Waiting to Begin Working Out?

aylerz

I have quite a bit of weight to lose (180 pounds), and have read a few different places that I should wait to start working out on a regular basis until I lose about 50 pounds through diet changes alone.

Is there any basis to this? I'm pretty physically active as is on the weekends, and am young and healthy aside from being overweight - though I do work a desk job so my weeks are pretty sedentary (my main problem has been eating more calories than I'm burning).

I'm a month in and have lost about 20 pounds with diet alone. Feeling pretty light on my feet and am looking at joining a gym. Is there any basis to the idea of waiting before beginning to work out?

janejellyroll

What's the justification for this advice?

If one has a goal of improving fitness, why wait?

cwolfman13

aylerz wrote: »

I have quite a bit of weight to lose (180 pounds), and have read a few different places that I should wait to start working out on a regular basis until I lose about 50 pounds through diet changes alone.

Is there any basis to this? I'm pretty physically active as is on the weekends, and am young and healthy aside from being overweight - though I do work a desk job so my weeks are pretty sedentary (my main problem has been eating more calories than I'm burning).

I'm a month in and have lost about 20 pounds with diet alone. Feeling pretty light on my feet and am looking at joining a gym. Is there any basis to the idea of waiting before beginning to work out?

I'm guessing the "wait to start working out" stuff is more in reference to high impact and/or higher intensity exercise.

Walking is a great place to start...walking is exercise.

jjpptt2

No, there's no merit to it. Definitely make sure you chose exercises appropriate for you and your fitness level... but otherwise, have at it!

Aplant77

If you want to exercise then you should! I didn't have as much to lose but I started working out 6 days a week at the same time as joining mfp and watching calories. It has really helped me to lose weight, not so much in the small amount of calories burned but because it gives me energy and has helped my body change in a positive way. I am so proud of how my body looks now compared to last August! Start slowly so you don't hurt yourself and build up when you are ready.

apullum

Check with your doctor to make sure there's no specific medical reason why you can't exercise. If your doctor says it's okay, then go for it--no reason to wait.

Kalex1975

Agree with @apullum, check with your doctor...

I was told to avoid most exercises when I first began my weight-loss journey because of the damage it would cause my knees (was told to do low impact stuff, like water aerobics).

HoneyBadger302

Talk to your doctor, but unless they say otherwise, I would see no good reason in waiting. Just take your time, start off slowly and give your body some time to adjust. Starting with some daily walks would be an easy way to kick it off, and if that goes well for a week or so, add something else in and build up from there.

aylerz

Thanks all! I am all clear for exercising medically speaking, so good to know I don't have to wait!

sarabushby

I can think of only one good reason to wait....

....so you don’t spend a fortune on gym kit that soon becomes too big for you and you need another whole wardrobe of fitness wear!