Question for the larger (or previously larger) MFP women

_Amy_Budd
_Amy_Budd Posts: 378 Member
edited September 28 in Fitness and Exercise
So how heavy is too heavy for the 30DS, or Zumba, or things of that sort? And/or do you have suggestions for some of those DVDs that are still somewhat hardcore, yet still doable or modifiable for those of us who are still on the large side? I'm talking the high 200s...

I recently started C25K, and though I loved it, it was just too much for my knees to take right now. I'm looking forward to picking it back up when I've lopped off another big chunk of poundage, but I want something else that I can alternate with the elliptical workouts in the meantime.

Both strength training and cardio input appreciated. Netflix On Demand accessible a HUGE bonus, but not a requirement. Many thanks... :)

Replies

  • kat05317
    kat05317 Posts: 96 Member
    I'd be interested in this as well. I also have the 30DS dvd but am afraid to start it at my weight. (mid 200's).
  • symphonika
    symphonika Posts: 107 Member
    When I first started to get into exercising I bought the Biggest Loser Cardio Max, and also Bootcamp. They're both pretty much cardio based but they have different levels and always show different modifications. The DVDs are fairly cheap too.
  • MeliciousMelis
    MeliciousMelis Posts: 458 Member
    I'm over 200 and tried Turbo Fire...it was too hard on my knees....so I am sticking to lower impact cardio on the elliptical and will try again when I am in ONEDERLAND.

    Can't wait!
  • brandi2258
    brandi2258 Posts: 46 Member
    I am just over 300 now and doing 30DS. I love the workout, and I am also looking to do something else along side it. I would say give it a shot, and see. You can also modify the exercises if you can't do them until you get more comfortable/able to do them.

    Don't know if that helps any... but good luck!!
  • mandycasey
    mandycasey Posts: 274 Member
    Hi i'm mid - high 200s and i go to zumba classes and love it - yes i may get very sweaty and have trouble keeping up at times but i enjoy it very much, i'm sure u would love it too.
  • getsveltEagain
    getsveltEagain Posts: 1,063 Member
    I would suggest you try it and see how your body does.... There is some jumping and bending of the knees. There are modifications for some of the moves but you know your body best. :wink:

    I plan to start next week and do it everyother day. I tried it before and only got through level 1 (the first 10 days) of it straight since I was training for a run and I thought that was "more" important.
  • Galathea
    Galathea Posts: 420 Member
    Can't say much about 30DS, since I bought it like two months back and don't really like it. (Sorry, don't hit me :-P). But Zumba I started at 220 lbs and had no probs at all. Down to 160 now and still loving it.
  • searbear1980
    searbear1980 Posts: 110
    I just started 30ds yesterday only made it through 6 minutes because I need a better bra but other wise I will be continuing. It is hard but it is still doable and she offers modified exercises for most of the moves. I am 285 so I think it is possible. Good luck!
  • holli_walker
    holli_walker Posts: 109 Member
    i don't know if you have a ps3/xbox 360/wii but there is a game called ea active 2. i am a larger girl and the game really helped me get back on track and lose weight again. i really suggest it cause there were several exercises i couldn't do at first. now after modifying it i have now worked up to were i can do all most everything even with a bad shoulder. :) hope this helps!!!
  • PeachyKeene
    PeachyKeene Posts: 1,645 Member
    The elliptical is great. You can burn a lot of calories and it is low impact, won't hurt your knees, just your fat.
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    30 DS has modifications, and I have to use them sometimes too. There's no shame in doing it whatever way gets you through. Jillian's attitude seems to be that you should do as much as you can and the trick is to just keep going so that you'll see results.
  • maureendonahue
    maureendonahue Posts: 468 Member
    My sisters and cousins (most of whom are larger) love Zumba. It's tough, but you modify it to what you CAN do. I'm not a class taking kind of person-I'd rather be by myself at least for now-but if that is something you would enjoy, then go for it!
  • Tereztaylor07
    Tereztaylor07 Posts: 200
    I did the 30DS video every other day with the modifications for awhile. I never got past Level 1. I just recently committed to doing it straight thru this month.

    I also alternated workouts with Jackie Warner. I have two of her workout videos. Each one is broken into three parts (arms, legs, core). I would do elliptical/cardio one day, then strength training for a body part the next day and kept rotating. Jackie Warner's DVD "Power Circuit Training" has no cardio or jumping, just fast paced strength moves. I found Jillian's stuff a bit intimidating at first, but I could do almost everything in Jackie's workout and still be dripping when I was done.
  • emsibun
    emsibun Posts: 208
    I've been in the early mid 200's. I didnt start Zumba until recently (at 160lbs or a bit more) but I think it might be suitable.

    Zumba might be hard on your knees but you could modify it (and any dancing activity) - no jumps, low-impact. There are 20 minute versions of the routines for first set of Zumba dvds and on the Zumba Wii game as well (not sure whats in the new set though).

    Billy Blanks Boot Camp is tough but I thought the first routine seemed pretty 'knee kind', especially if you did it without resistance bands.
  • Susan_Marie67
    Susan_Marie67 Posts: 23 Member
    I am in the same boat as OP. I tried the 30DS and found it was too hard on the knees. I'm looking for something lower impact and I find that Leslie Sansone's Walking dvd's are good. I wanted to try the Slim In Six dvd. I am wondering if that is something a larger woman (upper 200's) could do.
  • CCJ13
    CCJ13 Posts: 165 Member
    c25k was too hard on my knees in the beginning. I was 270lbs when I started exercising. I was around 230lbs (I think) when I started Power 90. I couldn't do 5 girl push ups when I started. Now I can do boy push ups. I had to modify moves & there are still some that I have to modify sometimes. After 4 kids, I can't do too much jumping around or I'll pee all over the floor. lol So I think you can probably do anything you want to, you may just have to modify some moves.

    ETA: I also do Zumba & love it. I just take a break if I need one. I usually just do the 20 minute DVD.
  • Imsojen
    Imsojen Posts: 192 Member
    I weigh in the 270s and I am doing Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I wont tell ya its easy, she is kickin my *kitten* a little but its do-able for sure. Im only on part 1 for a few more days and already its easier. Part 2 has me scared a little but im determind to make it.
  • dusk1977
    dusk1977 Posts: 295
    Hi there
    I am in the mids 250s, I currently do zumba on the wii at beginner level and love it. I also do a Tae Bo workout DVD and a DVD called Pump it Up (an intensive aerobics workout). I love them all and even when I can't get the moves right I just keep moving to burn calories.
    Angie
  • chelekaz
    chelekaz Posts: 847 Member
    I was in the 270s when I first started my quest for Healthy Living last August. First thing I did when I joined here? Started Zumba twice a week. I'm not saying that it was easy my first few classes but I was a dancer from ages 3 - 17 so it's what I love. Between Zumba and healthy eating I have slowly been able to take the weight off.

    When you call about classes just make sure it is a beginner class - the other classes I found difficult especially since they don't break down dances as much - it's mostly jump in and figure it out!

    good Luck.
  • NeuroticVirgo
    NeuroticVirgo Posts: 3,671 Member
    I think most of that is do-able, even at a higher weight. You might just need to modify parts that put a lot of pressure on your knees.

    I was doing C25K & 30D Shred at the same time, about 2 weeks in I thought my knees were going to snap with every step....so I had to cut back. But looking back, if I had modified some things, I could have probably avoided my knees getting so bad.

    I think Zumba is great all the time. I haven't done anything in Zumba that bothered my knees (except jumping, which the instructor I had told us to just march in place during those parts if we had bad knees....and I was still burning almost 1000 calories).

    I'm at 237 now, started at 272.
  • AnaNotBanana
    AnaNotBanana Posts: 963 Member
    When I first started out I was 220 lbs. and I did the Biggest Loser Cardio Max and Power Sculpt videos. They were nice because they give a lot of modifications. I'm currently doing 30DS and Zumba and I even though it probably would have kicked my butt I think I would have been able to handle those at a higher weight with modifications too. I've heard Leslie Sansome's walking DVD's are good but I've never done one. I think the best is to try everything and find what you love and what your body can handle.
  • PNWriter
    PNWriter Posts: 223 Member
    I started MFP at 285 and back then there was no WAY I could do a walk let alone zumba, etc. Today, 41 pounds lighter, I can do the elliptical for 30 minutes (I started at 5 min) and walk a few miles....but I still have trouble with Zumba. I bought the DVDs a few weeks ago and tried it. Ouch. My knees were crackling like crazy. So, for now, they're in my DVD drawer waiting for another 20 pounds till I try them again.
  • ShrinkingNinja
    ShrinkingNinja Posts: 460 Member
    At 295 I started taking karate/kickboxing at my dojo. I couldn't do everything exactly right right away but I did the best I could.

    200-211 I did the above a bit better and added EA Sports Active the 9 week program on hard to my routine.

    200-to Now... I am doing p90x.... I can't do everything on it just right, but I am close and I do as much as I can.

    Point is... everything is mod-able for a bigger person to do. You just gotta go ahead and do as much as you can. You will gradually get better, or be able to do more longer.
  • Athena413
    Athena413 Posts: 1,709 Member
    I started out at 282...I "run" (jog) multiple times a week, do Zumba weekly, have done many P90X videos, have done the Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout DVD several times. It's all a matter of listening to your body and knowing when you've reached your limit but still being able to push yourself.
  • ShrinkingNinja
    ShrinkingNinja Posts: 460 Member
    I started out at 282...I "run" (jog) multiple times a week, do Zumba weekly, have done many P90X videos, have done the Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout DVD several times. It's all a matter of listening to your body and knowing when you've reached your limit but still being able to push yourself.

    Agreed!
  • _Amy_Budd
    _Amy_Budd Posts: 378 Member
    Thank you so much to all who posted- so much great feedback, and so many great suggestions! :)
  • bachooka
    bachooka Posts: 719 Member
    I started at 264 and I did everything. I actually started with Your Shape by Jenny McCarthy for the Wii. It was tough but I pushed through. In hindsight... my knees did not thank me for that at all. Now at 200 and even like 10-15lbs ago... my knees were much more forgiving. :)
  • laneyh42
    laneyh42 Posts: 24 Member
    Jillian Michaels Shred It With Weights is low impact. Very doable.
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