Can't be bothered - does it matter?
Replies
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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 -
I know how you feel. I always feel tired. Start out slow. Maybe walk around your living room twice. Keep doing for a couple weeks then go to three times. And just keep increasing. I only walk 30 minutes 4 to 5 times a week. But I am trying to do more. I started at 5 minutes in November. Wish I could do more or even run but I cant. Exercise helps your heart and body work correctly. You have to make yourself. Don't wait till you want to brlecause trust me I never want to. You could also do extra laps at the store. Good luck.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.
Hey---where do you get a "chair-aerobics" video? It sounds just right for my third day of cardio as I can not do a lot of weight-bearing cardio (arthritis).0 -
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...
That is GENIUS. THANK YOU. There must be something wrong with my brain because I genuinely do not think of things like that. I seem stuck in the mindset that if I cannot do ALL of something, then I might as well not bother.
weight loss is often helped when you have an accountability buddy.
Believe me, I would LOVE to find a local lady who has as much to lose as I do, who will commit to doing this with me. It's so hard when you have nobody. I have a supportive boyfriend (we don't live together) and I email him my days' news regarding my diet and my exercise, but he's very slim and has never dieted, cannot swim and has zero interest in exercise, so he won't do any of it WITH me, he just sort of cheerleads from the benches, if you see what I mean. I have toyed with the idea of advertising locally for diet-and-exercise buddies, but I am worried that they might give up and lure me back under the "evil spell of chocolate".
Hey---where do you get a "chair-aerobics" video? It sounds just right for my third day of cardio as I can not do a lot of weight-bearing cardio (arthritis).
This guy - Paul Eugene, has an infectious enthusiasm and has uploaded a few free of charge .. here is the best one:
http://youtu.be/nhkI62p9OLU
I challenge ANYONE to watch Paul and not want to at least tap your foot!0 -
Hey---where do you get a "chair-aerobics" video? It sounds just right for my third day of cardio as I can not do a lot of weight-bearing cardio (arthritis).
Youtube - I searched for "chair exercises" and these are some of the ones that came up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AuLqYh4irI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mCoU3_UsJ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5KIVRas9UM&playnext=1&list=PL0025C0F2B4C50FA4&feature=results_main 0 -
Well. you must have just been having a bad morning. You sound ready to take on the world. Yes, do something that makes you feel powerful. Kickboxing does that for me. I do it at home because as strong as I feel - I know I still look really funny doing this. But at home, you can do anything you put your mind to. And before you know it - you'll be out in the world doing the same thing. Small steps. But they get you there just the same!!! Yay you!0
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I know for me that I really need my exercise to be first thing in the morning, and at home. (Coming from a completely sedentary person.) I don't give myself a chance to rethink it. It's immediately turn off alarm, pee, and I pull my workout clothes on as I am turning on the TV and DVD player. (Ha! Workout clothes is actually just a bra and stretchy pair of pants). Within 5 minutes of waking up, I am selecting the my routine. (I'm just doing Leslie Sansone walking). I get in around 20 minutes and then go shower. After that, the day is mine, and mentally I find it easier to do whatever I need to do that day. I don't feel guilty if I don't feel like doing anything else. It's one less thing to worry about. On weekends I do more, and sometimes I might play with some weights in the evenings, but that quick 20 minute workout first thing keeps me feeling better about myself no matter how the rest of the day goes.
Maybe you could alternate days with your water aerobics with some chair aerobics from home and then take one day off a week. See if doing the chair aerobics or other exercise from home first thing when you wake up helps you get it in for the day and leaves you feeling less guilty.0 -
Hi,
I'm at a similar point to where you are, I have days where I just do not want to work out, and I have issue with my knees that prevents me from doing normal cardio and walking type workouts whenever they are inflamed.
I've been doing resistance bands with my arms, light weight lifting, beginner yoga*, swimming whenever I can, short walks with my dog, lots of fetch, doubling up on my trips around the house doing chores (walking twice to the kitchen if I go to do the dishes, walking twice to the laundry room, etc) for an easy way to double my average steps, and standing push-ups off the wall.
On a day when the thought of specifically taking time to workout is entirely unappealing I just just add movement into my day. The double trips around the house, a few push-ups off the wall when I get up and when I get back, arm lifts with a can of anything handy while I wait for water to boil for coffee... I figure it's better then nothing even if perhaps not quite as good as a workout session.
*For yoga I like https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLF51468E0577E15B6 because she has morning and night stretches for relaxation that work just as well as a very-very-beginner starting point.0 -
Thanks to the two most recent posters (and everyone else of course). Some great ideas I had not though of.
I think I am also the type that needs to do the exercise before I get a chance to talk myself out of it.
You have given me an idea -- on non-pool days I could have a rule - NO BREAKFAST until I have done the 10 mins chairobics. Make myself "earn it"?
Am trying to work out what doubling up on trips in the house means.
Found this very big guy doing an exercise video!
http://youtu.be/JBNYgsR_LTA 0 -
I've been where you are. Topped the scales at 351. I didn't want to do anything, either....I was morbidly obese and anything I did was a huge effort...but I did it. Every day, M-F. 30 minutes minimum. Walk, elliptical, Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds video. It wasn't an option for me. Don't make it option for yourself, either.0
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Hello!
Just adding my two cents here...if you've been on MFP only a month or 6 weeks at the most (shows you joined in January) and you've lost 19 pounds, you are doing great (actually doesn't matter how long you have been on...losing 19 pounds is great!).
If you are doing water areobics 5 - 6 times a week for 60 - 70 minutes at a time, you are doing great.
If you figured out your calories using HelloitsDan's road map as you said, you are doing great.
I would think putting a pair of hand weights next to the recliner or couch would be a great idea. And you can just sit there with your legs straight in the air in front of you and move them up and down. Every little bit helps and this will stop you from feeling like a slug for watching TV (even though you are already doing enough without that!). When your legs allow you to do more, you can change up to walk. Do you have access to a stationary bike? You might be able to do that now as well.
You only have food logged in your diary for today (ok...I only went back a week so you might have logged before that) so I can't comment on that. Make sure you are getting a balanced diet. Carbs are NOT the devil.
Good luck! I think you are definitely on the right path!0 -
Hello!
Just adding my two cents here...if you've been on MFP only a month or 6 weeks at the most (shows you joined in January) and you've lost 19 pounds, you are doing great (actually doesn't matter how long you have been on...losing 19 pounds is great!).
If you are doing water areobics 5 - 6 times a week for 60 - 70 minutes at a time, you are doing great.
If you figured out your calories using HelloitsDan's road map as you said, you are doing great.
I would think putting a pair of hand weights next to the recliner or couch would be a great idea. And you can just sit there with your legs straight in the air in front of you and move them up and down. Every little bit helps and this will stop you from feeling like a slug for watching TV (even though you are already doing enough without that!). When your legs allow you to do more, you can change up to walk. Do you have access to a stationary bike? You might be able to do that now as well.
You only have food logged in your diary for today (ok...I only went back a week so you might have logged before that) so I can't comment on that. Make sure you are getting a balanced diet. Carbs are NOT the devil.
Good luck! I think you are definitely on the right path!
Hello Lisa and thanks for listing all the things I am doing right.
I started in October but only lost 6 lb in 3 months so on 6th Jan I cut my carbs back to under 40 and in 6 weeks have lost 13lb. So, a total of 19lb. (I put a pound back on this week after my b/f upset me and I went on a binge.)
I have been tracking my food on fatsecret religiously since 6th Jan. Today I experimented with doing it on here but it does not work for me, all the foods are wrong, the site was very slow and all the weights and measures of the foods are wrong. I will persist though as it's easier to have everything on the one site instead of three. (I am also a member of ADBB but I find they are extremely intolerant of anyone so much as toying with the idea of doing any other kind of diet!).
I cannot lift my legs as you describe as they are too heavy. All my lower body exercise has to be in water. But yeah I can lift weights from the couch. I have 3kg and 5kg set of nylon barbells. Eleven years of aquafit using foam barbells has given me massive biceps. I'm quite proud of them and I kiss them in the pool and make everyone laugh!
I don't have a stationary bike and when I tried to use the one at the gym my legs scrape against the frame. I am excessively pear shaped. In terms of dress size I am 28 top and 34 bottoms. My legs are gigantic. My thighs measure more than my sister's hips and my calves measure more than her waist. Ugh.0 -
I have definitely been there! A year and a half ago, I weighed 355 pounds, and was so debilitated I could barely get through my weekly grocery shopping. And grocery shopping was the most physically taxing thing I ever did! I kept thinking I was just "a little out of shape", and that I could fix it by exercising. I would go for a short walk, and have to lie on the couch for the rest of the day, and still be tired the next day, too! I would do 15 minutes of gardening, and be exhausted for two days. I got an indoor walking DVD (Leslie Sansone) that only lasted for 20 minutes. I couldn't do it. I actually made it my goal to simply STAND there for the whole twenty minutes! Just STANDING for twenty minutes in a row was an acheivement for me! If I shuffled my feet a bit too, so much the better. I mostly ate fast food and microwaveable dinners, because standing to cook and wash dishes was so hard for me.
How I got into that condition is a long, sad story. If I hadn't been so depressed for so many years, maybe I would have noticed the incredible downward slide I was on. Maybe I could have done something about it sooner. I had always been heavy, but somewhere along the line, after getting heavier, and more and more depressed, and more and more sedentary, I got seriously debilitated, too, and couldn't seem to find my way out of it, even though I tried many times to just get up off the couch.
Today, I weigh 180 pounds. Things have changed a LOT for me!
I would say that by far the most important thing to do is to get the weight off, first and foremost! Yes, you probably COULD build up enough muscle and stamina, even at your weight, to improve your fitness level. But it is just SO much easier, in my opinion, to lose some weight, first! I actually lost the first 100 pounds while needing to be in bed most of the day, due to some medical problems. Losing weight is more about calories than about exercise. The exercise is about general fitness. You can work on both at once, or one at a time. Losing some of the weight first will make exercise a lot easier! Of course, once you can exercise and build some muslce, you will begin burning more calories, too. But, it can be done one step at a time, starting by losing some weight.
Now, I didn't JUST lose weight. I totally and completely revamped my lifestyle! I stopped eating all sugar, processed food, junk food, and fast food. I went to a high-level nutritional diet composed largely of vegetables. I see many people of MFP trying to lose weight by cutting down on junk food, or eating "diet junk food". I am sure many of them get weight-loss results that way, but I do not believe it builds health. When you are so debilitated that you can barely get up off the couch, you need to BUILD HEALTH, not just lose weight! Losing the weight has been very beneficial for me, but eating the vegetables and eliminating the junk is what is improving my health.
Once your body is getting the nutrition it needs, you will start feeling better and have more energy. Once you have lost a good fifty pounds, you will feel more like standing up and doing things. If what you are doing now tires you out for two days, then it is more than you can handle. Start with five minutes of something. Or one minute if you have to. Or one minute now, and one minute later, and one minute even later in the day. It doesn't have to be all in one exercise session. One thing I started doing was to just GET UP every hour or so. Anything to begin breaking the pattern of inactivity is a step in the right direction! Get up and walk up and down your hallway, just once. Soon, you will be able to do it twice. Or for five whole minutes, back and forth. Back when I was trying to just start going for a one mile walk, I was constantly discouraged, because I had to rest for two or three days after that. Then, after such a long break, it was like starting over again. I never managed to actually build up that way. It was only when I acknowledged that I honestly couldn't do more than a few minutes at a time that I started to make progress! But that was AFTER I dropped the first 75 pounds!
It is embarrassing to write about this. I can't believe how desperate my condition was before I finally was able to take some action on it. But I am posting it anyway, because I hope it will help someone else. You CAN do it!! Even when you are in your fifties, like me!
EDITED TO ADD: Your water aerobics sound great! Although it is possible you are doing too much, if it is literally all you can do in the day. But being able to move about on land is what I am talking about, with the one minute at a time, or two minutes at a time, or even just standing up periodically.0 -
You're moving in the right direction! Don't give up!
The suggestion of keeping hand weights (or tins of soup or similar) near the sofa is a good one. My partner has a pedal exerciser for in front of the sofa and she uses it almost daily. She is a similar build to you and recovering from back surgery-- at the very beginning of her recovery she was using it for about 2 minutes at a time but now she's happy to do about 20 minutes while watching TV. It helps to be distracted.
I saw some pedal exercisers on amazon's UK site, in a variety of costs. There's one by RDK that looks a lot like ours, though sadly I'll admit that given it's in pounds not dollars it's more expensive in the UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pedal-Exercise-With-Digital-Display/dp/B0032XLCP4/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t
You can put it on a table and use it for arms too. The digital display is nice for keeping track of the time but I'd take the calories burned with a grain of salt.
Using it on your low energy days might give you part of that boost you need, to reinforce the idea that yeah, even on a low energy day you can do something. It'll get better slowly, but it does get better.0 -
You will feel SO much better with the tiredness, lethargy, etc. if you get up and go!0
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It might just be me, but it seems on the days when I feel like I have absolutely zero energy, I wind up having my best workouts.0
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I'm a proponent of doing what you feel like you can and don't judge yourself. It has worked well for me -- when I stick to the not judging part, anyway. I have more than my share of couch days. Don't discount the importance of recovery, especially early on. I try to embrace it. When I can, I pay more attention to eating things that feel like recovery foods (e.g. salmon, salads, etc.)
I do hope that your back improves. I have occasional back pain and it is really frustrating and interferes with my attempt at a healthy lifestyle. Hopefully eventually your pain will subside enough to be manageable. I found doctors mostly worthless for back pain. Their idea was always to send me to physical therapy. It took a few weeks to get in and then they wanted to see me for 8 weeks. But, of course, by then my back pain would have gone away anyway because it had been months and it usually only lasts weeks. Really frustrating.
As I have gotten in better shape, it has become less frequent of an occurrence and lasts less time each time.0 -
"Now, I didn't JUST lose weight. I totally and completely revamped my lifestyle! I stopped eating all sugar, processed food, junk food, and fast food. I went to a high-level nutritional diet composed largely of vegetables. I see many people of MFP trying to lose weight by cutting down on junk food, or eating "diet junk food". I am sure many of them get weight-loss results that way, but I do not believe it builds health. When you are so debilitated that you can barely get up off the couch, you need to BUILD HEALTH, not just lose weight! Losing the weight has been very beneficial for me, but eating the vegetables and eliminating the junk is what is improving my health."
^^^THIS^^^ My experience too. When you get to the point where you are debilitated, lots of nasty things start happening. It isn't even clear that you are able to absorb nutrients (other than carbs) very well at that point. You need to avoid the junk and move--somehow. When you start feeling better, it is self-reinforcing.0 -
I think you are doing great. I hope you continue. It's going to happen.
I've found that losing weight and exercising at the same time needs to be a bit of a balancing act. Cut back to much on the calories and my energy level gets so low that it is very difficult to motivate myself to exercise. Don't cut back enough and the lack of progress losing weight becomes depressing and I have no mental energy to exercise.
I am sorry to hear about the issues with the UK medical system. That would be incredibly frustrating to deal with. The US system has it's own issues of course...0 -
If you can go to the Dr.'s, get an appt. There are so many things that can cause that kind of symptoms. My doc originally thought I had sleep apnea. After that came back negative(and brief brain tumor scare) we realized it was a severe vitamin deficiency. It started with just being a little tired. I thought I was anemic, no biggie. But when I couldn't complete simple tasks like driving, it just about ruined my life for 3 months.
If you have an issue it is best not to self diagnose. Get checked.0 -
I would say yes it matters. I agree with many of the posts. I would check with your doctor but even if it's only doing 10 minutes at a time, I would work in 30 minutes at least on those off days. If you can find one person that will help you with accountability it really helps. I was lucky and found someone at the gym who actually calls or texts me to find out where I am at if I miss more than one day...and if I beat her at the gym....I'm texting her telling her I'm getting on her machine as she has her "favorite" eliptical machine. Whatever it takes is what I tell myself. With having arthiris in the hips, I have mentally prepared my mind if I don't exercise everyday for at least 60 minutes 6/days a week....I will eventually get to where I will not be able to walk and function in everyday life. So far, it's worked pretty well. They say it's like 20% exercise and 80% diet or 10/90....but for those of us who are extremely overweight and past 40......I say its more closer to 50/50....you have to do both if there is anyway you can. Push yourself mentally and the body will follow. Best of luck and and go to the grocery store and look at 4 - 5 lb bags of potatoes.....that's how much weight you have lost and gotten off of your knees and hip joints!! So stay positive, seek your doctor's advice and keep going! You are doing great!! ; )0
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