Cardio help?

padackllins
padackllins Posts: 36 Member
edited January 24 in Fitness and Exercise
Righto, this is gunna be a funny one. I'm knock kneed, which means my knees point inwards. not completely, but enough so that it means my knees are pretty ****ed. They are extremely weak, get very sore very easily, even walking for prolonged periods of time can cause them to swell up and ache like no tomorrow. This means that trying to do running/jogging is extremely hard. Not just because of my fitness level, but I feel like my knees will collapse underneath me. What other options do I have for cardio? I can't go swimming or get a gym membership due to currently being out of a job, sadly, so what else is there?

Also, I'm doing a few toning exercises at home at the moment to try get a decent bum on me & tone up my thighs. The 30 Day Squat Challenge is my friend right now, except I'm adding extras to it by doing the same number of sit-ups & jumping jacks on each day. Will this help my burn calories or just help tone up the muscle hidden under the fat?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! :)

Replies

  • silverlining84
    silverlining84 Posts: 330 Member
    Could you borrow some workout dvds from the public library? 30 day shred, etc?
  • padackllins
    padackllins Posts: 36 Member
    i've got the 30 day shred and have been giving it a go but as i don't own any weights [yay unemployment -.-] most of it is going to waste so far but i'm still trying to get through it.
  • CMWheeler85
    CMWheeler85 Posts: 10 Member
    If you own a bike that would be a great place to start. There is no impact at all on your knees even though they will be getting worked. Another key I think would be to make sure you are working on strengthening your legs. Your quads have quite an impact on knee strength and health of that joint because many of the tendons are the same.

    You really need to be at a calorie deficit to lose fat. Exercise alone will not burn the fat... unfortunately lol. So that being said get some workouts that will get your heart rate going and get your breathing hard if you own a bike get on that puppy and ride until you feel yourself start to get tired.

    Diet is the most important key to losing weight just keep that mindset and do what your body can handle as far as working out goes and you will definitely see results!

    Best of luck!
  • padackllins
    padackllins Posts: 36 Member
    i always try to keep under my calorie goal, which is currently 1400 as i'm quite tall, at a healthy weight & don't have much to lose. plus, when i have it set to 1200, i always end up binging and i'd rather not run the risk. :)
    i don't own a bike but my brother does, i'll see if he'll let me borrow it!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Could you borrow some workout dvds from the public library? 30 day shred, etc?

    30 Day Shred is rated HIGH impact .... be careful


    Leslie Sansone Walk at Home is low impact cardio .... you can just go at your own pace. Lots of YouTube videos or at libraries

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjduJjO1pLg&feature=related

    Re: weights ..... you might look at thrift shops .... or create your own. Fill milk jugs with water or sand. A gallon jug would be great with squats .... one weighs 8 pounds.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Also, I'm doing a few toning exercises at home at the moment to try get a decent bum on me & tone up my thighs. The 30 Day Squat Challenge is my friend right now, except I'm adding extras to it by doing the same number of sit-ups & jumping jacks on each day. Will this help my burn calories or just help tone up the muscle hidden under the fat?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated! :)

    Jumping jacks are great cardio, but I'm surprised they don't hurt your knees since there is a lot of impact.

    Honestly, I'd discuss this with your physician to make sure you don't get an injurty. But since you've asked here, Zumba or other dance exercises might be a good option for you. You can burn a lot of calories and it's low impact. You can find many of these on YouTube for free.
  • zumbaforever
    zumbaforever Posts: 7,234 Member
    Burpees are great for cardio and toning. Look into bodyweight workouts. You only need your own body for that!

    Shelley
  • SamDanielleB
    SamDanielleB Posts: 71 Member
    Biking! It's super easy on your knees.
  • RCMPWannaBe
    RCMPWannaBe Posts: 84 Member
    Try yoga to get your started! It will increase your flexibility, strengthen your muscles, and gets your heart rate going. Definitely not cardio, but it seems like it might be a good starting point for you. :)
  • padackllins
    padackllins Posts: 36 Member
    jumping jacks aren't too bad! as long as i don't do too many in a row i'm ok. i tend to have a break after about 50 or so :)
    thank you for all the suggestions! my sisters gunna look out with her friends if anyones getting rid of a bike for me as i love riding bikes! but yeah, i'll look into pretty much all of these, see what i can get out of it :D
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