Need help finding perfect workout

MariSama44

I just started at MFP last week and I want to start getting active so I can get on my way to being healthy quicker. Problem is, I'm a big girl at 256 and some of the workouts i've tried are too hard on my legs and feet. I started doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred last week, but I find my legs take the longest to heal and when I try the video again I destroy them again, to the point where It feels like I may be injuring myself (all my other muscles heal quickly though my legs are still left with mild pain). I have been taking days off between sessions even though I dont want to, but I dont want to stop being active all together.

Does anyone know of a good workout that i can do in place of the 30 Day Shred when my legs are too hurt to do very much high impact exersize? Its been cold out so walking is hard to do, plus I dont live in a great neighborhood so i cant really go at night. my primary goal is weightloss.

Some other problems I'm having with this workout is no support for my chest, and no workout shoes for my feet. Could that be adding to the extra pain I'm feeling in my legs? The pain is typically on the inside of my calves and it feels like a muscle very close to the bone, underneath the large calf muscles on the back of the leg. Is this something that will strengthen over use, or should I completely rest it before I exert myself any more? The pain isnt that bad, but I wanted to be sure.

thirtyby40

An elliptical trainer is perfect for someone that needs low impact exercise, or walking if you don't have access to an elliptical. Obviously you wont burn as many calories, but you will build up a fitness level that will get you moving in more vigorous directions, where if you challenge yourself too early with the high impact fat burning stuff you are less likely to stay committed. If you are not able to finish or have pain afterwards you may stop trying. Ease your way into it!

Just my opinion of course, but hope it helps!

amboardman

I am by no means an expert on this subject, but I can speak from experience. I started the 30-day shred one week ago, and for the first 4 days, my calves hurt--BAD. But I just worked through the pain, and by day 5, they felt much better. As far as shoes, you definitely should invest in a pair of good workout shoes. That could definitely be contributing to your pain (my shoes are not that great--need new ones. maybe Santa will bring me a pair:happy: ) If that doesn't help, try finding a low-impact video (yoga, etc). Hope that helps! :flowerforyou:

MariSama44

Thanks for the replies. Next time I go to the gym i'm going to try out the eliptical instead of using the treadmill like I always do. It actualy does burn more calories and works the muscles I need to work better.

lotusfromthemud

For the off days, I've heard really good things about the Leslie Sansone "Walk away the pounds" DVDs. (I think that's the right title). Low impact, and as effective as walking. Also, you might consider a beginning yoga DVD (watch out for anything labeled "intermediate" or "advanced" in yoga. . .they're not kidding.

I think 30 day shred is a good workout, but think that doing it every day is a bit much, especially if you're new to working your muscles. I second the advice to get some supportive shoes. So, I would find one of the above to work out with on days in between.

Also, you should be able to stretch those muscles (she doesn't include a calf stretch at the end, if I'm remembering correctly) by putting your toes on a step and stretching your heel down. You can stretch the front of the leg by putting your toes against a wall and leaning in a bit (hope those made sense).

Go slow and easy, some discomfort is normal. Pain is not.

hth.:flowerforyou:

tasha30

DO YOU HAVE COMCAST?

Im in the Atlanta are and I have cable through the Comcast network, in which I have the On Demand option. In the On Demand screen they have a section for Excercising and they have great programs here. They even have Julian Micheals workouts ALL for free.

The reason I mention this is because they also have walking workouts (since you cant go outdoors) that you can do from the comfort of your own home and one of the ones I enjoy is Cardioke with Billy Blanks Jr. My daughter (who is also a tad over weight) and I LOVE this workout because its easy, fun and you can sing along.

If you dont have Comcast I think you should find some stairs and walk up and down them sporadically, you have to get your legs used to the endurance and eventually you will be fine. Definitely get you a pair of cross training sneaks and a great snug sports bra, or either wear 2 bras (me being a big chest woman myself, this is what I do sometimes). Good luck!

MariSama44

Tasha - I do! I heard about their fitness videos before but I always forget about on demand. Thanks so much! I'll have to check out what all they have. Problem is with shoes and such is my moneys a little tight right now, but I may just have to break down and buy these things eventualy. I never have tried two bras but I'll give it a shot. there are no stores in my area that sell plus size sports bras so I think I'll have to wait untill I can order one online and yes, I do take the stairs everytime I can at work. And that's helping I'm sure. Thanks for the advice!

viviakay - I saw that DVD when I bought 30 day Shred, but I didnt really understand how I could walk away the pounds indoors without a treadmill. I'll try to see whats around and I do see alot of people mention Leslie Sansone's dvd, so I may just buy that too. I'll also try stretching. I think if I just build up my muscles it should be fine. My calves are very strong already from high school marching band (and my bad habit of walking on my tip-toes) , but I think everything else around them need strengthening.

havingitall

The elliptical or stationary bike are both excellent. If you are having a problem with your knees because of impact, swimming is also excellent.

I weighed 340 lbs when I started here and I can guarantee everything hurt after I exercised. My muscles were not used to working like that. I now weigh 259 and I can still get my muscles to hurt but that is after a very intense workout with weights or 200 - 300 squats in one session with my trainer. I still prefer the elliptical or swimming as my cardio.

vanimami

try swimming or the bikes, that might help

iplayoutside19

I think walking is your best bet. It's low impact, it's free, and you can do it just about anywhere, or any time, and you can do it for long time.

I know it's not exciting, or a quick "fat burner". But it does get you moving. The first 25 of the 60 on my ticker was lost by changing my diet and walking.

If you don't feel safe near your house. Drive somewhere you do feel safe. Can you walk at lunch, I do that frequently. And most of all short of hail and high wind there is no poor weather, just poor clothing, don't let the weather control you. Getting healthy is about getting control. Because of all the things in your life you can't control...this is something you can control.

LittleSpy

viviakay - I saw that DVD when I bought 30 day Shred, but I didnt really understand how I could walk away the pounds indoors without a treadmill. I'll try to see whats around and I do see alot of people mention Leslie Sansone's dvd, so I may just buy that too. I'll also try stretching. I think if I just build up my muscles it should be fine. My calves are very strong already from high school marching band (and my bad habit of walking on my tip-toes) , but I think everything else around them need strengthening.

I tried Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds and really liked them -- I shot my heartrate up higher than I do actually walking! However, fair warning, they're not low impact enough for me on the days I don't run. I'm 232 pounds today and I've discovered that in order to continue Couch25K training at the level I want, I can't even *walk* for exercise on my off days. The only thing I can do is biking and strength/core training otherwise my knees start getting sore again. So, stationary bike or elliptical may be the way to go for now if you're alternating with high impact exercise. I got my stationary bike for $45 off Craigslist. It's the kind that works out your arms and legs at the same time so it burns more than a regular stationary bike. I really like it -- It's so easy now for me to get up 30 minutes early every morning to get 30 minutes of cardio in with it and sometimes I sit there and workout while I watch TV in the evening getting in another 60 minutes of cardio. I just hook up headphones to my TV and zone out.

And I'm so with you on the monster calves from marching band. I haven't been in marching band for 8 years and mine are still huge. :ohwell:

MariSama44

I can try walking more, theres a gym here at work I might could utilize but being outside is hard because I live in alabama. I'm used to the hot summers and being fat and hot in the winter, I dont have alot of clothes to bundle up in for the cold weather and i dont have the money to buy a new wardrobe just yet. I'll just keep trying wherever I can.