I've been using the elliptical every second day and I've found it really easy on the knees and I can go for about half an hour without my body hurting.

But apart from that, maybe try some heavy arm lifting. You don't need to use your knees and it's really great for toning!

vsawyers357

Thanks for the invite I have added you to my friend list.

vsawyers357

K, thanks

WendySturdevant

I'm new here also, a friend got me started a couple of days ago.
I started out with walking around the block until it became easy then added an extra block, I'm up to 6 blocks with a puppy. You need to start your goals low until you build yourself up, if you try to push yourself to much to fast you will fail. Been there done that.

I also bought The Workout with Chris Powell. There is 3 levels to start out with, level 1 being the easiest and you work at your own pace.

Good luck, you may add me if you wish

jreneecal

I too have bad knees, in fact I had arthroscopic surgery on one and next would have to have a total knee replacement. At 52 years old I'm trying to put that off as long as possible. Just joined MFP in June so I'm pretty new too. I do as much walking as possible but I have an elliptical machine that I love and can also use my husbands stationary bike. There are also quite a few low impact u tube videos. If you'd like another friend feel free to add me.

erikasmith2013

Welcome Val....excited you are here!!!! Woo hoo!

TeaBea

Walk At Home exercise DVDs by Leslie Sansone

These are basically low impact, no choreography (no twisty moves) ....aerobics. The good thing about these is that you can customize these to your fitness level. As your level increases you can add higher knees, bigger arms, light weights ...just go at your own pace if needed.

Here's a youtube sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjduJjO1pLg&feature=related

DVDs are sold at Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon ...I like DVDs because they are chaptered .... you can skip around.

farway

I also have a wonky knee, I just walk, I agree with suggestion not to aim too high at first

Just walk to the shops, or even park in far corner of supermarket car park and gradually build it up

I also use glucosamine , it is not magic bullet, more long term

*kitten* me if you wish

vsawyers357

(:

vsawyers357

Thanks

phyllisgehrke

Hi, I also have bad knees.

I do chair exercises for my Abs.
I walk 30 mins a day.

Have you thought about Aqua Exercises? They say exercise is easier in the pool because the water is buoyant.

Add me as a friend if you wish.
If you find exercises that work for you, Let me know.

LJCannon

:flowerforyou: Welcome to MFP!! I can tell you that the Knees WILL get better as you lose weight. There are a TON of Chair Exercises on YouTube so you can even exercise without Stressing your Knees or when the Weather is Bad.
No Excuses!!
Start slow and increase our Activity gradually as your Knees get better.
Small Steps Really DO Lead To BIG CHANGES:drinker:

vsawyers357

Thanks, love the kitten

happygranny13

Hi, this day number five for me. I support you and you can help me.

Canderson58054

Welcome! Glad to see you here. Although I don't have "bad knees", i do have a leg that is amputated below the knee. Everyone's progression is different, but the important thing is we are all here and changing our lives for the better. I would just make sure to start out slow. Pick a distance and go for it. If its too much, break your walks up into a couple walks throughout the day. If you can do it with ease, keep going, or go for another one later in the day. Just keep your head up and don't get discouraged! We didn't do this to our bodies overnight and we won't fix it overnight either If you're looking for friends or support, feel free to add me

JDY36

I also have bad knees: Left ACL repaired, Right one not repaired and is giving me pain! Had a traumatic ski accident that started my knee troubles. I am swimming for exercise at a local pool for $2 a day. It is wonderful! No joint pain while I am working out. Every other day I hit the gym, the elliptical trainer is good because it's not twisting the knee. Biking, stationary for me, is good for the quads. Please feel free to "Friend" me! :happy:

PLoveElliott

Hi there,
I have had bad knees for years and recommend going slowly with the distance for walking. You can do leg raises and squats at home to help build the muscles up in your quads. Swimming or water aerobics is a good alternative as well. My knee problems have gotten less as I have lost weight...but I still have to be careful (had had dislocations, weak ligaments, cartilage floating around, muscle instability that has caused most of the issues).
If you are close to a pool try that along with the leg raises and squats. Walking 3 miles at the start might be too much for your knees. Walking is still having impact on your knees and could flare up any challenges that you have them. Try as much non-impact stuff as possible. Feel free to add me if you like! I am on MFP pretty much all day.
Good luck!

jmzz1

Bump

lorettasnewbeginning

Hi and welcome to MFP! I joined in June (this go round). I don't have any diagnosed knee problems but at 50, can tell trouble may be on the horizon. I have had to cut my runs (slow jogs actually) short in the last few weeks because my left knee starts popping! That said, the suggestions listed by previous posters are good ones. Feel free to add me if you need another MFP friend.

tincrystal

Hi there, I too am new to the forum!

Think the advice above would be hard to beat, particularly swimming and Pilates but make sure you consult your doc just to be sure.

SJ x

MoJoPoe

My old knees like cycling and swimming over jogging.

lisanblack

Hi! My name is Lisa, and I am new as well. I have had knee surgery in the past, so I also have problems with anything high impact. I walk, and use an elliptical trainer right now, because that is what my knees can handle. Just remember any type of exercise is good, and only increase your time and distance in small increments so your body adjusts well. Good luck in your journey.

P.S. Anybody know of a discussion about Cholesterol management? I started myfitnesspal because I was recently diagnosed with scary high cholesterol (Like start Lipitor and take an aspirin now scary) and I am looking for more information about medication.