Exercises for Obese People

Do you like swimming? Or even if you don't, is there aquafit in your area? That's one way to get a great workout, while still being much easier on the joints (plus the resistance benefits of water). I'd also echo suggestions of fitnessblender, and see what you can find that is low impact to help improve strength/flexibility and gradually work your way up.

I also really love TurboJam - you'd probably find it quite challenging to start, but it's the type of video that is pretty fun, and you participate at the level you can, and again, keep at it, knowing that you'll get better. Plus, since it's a video, you're in the privacy of your own home, so you can pause when you need to, and take breaks when your body needs it.

Starting a new program is challenging for anyone, and my advice would be to be kind to yourself - start where you are, and know that it will get better/easier as you keep at it. And scale numbers aside, the feeling of being able to do something you previously couldn't do is pretty awesome.

I about your weight and I enjoy:
Walking and hiking
Stair climbing in beautiful locations
Biking
Resistance bands
Bodyweight exercises
Swing and Jazz Dancing ( I am limited on the jumpier styles due to the stress my weight puts on my knees)
Swimming
Hula Hooping
Sailing
Kayaking
Zumba
Stretching videos on Fitness Blender

I used to love my Wii, too, before I moved onboard a sailboat.

Whatever you choose, figure out where you are and progress. Don't try to run a 5k next weekend if you haven't even been walking a 5k regularly! Jumping in the deep end makes you susceptible to injuries and burn out.

quiltlovinlisa wrote: »

When the weather's bad, i use Leslie Sansone dvds. Her walking based workouts are very easy to follow and modify.

These are great if you just want to start moving. You can do it at home any time.

I also agree with the Walk Away the Pounds by Leslie Sansone. You can find them on youTube also if you want to check them out. She has many different levels and it is what I started with as well a long time ago. Slow and steady wins the race, don't do too much and hurt yourself or frustrate yourself.

My starting weight was 220lbs and I started by walking on the treadmill everyday. Every week or so I up the speed, incline, duration. About 2.5 months later I'm starting the couch to 5k program and I'm 15-20lbs lighter. The treadmill might be boring but I feel good when I'm done and I really want to be able to run a 5k.

My ex started at 320 or so. Running.
I started at 285. . also running.

Running works because it's inefficient, to begin with.

Walking and swimming for me.

I also took a bunch of physical therapy exercises and just added weight to them. So exercises for a healthy back, healthy hips, healthy knees, etc. That's what I'm doing now.

Yoga doesn't burn calories but it's good to prevent injury. I'd avoid any sort of vinyasa/flow until you lose weight, because you can tweak something in between positions. Hatha in general is good. I like Iyengar but there are not that many iyengar studios around.

I started at 255 pounds (5'6") and I found that walking and the elliptical were the easiest for me at first. I like the elliptical especially because it didn't make my back hurt like walking did. Two months later, my back pain is pretty much a thing of the past, I still do the elliptical and the treadmill (now at higher resistance and incline), and I've started adding a little running as well.

quiltlovinlisa wrote: »

When the weather's bad, i use Leslie Sansone dvds. Her walking based workouts are very easy to follow and modify.

This^

There are some freebies to test drive on YouTube too:

www.youtube.com/user/walkathomemedia

There are DVDs for bigger people: Just My Size Yoga, Plus Size Workouts, Shapely Girl

www.collagevideo.com/search?q=debby+mack

See if your library has any of these

I started out lighter, though still obese, and got active without losing weight initially (for around 10-12 years). Things I did successfully at various times (for a reasonable duration, not just once) while obese included rowing (on the water), rowing machine, yoga, weight training, low-impact aerobics, tai chi, kung fu (but no jumping kicks), bike riding, swimming, and spin class.

I vote for swimming, or walking. I swim, myself, and there are several obese people at the pool. It's easier on your joints. I admire their determination. However, if you do decide to start swimming, watch your calorie intake closely. Swimming makes you hungry, and you can gain if you're not counting calories.

I started heavier than you and walked on the treadmill and did the elliptical a lot on my cardio days, but I also did weights and different strength training along with exercises to work on core strength. I did start the weight loss with a personal trainer, which worked well for me. He gave me new things to try and pushed me when I need it.