To ask for you to talk to me about exercise

[rainyinnovember]

I am fat.

I was A Nice Size until Dc1 then put on weight and thought I was huuuuuuge.

I lost it. Then it slowly went on after DC2. By the time I had DC3 I was pretty fat. Now I'm really, properly fat.

I've committed to lose it (long story which I won't go into but I've just been told off by my own child ) but I'm wondering about exercise.

The problems are, firstly I am big enough for exercise to hurt a bit. I don't mean normal aches and pains but actually 'shit, ow, I can't move.'

I hate swimming. Don't mind the sea or lakes or rivers but bobbing up and down in a pool is not for me. And you get wet. And cold. And hungry.

I can't run, I really can't. Even when I was quite young and healthy and energetic I couldn't run.

So, any ideas people? Not Zumba or aerobics ... I'm as coordinated as a seal on ice and as flexible as a paving slab so yoga/Pilates are out.

[rainyinnovember]

No, re read my post. I said that if I exercise I am big enough for it too hurt, not normal aches and pains but more like 'ow, oh shit, can't move!'

[NapQueen]

I've got 4 stone to lose too.
Four days ago I started the 30 Day SHRED dvd. My plan is three days of shred followed by a day of beginner yoga (found a YouTube 20 min video), then three days of shred then a day off. Repeat.

The shred has 3 levels so 10 days repeating level 1, 10 days of level 2, 10 days of level 3.

Day one and two I felt hideous. Aches everywhere needed breaks etc.

It was day 4 today and I was clamouring to do some exercise! I even walked ds in the pushchair this evening for 1 Hour (I walked 30 mins in one direction briskly then turned round and walked home).

I'm hopeful that even if I don't lose masses of weight from it I tone up. And become physically more capable.

Small steps op.

And a real want for something. I just keep saying "flat stomach" over and over.

[NapQueen]

The morning after day 1 of shred I could barely lower myself onto the loo.

If it doesn't hurt you aren't doing it right+

[Madinche1sea]

Rainy - when you're out with the dog, you could try one minute slight jog ( just keep feet low to the ground), followed by one minute walking / getting breath back. Even if you just do 2x 1 min jogging sessions to begin with, you'll be amazed at how quickly you can build on this.
If you really are worried about injuring yourself, this may be because you're core muscles need strengthening. Pilates is brilliant for this. When you focus on your core you move differently and are far less likely to injure yourself. All other exercise will be easier.
I just picked up contemporary ballet again which was my main thing in my "previous life" before 4 DC. Where I go they also run a "Barre" class which is really gentle and more about stretching / posture than anything else. I've seen people off all shapes and sizes in there and ladies in their 70s too. If they can do it , so can you!
Good luck!!!

[QuiltedAloeVera]

If exercise is that painful then put it on the backburner for now and focus on making healthier food and drink choices.
While you're getting your weight down through diet, research the leisure centres local to you. Download their full timetables of activities - I think you might be pleasantly surprised by the breadth of choice you have.
When you start exercising it will probably feel like a nasty shock. But if you can keep up a routine for just a couple of weeks you will notice a difference in how you feel. You'll sleep better and have more energy. Keep it up a few more and you'll notice a difference in how you look.

It's normal to feel hungry after exercise; take a healthy snack with you - no problem.

[Believeitornot]

What do you mean you can't move? That just sounded like it was a bit difficult - of it really hurts then get thee to the docs.

[rainyinnovember]

I can't run and that includes jogging.

I will rephrase the 'I can't move' thing:

'When I exercise, I could really hurt myself. Not just normal aches and pains but do myself a serious injury because I am fat and unfit.'

Better? :)

[EmpressOfTheSevenOceans]

Something like parkrun may be a good idea if your low on confidence. Like pp said not to run but just to walk briskly around.

Parkrun for confidence?

It had the exact opposite effect on me, and when I went to one I was already doing Zumba twice a week & walking about six miles a day with no problem.

I'm not saying it would be the same for everyone, and it was probably my own fault, but I won't be going near a Parkrun again until I'm feeling a lot more confident about my running.

[Clarabumps]

You've had loads of great suggestions. It's not easy, it really isn't. Your head has to be in the right place for any of these things to work. If you have serious medical issues then I'd suggest getting to a doctor to check you are okay to exercise in the first place.
I hope you find something that works for you but you need to give something a chance. A proper chance to enjoy and get better at it before you write it off.

[rainyinnovember]

Yeah, I don't think park run is for me. Realistically I'm never going to be a runner.

[Believeitornot]

Well yes that's a bit different.

You could do more walking, you could do gentle running (i started not being able to run for more than 60 secs at a time).

You could swim - you just don't like being cold and getting hungry

Soyou either have to accept that you hate exercise and won't get fitter or accept that you hate exercise and do it anyway.

[Flumplet]

Body pump is amazing, but I would advocate achieving some sort of fitness before attempting it. I used to do it when I was about 10st lighter a bit younger and thought I would give it another go a couple years back as i went on a fitness drive. I nearly collapsed in the middle of the session and the week after was complete agony!!! But it does change the shape of your body fast (if it doesn't kill you first )

[Believeitornot]

I should add that the kick start for me was reading a story about a mother who died on Christmas Day. She had twins who were 5 years old.
She died from bowel cancer - which is common because of our sedentary lifestyles. That was enough to kick me into exercising as the idea of dying before my children had grown up was too awful to bear (my mum lost her mum at 4 so it is very real to me).

[BabyGanoush]

I am not a runner either

No matter what people say, I can't make myself do it!

I find that exercise needs to be fun, for me to stick with it.

Badminton I like. Love tennis too, it involves running around on the court as part of the game, but it feels like fun, not like exercise.

So I look forward to it, and never miss a session

Find an activity you love

You may need to try a few new things.

Fencing? Badminton? Rowing? These are the sort of activities where socialising is easy too, making it even more fun

[rainyinnovember]

I'll remember that for body pump.

I definitely can't run and any benefits to swimming would be lost when I eat afterwards.

[rainyinnovember]

Problem is, most things that I'd enjoy are expensive and /or impractical. Like skiing, walking up mountains, ice skating :)

[BackforGood]

I think the point that Albert made is right though. It is what a lot of people are saying - you need to make lifestyle changes that work for you. That includes walking more, maybe cycling - things you do to get to and from work rather than something else to fit in to your day.
What people mean is that the 'diets' that companies / people sell, are rarely sustainable long term - if you really want to turn it around, you'd be better making changes that are sustainable, for example, something like giving up sugar in tea if you take it, means you could be eating 8 - 16 fewer teaspoons of sugar EVERY day. That would be a great change, but isn't "a diet".
Of course, none of us know what you do eat, or do drink, but a good start is to get a notebook and write down EVERYTHING you eat and drink for several days, and then make some serious changes to that, rather than setting off on a plan that you know you are unlikely to stick at for very long. Things like not buying ANY biscuits / cake / pop / chocolate / sweets / crisps (whatever is your downfall) with your weekly shop, so, if you really have an urge for some one day you'll have to walk to the shop to buy it.

[rainyinnovember]

I never do buy stuff like that in the weekly shop. It's all from the local garage/chip shop.

[SuperFlyHigh]

Agree with mumofthemonsters body combat is great.

But you do need to find what suits you. A friend and I recently signed up for free (donation to charity for a a month) then proper class fee, she's not that flexible and has some joint issues so only lasted a week but I like yoga so have been for the past almost 2 months now. That's with me falling in class and badly bruising my little toe and hurting my hand so found it hard to balance sometimes. My friend was also signed up 2 months ago for a fun run 5K by her colleague for charity. My friend hates running but did park runs and completed the 5K and is still doing park runs now after its finished! I've just signed myself up for a 5K for charity through my own work.

I do walk a bit but also have picked in the past things I enjoy like salsa classes or aqua aerobics. And everyone is uncoordinated in aerobics or whatever but it gets easier when you go regularly.

You do sound as if you're making excuses - if you read back through the thread you'll see next to someone suggests something and then you write "oh and I can't do that and.... An excuse" for about 4 or 5 different acivities! I know you're making excuses because I do or have made them in the past, I'm not Jane Fonda now believe me but baby steps help.

[RJnomore1]

Ok if you are really so fat you don't think you can exercise without injuring yourself you need professional advice. GP or well qualified personal trainer.

Look I don't want to be mean but do you actually want to exercise - you're sounding like you think it might be something you should do but you really aren't interested.

I know lots of overweight people who jog/ spin/ kickbox/ do yoga without injury. Some of them are actually really fit and strong.

[Mamabear14]

I have just joined the gym after putting on 2st. Today I can't move my arms behind my back well, getting my coat on earlier was bloody painful!
I honestly thought I was the most unfit, weak person ever. I signed up with a personal trainer who came free with my membership, I get another session with him then one every 6 weeks after.
Yesterday I managed 7 minutes on rowing machine, 4 different weight machines doing 3 sets of 15 reps lifting 40lb. Then a bicep rope, then bench dips, then 3 minutes on a lateral trainer which almost killed me, followed by planks. I came out feeling a bit sick, but so proud of myself.
What I'm waffling on about really is, that you probably can do so much more than you think, you just need to find someone to get it out of you. Someone to push you into doing it.

[rainyinnovember]

I hate exercise. Hate it, hate it. Because I am fat and it hurts and it takes time away from sitting / eating and it is BORING.

But if t helps me lose weight I shall do it.

[whensitmyturn]

I started with a martial arts ladies class and it's been brilliant. No judgment, lots of encouragement and women of all ages and ALL sizes.
Maybe have a look near you?
It's warm, there's no running and they know you're a beginner you're not expected to be good at all when you start, a good instructor will be patient and help you.
I can't sing its praises enough, you can even work your way up the belts system- it does wonders for your self esteem and fitness levels.

[SuperFlyHigh]

RJ I agree I know a friend of mine who's or was a size 18. Her partner moved in recently with her and he's in fitness for the police, so he became her fitness trainers, lots of jogs in a long coat with bin bag under coat (so you sweat more), Burpees, squats, crunches etc. streamlined her diet so no carbs and juice for breakfast, she's now a 14 in 2-3 months.

In fact the gyms I've been to where I have seen a very overweight person obviously just starting on their fitness goal I've been really impressed as I saw a couple of them lose weight and change their shape, significantly.

[GeekLove]

Do you live somewhere where supermarkets deliver? It will save money and you can buy healthier stuff that was. Just don't do it when you're hungry.