Exercise for the morbidly obese....Any suggestions?

Gary1977

Hello, everyone this is my second day as a member of MFP and I'm really enjoying it this far. There have been so many helpful tools. To start, I'll tell you a little bit about myself. I'm 33 years old and I've been overweight for almost my entire life. I have FINALLY started to take my health seriously. With the help of my family and friends, I began my weight loss journey on February 15th of this year. To date, I've lost 60 lbs and I'm very proud of this. I'm still very far from my end goal, but I need to start incorporating exercise into my daily routine. The problem with this is I lose my wind very quickly and my knees and back feel like they will give out on me. I can't walk long enough at one stretch to keep my heart rate up in the fat burning zone. I spoke with my weight loss doctor that I'm seeing and he suggested that I join the YMCA and do water aerobics. This is a great idea, but I am very self conscious about how I look to other people. Can anyone here give me some at home exercises that I may be able to do?


Thanks for your time,:blushing:

Gary

missy1970eb

hi and welcome, how about starting with a gentle walk and then try increasing ur time by a few minutes a day

missbeezy

You can start with upper body using your arms to box or walk the stairs slowly. Walking in lace if you can. Arm circles. There are lots you can do at home to get started. Good luck!

carrie_lebel

Water exercise is a must and I watched the tv show heavy and they had a lady ride a tri- bike. That helped her alot. Try the lesile sansone. Walk at home DVDs. You can do these in the privacy of your own home and you can start by walking and when your weight starts falling off you can walk more. I love these DVDs.

carrie_lebel

Oh yeah. Great job on the sixty pounds. That is amazing you should be proud.

fatsnacker

little and often works. Walking is the best to get started - walk as far as you can as fast as you can.

Well done for what you have already achieved, you can do this

LillysGranny

Anything thing you do will be beneficial. If you are only able to tolerate very short walks right now, then try to do them a few times each day. Next week make them a teeny bit longer. The suggestion to box or do arm circles while seated or standing is also good. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao-tzu.

susancelli928

Just start with a small walk and build up the more you lose the better you will be..get some hand weights and work with that. Before you know it you will be exercising longer and the weight will slide off. Good Luck

jeanywren

I am in Canada and through the Dr. found out about the Living Well program. I just started and it is so good. There are exercises for all and monitored by professionals, including one physiotherapist. Since it is a government sponsored program to help people with disabilities, there are varying degrees and the program is individually monitored. It has already improved my balance and hope you can find something in your area. Check with the local Health Unit, Dr. office, or on line.

Gary1977

WOW! I didn't expect to come back a few minutes later and already have some responses. Thanks so much for your ideas.

spennato

Welcome, MFP is a great community where you can get all the support you need to keep you motivated. When your in a gym it's different than when your at a beach. People know you are doing something to try and be healthier so there is no need to feel self conscious. Everyone is there to get healthier. As far as exercise I would say the swimming pool will be the easiest on your body. But you might even want to try walking around the track as far as you can go and try to go a little further every day. Congrats on the 60 lbs lost and the future weight that you will lose. Good Luck!!!

togden

First let me say CONGRATS on losing 60lbs in less than 2 months - - - how did you manage that?

Try strength training with weights, because weight lifting (even a few pounds) can build lean muscle mass ..... Muscle mass burns more calories ..... Simple weight-lifting exercises can help efforts to lose weight

Maybe you can do some more research after reading this article - http://www.buzzle.com/articles/isometrics-is-the-perfect-exercise-for-the-morbidly-obese.html

Gary1977

First let me say CONGRATS on losing 60lbs in less than 2 months - - - how did you manage that?

Try strength training with weights, because weight lifting (even a few pounds) can build lean muscle mass ..... Muscle mass burns more calories ..... Simple weight-lifting exercises can help efforts to lose weight

Maybe you can do some more research after reading this article - http://www.buzzle.com/articles/isometrics-is-the-perfect-exercise-for-the-morbidly-obese.html

I think I will invest in some dumbells and a resistance band for starters. To answer your question about how I lost that much weight in less than two months is that being very obese, pounds seemed to come off just because my caloric intake went from around 4000-5000 a day to 1200-1500 a day. The calorie deficti alone made those pounds melt away.

soze

Congrats on the 60 lbs.! That is awesome! Yes start out slow and lift some weights. Muscles burn calories. Exercise to me is just that exercise. Any at all is good for you. You don't have to train for a marathon. Pick something you enjoy and do it. The exercise you enjoy will be the one you burn the most calories doing because you will do it more.

rachpiper720

Congratulation on your weight loss for far! 60 lbs is AMAZING! what about rowing? You can sit down and take some weight off the your knees, but also get your cardio in. I also second the weight training. Anything you can do to build muscle will help. I think shadow boxing was mentioned, but if not, that's a great cardio workout. I would reccomend keeping an exercise journal so you can really keep track of reps, workout duration, and amount of weight that you use. Just start slowly, and push just a little harder each time. Good luck!

destanicheri

First let me say CONGRATS on losing 60lbs in less than 2 months - - - how did you manage that?

Try strength training with weights, because weight lifting (even a few pounds) can build lean muscle mass ..... Muscle mass burns more calories ..... Simple weight-lifting exercises can help efforts to lose weight

Maybe you can do some more research after reading this article - http://www.buzzle.com/articles/isometrics-is-the-perfect-exercise-for-the-morbidly-obese.html

I think I will invest in some dumbells and a resistance band for starters. To answer your question about how I lost that much weight in less than two months is that being very obese, pounds seemed to come off just because my caloric intake went from around 4000-5000 a day to 1200-1500 a day. The calorie deficti alone made those pounds melt away.

You really inspire me...I can only pray to do so well!! GREAT JOB!

LivyJo

Wow!! Very inspiring....and you just started your journey. I also have knee problems and the best advice is just take it slow. Last thing you want is an injury. Slowly you'll get stronger, the muscles around your joints will tighten and be able to support you better, and you'll build endurance and be able to go for longer. Way to go!

destanicheri

Wow!! Very inspiring....and you just started your journey. I also have knee problems and the best advice is just take it slow. Last thing you want is an injury. Slowly you'll get stronger, the muscles around your joints will tighten and be able to support you better, and you'll build endurance and be able to go for longer. Way to go!

This is actually Garys post, I just replied to it, but thank you for the encouragement! :flowerforyou:

TeaBea

Water exercise is a must and I watched the tv show heavy and they had a lady ride a tri- bike. That helped her alot. Try the lesile sansone. Walk at home DVDs. You can do these in the privacy of your own home and you can start by walking and when your weight starts falling off you can walk more. I love these DVDs.

This^^

Walk at Home DVDs are great - you can ALWAYS do these at your own pace. Keep your movements small & keep you movements slow - start with 5 minutes and build from there. To get a preview of Walk at Home go to exercisetv.tv.com

Free right now: Start! Walking 1 Mile & Cardio Slimdown

Congratulations of your weight loss so far!