Exercise for the out of shape?

[Garnet2727]

Hi all,

I'm obese (working on that...have lost 5 pounds in the last two weeks) and horribly out of shape. I also have athritis in my feet, ankles and knees. I NEED to start exercising. What form of exercise would you recommend?

~G~

 

[vedickings]

Hi,


A rebounder is a good why to get started.

Heres a link >> http://www.cellercise.com/

 

[Garnet2727]

Thanks...but WOW that's expensive.

I should have said cheap exercise.

 

[vedickings]

Thanks...but WOW that's expensive.

I should have said cheap exercise.

Lol

Well if I come upon something cheap I'll let you know, ok. You know you could check ebay.

Good luck.

 

[Benjammin]

Weightlifting, if done right, this will build muscle while burning fat, and strengthening the arthritis weakened areas. Pm for more if you want.

 

[fitmom]

Start on a recumbent bike, it is what I put my new exercisers on and recommend for my clients with arthritis. Call your local Arthritis Society for info. re. affordable group fitness classes such a PACE, People With Arthritis Can Exercise. God Bless you, keep on moving forward, J

 

[madison1101]

I am obese and also have arthritis in my ankles and knees. I belong to a gym and like both the recumbant bike and the elliptical. Also, water exercises are good too.

 

[Garnet2727]

Now I think weightlifting and the bike and the water are things I can do. Only a bit at a time. There is a YMCA here. I think maybe starting on the bike and working up to weightlifting? I'm also very...how shall I say...stiff. Does anyone know stretching routines that may work for me?

Thanks all for the input.

 

[goodgirl]

the cheapest thing of all, and I say one of the best, is walking... just go for a walk! Especially if there's some pretty place near you, like a park or a lake. I do it in the spring and summer (it's dark when I get home in winter) and it really takes weight off painlessly. Plus, it will get you into better shape for the other stuff.

 

[fitmom]

I am obese and also have arthritis in my ankles and knees. I belong to a gym and like both the recumbant bike and the elliptical. Also, water exercises are good too.

Excellent advice, check out a local aquafit class! Reps. for you! J

 

[BubblesRelena]

Someone probably already said it, but the best excersize (sp) for anyone with knee, joint, or muscle pain is excersize (sp) in the water. Talk to your local health club (that has a pool) and see what type of water excersize classes they offer. You might want to take a class for a month, or switch to a few different types. Then, when you know from taking the class on what to do, do it on your own (that way you don't have to keep paying special for the classes). Who knows, they may have special deals.

~BubblesRelena

 

[Garnet2727]

Thanks for the input all. I went to the local Y today..and guess what? There is a class just for large women. I talked with the instructor for about half an hour. She is going to tailor a program for me that starts out with a LOT of stretching. She was fairly appalled out how stiff my movements are. Then she will start me on the recumbant bike and after that what she calls "no-impact" exercise. Given the state of my feet and ankles right now, she doesn't think walking is a good idea. A few exercises she showed me today are done laying on my back or my side. I'll start as soon as I get the go ahead from my doctor. She also thought that water aerobics would be good...just not yet. Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps.

Thanks again everyone. Just reading your comments helped to motivate me to go out and do something.

 

[=Joel=]

Diet is everything….you can workout all you want, but unless you have the determination and willpower to stick to a strict diet, you’re not going to get desirable results by just working out. You can ask any bodybuilder, nutritionists or fitness trainer. Working out is only ¼ of the job, if that.



Seeing you’re obese and have arthritis, my advice to you would be to find a good diet and stick to it, and swim in a pool 3 or 4 times a week for a few months. Then start in on the weight lifting and treadmill when your body has gotten use to your weight loss and swimming.

 

[vedickings]

Diet is everything….

I agree with you on this. Dite to me is first, then move on to some kind of work out program.

To the OP,

What would be the point of jogging to McDonalds?

Just a thought.

I hope everything works out for you, good luck.

 

[fitmom]

Diet is everything….you can workout all you want, but unless you have the determination and willpower to stick to a strict diet, you’re not going to get desirable results by just working out. You can ask any bodybuilder, nutritionists or fitness trainer. Working out is only ¼ of the job, if that.



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Hi there, I am a Cert. PT and Nutrition/Wellness specialist (Not a nutritionist). I agree that diet and exercise in combination will bring about desired results. I would never put any client, obese or not, on a STRICT diet. Diets always fail. A person with Arthritis (I also have a cert. to work with people with athritis or PACE) also needs a specific and personal approach to exercise than can include everything you have mentioned, but should do so with a qualified PT or PACE instructor.
For success for anyone, arthritis or not, the approach to weight loss and exercise should be the same. Carefully increase activity and slowly improve eating habits, a lifestyle approach called 'vitality'.
A balanced eating plan including all the food groups.
ONE baby step at a time, this leads to a great success and a lot of joy and encouragement along the journey!
Getting there is so much fun!
Do not overwhelm yourself, one baby step remember!
God Bless, J

 

[rahma]

Hmm, have you watched the Biggest Loser on NBC (http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser/)? Although this season is almost done, I have found it to be a great motivation to lose weight. I almost tried out to be on the second season, but the people in my weight range were voted off first

For me, it's all about motivation. I need to keep inspirational and motivational things around, otherwise I get on an exercise kick and then a few weeks later burn out and stop for a year or 2. Just keep going, a little each day. You might not see huge results right away (although 5 pounds in 2 weeks I'm jealous), but if you keep it up, you'll feel much better about yourself.

I've read something that you need to do something for 2 to 3 weeks straight before it becomes a habit. So, even if one day you're drooping, don't just think you'll exercise the next day. Get up and do something, even if it is just walking for 10 minutes. It keeps you in the motivational mindset.

 

[Garnet2727]

The diet thing is something I struggle with as well. I've tried strict diets, lost a bunch of weight, then gained it all back plus some. The approach I'm taking now is to try to make permanent changes in my eating habits. My biggest problems with eating are that I adore salty, crunchy things, I despise cooking and I also love things that are loaded with fat. Anything with cheese on it...lots of cheese...is an instant favorite. I've made some basic changes in my diet (baby steps) and I'm already starting to lose weight. The first thing I did was to remove ALL potato chips and things like that from my apartment. When I would have normally had a baked potato loaded with cheese and butter, now I have a vegetable. I allow myself two slices of cheddar cheese as a snack. I'm eating fruit. (Bleah...that's a hard one...I really don't care for fruit that much.) I generally have a piece of fruit for breakfast and half a bagel with a light smearing of cream cheese. I've also cut my portions basically in half. I don't read or watch TV while eating anymore and I put the fork down and thoroughly chew my food before taking another bite. So far, so good...week 3 and I'm now down almost 10 pounds. These are changes I can live with because I don't feel starved. My biggest problem are those danged cravings I get for potato chips or nachos. But so far so good.

 

[Joss]

Congrates and well done. 10 pounds, sorry i don't know pounds i use kilogrames. But it sounds great.

yer i reckon walking is the cheapest exercise to. Plus for me it works cause i live in a small australian country town, one General Store and a Primary school and acres and acres of green paddocks.

Though you could also try Philates or Yoga to strengthen your bones and give you more flexiblity. It might be hard at first but the results are worth it.

*HUGGZEZ*

 

[fitmom]

The diet thing is something I struggle with as well. I've tried strict diets, lost a bunch of weight, then gained it all back plus some. The approach I'm taking now is to try to make permanent changes in my eating habits. My biggest problems with eating are that I adore salty, crunchy things, I despise cooking and I also love things that are loaded with fat. Anything with cheese on it...lots of cheese...is an instant favorite. I've made some basic changes in my diet (baby steps) and I'm already starting to lose weight. The first thing I did was to remove ALL potato chips and things like that from my apartment. When I would have normally had a baked potato loaded with cheese and butter, now I have a vegetable. I allow myself two slices of cheddar cheese as a snack. I'm eating fruit. (Bleah...that's a hard one...I really don't care for fruit that much.) I generally have a piece of fruit for breakfast and half a bagel with a light smearing of cream cheese. I've also cut my portions basically in half. I don't read or watch TV while eating anymore and I put the fork down and thoroughly chew my food before taking another bite. So far, so good...week 3 and I'm now down almost 10 pounds. These are changes I can live with because I don't feel starved. My biggest problem are those danged cravings I get for potato chips or nachos. But so far so good.

Awesome, drink LOTS of water, and keep on moving. Recognizing and changing poor eating habits is key to success, and you are doing that. Your cravings are not a bad thing, treat yourself and consume a smaller, pre measured serving of BAKED not fried nachos with healthy salsa and a few shreads of cheese. God Bless you, keep on honoring your temple, God Bless, J

 

[Greenriser]

The missing link is usually stretching and pilates. Good to oil the body. But these will only increase your strength and weight loss if you ease into them and try not to cut your diet too heavily until you've enough lean muscle.