Workout When Obese

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  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    I am inspired by your post, too! If anyone is not being supportive of you, fick-'em, who need 'em. If you just keep showing up at the gym in spite of any shade, you may find some friendly people who will give you high fives every time you show up,

    We can all use a little help in this process. I hope you have access to a good primary care doctor who will refer you to a a nutritionist and physical therapist. They may have suggestions for exercise programs to get you going. (Also, it can help you find buddies, which is really helpful.) It's also worth getting some individual training, if you can. All this help is not available to everyone, I realize, but it should be!

    And let me 3rd the idea of water-exercise as have others. From a physiological standpoint, it can't be beat. I'm acutely aware that many people hate the idea of putting on a bathing suit. (Plus, there are limitations these days due to the quarantine.) But every YMCA has specific classes for people that are in rehab for one thing or another. It's something to think about longer term.
  • 28Haveitall2020
    28Haveitall2020 Posts: 230 Member
    Hey.

    When you go to the gym think of it like your private space put your headset on and completely ignore your surroundings . Unfortunately we live in a world where everyone is not kind.

    For starter you can walk on the treadmill slowly ( you are not in competition with anyone). Then up the height for hill climbing when tired reduce your speed and height.

    You can also bike slowly at your pace and do it in reps maybe. We have to junction how our body allows. After a month of constant going you will se your body will be getting used to it and your performances will improve over time as well as the intensity of the exercises you want to do.
    Remember " He who lives on the opinion of others is a prisoner".

    Hope it helps.
    Best of luck and update us soon.xxxx

  • 28Haveitall2020
    28Haveitall2020 Posts: 230 Member
    I meant * we live in a world where not everyone is kind*.
  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 8,662 Member

    momof2kd wrote: »

    Thanks so much for all the encouragement and support.

    Your job is to pay it forward and support some other shy soul next year when you’re a teeny little thing.

  • hipari
    hipari Posts: 1,367 Member
    Good job, keep going! Remember you are a paying customer too, and are just as entitled to use the machines, classes and services as everyone else.

    I started a new group class (aerial acrobatics) this week, and I’m by far the biggest girl there. I also have alopecia which makes me bald, so I wore a beanie/turban thing. At first I was convinced that all these skinny pretty blondes (who also came with friends, I came alone) hate and diss me. I decided to stay positive and not let my own prejudice and hostility get the best of me, so I made an effort to chat a little. Guess what, they were all nice. I’m not saying there aren’t judgemental idiots who would whisper and snicker and be *kitten*, but still. Most people are nice.

    I also second (or 3rd or 4th) the suggestion of walking aids or hiking poles. A word of warning about the hiking poles: the other end is pretty sharp. My mom tried to shoo a fly or bee away while holding the poles with the wrist straps on and ended up shoving the sharp end straight into her calf. She had to get stitches, and the wound/scar still looked pretty nasty after a month.
  • LinkedEmpire
    LinkedEmpire Posts: 40 Member
    Andrea222 wrote: »
    Is there a pool at your gym or one you can use/ join somewhere else? I do water aerobics, and it is so fun. I have a bad knee but it is no problem in the water. I also like to just walk in the water. Being in the water can be a good workout, and great for people who have trouble on land.

    Great mention. Water is peaceful and relaxing, gentle on joints. Improves serotonin too. Nothing better than something that soothes and relaxes as an after effect too.
  • LinkedEmpire
    LinkedEmpire Posts: 40 Member
    Ignore the gym bunnies. Remember you don't need to pay for your existence, just work toward the best pay off you can give yourself. They might be thinking the worst but they're not the best example of what is healthy or normal. I don't care what their end result is, I'd be more concerned why they're just hanging out at the gym to judge vs oh I don't know, actually work out and be a guide? Keep doing what you're doing and don't give your personal power away.

    To others: I love miranda white too and the pool idea. I've been doing her workouts and stretches and it's given me a little more pep in my step. I didn't realize how bad my hips and all were at first, but let's just say agreed it's beneficial.
  • RGILLESP1
    RGILLESP1 Posts: 11 Member
    Air high five for getting moving and trying to improve your health! Screw the haters. I’m sure we live nowhere near each other. If we did, I’d totally be your workout buddy.
    As for things you can do: swimming is great but I’m guessing it’s not something you want to do at the gym considering the type of people you’ve recently encountered there. Other options would be the stationary bike or maybe the rowing machine. Outside of the gym, you could get some resistance bands to use at home. You can do lower body exercises with those at home, and can even do them seated so you can work up your lower body strength slowly without having to worry about your legs giving out. I got these for $10 on Amazon and they work great. Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands for Home Fitness, Stretching, Strength Training, Physical Therapy, Workout Bands, Pilates Flexbands, Set of 5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVDVHTI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ha1nFbY132S48
  • Debster634
    Debster634 Posts: 53 Member
    Momof2kd have you considered swimming or swim fit classes? I know the thought of putting on a bathing suit is off putting, but the water exercises are really easy on the joints and it's usually all women of various sizes. I'm not sure how things are in your area, but our pools have just opened up for 1 hour sessions with precautions in place. Small steps. Be kind to yourself, you deserve it. <3
  • DevilsFan1
    DevilsFan1 Posts: 342 Member
    At 336 lb, exercise of any kind is going to be difficult and painful. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get your diet under control. If you were to lose even 50 pounds, you would see a remarkable difference in how much easier it is to be active.

    I'm a firm believer that tackling the biggest problem first is the best way to make improvement in lifestyle. Your biggest problem is your weight. Start tracking how much you are eating and then commit to eating less. MFP is your best friend in this regard. Good luck to you and stay strong!
  • Firefly743
    Firefly743 Posts: 133 Member
    momof2kd wrote: »
    Well I went back this morning and, if I do say so myself, killed it! Slightly increased my distance on the elliptical and added quite a bit of strength training. Found a few more machines I could fit on.

    Some people were staring, but I've decided that I am no mind reader and they could be thinking anything. At any rate, it's not worth my stopping. It feels so so awesome to find that I can actually do a little more than I thought.

    Thanks so much for all the encouragement and support.

    The one thing I just want to say is that I'm really proud of you for showing up! It's hard to go back after having a rough go of it! I'm 5'7" and at my heaviest was 337. So I completely understand how difficult it is to go to the gym. A wise man once told me that it's none of my business what other people think of me. So when I would go to the gym, in all my obese glory, I'd plug in my music, hop on that elliptical, and I'd keep reminding myself that it's not my business what people think of me. And it's true. I'm showing up for ME - not for them. That's why I pay for MY membership. I don't answer to them - I answer only to ME.

    And most often, the mental/emotional struggles can be more difficult to overcome than the physical ones. So just keep showing up - keep doing you! Hold your chin up high and be proud of yourself for showing up today. Keep up the great work! You got this!!

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