Can't run - ideas for weight loss?

[sexymuthafunker]

Can't run due to bad knee injury & REALLY need to loose a few stone...Has anyone lost loads of weight doing low-impact type exercise? I really need some inspiration.

I like swimming & pilates but wondering if there's some activity I haven't thought of... needs to be gentle on the knees.. ideas please

[Wondermoomin]

I haven't, but thought I'd join in. I'm in a similar situation with an injury and unable to run. I had started to lose weight, but it's started to go back on since being injured

I think weight loss is going to come more from my diet - i.e. making sensible changes to what and how I eat. Exercise-wise, I'm currently working on what the physio is giving me to recover and build strength. I think I might add some body weight workout moves (the kind of thing you get in a lot of the home workout apps and videos and 7MW etc) but with regressions for anything that would ordinarily involve impact, so that I don't aggravate the injury until I'm given the ok to get back to running.

Would be interested to hear what others have done or are doing.

All the best for a speedy recovery from your injury

[sexymuthafunker]

Welcome Wondermoomin

My problem is definitely finding time to excersise and making it count.

Am permanently tired from DCs not sleeping DH snoring and so probably end up overeating.

I eat healthy food 99% of the time - just need to burn it off as I have a fairly sedantry job.

Be great to know what DVDs people have found shift the calories?

[Loubilou09]

Walking?

[Chocolatecake12]

I can't run either from a bad knee but walkings ok.
I can't join a gym or do classes as I just cannot spare the money so walking has become my only choice!!
I've tried upping my step count each day. Aiming for 10,000 but it's hard going! I too have a sedentary job!

[Hesdeadjim]

You can't out-run a bad diet.

Running also doesnt burn that many calories, not nearly as many as a long hill walk or hiit training.

I was 19st 1 at new years this year, I'm 16st 11lbs as of this morning and still shrinking but i lose more weight in the weeks when i don't run.

I've run since I was 19st but never in order to lose weight. Running and exercise in general is much more about your mental health, it does depressingly little for your actual weight.

If you want to add in exercise, add in something you can track improvements for. For example, weights are great because you can up your weights or number of reps to see how much youve improved. That's what exercise is about.

[fishonabicycle]

More or less what Jim said - weight loss is nearly all down to what you eat. Exercise will build muscle so you look better.

[Wondermoomin]

Yes to the mental health thing Jim!

It's the greatest benefit, for me anyway. I find that while I've been injured I've been feeling more down, thinking "sod it" and eating more (and eating badly).

Well done on your weight loss so far!

[Mehfruittea]

I can only really do Pilates and some very small weights. I have a progressive condition and use a wheelchair, although I can walk. I have chronic pain but the more I move, the better for me. I will lose muscle tone and increase pain levels if I stop moving.

So I need to lose 20lbs or so. Put on since I became unable to move so much. I really need to lose this to help out my pain, and because I refuse to buy new clothes.

Following for inspiration and hacks.

[bruffin]

Swimming burns more calories than running. I did just over an hour this morning and it was over 800 calories according to my misfit.

[sexymuthafunker]

Yes I get the "eat less / move around more" thing thanks.

Will maybe try and up my swimming sessions.

Oooh what's a misfit bruffin? Is it like a waterproof Fitbit?

[skyzumarubble]

My knees are a mess. I know train with a trainer doing HIIT and circuits. Best thing I've ever done.

Historically swam but you need to put the hours in for results and my pool only had lanes at odd time and it was really difficult to get enough pool time.

Since I've been doing this my knees are much more stable and shifting some weight has obviously helped too!

[GiraffeorOcelot]

My knees are also shot after years of trouble and extensive surgery.
For me walking, swimming and HIIT at a class run by NHS for overweight people is great as all is adapted for those with issues.

YouTube also has some good low impact workouts. Takes a while to find one which is low impact and involves no kneeling etc but search around for one you like.

[sexymuthafunker]

Good idea re: the HIIT - thanks!

[sexymuthafunker]

Skyz how many hours of swimming do you reckon make a difference?

[skyzumarubble]

When I was really swimming I was doing 45 mins mon-fri am - fast front crawl and a long 90 minutes at the weekend with a variety of pool drills. I was fit then! I miss swimming.

[sexymuthafunker]

Wow amazing. Life goals - will have to work up to that!