Trying to lose 100 lbs, never been to a gym where do I start?

As title says I'm trying to lose 100 pounds right now I'm at 285 which is the heaviest I've been and its really got me down. I'm looking to go to the gym but I dont even know where to start any help would be appreciated
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Replies

  • bubus05
    bubus05 Posts: 121 Member
    To lose a 100 lbs is no small task as a matter of fact it is very, very hard. I have dropped roughly 90 in the past eleven months and for me getting prepared mentally for what was coming was the first step. Because it is a rough ride, but worth it. There is a lady over on 'success stories' comment section who posted I think today about losing a 100 lbs with keto+intermittent fasting, I concur. This is the way.
  • summerkylarstar
    summerkylarstar Posts: 3 Member
    I’m just starting out on my 100lbs too. My first step was CrossFit and now I’m on the right path counting calories. I found this app and it’s helped the most with my nutrition. Learn as much as you can. I find the more I know about why I need to do something the more I want to do it. Like protein after workout helps build your muscles. Until I learnt that I didn’t start incorporating protein.
  • Ddsb11
    Ddsb11 Posts: 607 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    I love this graphic from your other thread:
    small changes equal greater success. First start by logging your food. Dont worry about dieting. Just learn how to weigh and measure your food and log it ACCURATELY. This can sometimes help you see trends and identify easy areas to reduce calories.

    Dont think about losing 100 pounds. Think about losing 5 or 10. Break everything down into more manageable numbers.

    Move more. That doesn't mean hours at the gym, but a walk after dinner, or in the morning. Whenever you can spare the time. You might not be able to walk for long. Thats okay. It DOES get easier. I PROMISE.

    I lost 130 pounds. All by starting with small steps. Ive gained back some, mostly during the pandemic (as many of us have) but even now ... I keep it small. If I go over my calories on any given day (and my birthday was this week, so yes, i did on a couple of days). its okay. This week is back to normal. The cake is gone and meals out in celebration are over.

    start small.

    guckztt0gf3f.jpg

    I saved it too!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    If you're apprehensive about a gym, then get a good trainer for at least one month seeing them 2-3 times a week.
    At the very least you can learn about proper form, and build a base foundation of basic exercise movements.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    I love this graphic from your other thread:
    small changes equal greater success. First start by logging your food. Dont worry about dieting. Just learn how to weigh and measure your food and log it ACCURATELY. This can sometimes help you see trends and identify easy areas to reduce calories.

    Dont think about losing 100 pounds. Think about losing 5 or 10. Break everything down into more manageable numbers.

    Move more. That doesn't mean hours at the gym, but a walk after dinner, or in the morning. Whenever you can spare the time. You might not be able to walk for long. Thats okay. It DOES get easier. I PROMISE.

    I lost 130 pounds. All by starting with small steps. Ive gained back some, mostly during the pandemic (as many of us have) but even now ... I keep it small. If I go over my calories on any given day (and my birthday was this week, so yes, i did on a couple of days). its okay. This week is back to normal. The cake is gone and meals out in celebration are over.

    start small.

    guckztt0gf3f.jpg

    Thanks.

    I figured I replied once and was obviously ignored so I wasn't going to waste my keystrokes on being ignored by the same person for a second time LOL
  • bernadretti
    bernadretti Posts: 4 Member
    Hooray, you've made a decision, I've been there I too lost 100 lbs, years ago. Now today I can say to you : congratulations, now you will make time to be a better you today than yesterday. That's it, that's all. Go slow, be aware, love yourself, God doesn't make junk.
  • jenniferinfl
    jenniferinfl Posts: 456 Member
    Don't start at the gym unless you really, really want to.

    When you have 100 lbs to lose, your own body is enough to start out lifting. If you want, you could maybe pick up a couple dumbbells and then follow one of the many videos available on the internet. Start out with dumbbells you can lift over your head at least 7 times. I started out with 20 lb dumbbells. Eventually, if those get too easy, buy a different set and sell your old ones.

    Other than that, walk. Walking burns a decent amount of calories when you have 100 lbs to lose. I fit in walking during breaks at work and then in the evenings at home. You don't even have to go that hard, especially when you first start out. I get my 10,000 steps per day and then around 4 miles on a stationary bike. But, if you don't have a stationary bike, it's not a dealbreaker, I actually burn more calories just walking around. I walk around inside my house in air conditioning- I have a route through my livingroom and kitchen and can actually just read a book while walking.. lol Sure, it doesn't get my heart rate up super high, but, it does help me increase my calorie deficit a bit.
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    The common factor in any weight loss success, is calorie deficit. That’s it.

    How you accomplish this is your choice. Take advice from those you think would work best for you. No one knows you better than yourself.

    Exercise is not necessary for weight loss, but is great for overall health.
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    bubus05 wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    bubus05 wrote: »
    Ddsb11 wrote: »
    bubus05 wrote: »
    To lose a 100 lbs is no small task as a matter of fact it is very, very hard. I have dropped roughly 90 in the past eleven months and for me getting prepared mentally for what was coming was the first step. Because it is a rough ride, but worth it. There is a lady over on 'success stories' comment section who posted I think today about losing a 100 lbs with keto+intermittent fasting, I concur. This is the way.

    If this is “the way”, why are you on a site designed to track calories? Answer: because weight loss is EXCLUSIVELY CICO.

    How many people lose weight, cutting NOTHING out of their diet, but eat in a calorie deficit? Answer: 100%.

    How many people lose weight on Keto if they are not in a calorie deficit? Answer: ZERO %. I am one of those people who ate Keto for 10 years because people like you kept preaching it was the way. It created disordered eating, WEIGHT GAIN, even frequent nightmares. So when you spew your non-science nonsense, I can only imagine how many other peoples lives you are giving false hope to.

    I do IF (naturally) and I STILL need to count calories or I WILL GAIN WEIGHT! So no, there is no magical property of IF. It’s a tool.

    You are a troll at this point, I’m certain of it. Eat keto all you want, knock yourself out. Just don’t continue to lie to people that don’t know any better.

    The word 'KETO' is apparently offensive. Why are you attacking me calling me names for something I didn't say, not very nice is it...you are reading lines that are not there. Who said anything about not having to count calories. I am not giving 'false hope' to anyone, I am saying losing a 100 lbs is no small task and one has to prepare mentally-i know I had to- because it aint easy, am I wrong? I will try not to 'knock myself out' and i never lied to anyone. By the way keto and calorie counting work just fine together, I know because I am doing it. That doesn't mean keto will work for everyone, it is one of many strategies out there, but to completely dismiss it because it didn't work for you is wrong. Why even do it for ten years if it is clearly not the right diet...
    It might be because you last sentence said "this is the way", implying that people who need to lose 100lbs should follow keto.
    Remember, this is an open forum and there are A LOT of lurkers out there that DO NOT post at all and just read remarks. And lots of people are susceptible and desperate to lose weight that they are willing to do just about anything that sounds like it will get results.
    Now I'm NOT saying you can't lose on keto. As a trainer I believe there are better plans. I've had several clients lose 80+ to 100+lbs on just a calorie deficit and exercising without having to give up foods they actually enjoy eating. And what person WOULDN'T love to lose weight that way? You know as well as I do there are foods that are totally forbidden from keto plans and if people are going to have a mental fight with it, then it should be mentioned.
    As for Ddsb11, she may have on keto for 10 years because that all everyone was saying. Fads work like that. Let's face it, there are millions of dieters out there that have been on "eat clean" only plans, no "junk food" plans, "no dairy" plans, etc. for years and years and lose a little here and regain back and then restart over again and again.
    My personal opinion, I've met just a handful of people who've done keto successfully and kept it off for 5 years. And I've been doing this over 35+ years. The most successful people I've seen are people who just DON'T overindulge in their daily eating regimens. Again, there are no sure fire ways since everyone is different, but because of that difference we should be offering as much info as we can so it's easier for them to make a decision on what plan might be right for them.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    And that's fine. Explaining why I may be wrong or why you may disagree is one thing, calling me a liar or troll is another. Not that I am offended-Ddsb11 seems to be- just a bit frustrated, I have been called worse, LOL. What else can I say other than my experiences, I am not implying anything, I am saying what worked, yeah maybe 'this is the way' is a bit too much, sounds cool though.

    I’m afraid I heard it said in the voice of the Mandalorian armorer and started giggling uncontrollably. If that’s cool...
  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    nearspk640 wrote: »
    As title says I'm trying to lose 100 pounds right now I'm at 285 which is the heaviest I've been and its really got me down. I'm looking to go to the gym but I dont even know where to start any help would be appreciated

    There's a couple of things to "unpack".

    First: It seems obvious, but check out the gyms in your area and see if they fit your needs.

    Gyms vary a lot, and you might not feel comfortable going to the one infested by "gym rats" or the one that only seem to cater to triathletes. Do they seem positive and accepting, or do you get a vibe that you're "too big for this gym?" If you are looking for swimming, do they have a pool?

    I would encourage asking if there are any staff good at working with people just starting workouts. If you're new to working out, it's easy to use bad form, or overdo reps, or otherwise do things that could end up causing you an injury. If you are heavy, you should likely be starting with water workouts, stationary bikes, or other workouts that are easy on joints. Some trainers are better at this than others.

    Actually go there and get a sense if you feel comfortable, it's clean, doing social distancing, etc.

    Also, check out costs. If you feel high pressured, it's OK to walk out. Gyms are notorious for having high pressure salespeople, lots of fine print, and hidden costs. (But with COVID they're also dropping prices as well.)

    If you have a friend or coworker who has a gym, often there's some sort of free pass that members can use for a free visit.