Suggestions for exercise hater with bad joints

Jewels211

...and a fear of water. :-p I successfully lost 71 lb. in 7 months about 6 years ago and kept it off for awhile, all without any exercise at all. But I'm in my 50s now, perimenopausal, and I want to do all I can to make sure I get the weight that crept back on back off successfully. My hips and knees are very problematical (one of my tibias is kinda set in wonky, so walking on uneven surfaces or exercise machines with narrow foot surfaces that don't allow for the resulting twist to my foot cause pain and problems), and I'm scared of water, so water aerobics isn't something I really want to try. Isn't there something that's FUN, that will make me forget about the sweating and huffing and puffing, and won't tear my joints up? I'm not aiming to become a marathon runner; I just want a good cardio workout that will increase my metabolism and help get me in shape. Help?

LKArgh

If you have joint issues, walking might be the easiest option, and it is enough to keep you fit. You could try pilates, as long as you first talk to the instructor and explain the specific problems you are facing. Also if you can find a good functional training class, it is both intense exercise, and the initial goal was exactly to help people with health limitations.

whitebalance

My gym has a machine called "adaptive motion trainer." It feels kind of like a cross between an elliptical and a bouncy castle. The movement is very similar to running, with no joint impact at all because it's springy -- and unlike the elliptical, you control the stride and direction. It's a great cardio workout and it really is a blast; put on some good music and go to town on that thing, and you've hit 90% MHR and burned off a cheeseburger before you know it. Looks something like this:

ktsmom430

I second the walking. Start small and work your way up.

My knees were horrible. I lost 90# before I began to even walk, but losing weight really improved my knees. I can walk for hours now, up and down steep hills. Ellipticals are pretty gentle on joints and knees and I also use this quite a bit.

Best of luck to you!

Jewels211

Thanks for the suggestions! I will definitely check into the exercise machine--if the foot pads are wide enough to let me position my foot right, this could work--if the cost is feasible. And friends are talking about starting a walking group on the local walking path. If the path is even and paved, then my knee may be okay--and with friends, I won't feel so awkward and exposed.