For those who started out with a LOT to lose

jelleigh

Hey OP I'm wondering (and maybe someone who knows more might be able to chime in on whether this is useful or not) whether you could so some exercises that are no impact. Ie: there is another thread talking about those under the desk bicycle machines . You could do it while sitting at work and it wouldn't be hard on your joints? Or maybe some small dumbbells that you could do simple arm exercises with while seated? I mention these because I remember my grandmother using them when she was around your age and having some success. Swimming or aquabics classes are popular as well although I know many of us with a lot to lose like to steer clear of pools and suits. Just an idea to maybe help out with/ the fitness end of things while still considering your abilities /lifestyle ?

Ming1951

Looking_Feel.DO what works for you. I was obese now I am not. I have lost a bit over 60 lbs with art 15 more to go. I am 65. I was sedentary now I walk most days. I have a knee that is bone on bone and will require a total replacement. I started in Sept 2016. I track all my foods and have lost steadily. My doctors are very pleased with my loss and all my numbers look better than ever before. I set mfp to lose 2 lbs per week and it gave me the 1200 calories per day which I have followed, some days a little under but most days on target. I do not eat back my calories normally. The only thing I am thinking is that I could have gone higher on my calorie intake in the beginning as now with my last 15 lbs to go it is very slow and I can't cut calories any further as they say 1200 is the minimum one should have per day. So I am sticking with that with a slower loss. May take me another 6 months at the rate I am going. LOL I am 5'6 so I lost more quickly in the beginning at 1200. I feel better than I have in years. I am walking almost 10,000 steps or more per day now. In the beginning my knees both hurt me now its just the one and it went from a "10" to a "3", pain level most days. I can't believe how good I feel.

Ming1951

jelleigh.. Those are some good suggestions. I had my doctor send me for some PT in the beginning which I followed up with at home, they certainly helped. My neighbor went to one of the local community assisted living centers who has a pool and asked if she could get a membership to their pool (not a resident there). They actually started a program that allows seniors to use the facility pool. Its great, a bit expensive for me. And once on medicare you can get silver slippers which is a gym membership that allows you to use their facility for free and they have usually a class lifting weights a few days per week too. I haven't taken advantage of this yet but I intend too.

Looking_Feeling_Younger

Thanks for the chair exercise ideas. I just found some yoga chair exercise shows on PBS and youtube. The lady's name is Sarah Starr, and she has a nice relaxing voice, too. I like yoga... it feels good and isn't like the "no pain, no gain" kind of exercise. The water exercise is a good idea, too. I'll look into that as well.

Ming, your weight loss and exercise are encouraging to read about since you are about my age and you were also sedentary. I'm so glad you're feeling better and doing more, even with the bone on bone. I worry about putting a lot of strain on my joints for the very reason you describe. If you do get the knee replacement, it will probably be better that you won't be having to put so much weight on it. Great job.