How to build muscle without weights and/or gym?

squished
squished Posts: 8 Member
edited November 10 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi All,

I've recently embarked on a weight loss journey again (succeeded once, then went off track for 3 years and blew it) that started on January 3rd. So far, I'm down 19 pounds, all due to MFP (and most recently a FitBit!). I have a dilemma though, my only workout is the treadmill/walking so I'm gaining little/no muscle mass. I've been trying to climb stairs as much as I can recently, but there's only so many stairs you can do in a day, lol. Additionally, I don't want just ridiculously strong legs and nothing else.

My problem, I have a major medical issue in my neck; a severely herniated C5-C6, and ruptured C6-C7 vertebrae as a result of a car accident last November (not my fault!!!!!). As a result, if I look/move the wrong way, I occasionally lose partial feeling in my hands and the back of my arms to the point I've dropped items. Not fun. I've been getting bi-monthly epidural shots in my neck for pain management, but we'll see how long that lasts and it's certainly not a permanent fix. I've been told on multiple professional levels that going to gym is absolutely out of the question until further notice. Any sort of weight workout is out of the question, I've already dropped things like coffee cups, I don't need to be dropping weights.

On that note, can anyone recommend any non strenuous things I can do to build muscle? I don't care how slow it is, I just need to do something. I keep hearing about workout DVD's on here, but I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up with them and if I can't keep up, what's the point? Or am I just totally out of luck?

Thanks in advance,

Squished

Replies

  • kneeki
    kneeki Posts: 347 Member
    Try Convict Conditioning? It's pretty much pure body weight exercises.
  • squished
    squished Posts: 8 Member
    Not even a clue what this is kneeki. I guess it's time for some google. I assume it is literally what the name is.
  • Jolenebib
    Jolenebib Posts: 142 Member
    There are lots of body weight exercises. For arms, the best would be push ups if you can do them...otherwise not sure on the upper body. Lower body is much easier, lunges and squats are great. There are lots of variations of each. This way you got the lower body covered (the muscles are much bigger anyway and more of workout). Have you tried seeing a physical therapist?
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