2 big for floor exercises? HELP

First of all- you are doing it! The hardest part is starting!

I think this plan sounds great, and I don't think you are too heavy to be doing these types of exercises. What type of shoes are you wearing? You may need more support in your feet. From your description it sounds like you made have pulled something which can happen to anyone, regardless how big or small they are. I would try to ice it- bag of frozen peas can be helpful in a time like this since they can conform to whatever body part you need to ice. Give your body some rest and then start by lightly stretching. I have thrown my back out a couple of times and it really helps. A week ago I tried a Kettlebell class and thought I really hurt myself. In the end, I was just using muscles I haven't used in a very long time or ever, so I was extremely sore for a couple of days, but it does get better!

Keep me posted on how you are doing! Stay with it, you are going to do great!

I have a shifted vertebrae in my lower back and sometimes situps or reverse crunches on the ground can irritate it, if you do have back problems, maybe modify the situp using an exercise ball for crunches which will support your back and you will still get in the exercise.

To answer your initial question, no one is every too big to exercise, but from my experience and in my opinion there are a few things my body just can't do right now, so I simply modify the exercise to get the same/similar workout and it works for me. We all can't always do everything, but we can certainly still move our bodies and get in a good workout one way or another.

Good luck, hope your back feels better soon!

Take care!

First of all, I want to congratulate you on all of your efforts towards good health.

I can totally relate to the floor exercises. If I get on the floor, I cannot get up very easily. It's very painful, too.

I have found a heavy duty core ball to do crunches and other exercises helps a great deal. Also, if being on the floor hurts you too much, perhaps you can adapt the exercises while sitting in a chair (like a kitchen chair, not a sofa).

Good luck, and keep up the great work!!

You may want to try something lower impact than jumping jacks. Walking is always a good exercise. If you want a dvd Leslie Sansone (sp?) has some walking ones that lots of people seem to like. Also low impact aerobics ones can be good too. I get back and hip pain and sometimes jarring things just hurt. If you can take water aerobics that is very non-jarring and is great for people who have joint pain. My hubs has very bad joints and his best exercises are walking and water walking.

I would try alternating ice and heat. Ibuprofen helps reduce swelling. Gentle stretching can help too. Take a break from any jarring exercises until your back feels better. If it doesn't get better you may want to check with a dr.

Might need more of a warm up to get those muscles and back stretched out. Sounds like jumping jacks would be good warm up but do some gentle stretching of back right after before doing abs. The floor can be hard on backs for sure. I agree a stability ball makes ab work easier on the back.

I would like to add exercise doesn't have to feel like work, my favorite starters were richard simmons dance dvds and walking

As someone who also has 150+ to lose, I understand completely. Having that much weight puts a lot of strain on your body that someone much smaller can't understand. You can certainly work your way up to any exercise, but you need to listen to your body. Swimming is an excellent workout that won't put any strain on your back, hips, or knees. Also, YouTube has an endless supply of workout tips and routines for morbidly obese people. Here are a few I like.

http://youtu.be/W9kd6G2rLlM
http://youtu.be/PGfyr5O8KGU
http://youtu.be/s40-qyUK-5Y

If you need any support from someone who is in the same place, feel free to friend me.

First of all, at the level of conditioning you are at (no offense intended, just want you to have correct information), floor exercises or other exercises where you are supported by a solid surface (as someone mentioned, a chair, or wall, etc) is absolutely the way to start off safe. HOWEVER, as a certified personal trainer, I will tell you that doing exercises using any unstable medium (i.e. stability balls, Bosu) is NOT recommended for both your technique level AND for lower back pain (acute or chronic). Also, lifting two legs simultaneously while lying on your back puts you at risk for exacerbating your back pain. Sounds like where you are at at this point, you should be focusing on static core stability exercises (e.g. modified plank, supine pelvic tilts, etc), and definitely shelve the sit ups. All the suggestions for walking are great though. Remember consistency is the key for walking to have the most benefit, even if you are only walking 10-15 minutes, stick to it for at least 5 days every week, then over time, increase the duration of each walk. I have no idea what your previous exercise experience is, or other pertinent data that would be necessary for someone to give you safe, effective exercise advice, but be very careful taking the advice of random bulletin board posts when you have an issue that can be potentially injurious (making your back pain worse with contraindicated exercise modalities). Keep on and get strong!

Swimming, would also be a good choice. low impact, good cardio, etc. There is the having to put a bathing suit on thing, but once past that, its fun, its summer, it wont feel like exercise!

You may even try a chair exercise where you sit up straight in a chair and bring your knee up towards your chest without bending. May add ankle weights to your ankles as more of a challenge as you progress. Hope this may help. Ice your back also. Back pain is no fun I know. Good luck on your journey.