Can't be bothered - does it matter?
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when i first started moving, and i hated it, I told myself... do ten minutes.
Ten minutes was long enough to get my blood flowing and fresh air into my lungs, without getting to the point where my back hurt and i hated myself for being out of shape.
I think sometimes we feel like unless we do a certain amount, why bother? but 10 minutes is more than no minutes, and after a while, 10 minutes feels like no big deal and it becomes 15, 20, 45, an hour. (and if 5 minutes is all you can handle some days? still more than none)'
ETA: i saw your update about not being able to walk much. my comment holds true for any activity, though. i think there are a bunch of youtube videos of exercises for those in your situation, who need to get active but can not bear weight. I'd try that for ideas.0 -
your normal doc can't tell if you have sleep apnea, you need a sleep study for that. If you are tired all day then you just might have it. What happens is you stop breathing, so your brain wakes you up enough to start breathing again, but not enough to wake you all the way up. This keeps you from getting the deep REM cycles that really get you rested and restored. It's not something to mess with because it has some side effects that can be serious- heart issues, etc.
I have/had it. I weighed about 280 when I had a sleep study done. They told me I was waking up 32 times an hour- no wonder I needed a nap after work. I snored like Fred Flintstone.
They gave me a CPAP machine, and while inconvenient, for the 1st time in years I was able to sleep. I actually had long, vivid dreams again, which I never had before.
Now I've dropped 50lbs and find I don't need the CPAP as often. My wife will tell me if I'm snoring and I'll put it on, but I'm no longer having problems with my breathing stopping like it was before. I should probably have another sleep study done and see if it's gone, but once I get down to my target weight, I imagine it won't be an issue anymore.
As far as not wanting to exercise, if you've led a sendentary lifestyle for a long time, it's hard to flip the switch. You have to find something to light the fire. The health benefits alone, getting your heart in shape, were worth it to me. Now I look forward to my sessions. Yes, sometimes you dont' feel like doing it- those are the days you do it anyway and those are the days that you'll benefit from in the future.0 -
My sleep apnea went undiagnosed for a couple of years which got to the point where I was passing out at my desk and had to take time off work as I had to wait months for a sleep trial, at its worst point I was experiencing waking dreams, which were a bit like seeing things. (Once at work my keyboard turned into a plate and instead of typing I felt like I was trying to cut up a sausage) This is how bad it got. Once I was diagnosed I started my CPAP treatment and after 1 week felt like a different person with so much energy and three years later, I’ve never looked back! Sleep apnea can put a strain on your heart if it goes without diagnosis and it can affect your mental and physical well being in general. Please get it checked out as soon as possible.0
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Maybe you aren't eating enough if you are totally wiped out after exercise. i had this problem at one point and increasing my calories really helped.
As far as doctors, I'm sorry, but I think that's nonsense. Your health is important, keep at them. Sleep apnea is a serious concern and a hot button for me as I lost my boyfriend last summer due to obesity and sleep apnea for which he would not ever wear his CPAP mask. Keep pushing until they take you seriously. And i realize that no one wants to be medicine dependent for the rest of their lives, but guess what? For some of us we need that medicine or else our lives would be short indeed. I can honestly say without my meds that I would not be here today. Like I said, make your health your priority and do what you need to fix it. Believe me, it can be done.0 -
If you exercise, you'll actually have more energy. Just get up and walk around the block.
:drinker:0 -
These slug days come the day after my exercise days. It's almost as though I need a whole day to recover from the exercise of the day before.
I can't walk, it's just too painful. My thighs are gigantic and rub together. I get terrible back pain from walking about 100 metres. My doc told me only last week not to do any exercise that makes my legs bear weight.
I've been doing one hour of water aerobics for eleven years, but only once a week. Last month I stepped that up to a goal of 7 days a week (I get a taxi there and back, which is quite costly). I have a good workout in the pool and enjoy it, and the next day I can do nothing but slump on the couch all day. (Sorry I should have explained all this in the first posting, but I feel so tired and sleepy I am not that sharp today.)
There is no point in my going to the doc's about anything. The system seems to be completely different in the UK than the USA. I have tried consulting my doctors about many things and I never really get an answer other than "take these pills". I don't want to be a drug dependent person.
We cannot easily change doctors in the UK without raising a formal complaint, and even if we do we then get allocated to another, possibly miles away, and he/she will be working in exactly the same way as the one we left. I have never had any joy telling them about obesity, tiredness, depression, arthritis, panic attacks, even sleep apnoea. It's either just giving me pills or telling me it'll get better when I lose weight, OR being placed on a long waiting list to see a specialist who then tries to put me on the same pills or tells me to lose weight, but provides no advice for so doing. I told my doc about sleep apnoea about 3 years ago and was placed on the waiting list to spend the night in a sleep clinic. When I reached the top of the list, about a year later, the sleep apnoea had disappeared, so I was told not to attend. When I share a bed with someone, sometimes I have it and sometimes I don't, and so, even if I get myself back on the waiting list and wait a year to go to the clinic, there is no guarantee that I will have apnoea on that particular night that I spend in the clinic. And even if they find I have it, that doesn't cure it. They just get you issued with a C-PAP. Hopefully in a year I will be 100 lb lighter and won't have apnoea any longer.
Sorry for writing this but it seems important to tell y'all because everyone always says, "see your doc". I've all but given up on them for anything but blood tests and suchlike. I only went last week because to join the gym I had to get a blood pressure checkup.
(PS I just got up and walked to the kitchen and my legs feel like they are made of lead. I am almost dragging them along.)0 -
These slug days come the day after my exercise days. It's almost as though I need a whole day to recover from the exercise of the day before.
I can't walk, it's just too painful. My doc told me only last week not to do any exercise that makes my legs bear weight. I've been doing one hour of water aerobics for eleven years, but only once a week. Last month I stepped that up to a goal of 7 days a week (I get a taxi there and back, which is quite costly). I have a good workout in the pool and enjoy it, and the next day I can do nothing but slump on the couch all day. (Sorry I should have explained all this in the first posting, but I feel so tired and sleepy I am not that sharp today.)
Try water aerobics 3 times a week then.
Once you feel comfortable with that try 4 a week and so on. The try a more challenging exercise which you like after you have built a decent base. Progress accordingly.
Diet is really the key at this stage as I said before.
You are doing well. Keep at it.0 -
Hi I am from the uk too. My dad has sleep apnoea. It is horrendous- he couldn't really hold down a full time job for years until he had it diagnosed. He now is a much happier and more motivated person. Get this sorted before forcing yourself to run round the block etc. Do what you CAN do. And for now don't worry too much about what you can't. (Just don't eat rubbish on 'slug'days)
I agree docs can be rubbish, but if your GP agrees sleep apnoea could be a consideration, try and get him/her to agree to a sleep study (1 night in hospital).
Hope you get sorted soon, keep trying.0 -
This is a tough one. I get where you're coming from with the concern that you'll get burnt out - it is a valid concern - but at the same time, I think it's good to make compromises with yourself.
How about doing something at home for exercise every other day and committing to go to the pool every other day. Even without being able to do weight bearing exercises, there are some things you can do. Here is an excellent guide from the University of Georgia with chair exercises:
http://www.livewellagewell.info/study/2007/12-ChairExercisesUGA113006.pdf
You can google for plenty of other ideas and/or videos. Good luck!
p.s. Just had another thought on this - ultimately, if you're going swimming at least 3 times a week for an hour, I think that's pretty damn good! Try doing something on your off days but don't stress yourself out about it.0 -
As far as doctors, I'm sorry, but I think that's nonsense. Your health is important, keep at them. Sleep apnea is a serious concern and a hot button for me as I lost my boyfriend last summer due to obesity and sleep apnea for which he would not ever wear his CPAP mask. Keep pushing until they take you seriously.
Dear friend, I can assure you that I am not talking "nonsense". Once a UK doc puts a person on a waiting list to see ANY specialist, it is futile to keep going back to her/him and "pushing" or "keeping at them". Everyone has to wait their turn. The docs cannot order the hospital to let a patient leap-frog others just because the patient is pushy and impatient. It's not like that in the UK.
I waited 19 months to see the endocrinologist to sort out my hormonal (insulin?) problems and when I did, he spent 90 minutes taking my complete dieting history, then when it was his turn to speak and advise me, told me to go and "lose three stone" (42 lb) and to make an appointment to see him again when I had done that. I replied "Yes, but how do I lose three stone?" and he smiled and said: "If I knew that, I'd be a millionaire!" then opened the door, shook my hand and ushered me out. It's all extremely frustrating. I think if I were wealthy I could go private and get some proper treatment.
I am extremely sorry about your boyfriend.
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THANKS again to everyone for the latest replies and suggestions.
I have found a great guy on Youtube who does "chair-robics" but I am so knackered that even sitting here watching him I just could not even lift one leg more than once to join in.
There is a GREAT danger that I will turn to refined carbs to give me that instant energy "BOOST" but I must resist this at all costs.0 -
i found this when i first started lifting weights, (not so much chilling all day but just not being bothered to get home from work and do my weights) i found that i just had to push myself, if need be get someone to tell you to get up and do it, i've found as i've got more into it i now feel guilty for not doing my weights on a night off round a friends or whatever, and i get a buzz after doing them, it's having that WILL to just get up and do it, if it's that bad you can't move for energy (pending maybe a doctor visit to make sure it's not a health issue as lethargy is symptom of alot of illnesses) have something to eat ideally a meal, let your food go down and use the boost to give a 20 min burst of whatever excersize you like to do.
it's times like those you need to go back to what made you decide to start losing weight and realise your goals again, look at a picture of when you were thinner and just think to yourself that's where i want to be and as hard as it gets, it's not that far away and it simply isn't if you keep up the excersize0 -
p.s. Just had another thought on this - ultimately, if you're going swimming at least 3 times a week for an hour, I think that's pretty damn good! Try doing something on your off days but don't stress yourself out about it.
I've been going 5 and 6 times a week and I do one solid hour (some days 70 minutes) of non stop water aerobics (jiving and disco-dancing in the water) while wearing a waterproof MP3 player blasting me with high-energy, heavy-beat dance and rock music. My heart beat is raised the whole time and afterwards I have a sauna.
When I get home I am totally shattered, shivering inside, and I fall asleep wrapped up in fleece blankets on the couch.0 -
There is no point in my going to the doc's about anything. The system seems to be completely different in the UK than the USA. I have tried consulting my doctors about many things and I never really get an answer other than "take these pills". I don't want to be a drug dependent person.
We cannot easily change doctors in the UK without raising a formal complaint, and even if we do we then get allocated to another, possibly miles away, and he/she will be working in exactly the same way as the one we left. I have never had any joy telling them about obesity, tiredness, depression, arthritis, panic attacks, even sleep apnoea. It's either just giving me pills or telling me it'll get better when I lose weight, OR being placed on a long waiting list to see a specialist who then tries to put me on the same pills or tells me to lose weight, but provides no advice for so doing. I told my doc about sleep apnoea about 3 years ago and was placed on the waiting list to spend the night in a sleep clinic. When I reached the top of the list, about a year later, the sleep apnoea had disappeared, so I was told not to attend. When I share a bed with someone, sometimes I have it and sometimes I don't, and so, even if I get myself back on the waiting list and wait a year to go to the clinic, there is no guarantee that I will have apnoea on that particular night that I spend in the clinic. And even if they find I have it, that doesn't cure it. They just get you issued with a C-PAP. Hopefully in a year I will be 100 lb lighter and won't have apnoea any longer.
Sorry for writing this but it seems important to tell y'all because everyone always says, "see your doc". I've all but given up on them for anything but blood tests and suchlike. I only went last week because to join the gym I had to get a blood pressure checkup.
Doctors essentially have 3 tools at their disposal:
1. Prescribing drugs
2. Performing surgeries
3. Asking for behavior change
You don't want drugs, and you don't want them to tell you to change your behavior (i.e. lose weight), and it doesn't sound like your problem is surgical. What exactly do you expect from your doctors?
In terms of the exercise, it's great that you're doing the water aerobics. I agree that you should try upping it to 3 days per week instead of just 1. And on those other days, just try to do something. Even if it's while you're sitting. Do some stretching, some arm and leg movement, etc.
I haven't looked to see if your diary is open--perhaps people here can suggest some nutritional improvements if it is, to make sure you're eating enough and getting enough nutrients.0 -
as the others have said just a walk around the block will do.. the more you do the more energy you will have.. thus the more exercise you will be able to do , if you really want to loose weight im sorry but its not going come off you by just laying on the sofa. you have to exercise too .. i couldnt be bothered today but i made myself, and i feel better for it and you will too !! good luck0
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These slug days come the day after my exercise days. It's almost as though I need a whole day to recover from the exercise of the day before.
I can't walk, it's just too painful. My thighs are gigantic and rub together. I get terrible back pain from walking about 100 metres. My doc told me only last week not to do any exercise that makes my legs bear weight.
I've been doing one hour of water aerobics for eleven years, but only once a week. Last month I stepped that up to a goal of 7 days a week (I get a taxi there and back, which is quite costly). I have a good workout in the pool and enjoy it, and the next day I can do nothing but slump on the couch all day. (Sorry I should have explained all this in the first posting, but I feel so tired and sleepy I am not that sharp today.)
There is no point in my going to the doc's about anything. The system seems to be completely different in the UK than the USA. I have tried consulting my doctors about many things and I never really get an answer other than "take these pills". I don't want to be a drug dependent person.
We cannot easily change doctors in the UK without raising a formal complaint, and even if we do we then get allocated to another, possibly miles away, and he/she will be working in exactly the same way as the one we left. I have never had any joy telling them about obesity, tiredness, depression, arthritis, panic attacks, even sleep apnoea. It's either just giving me pills or telling me it'll get better when I lose weight, OR being placed on a long waiting list to see a specialist who then tries to put me on the same pills or tells me to lose weight, but provides no advice for so doing. I told my doc about sleep apnoea about 3 years ago and was placed on the waiting list to spend the night in a sleep clinic. When I reached the top of the list, about a year later, the sleep apnoea had disappeared, so I was told not to attend. When I share a bed with someone, sometimes I have it and sometimes I don't, and so, even if I get myself back on the waiting list and wait a year to go to the clinic, there is no guarantee that I will have apnoea on that particular night that I spend in the clinic. And even if they find I have it, that doesn't cure it. They just get you issued with a C-PAP. Hopefully in a year I will be 100 lb lighter and won't have apnoea any longer.
Sorry for writing this but it seems important to tell y'all because everyone always says, "see your doc". I've all but given up on them for anything but blood tests and suchlike. I only went last week because to join the gym I had to get a blood pressure checkup.
(PS I just got up and walked to the kitchen and my legs feel like they are made of lead. I am almost dragging them along.)
I totally know where you are coming from. I am 65. When I started my weight loss journey a couple of years ago, I had 100 pounds to lose. Now I only have 50--maybe less as I have been lifting weights and I might be content to be at a higher weight if I build more lean body mass. I used to have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, "pre-diabetes", a LOT of arthritis pain, and assorted other ills. My blood pressure was not even well controlled on the two blood pressure meds that I was taking (and I had bad side effects from one of them). My doc was going to put me on a third. That was the last straw. I decided that I was going to do something about eating better and exercising and see where that led.
The first thing I did was to cut out wheat, sugar and processed food. I let myself eat whatever else I wanted to eat within those parameters. And I slowly started losing weight--and feeling better. My blood pressure started coming down and I was able to eliminate one medication, and then the other. By the time I was down 35 pounds, I started water aerobics, and, like you, I was exhausted after every session---at first. My arthritis pain diminished though, and that was an encouragement to keep going. I actually started looking forward to the sessions in the pool. I have lost an additional 17 pounds since I started exercising and I believe that it has been mostly fat as my shape has changed a lot---my waist is down 4 inches since then (down 8 inches total since I started two years ago). I am no longer flattened after my sessions in the pool.
The weight training that I added last summer has helped tremendously.
One thing that is VERY important is to stay as well-nourished as you can--you can't afford ANY empty calories. Lots of vegetables--but try to stay under 40% of your calories from carbohydrates. I don't go very low carb as that causes me to drop weight too fast, and at my age, that would not be good for several reasons. I usually keep my carbohydrates just slightly below to slightly above 100 grams per day. If you send me a friend request, you can see my food diary. There are two more things that obese people need to be aware of and that is fructose tends to be deadly for the obese--especially that which comes from sugar (sucrose is 50% fructose). I went on a fast from fructose for two weeks in order to "reset" my levels of fructokinase (the enzyme that the body produces to absorb fructose). The fast completely eliminated my desire for sugar. This was something new to me as I used to be a sugar junkie.. Now that I am not distorting my appetite with high carbs and sugar, I find that I enjoy my food a lot more and now I crave fresh vegetables! (And I used to hate vegetables!) Now I will eat one or occasionally two pieces of low-fructose fruit every day. Google "obesity and fructose consumption" and you will see what I am talking about.
The second thing that obese folks need to be aware of is that eating grain (and especially wheat) contributes a lot to the problem. Most days, I eat just one piece of 100% whole rye bread for breakfast and I try to skip any other grain for the rest of the day. Grain contains fructans (wheat contains a lot) that the body easily converts to fructose. If you have any questions you could private message me and I will attempt to answer your questions or get the answer for you. Keep going--you are doing great!0 -
Previously I could care less to get up and move about. With artritis issues it would take an 800mg ibprofen and a Tramadol just to get to sleep at night due to pain. I used to belong to the YMCA and never went. It was too far, too late, too tired. Basically too darn many excuses! After dropping the YMCA, purchasing an elliptical machine and joing MFP I have stopped almost all the pain meds. I have stopped taking suppliments, (glucosimine, msm and condroiten). I have much more energy and need only about 6-7 hours of sleep each night, (before, with the meds I would need 8 to even function at all).
Also have your thyroid checked. I have hypothyroidism, (which means a slow metabolism). I used that as an excuse for not trying for years. And my "reward"? More weight!
Now with all these changes I've made I WILL NOT GO BACK!!
So my advice is to YES! Get out and do anything you can and work to build it up! The question is how bad do you want it? Only you can answer that question.0 -
Okay, with more information I understand your limitations. Now, if you are going to the pool 3x a week - you probably need the rest day in between. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I'm sure your knees are talking to you too, so walking is very painful. So on the days in between, maybe work a little on arm strength. Lift a can (corn or beans) and then go a little heavier as you feel able. Start slow. There is nothing wrong with that. I know and you should know - we are not going to be swimsuit models overnight. Or even 20 pounds lighter overnight. I've been at this for almost a year and I am invested in this now. I want to be strong and healthy. I will accept nothing less. Every day I stay at it - I am one day closer. I have no pain in my knees now, I kickbox, & 4 months ago I began lifting weights. I am amazing myself every day in how much I can do - if I keep at it. This is possible for you too.
I'm going to suggest a link that will give you lots of info on calorie deficits and how to fuel your body appropriately. Get your numbers right and you will lose weight and have the energy you need to move more. Good luck!!!
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-120 -
Wow five people on this thread have asked to be my "Friend". Wow. I am feeling the love on this website!
I am wondering if I could force myself to do some upper body weightlifting? I have a pair of 3kg nylon barbells. Maybe I could make a pact with myself that I am allowed to watch TV on my slug days IF I do 25 lifts per arm for each hour of tv watched. Would that be OK on a slug day?
(Edit: just read beach-lover's reply. I was sent that thread when I joined the site, and Dan worked out that I should eat 1600 calories; however, others say that isn't enough so I aim for 1700 and have about 1800 - averaged over the week. Kickboxing sounds awesome! I'd love to do a sport that requires a bit of unfeminine "violence" LOL!)
"we are not going to be swimsuit models overnight" -- Oh no! I already am one - will add pic!
I'm feeling so guilty after reading some of the replies that I am even toying with the idea of going to the pool and doing a gentle workout (it's only 2.30pm here and it's open till 6pm).You don't want drugs, and you don't want them to tell you to change your behavior (i.e. lose weight), and it doesn't sound like your problem is surgical. What exactly do you expect from your doctors? In terms of the exercise...try upping it to 3 days per week instead of just 1.
Amanda, that is unfair. I did NOT say that I "don't WANT them to tell me to change my behaviour". I said that they ONLY tell people to, they don't give any advice or help with it, they just say, "Go and lose weight" then show you the door. In fact, one of the doctors at my surgery is himself 280lb and has asked ME to let him know if I find anything that works! I am currently composing a letter to him telling him how I lost 19lb. (I'll send it when I've hit 20lb!)
And I do not regret my strong feeling that I don't want to spend my life taking drugs!
I am not doing water aerobics once a week. The suggestion was to reduce it from 7 to 3 times.0 -
You need a sleep study to see if you have apnea. I suffer from insomnia frequently and I have days where I do not want to exercise, but when I force myself to do just a little it helps. But, if I have absolutely no energy I allow myself the slug day to re-energize,0
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Congratulations on your 19 lbs loss!
You're not "too old" and yeah, it's definitely worth investing in yourself. Heck, you have at least two pages of feedback so far mostly from people who don't even know you and who want you to succeed. That is pretty awesome.
You mentioned possibly having sleep apnea. Even if you're getting 10 hours of sleep, if it's not restful or if it's interrupted, that's going to probably impact your mood and weight considerably. There may be links to depression as well. I've found that when I'm having one of those days, exercise, however minimal, seems to help. Not sure if it's the endorphins or just getting the blood flowing, but it helps.
If you're already on a waiting list, that's a good start. Many folks have regained their lives by getting diagnosed and then getting a C-PAP to help them sleep.
On the days that you're not rainbows and sunshine, and just feel like sitting on the couch, simply walking is better than nothing. Whether it's going for a walk outside or if there's a shopping mall you feel safe walking in. Just walk. You don't need feel compelled to do anything else, like buy anything or feel guilty for not doing stuff around your home. If you have access to a fitness center and can walk on the treadmill for 10 minutes, even a slow walk is still better than sitting on the couch. (I tend to snack when I'm on the couch, so exercising keeps me from doing that.)
You mentioned the chairobics video. There's nothing that says you need to complete the whole thing all at once. If all you can do at first is 30 seconds, then pause it for 1 minute and do another 30 seconds, you're ahead of where you were if you hadn't done any at all. Then work up do doing 1 minute, then try doing it for 90 seconds the next week, and so on. Build on it slowly. Patient, but persistent.
While I don't mean to offend by offering this up, weight loss is often helped when you have an accountability buddy. If you can find a group (like OA) that will be supportive and if you can find a friend who's willing to hold you accountable and to get you to walk when don't feel like it, that might not hurt. There might be a free (non-surgical weight loss) peer group at the local hospital. I've found that I've been more successful when I have a buddy kicking me in the rear.
If you can't find a local group, you're not alone on here. There are people here to support you, encourage you, and help you on your journey. If you need motivation, check out some of these success stories...
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/714801-113-lbs-lost-and-my-brain-is-starting-to-catch-on
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/891334-160lbs-down-and-getting-close-to-my-goal-photos
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/734834-ladies-250-300-with-pics-plzzz?page=2
You can do this. 0
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