Workouts for 300+ lbs

arshness

Swimming and walking.

Walking is low impact and I can tolerate it to a degree.
Swimming is best. I can swim all I want and it wears me out but doesn't hurt.

patriciaannbibo

walk away the pounds,Water Aerobics, Walking in General

MsRoxyPepper

I do a lot of walking. not running because of my weight and the knees. but lots of brisk walking.
when the weather is good take it outdoors for a change of scenery. research local walking trails, mall walking or walk at a high school track. Check out your local community center to see what discounted fitness options they have available. Mine does

I also love, love, love zumba. Check out youtube for free clips.

here are some of my favs:

http://www.youtube.com/user/LarissaZumbaCO

http://www.youtube.com/user/AndreaSunshine77

yesthistime

Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds"

steadk

I would suggest walking, and pool time, which gives resistance without high impact. Also, even lifting soup cans to get some weights in would be helpful. At this point you're really just looking for movement.

diadori

Bump for all the great ideas!

Bull2707

you need to contact a couple of people first: one being a doctor to ensure what your current health is. Once you get his or her recommendations then see a nutritionist to ensure you have the right schedule. Aa a personal trainer I would tell you to start slow, low impact exercises. Cardio start with walking, of course this is after the intial assestment to see where your physical fitness level is.

You will need someone that will ensure you are eating right, exercsing right (walking with you and so on) that will be there as your supportive role. Once you build your physical fitness and lower the weight you can increase to other exercises.

misscristie

I started out EXACTLY where you are. Just walk, girl. Walk, walk, walk. As fast as you can, as far as you can. If you walk fast and it gets tiring, then slow down for a few minutes, then pick up the pace again. This will help your active recovery - the amount of time it takes you to catch your breath/slow your heart rate down.

I also highly recommend dancing around your living room in your underwear like a crazy person. Who cares if you can't dance? Just move.

Eventually, you'll get to the point where you can do more. Until then, just move.

AmoreCouture

Walking
Swimming
Leslie Sansone walking workouts would be a GREAT start for you. You can get them at Wal-Mart for about $9-$10. It's a little harder than just plain walking because she will add in some arm movements, or different step movements, but it's perfect for someone who isn't ready to do other workouts yet. You don't need any weights or anything else with it.

Nopedotjpeg

What area do you live in? If you have good size hills near you, you could walk up and down a hill (basically a type of interval). It would give you a way to ramp up the intensity without going too high impact. Stairs would also be another option.

I do some box squats, and those can be a good deal easier than full squats. You could maybe try those out unweighted (at first). Try to find a chair or solid surface that's just at or below parallel (parallel means your hip crease is below the top of your kneecap). If you can't hit parallel at first, use a higher surface and gradually decrease the height of the surface over time until you can.

Here's a good article on Box Squats. Just ignore the stuff about the barbell at first until you're ready to incorporate weights.
http://stronglifts.com/build-explosive-strength-how-to-perform-box-squats/

TheNewDoug

Inclined walking. Find a hill, walk up, repeat.

sherri85

I started out at 377 lbs. I'm on oxygen so I was always worried about that too. When I started out I would just "dance" for 3 minutes and then need to rest. My dancing was really just moving my feet a bit to music while standing. Then after a bit I added in arm movement. Then moving my whole body. I also use the Walk at Home dvds. Once I got used to that I added in hula and belly dancing. You don't need fancy equipment just turn on some music and move the best you can! :flowerforyou:

It's been about 7 months and I'm down to 300.8 and I can now walk a mile or do 20 minutes of active dancing without any issues.

Wow that is impressive!!! 77 lbs in 7 months!! You go girl!! I too have the same issue with exercising, my knees and hips are bad due to my obesity, so I have been doing walk away the pounds 1 mile walk but it is still VERY difficult and I don't use the weights. I am anxious for it to be alot easier and move on to the 2 mile..

themommie

I was 287 at my heaviest and when i started I just did swimming and walking everyday until i lost the first 55lbs then i added in the wii fit plus, resistance bands, and some dvds I would reccommend leslie sansome her dvds are easy. Remember any movement helps and is better then no movement. I would suggest just doing what you are doing, if you want to burn more calories walk several times a day. I have a pedometer and aim for at least 10,000 steps a day. Remember it is better to get in a little exercise everyday then to over do it and hurt yourself or burn out and then not be able to exercise at all for awhile. Keep up the good work, you will get there if you just dont give up and remember that your diet is 80% of the equation.

cbeutler

I was close to 400 lbs. Now down to 329.

First I found my diet controlled about 80% of my weight loss. So I would really suggest you put your focus there. That said there is no reason not to exercise (unless your doctor tells you differently)

I would suggest walking (go to the mall if you can't walk outside). You might try a fitbit. I have one and have recently walked 4 miles without a break.

Some of the dvd's that have been recommended are good to.

As far a quality of life, getting up and down from chairs, just moving around you can't beat some kind of strength training. A trainer would be great, but until you get there I'd suggest fitness bands and a swiss ball.

You can also do a lot with just body weight and some small dumbbells. I'd try and incorporate some compound movements. Squats and upright rows, Squats and curls, Squats and presses. Not all in the same workout.

My workout with my trainer today was.

Bench Press/Tricep Push down/ Squat and Lateral Raise three sets 1,2,3
10 minute walk
Dead Lift and upright rows/ Lunges/ seated Lat pull downs three sets 1,2,3
10 minute walk
1/2 bicycle/ modified bridge/ Crunches three sets 1,2,3

I'll walk later and try to get my daily total over 10,000

Now I have been working out for about 2 years so make sure this workout is appropriate for you.

As a word of warning, you are better off to go slow and not get hurt. Getting hurt can derail you for a long time.

Feel free to friend me and I'll be happy to pass my workouts on to you.

ml,

Craig
Good Luck

bellygoaway

There are many great suggestions here. One thing I would add is to track EVERYTHING that you eat. That is the reason I started using MFP. Once I saw how many calories I was eating, it was pretty easy to cut back/change what I eat. I know calories are not the end all/be all of health, but when you weigh as much as I do, they are huge. Set your goal easy, I would suggest just 1 pound a week (better to be under your goal and gain some confidence). Just remember to adjust your goal as you loose weight.

Walking is great exercise. As you loose weight increase duration or speed of the walk. Also, try rearranging your house or a specific room. Good luck on your journey. I know you can do it.

diamondtransform

bump

bekkaL85

I started at 412 and now im at 308. So I totally get what your saying. I do contribute walking to my losing weight because it was the 1 thing my body could do. I agree with alot of what people have already said. Just do what you can. Walk EVERY DAY not just when you feel like it. Blare music and dance around when you're cleaning. You can also get a dance dvd or an exercise dvd with the boc thingy you step up and down on.

debpre16

I tried the videos - they were fun and so upbeat. Thanks for sharing.