What exercises for people over 200?

ChantelZf
ChantelZf Posts: 81 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Where did you start and with what exercises? For people around the 200 range? What did you start with, I've done yoga, I like it but I know I need more variation and help and so, from experience, where did you start?

Also Gym or home equipment?

Your opinions please!
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Replies

  • DaniKenmir
    DaniKenmir Posts: 387 Member
    If you're 200 years old I'd just give up hun. Other than that, I have NO idea
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    All of them.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    Sorry, that wasn't helpful.

    I'm 100kg (about 220lbs) and I don't limit my exercise based on my weight. I can do anything. Running isn't my favorite thing to do but I *shrug* don't limit yourself because of a number.
  • Kurrsteee
    Kurrsteee Posts: 72 Member
    I was about 200lbs when I started and I haven't limited my exercise at all. I, personally, prefer to exercise at home, but it's all down to whether or not you feel confident enough to exercise in public. :)
  • RF3377
    RF3377 Posts: 97
    I started off at 211 lbs and only started walking short distances for 20 to 30 mins every second night for the first few weeks
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    Anything is the right answer. The only exercises which I do now but didn't at 200 lb+ were swimming and running, but this was more to do with feeling self conscious in public rather than ability.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    If you're 200 years old I'd just give up hun. Other than that, I have NO idea

    Charming. Really.

    Now... to the OP:

    I run, I cycle, I swim and I lift weights. I've been doing this for quite some time. I've lost a lot of weight, but am still above 200. I started with walking, but quite quickly started factoring in other exercise.

    I ran a half marathon last month (albeit slowly) and am training for my second half.

    You can do whatever you want to, lovely. Just take it easy, build up slowly, and listen to your body as you do it. Don't feel your weight holds you back. It is a challenge you can overcome.

    Walking away from my half I overheard two quite serious runners. One gestured to a very large girl, coming into the stadium, and made a disparaging comment about her weight. His friend turned to him and said 'you know what, carrying that weight with her, that girl's achievement is incredible - it's so much harder when you're big. She deserves your admiration.'. I wanted to kiss that second bloke.

    Go do it. You know you can.
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
    At 250 lbs I was doing Weight training, C25K, Zumba, TaeBo, swimming....... give it a go - your body will love you for it!!
  • FionaAnne22
    FionaAnne22 Posts: 178 Member
    Im over 200 and do zumba, tae bo, lots of walks, weights, rowing machine etc, I don't really let my size stop me at all! As someone else said, I find running a bit hard but am working up to it :)
  • ChantelZf
    ChantelZf Posts: 81 Member
    I agree, nothing is going to limit me but myself. I started with yoga at 275, when I really hurt my shoulders, before I decided I was going to do it as a life style change. And then I went harder at it just as away to get more conditioned for the activity I neglected and working some aerobics I guess into it.

    I was just wondering how others were going at increasing and what they were doing. if anyone else had a way to do it that they truly enjoyed. just like yourself running is not what i consider enjoyable, although something i promised myself i will learn to love.
  • Midnight1210
    Midnight1210 Posts: 134 Member
    A walk for about 30-60 minutes is a good way to start getting your metabolism going and if you can manage a slow paced jog for short periods - that's good too. But don't push yourslef too hard at first. Focus on a goal (either a certain distance or a specific time) and build slowly from each successful goal reached.

    Start slow, build your stamina and endurance, and you will see results. They don't come overnight, but I promise if you never quit, you will succeed.

    Feel free to add me as a friend if you wish.

    Good luck!
  • LondonEliza
    LondonEliza Posts: 456 Member
    I started off about 251lbs - I am 223-ish now (weigh in tomorrow)

    I:
    Lift handweights 1kg to 4kg about 3/4 times a week
    Cycle 60-90 mins a day about 6 times a week
    Walk for up to an hour every day
    Do 90 mins yoga once a week.
    Hoover 4 flights of stairs and landings twice a week (300 cals a go - don't scoff! :)
    (My dairy is open - feel free to look)

    I started off walking an hour or cycling an hour a day and built up from there bar last week as we were on holiday where I ate some junk but managed about 2 hours walking a day. (No dreaded holiday weight gain!)

    The trick at 200lbs+ is to START.WITH.ANYTHING. Does not matter what.
    Start, get fitter and keep challenging yourself.

    Walking
    Cycling
    Lifting
    Yoga

    These are all things heavier girls can go that burn lots of cals. Buy some wrist/ankle weights and put them on when you walk. I have a 4kg hand-weight that I put in my rucksack when I go walking in the evening. (God help the first sap who tries to mug me!! :) If you don't want to buy hand-weights, two 2kg bags of flour will do just as well.

    >Feel free to add me as a friend if you like<

    Best of luck!
    xx
  • ChantelZf
    ChantelZf Posts: 81 Member
    Well, It seems I've started the same way everyone else has, I forgot to mention I've been working on C25K for a few weeks. One thing that I've found holding me back is personal equipment or gym. I cant decide; I should make a pro and cons list.

    Also I fond it encouraging that start the same ways you've had and know all of you's have had such great success so far.
  • Kurrsteee
    Kurrsteee Posts: 72 Member
    I think the best exercise for me is walking, honestly. I used to walk everywhere, to the shops, the bank, the enjoyable bit was that I wasn't just walking to be fit, but walking for a reason. It makes it less.. 'boring' shall we say, if you're doing it for a reason.
  • SorchaRavenlock
    SorchaRavenlock Posts: 220 Member
    Walking and Leslie Sansone videos. Both make a great start and aren't too difficult or hard on your joints.
  • kepete
    kepete Posts: 268 Member
    I didn't limit myself at all. If I wanted to do the exercise I did. C25K was a great driver for me because I had friends who were doing it, too. The majority of my workouts were at home, both inside & out.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    Well, It seems I've started the same way everyone else has, I forgot to mention I've been working on C25K for a few weeks. One thing that I've found holding me back is personal equipment or gym. I cant decide; I should make a pro and cons list.

    Also I fond it encouraging that start the same ways you've had and know all of you's have had such great success so far.

    C25 is *great*. When you are able to get to a gym, I'd strongly suggest adding some lifting (with good heavy weights, not the girly pastel ones).

    For the running, do just make sure you have the right shoes. Your knees will thank you! :-)
  • ChantelZf
    ChantelZf Posts: 81 Member
    Those two things you mentioned are exactly the issues im working on right now, shoes that are good but would take a whole paycheck and a gym membership later today I'm going to go the gym and see if I like it, and then see it I actually have time/will make time for it. And seeing as this also cost money which takes my of my time to make, it's something important to me to look into before committing
  • Hezzietiger1
    Hezzietiger1 Posts: 1,256 Member
    yup i started at 232. Things were much much harder.. and I could do a whole lot less of them than I can do now.. but just get started. Start with some of the biggest loser videos. I think you will surprise yourself. :)
  • weeblex
    weeblex Posts: 412 Member
    Wife and I both started in the mid 200's with c25k, 30 Day shred, Exercise bike, walking, what can't you do being that weight?

    I saw the comment about "Your body will love it", I think mine is more likely plotting ways to kill me :smile:
  • swat1948
    swat1948 Posts: 302 Member
    I am slightly over 200 and I ride a stationary bike and I give it hell. Also I have had both knees replaced and in my opinion there is no better exercise for people with joint problems.
  • BobbieJoDever
    BobbieJoDever Posts: 17
    I would recommend walking to get started. My weight is at 229 right now and there are some exercises that are hard like jumping jacks, push ups, and mountain climbers. I do at home workouts. I sometimes use Jillian Micheal's dvd's but most of the time I use EA Sports for the PS3. In my opinion it is a lot less expensive than a gym membership overtime. After I get down to 200 I'm going to reward myself with Jillian Micheal's Body Revolution! For the majority of exercises though anyone can do them you just have to put forth your best effort and eat healthy and you will be on your way to success.
  • obeserat
    obeserat Posts: 218 Member
    I started cycling the 10 miles to work when I weighed over 300lb
    I cycle every day. I'm about 280lb+ now
  • Lynxie83
    Lynxie83 Posts: 246
    As others have said, don't limit yourself, you should be able to do everything! I have been seeing fantastic results from 2 30min cardio sessions (boxing) and three weight/strength sessions a week (not always super heavy lifting, but a good solid hour session). I have recently coupled this 5 days a week schedule with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shredvideo on Mon, Wed, Fri nights.

    I am currently hovering around the 105kg mark (so over 220 pounds) and have been steadily losing 1kg a week for the last 7 weeks. Just listen to your body, don't push through actual pain, but push your limits.

    If you can afford to go to a gym or see a personal trainer I highly recommend it! They offer all the knowledge, encouragement and support you will benefit from to start your journey on the right path :)

    Happy exercising!
  • casi_ann
    casi_ann Posts: 423 Member
    When I started this new way of life I was 241 pounds. My mother-in-law who is 70 was literally walking circles around me when we went on vacation. When I would say i have to sit down and rest she started walking around me in circles, doing jumping jacks, etc...(hurt my feeling but showed me the truth) I became short of breath, chest discomfort, sweating walking probably less than one tenth of a mile at that time, and that was at a very slow pace. I'm 52 years old. Anyway, I had to lose about 20 pounds before I could really get started. I have a heart murmur so I can't just go out there and do what ever I want and a lot of people have cardiac conditions that they don't even know about so please be careful especially if you are over 200 pounds. Listen to your body. If you get short of breath or have chest pain easily don't push yourself outside of a slow pace. This is what i did and am doing to get myself more physically fit again. First of all I lost 20 pounds by eating healthy, I walked short distances at a slow pace gradually picking up speed and distance until I got to a 20 pound loss, After I lost 20 pounds I noticed I no longer get short of breath or have chest pain when I'm walking, even if i'm walking at a fast pace, I can now walk one mile in 20 minutes. I do this 2 x day. My goal is to walk 2 miles in 30 minutes by the end of fall. I'm thinking about adding yoga to my exercise schedule for flexibility and strength training for muscle tone. I am starting to actually like exercise and being active. Two months ago I would have never guessed that I would ever say that. Good luck and don't give up.
  • sarah2954
    sarah2954 Posts: 291 Member
    My fiance started cycling when he was in the 280s
  • ockara
    ockara Posts: 33 Member
    I have to agree with the others, don't limit yourself.

    I walk,jog,swim, strength train and clean houses 50 hours a week.

    Everyone is different but start with what you can do and push yourself a little more each time. :)
  • jerbear1962
    jerbear1962 Posts: 1,157 Member
    I started at almost 400 and did anything that I could do without hurting myself. I knew at that time getting down on the floor for push ups and situps were a complete no no so I walked, I would lean against a wall and do push outs. I danced, I walked my dog, help cleaning around the house, yard work( we actually had flowers this year), washing the cars anything to burn calories. I would have swam all summer but I didn't have the extra money to go to pool. Good luck on whatever you do to get going.
  • sharoncasey60
    sharoncasey60 Posts: 60 Member
    I star ted @ 200 and kept up with the same exercises I like, depending on the weather. I have had 3 surgeries in the last 2 years, but I am doing biking for 20 - 45 - 60 minutes a day(if I can). Mix it up with yoga, not much, because I have to do physical therapy for shoulder and knee (for post surgery). When I wasn't worried about new injuries (shoulder and knee) I was doing water aerobics for 3 hours a week and I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd say whatever you LIKE and can do. I'm also an outdoor addict and can't stay inside in the summer. I count, l hour of gardening....(I garden on a hill) and it comes up to quite a few calories. JUST KEEP ACTIVE and make it part of your day.
  • ahlani
    ahlani Posts: 25 Member
    I don't like to go to gyms, I am uncomfortable in those settings and it was inconvenient to go. So many years ago I bought a very nice elliptical for my home after I tested out every unit on the market.

    It was relatively expensive, but I got a good deal on a gently used unit. It was the best investment I ever made, it didn't hurt and has low joint impact that was especially helpful when I was a heavier size 18.

    It eventually just became great fun to use in maintaining the weight loss, so I bought a newer more advanced, flexible unit that adjusts in incline earlier this year. I love that thing, every other personal material item I own does not even come close to the value that machine holds for me.

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