I need to reduce

jcmiller77
jcmiller77 Posts: 1
edited December 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Hello!! Let me give you some background. I was medically retired after doing 10 years in the military. I was a lean mean fighting machine....now, 7 knee surgeries and asthma, I am a fat cow. I know how to lose weight, and I know how to exercise. I am getting old (34, cough cough), and my body has changed. It's dificult finding things I can do with my knee. I am never allowed to run again, but I am running 3 times a week...OUCH it hurts, but I fight through it. I don't eat bad at all. But, NO WEIGHT IS COMING OFF....sniff sniff. My husband is still active duty so I have access to a TON of fitness facilities and folks that can help. I am just in a pitty party and gettin discouraged. I need some motivation.....

Replies

  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Why are you running if you're not supposed to?
  • Schmetterling14
    Schmetterling14 Posts: 35 Member
    What about swimming? It is full-body exercise, it will burn tons of calories, and it won't hurt your knees!
  • findfan4ever
    findfan4ever Posts: 153 Member
    Hello jcmiller,

    First off, THANK YOU for your service to your country and same to your husband. It is greatly appreciated by me and my family.

    Second, I've been in your shoes and it sucks. I was medically unemployed for over 2.5 years due to a serious car accident that led to neck surgery. I was on doctor's orders not to exercise for the first 6 months of recovery to ensure the disc fusion took root. I was then cleared to do light activity, such as walking, house work (the honey-do list started coming real fast); however on strict lift restrictions to a max of 30 lbs. By then the emotional damage was starting to set in. Depression, lack of motivation, feelings of inadequacy and low self esteem led to a life of Mr. Mom sitting on the couch and playing with my now 4 year old son.

    Over the course of 2 years I put on 60 pounds and was looking and feeling terrible. I wouldn't want to go out anywhere unless there was Guinness on tap. When we took the kids to the pool, I would never go in because of how awful I looked and felt. I wouldn't even take my shirt off. Being there depressed me even more when I saw other men playing with their kids. Many looked a lot better than me.

    As you can see, the pity party went on for a long, long time.

    What did I do about it? Nothing ..... until my wife decided to enroll in a medically supervised weight loss program (and she looks hot, hot, HOT). I thought, "What the hell. It doesn't require any real effort, yet, as there was medication given to suppress the appetite, give some energy, and burn body fat." Then my wife asked me to exercise with her so I did one time. That's when it hit me. I decided I was fed up with being a lazy fat pity party puke and Kick My Own *kitten*, so to speak.

    Bottom line is NO ONE else could make me do it. I had to get off my lazy *kitten* and start moving and eating properly. I had to stop feeling sorry for myself and making excuses and I am glad I did.

    The same goes for you. I know you have knee issues, however there are resources for you to use: your doctors, physical therapists, etc. You can even research "exercise and knee surgery" or "exercises for bad knees," etc.

    As a former personal trainer I wouldn't even recommend running. The impact that rises up through your legs will damage the knees even more. I would advise an elliptical machine which will lessen/minimize the impact on the knees. Start easy and work your way up. Schmettering mentioned swimming which is also a very good way to strengthen your knee by simply walking in the water to start.

    Light weight training will provide strengthening of the muscles, ligaments and tendons which support the knee. Again, start light and gradually work you way up.

    Feel free to email me if you have any questions, etc. and I am a veteran myself.

    God Bless
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