SOS - Where do I start?!

MediaGoddess
MediaGoddess Posts: 6 Member
edited October 4 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi!
I have jumped into MFP with both feet and need a little assistance in the exercise department.

Background info (quick and dirty):

-Morbidly obese (no sugar coating here, pun intended) Just fell under 300 lbs recently! Yea me!
-seditary job and lifestyle
-eating is on track (logging daily)


Execerise:
All I do is walk...no endurance to do much more (yet)
Walking is boring, what CAN I do that I am ABLE to do.

I work out one a week with a group at church...P 89.5X (major mods going on)

Hanks (yes, hanks) in advance for any ideas.
hugs,
K

Replies

  • Swim! Great exercise and easy on the joints!
  • love22step
    love22step Posts: 1,103 Member
    For now, try to keep up with the walking. Maybe you can vary your walks and take in more interesting sites, or listen to an audio book or music while you walk. I would suggest joining a Zumba class if you have one nearby. You can also purchase Zumba or Turbo Jam DVDs, any type of dance workout, that interests you. Find something fun and challenging! Good luck and God bless!
  • occupyme
    occupyme Posts: 30 Member
    If you are able to do the exercise program at church, major modifications noted, you can do anything you want to at home.

    Try a Jillian Michael's video. Maybe not 30 Day Shred, but she has other videos that are less intense, less demanding, and easily modified.

    Also, I have seen a variety of walking videos; I am not sure what that means, actually, but go to the exercise section at Target or WalMart to see what they offer.

    One other idea, try walking with spunky music or a book on tape (ok, so I'm old!). That might keep you going and alleviate the boredom of walking. Keep up the good work!
  • When I started I bought an aerobic step and I do that whilst I'm watching TV on a night. The time flies cause I'm distracted by the TV. I make sure to cover up any clocks so I'm not watching each minute go by.

    I also started a Zumba class. It's great because everyone just works at their own pace, if you get out of breath you stop, if you can't do a move you just make up your own.

    Hope some of that helps!
  • Do you have Netflix?

    There are tons of workout programs on the instant streaming. Some of them are 10 minute dancing routines.
  • NPetrakis
    NPetrakis Posts: 164 Member
    walking is a great start but doing a lot at once might not be, don't walk if you're uncomfortable. Listen to your body. True, you do need to hit a certain heart rate to optimize fat burn but you can still burn calories below that point. If exercise is new to you and you're in the shape you claim, break up the walks to 2-3 times a day, 30 minutes each or so. Say, before a meal. Earn the food :smile:

    Another exercise you can try only requires a simple chair, preferably one with a back. You're just getting up and sitting down but with a twist. Hold your arms straight out to your sides, face forward, feet shoulder width apart. Stand without using or moving your arms, keep face front and a straight back. When coming back down, just barely touch the seat ( don't actually sit ) and then stand again. Repeat.

    Find how many you can do without stopping. Say 15. Do 12 a minute, at the top of the minute 4 or 5 times. Rest a minute or two, then repeat. Try to make a 20 minute workout out of it. You will feel it, and that's just using a chair in your home.

    If someone reading this is "in shape" try doing 100 under 3 minutes, or 200 under 5. :bigsmile:

    Enjoy.
  • MediaGoddess
    MediaGoddess Posts: 6 Member
    Wow, hanks guys! So many great ideas...I LOVE MFP!
  • H_Factor
    H_Factor Posts: 1,722 Member
    at the start of your journey, no sense going crazy with exercise. shoot, its not even necessary to lose weight so long as you maintain a caloric deficit through nutrition alone. exercise comes with its own benefits...and I recommend it...but don't start trying to do too much too quickly. Saying this, if you want to spruce up walking, I recommend an ipod or similar device. I don't love running, but it made a difference for me once I started using an ipod.

    good luck to you on your journey.
  • urbanmasala
    urbanmasala Posts: 95 Member
    walking is a great start but doing a lot at once might not be, don't walk if you're uncomfortable. Listen to your body. True, you do need to hit a certain heart rate to optimize fat burn but you can still burn calories below that point. If exercise is new to you and you're in the shape you claim, break up the walks to 2-3 times a day, 30 minutes each or so. Say, before a meal. Earn the food :smile:

    Another exercise you can try only requires a simple chair, preferably one with a back. You're just getting up and sitting down but with a twist. Hold your arms straight out to your sides, face forward, feet shoulder width apart. Stand without using or moving your arms, keep face front and a straight back. When coming back down, just barely touch the seat ( don't actually sit ) and then stand again. Repeat.

    Find how many you can do without stopping. Say 15. Do 12 a minute, at the top of the minute 4 or 5 times. Rest a minute or two, then repeat. Try to make a 20 minute workout out of it. You will feel it, and that's just using a chair in your home.

    If someone reading this is "in shape" try doing 100 under 3 minutes, or 200 under 5. :bigsmile:

    Enjoy.


    I wish I could walk! I needed this advice a couple of weeks ago. Went for a 30-minute walk that was tough from the onset, but by the time I had finished, i was in real pain. I hadn't walked or exercised in nearly four months before that and I paid a horrible price. My back/hips hurt so bad now that I cannot walk without pain.

    I chose between walking and riding my stationary bike that day and now I wish I had chosen the bike. The only reason I didn't is because the seat hurt my butt. Well, now I'm hoping to start riding my bike again (with some padding) because it is much easier on my back. :o(
  • kimcat73
    kimcat73 Posts: 687 Member
    Welcome to MFP, we are so happy to have you! When I started, I was just under 300 pounds as well. I joined my gym and used the treadmill, elliptical, and bike, did some aerobics videos at home, and stated taking a step aerobics class at the gym. Do what you can but don't be afraid to push yourself. Stop if it's painful but don't be afraid. You can do this, I did! Now I'm addicted to exercise and would feel lost without it! If you need any help, I'm here to help for anything. You can do this!
  • DannyNovela
    DannyNovela Posts: 39 Member
    i agree with the person who said to listen to your body... i started at 295 a few years back and was going great with the exercise routines but i was not listening to the soreness and pain in my knees and one blew out and gave out on me... it took me almost two years to recover from it. i started up again using mfp and a light workout and it has been great . i recently ran my first 10k race and my hip to leg joints were burning after i cooled down. so now i am told that i am still too heavy 50lbs later so i will listen this time and take it easy on my joints. i want to keep this weight loss going without any hitches or snags.
  • NPetrakis
    NPetrakis Posts: 164 Member
    sorry to hear that Danny, injuries suck. I tore a rotator in my shoulder and it hurt for years. Never did get it looked at though ( dumb ). I was a teen and hid it from my parents because I was hurt playing football. Now every so often, it says "hello". I doubt a doctor can fix it now.
  • MediaGoddess
    MediaGoddess Posts: 6 Member
    What do I type into Netflix to locate the workouts? I'm afraid I am a newbie with Netflix as well.
    Thanks so much!
  • MediaGoddess
    MediaGoddess Posts: 6 Member
    Do you have Netflix?

    There are tons of workout programs on the instant streaming. Some of them are 10 minute dancing routines.

    What do I type into Netflix to locate the workouts? I'm afraid I am a newbie with Netflix as well.
    Thanks so much!
This discussion has been closed.