When you need to lose 200+ pounds, how do you get started with exercise?

[Wishes4444 2]

I am 409 lbs now, and getting banded on March 4th. I would like to get down to 160 lbs, but would settle for 200 lbs. My biggest hurdle is getting started with exercise. I hate to be a wimp, but the thought of going to a gym and having everyone stare at me just puts me off. The same with walking. I dread walking alongside a road with everyone in my town gawking.

How are all of you folks with 60+ BMIs doing it?

Hi Momster,

I do understand I am 5'1" and I weighed 358. I was Banded in Nov '07 and by Jan. '08 I knew I needed to exercise so I joined an indoor pool. I went early in the morning when there were only elderly people there and I walked and jogged and swam for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours 3 times a week. I wore a bathing suit the apron kind with knee lenght shorts underneth, and once your in the Water no one can see you anyway. It was the best thing I did for myself! I have not been to the pool since Nov becuase I work full time now, but I got the Wii Fit for Christmas and I LOVE it! You can do it if I can! Good luck with your surgery, it's one of the best things I did in my life for sure!

Good Luck!

[MONEL 0]

My workouts started very slowly. Thankfully, our gym is open 24 hours. My 18 year old son and I would go at 10, 11, 12 o'clock at night when no one is there. My son has been so great. After I had lost the first 80 pounds I started personal training every day on my lunch hour. Now I am down 164 pounds and I still go every day at lunch but I am also not ashamed to go back to the gym at 5 pm to workout for a second time with my husband. There are a lot of those 24 hour gyms popping up everywhere.

[2KpUpwithAvery 0]

Thats the one, the Recumbent bicycle.

It will REV UP your heart rate like any other cardio, and its great on the back. Big BUTT OR NOT BUY ONE!

LOL, I can say this because MOMSTER0, I started this journey over 500lbs and 7 months in i'm down 95 lbs. My but is big, and if I'd waited to find a seat to fit it, well? I'd NEVER find one. Buy the most comfortable seat you can find and go with it, your butt will thank you for it :-)

Recumbent bike, and if you did the quick math you realize we are both close to 400 lbs, is the way to go for sure.

And its compact, and ez to put together. My advice, don't go to Wal Mart or K mart.

Spend $600 or even $800 or $900 to get one that is stable, and suits a big person best.

We are not meant for $185 bikes! So don't go there

Good luck!

[michellelei 0]

"That is so fantastic Michelle! You know you get a lot of kudos on here for having lost all your weight and being a "successful bandster"."

Thanks Jachut but I can't call myself successful near yet, not when I have almost 200lbs to go still but I appreciate the "kudos". You look fantastic by the way, Kudos to you!!!

"the strength of people who have overcome twice that, the courage to get out there and do it simply amazes me. Women like you and momster are incredible!"

Everyone on this journey striving for a healthier, fitter, more enjoyable lifestyle is incredible!:party: We had allowed ourselves to become something we're not proud of and FINALLY decided instead of sulking, we are going to do something about it, reversing our negative habits. Jachut, some of us just took longer to come to that decision meaning we will just have to work a little harder and/or longer.:hurray:

Momster, good luck with your band, I hope it proves to be as useful a tool to you as it is for many of us here.

1 more thing, it's been mentioned several times about the wii fit.:mad2:I have no clue how gr8 it is. And yes, I have one. I just can't use it yet. The weight restriction is 300 lbs. although I have heard it will go to 330. Sooo, it is packed back up and waiting for me in the closet to hit that weight. Just 1 of my many goals,lol.

[momster0 0]

I am so glad to hear from all of you, to know that I'm not alone! My surgery is in two days (gulp!) but I'm getting my mind in the right place. You are all great inspiration, and I appreciate your company on this journey.

Right now, after listening to all of your good input, I think this is my plan:

1) I'm buying a recombant bike (with a huge seat)

2) I'm going to try out a family membership at my local YMCA gym, and attempt to weather the stares, since I hope to inspire the rest of my family to join me.

3) I'm going to dust off my Dancing to the Oldies tapes and see if I can use them as a "back up plan" if I can't get to the gym (I live in CT, and am snowed in right now).

What do you think?

[Wishes4444 2]

I am so glad to hear from all of you, to know that I'm not alone! My surgery is in two days (gulp!) but I'm getting my mind in the right place. You are all great inspiration, and I appreciate your company on this journey.

Right now, after listening to all of your good input, I think this is my plan:

1) I'm buying a recombant bike (with a huge seat)

2) I'm going to try out a family membership at my local YMCA gym, and attempt to weather the stares, since I hope to inspire the rest of my family to join me.

3) I'm going to dust off my Dancing to the Oldies tapes and see if I can use them as a "back up plan" if I can't get to the gym (I live in CT, and am snowed in right now).

What do you think?

Momster,

I remember all too well how scared I was the few days right before the surgery. Some may not have been but I was, but you know what it was great. Not near as bad as I thought it would be and I would do it over again in a heart beat!

Your plan sounds great, I tell you the pool is the way to go if you have bad knees which I do. Again I went early morning with the seinors and wore long shorts with my bathing suit but it doesnt matter once your in the Water who cares!

You go! Good luck I will be thinking about you, let me know how your surgery goes!

Best wishes!

[momster0 0]

Ann,

I'm spending these last two days trying not to think too much about what's going to happen (I can't afford to chicken out). :thumbup:

The YMCA that I plan to join has an aquarobics class that would be perfect. It's only taught twice a week, at popular times, but I'm just going to have to suck it up.

I'm trying to get a feel for how often, for how long, people exercise. What's your routine?

[Wishes4444 2]

I was banded in Nov. and didn't start the pool until Jan. I went 3 times a week. I did a Water arobics class which was 45 mins. Then I walk jogged and swam for another hour or hour and a half. It was great. I have not been able to go beacuse of my job now but I exercise with my wii fit a few times a week. I need to do more and I would be loosing a lot faster. Exercise is not my strong point, but it makes a huge difference when you do! I also walk a few times a week.

The waiting for the last few days was the worst part, so just hang in there and before you know it it will be over!

Good luck!

[JASON R 0]

I am 409 lbs now, and getting banded on March 4th. I would like to get down to 160 lbs, but would settle for 200 lbs. My biggest hurdle is getting started with exercise. I hate to be a wimp, but the thought of going to a gym and having everyone stare at me just puts me off. The same with walking. I dread walking alongside a road with everyone in my town gawking.

How are all of you folks with 60+ BMIs doing it?

hey how are you today? well i will let you know all it take is for you to get started. im was in the same boat you are in. i started out at 419 pounds and the day of my surgery i was 409. and since then 6 months ago, i have lost 77 pounds since surgery. i also didnt like people lookng at me. and me thinking people saying why is the fat guy here. and so on. but i kept going back and before long there was people coming up to me qand telling me i was doing a great job. i mean people i didnt even know. but they have been watching me working out and losing the weight and was happy for me.

for the most part the people that i have talked to at the gym is happy to help you work out and are very nice people.

and alot of gyms have women only areas if needed. so please dont let what other people think hold you back. your making the first and very big step by gettting the surgery in the first place. so go ahead and go to the gym and so everyone that you are there for one reason and one reason only. to lose weight and feel better.

so i say good luck to you and i hope for the best for you.

pm me anytime you want to talk.

jason r

[momster0 0]

Hi Jason,

The surgery went smoothly and I've been banded now for about three days. It feels, right now, like I've done about two thousand sit ups and I have a hard time standing up straight....so walking is hard but I'm doing what I can.

Thanks for your support. It seems like we have alot in common and I'm so inspired by your weight loss to date. I do plan to join the YMCA and I really hope that, like you, I will earn the support of the folks there after they see that I'm serious.

I just have to get through this post-op period. I think I'll be able to do some treadmill work maybe on Monday (two days from now) and will take it from there.

Keep in touch!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

((((((momster)))))

Although you are in the 60+ bmi range, I was very close. I was about a 55 bmi when first starting. I completely empathize with you. It's certainly very scary to get started, and the feeling of humilition is an easy deterrant to keep you from doing what you need to do.

The first thing to do is to start slow. Your body needs get acclimated to the idea of exercise. Jolting your body with a major amount of exercise will only prevent you from doing it as often as you need. If you haven't worked out in a very long time or if you never have, working those muscles for the first time is going to rear its ugly head!

I would recommend a few very light things. Like lightweight weight training. Perhaps something 3-5 Lbs. Give your body a day's rest in between working certain muscles.

If you can get a treadmill in your house, do that. Start slow, the treadmill can run a havoc on your knees, I'm testament to that! Build up to the moment when you feel comfortable enough to go outside and get some fresh air and sunshine. It makes you feel awesome, and I'm sure once you get used to walking outside, you will always want to. See what you've been missing out on!

Take your time, and in time the pounds drop and your confidence skyrockets.

You will do great!! Let us know how it goes.

[lapbandgirl4life 0]

Everyone is doing such a great job. I'm so glad to be reading threads like these. The motivation factor is incredible!

Momster, 6 months before I was banded, I had to be on a supervised diet. At that time, my weight was 377. I couldn't walk several feet without gasping for air. When I'd lay down at night, I was scared to sleep. fearful that I wouldn't wake up.

During the six month diet, I saw a fitness expert. She reccommended NOT buying "fancy" and "expensive" equipment. Since I was so overweight, insecure, and knowing I'd be too big for a lot of equipment at the gym, I bought the dvd "Walk away the pounds 1&2 mile walk"

That DVD got it all going for me. When I first started the 1 mile walk, I thought I was going to die. I could only make it half way through. But I kept at it, twice a day. Instead of buying the weighted balls, I used Soup cans to start out, and it was just the right amount of resistance. I also started doing modified jumping jacks, and modified push-ups against the counter top. I lost 32 pounds on the supervised diet.

I was banded 6 weeks ago, and have lost an additional 48 pounds. I now weigh in at 297. 2 weeks ago, I joined the YMCA, which was a huge step for me. But you know what? I just blast my mp3 player and do my workout. I'm there for me and no one else.

I went from not being able to walk a few feet to working out for an hour, 6 days a week. Between the bike and walking, I put on 11-13 miles a day. I place a lot of credit to that DVD for getting me started.

Might be worth checking out for you too.

[momster0 0]

I was banded 6 weeks ago, and have lost an additional 48 pounds. I now weigh in at 297. 2 weeks ago, I joined the YMCA, which was a huge step for me. But you know what? I just blast my mp3 player and do my workout. I'm there for me and no one else.

I went from not being able to walk a few feet to working out for an hour, 6 days a week. Between the bike and walking, I put on 11-13 miles a day. I place a lot of credit to that DVD for getting me started.

I am so impressed with your progress! I only had to do 10 days of a pre-op liquid diet (to shrink my liver), but lost 13 pounds. It's been two weeks now since my banding, and I've lost another 8 pounds. I haven't been exercising much thus far (the first week after surgery was pretty much a wash, since I could hardly stand straight, and though I'm now doing some walking, I'm just starting with 15 mins at a time).

I am so impressed with your progress that I am going to buy the DVD that you've recommended. I'd be interested in learning more about your "modified jumping jacks" (I think I get the "modified push-up" part). How many did you start with, and how often?

Thanks to everyone who is reponding for your inspiration. I'm just starting out, but I feel so much more energy now and am really feeling good!

[Wishes4444 2]

hey momster, How are you feeling? I remember for me it took about 2 weeks before for I felt pretty much back to myself. It took me a while before I could sleep on my port side. Sounds like you are doing very well, I am glad to hear it!

Now that the weather is starting to get nice out I AM going to start walking! I so need to exercise that is my one huge down fall!

Best Wishes

[momster0 0]

hey momster, How are you feeling? I remember for me it took about 2 weeks before for I felt pretty much back to myself. It took me a while before I could sleep on my port side. Sounds like you are doing very well, I am glad to hear it!

Now that the weather is starting to get nice out I AM going to start walking! I so need to exercise that is my one huge down fall!

Best Wishes

Hi Ann!

I actually feel really good right now...lots of energy. You're right, tho, that it took me a good week - week 1/2 before I could move freely. I still have trouble sleeping comfortably in certain positions, but it's getting better.

I live close to a game refuge that has some nice flat trails. I'm starting to walk there, taking it slow. I'd like to swim, but I guess I still can't until my incisions heal up more.

I am a Biggest Loser fan (dispite them referring disparagingly to surgery as a tool for weight control in one episode) and saw their add for a book on Fast Start exercises used in the Biggest Loser. I wonder if that has some good exercises for the "high BMI" folks to get started with.