Good Workout Routines for 250lb-ers?

butterflyfaerie

Does anyone know of any good workouts for someone as heavy as 250? It feels as though everything I try (even those claiming to be for very beginners, with any body type or fitness level) feels impossible. I got the FitOn app, and I ended up getting really down because I just couldn't do anything in it.

LisaGetsMoving

Walking is a good sustainable way to get exercise minutes in. When you can walk briskly for 30 minutes, then add in hills or go back and try the workouts that seemed too strenuous now. Build up to the workouts that currently feel impossible.

sneaky291

Walking. Doesn't have to be fast, just get into the habit of it. I throw on a good podcast or audiobook and the time just flies by. Work your way up to a 30-minute walk, then 45 minutes, then an hour. Then do it regularly. You don't have to do major hardcore workouts, just do something more than you would have done. Your body will respond and you WILL SEE RESULTS! Just give yourself a chance!

ndj1979

Do you have access to weights/gym?

I would suggest three day week beginner lifting program and walking on off lift days...

goal06082021

+1 suggestion for walking. When the weather (and pandemic) permits, I like to go walking at some of the local parks around the county. Many of them have "heart trails" with little stations every 300 feet or so, where you do a bodyweight movement or use some simple equipment, which breaks up the monotony of basically walking around in a big circle, pleasant weather and natural scenery notwithstanding. Podcasts or audiobooks also make the time go by faster. I haven't really been able to do this in a while, mostly because of my work schedule but also pandemic.

I have a Planet Fitness membership, and while I'm not keen to go back to working out indoors with other people anytime soon, the Planet Fitness app has a ton of trainer-led workout videos. I've been really impressed with the Beginner Strength, Beginner Cardio and Beginner Dumbbell series on there. The trainers are very supportive and encouraging, and they proactively demonstrate modifications to make things easier.

riffraff2112

I agree. Walking, until it becomes too easy, then you can pick up the pace or add distance. Then invest in some light weights (or resistance bands)and begin training those muscles. Not a huge investment and very versatile. It will also give you more strength to improve other activities that you will eventually want to try.

Chieflrg

What is your goal?

MuttiNM

I looked back to see what I was doing when I added exercise to my routine. I was over 100 pounds heavier than you currently are. I started with doing some exercises with light weights 2 times a week. After 4 weeks of that, I added in some time on an old recumbent exercise bike I had. I started doing that 3 times a week. I started with just what I could do which at that time was 4 minutes and added a minute a day or a few minutes a week. After about 3 months of the weights and exercise bike, I started doing a Leslie Sansone walking video on youtube. I used one of her beginner ones of 5 minutes. At that time, I couldn't do even that so I did as long as I could (1.5 minutes) and did that a couple times a day 3 or 4 days a week. Each day I would add just 15 more seconds until I could do the whole video and then moved on to her longer videos. All this to say, do what you can and gradually build on that. As you can see, I added time in very gradual increments since I was in terribly bad physical shape. Per someone's suggestion here on MFP, I tried doing some chair yoga (since I couldn't get down on the floor) and found to my surprise that I really liked it. That might be something you could try. I understand feeling really down about not being able to do some fitness routines since I couldn't even wall 100 feet without feeling like I was going to die. Just keep at it and you will see improvement. Even baby steps will add up to great improvement over time. As an example, I can now hike for several hours at a time. Those baby steps really do add up! I hope you find something you enjoy. Keep at it and build on it gradually. Good luck!

callsitlikeiseeit

i started at over 300 pounds just by walking.

now I'm routinely in the gym, but it took time to build up to that point.

gwenster89

Start simple! Squats, deadlifts, presses, that kind of thing. Watch a few videos to get your form right and just practice those. Start with small sets and work your way up. You got this!

sijomial

What CAN you do?

You will get far better advice if you actively engage on the thread you started.

Danam48

I lost 100 pounds and walking was my only exercise. I just keep increasing speed and distance. Now I also feel like I want to be stronger and not just fit. Search for Holly Honjo on YouTube. I felt it comforting to take some classes from someone who looked like me and understood the difficulties of moving your body when you are overweight and just getting started out.

luceegj

Firstly if you don't have a step tracker I would get one, it doesn't need to be price at all just something to track your daily steps. I would then make sure you're hitting a certain amount each day and this does not go backward. I would look then to increase that over time. This is very good as it isn't strenuous, easy to do most places and can be built up over time.

I would also suggest a beginner's style resistance training, again you can start small and build up reps and weight you use.

I hope this helps

Lucy
[edited by MFP mods]

eliseretzinger

butterflyfaerie wrote: »

Does anyone know of any good workouts for someone as heavy as 250? It feels as though everything I try (even those claiming to be for very beginners, with any body type or fitness level) feels impossible. I got the FitOn app, and I ended up getting really down because I just couldn't do anything in it.

eliseretzinger

Try Dance Groove. They are doing a 30 day challenge....check them out on Facebook. Dance exercise that really isnt too hard and gets you started. Makes exercise fun. I love it...best thing I've done for myself.

1poundatax

Youtube has some good chair exercies. Google chair exercises for seinors. HASfit, Renew Active and Silver Sneakers all have some good videos and they encourage you to goat your own pace. Do what yu can and build up.

4Phoenix

HASfit great for beginning weight lifting workouts...