treadmills and bikes HELP

Mission2Me
Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I started looking for a treadmill, upright bike, or recumbent bike over the last week and have become really depressed about it. not only did the weight I gained back after being ill cause me to start all over, it has put me out of the range for most exercise equipment that I find. I am buying off of craigslist because that is all I can afford at the moment, but this is truly making me upset. Any suggestions here?? My doctor recommends a bike....I was about to purchase one just now buuuuut it only allows 275lbs. that seems to be what I see the most. so irritating. ugh.
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Replies

  • G__Force
    G__Force Posts: 280 Member
    If you cant find a piece of equipment just start walking, find some stairs and start climbing a few at a time, walk some of the weight off first them get a bike. or climb some more stairs. Just getting started is the important thing.
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    I would like to but current health issues keep me home bound. literally my job is going to the doctors office. I even have home health. and I am on blood thinners ( I got a clot while I was hospitalized). My doctor says I need a machine with a heart rate monitor on it. If my heart rate gets to low or to high I could pass out. She says the bikes are safer right now.
  • letjog
    letjog Posts: 260 Member
    well then control your food intake until the weight drops enough to go on a bike. diet is 80% of weight loss anyway.
  • _Libitina_
    _Libitina_ Posts: 5
    Anything you do at home is an improvement. Remember that everything can change your life. Walk around the house more. Even if you get up and pace to the kitchen every 30 mins, every bit helps.

    Keep up with your diet. Drink plenty of water!

    I have a few stairs in front of my house, I run up and down them for 15 mins a day. I don't really leave the house but it's something a bit more that I can do before and after the gym or on days I don't go due to weather.
  • upgetupgetup
    upgetupgetup Posts: 749 Member
    It sucks that your efforts are complicated by this, but don't focus on the weight/equipment issue, or let it mean anything about you, or let it deter you. Do what you CAN.

    You don't need a machine: Leslie Sansone has some videos on (indoor) walking. Some are on Youtube. It's just a few steps in different directions to a beat, with some (optional) kicks - as easy or challenging as you need to make it :)

    You can buy a heart rate monitor separately.
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    Thank you all for your help. I just want to do more than the diet part. with diet alone it took me about a year to lose twenty pounds. I have PCOS and an under active thyroid. I can not do another year of dieting. My motivation is crumbling as it is. IDK.....I know exercise would possibly help all of my health problems too. I will just stick with the diet for now I guess.
  • 1Fizzle
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    well then control your food intake until the weight drops enough to go on a bike. diet is 80% of weight loss anyway.

    ^^This, OP most generic home gym equipment caps at 250-275. Maybe consider getting a real bike and getting outdoors....if that is an option. Use stairs or do body weight exercises in house to get some exercise. I would not worry about getting a heart rate monitor, just get moving on a regular basis and get a regimen going.
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    I will ask my doctor about that. She may not agree to it because she wants me seated doing low impact stuff. Because, my ankle recently started bleeding inside and it created the biggest lump and bruise ever (can happen with blood thinners). I was not able to walk on it for weeks and now have home health people. I will just have to explain to her the situation and see what she says.
    It sucks that your efforts are complicated by this, but don't focus on the weight/equipment issue, or let it mean anything about you, or let it deter you. Do what you CAN.

    You don't need a machine: Leslie Sansone has some videos on (indoor) walking. Some are on Youtube. It's just a few steps in different directions to a beat, with some (optional) kicks - as easy or challenging as you need to make it :)

    You can buy a heart rate monitor separately.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Before you commit to a piece of equipment that is going to be a budget buster when you're not exactly sure what you want, why not join a gym like planet fitness for a while, something that will only set you back $10 a month where you can test out all the various options for equipment and see exactly what you like and can see yourself using long term without forking over your savings for it.

    Also, the professional models of equipment that they have at gyms are more weight forgiving than the stripped down inexpensive home versions.
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    I certainly agree I need to get a regimen going, along with my diet ( I have been working on that again).
    but I have to be in the house and I have to have a heart rate monitor. I could try lifting something heavy....I do not have any weights lol.
    well then control your food intake until the weight drops enough to go on a bike. diet is 80% of weight loss anyway.

    ^^This, OP most generic home gym equipment caps at 250-275. Maybe consider getting a real bike and getting outdoors....if that is an option. Use stairs or do body weight exercises in house to get some exercise. I would not worry about getting a heart rate monitor, just get moving on a regular basis and get a regimen going.
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    Get a pedometer (shameless plug for the Fitbit), set a daily/weekly step goal, and make up a few good high-energy playlists for your MP3 player to getcha going. Don't forget there are tons of interesting & affordable exercise DVDs out there and you can do it in the comfort of your living room. The nice part about workout DVDs is you can control your own intensity.
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    I can not get to the gym every day. I am not supposed to be driving. I probably will not be able to afford one of the professional (expensive) ones at the gym anyways. unless I can find one on craigslist for a lot less lol.
    Before you commit to a piece of equipment that is going to be a budget buster when you're not exactly sure what you want, why not join a gym like planet fitness for a while, something that will only set you back $10 a month where you can test out all the various options for equipment and see exactly what you like and can see yourself using long term without forking over your savings for it.

    Also, the professional models of equipment that they have at gyms are more weight forgiving than the stripped down inexpensive home versions.
  • onefatwife
    onefatwife Posts: 23 Member
    I have an underactive thyroid also. It really does slow down weight loss even though its supposedly regulated by medicine.
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    If you are on blood thinners and recovering from a health issue, then I'd just take it easy until you get the all-clear to start exercising again. I'm hoping you won't be on the blood thinners for ever (I'm guessing they'll wean you off once you're no longer at risk for another clot.) Perhaps now is a good time to gently diet and very sloooowly do what you can to gradually increase your activity around the house (walking, stretching, body weight exercises). I hope you're leg heals well and you are back on your feet again soon.
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    I have been looking into a pedometer as well. I have heard of fitbit but not too familiar. I dont think I have any of the dance DVDs (dont buy them because I can not dance lol). but another good idea to run by my doctor thanks.
    Get a pedometer (shameless plug for the Fitbit), set a daily/weekly step goal, and make up a few good high-energy playlists for your MP3 player to getcha going. Don't forget there are tons of interesting & affordable exercise DVDs out there and you can do it in the comfort of your living room. The nice part about workout DVDs is you can control your own intensity.
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    It can very very tricky. I would lose nothing for months at a time and then drop 2 lbs every week for a month, and then stop again. Pills never help me. I have always wondered if it was because my doctors will not give me enough meds to put me anywhere above the very minimum normal range.
    I have an underactive thyroid also. It really does slow down weight loss even though its supposedly regulated by medicine.
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    One last thought... when you do get out the house to go shopping and such, try the wheelchair instead of the power scooter. I broke my leg in 2012 and I would go to Target (nice wide aisles, smooth floors, good A/C in the summer) and gently push myself around in the wheelchair. Seriously, it's a great workout. I would totally wear myself out (and if I got winded, I'd pause, slow down or ask my man for a push). And it's completely FREE!!! Just have someone (friend, family member) come shop (or not shop) with you in case you need a hand. Nearly every big store/grocery will have a courtesy wheelchair for patrons. Plus, when you are feeling stronger and can walk more and more, you can alternate walking with the wheelchair or riding in it.
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    Any pedometer will work - it becomes a game to get a certain # of steps/day. They sell FitBits online and at Target (and it syncs with MyFitnessPal thru your computer - that's how I discovered this site). I'm thinking a Zumba DVD would be fun. You could just lower the intensity with the steps and kicks, or skip 'em until you're ready). Don't forget yoga DVDs, too - look for yoga described as gentle/restorative/beginner or hatha. I hear Tai Chi is very gentle and good for recovery fitness, too.
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    I would love to. I am still recovering from the viruses that landed me hospitalized for weeks. They say it will take me a lot longer to get better. I just see that I am gaining weight so fast. I know I should continue to only monitor my food but I think maybe I am just upset about the weight gain. They have no clue when they can let me off of the blood thinners. My doctors even agreed losing weight could speed that along. I guess I will have no choice but to wait it out if they dont agree with any other exercise.
    If you are on blood thinners and recovering from a health issue, then I'd just take it easy until you get the all-clear to start exercising again. I'm hoping you won't be on the blood thinners for ever (I'm guessing they'll wean you off once you're no longer at risk for another clot.) Perhaps now is a good time to gently diet and very sloooowly do what you can to gradually increase your activity around the house (walking, stretching, body weight exercises). I hope you're leg heals well and you are back on your feet again soon.
  • LovingLisa2012
    LovingLisa2012 Posts: 775 Member
    what about something like this
    0002360106553_60X60.gif
    you can work your arms and legs, just use your own chair .. I am sure every retail store has a version of it
    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Carex-Pedal-Exerciser/6537516
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    BTW, I have PCOS, too. It sucks. It feels like we have to work so much harder than normal to lose weight and we gain it back "overnight"... But we are strong and we fight. Don't give up hope!
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    I just pictured flying through the isles of target lol. rofl I almost tried zumba once but I chickened out. I cant dance! I have been doing research on tai chi and yoga. I need to find a dvd for that. stretching may help with the muscle spasms from the viruses! Thanks for that reminder.
    Any pedometer will work - it becomes a game to get a certain # of steps/day. They sell FitBits online and at Target (and it syncs with MyFitnessPal thru your computer - that's how I discovered this site). I'm thinking a Zumba DVD would be fun. You could just lower the intensity with the steps and kicks, or skip 'em until you're ready). Don't forget yoga DVDs, too - look for yoga described as gentle/restorative/beginner or hatha. I hear Tai Chi is very gentle and good for recovery fitness, too.
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    nice. hadnt seen one of these before. Thanks!
    what about something like this
    0002360106553_60X60.gif
    you can work your arms and legs, just use your own chair .. I am sure every retail store has a version of it
    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Carex-Pedal-Exerciser/6537516
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    oh and I was wondering about pedometers. do they all work??
    Any pedometer will work - it becomes a game to get a certain # of steps/day. They sell FitBits online and at Target (and it syncs with MyFitnessPal thru your computer - that's how I discovered this site). I'm thinking a Zumba DVD would be fun. You could just lower the intensity with the steps and kicks, or skip 'em until you're ready). Don't forget yoga DVDs, too - look for yoga described as gentle/restorative/beginner or hatha. I hear Tai Chi is very gentle and good for recovery fitness, too.
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    Wow, Mission2Me. I feel for you - sounds like it's been an absolutely wretched year for you health-wise. If you've been hospitalized that long, then yeah... your body might need some extra time & TLC to get strong again. But you are here and you are recovering and it WILL get better. It seems like doctors are the worst at inspiring optimism. Perhaps that's what friends and family and faith are for!
  • brit_ks_89
    brit_ks_89 Posts: 433 Member
    get a heart rate monitor and start walking around the block
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    Yeah, most pedometers work just fine (even the $5 ones). The fancy ones just plug into the computer or track extra stuff or have a cutesy display. I think my FitBit Zip was $60, but I'm a gadget geek. BTW, I think the little pedal-bike-stand-thingie was a clever suggestion. You could use some light freeweights (cans would work) to add some upper body exercises while you pedal!
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    BTW, a 30+ minute "roll" around a Target in a wheelchair is a damn good workout! I even had a favorite "course" around the store. It doesn't hurt that the Target had a Starbucks in it... thus my post-workout skinny latte would cancel out all of my hard work. (Plus it was the only way I was getting a sweet treat - I couldn't drive my butt anywhere.)
  • fresh_start59
    fresh_start59 Posts: 590 Member
    I have an older version of this Omron pedometer.
    http://www.amazon.com/Omron-HJ-112-Digital-Pocket-Pedometer/dp/B0000U1OCI

    It works great at counting steps, calculating distance walked and calculating an estimated calories I burned while taking those steps. It will also show a separate count of "aerobic" steps (at least 60 steps per minute for at least 10 minutes straight).

    It is a great little tool but it does not link to MFP and does not have the sleep sensor thing that the $100 Fitbit One has. But for less than $25 it is a great gadget, one that I've relied on every day the past month.
  • Mission2Me
    Mission2Me Posts: 208 Member
    I love gadgets too and fit bit sounds good! It has been a crazy year but I can not complain. My doctors are surprised I am alive right now. I think I may have found a bike though! Exerpeutic 1000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike w/Pulse. Maybe I will get that. I love starbucks! but im a tea girl. So I wouldnt do too bad calorie wise. I dont even add sugar! So I need a pedometer, weights (cans), and a bike...and then starbucks lol.

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