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.

[Theoretician]

If you have the space and several hundred pounds, a Concept 2 rowing machine is a good way to burn calories. Doesn't require you to leave the house, no risk of injuring yourself.

[nerdymum]

Apologies as I haven't read the whole thread.
If you're overweight I'd avoid anything involving high impact (kickboxing, bodyattack, etc) as it could affect your joints (weight + lact of muscular support).

You need some cardio to start losing and then do some toning. Power walking is great but if you're put off because winter is coming I'd switch to a crosstrainer, is very complete and low impact and you can select programs that combine high resistant periods with moments of rest. I used to do a combo at the gym of 15 mins static bike + 15 mins crosstrainer + 15 mins running (or power walking with "hill" like setting) and repeat. 1.30 hrs of cardio!

My coordination is pretty rubbish but bodyconditioning or zumba are more about understanding your body and/or having fun. I did Zumba a couple of times and I was always going the wrong way but I didn't care! Not as hard as bodycombat etc.

Bodypump is fantastic for toning. Of you do it start with low weights and focus on posture. I kept lifting too much while squatting and had pain in my lower back due to bad posture! Talk to the instructor before you start.

Also, instead of swimming, try aquagym or aquareobics. It's fun and great for joints.

Being consistant is key, is better to do little every day than lots just one day a week. Leave resting periods at the beginning, so excercise 1 day, rest another.

If you can, joing a gym and request an induction with one of their personal trainers. Most gyms offer this complementary service and they draw a basic training plan for you. You can also check youtube HIIT (High Impact Interval Training) videos from trainers like The Body Coach, they are 20-30 mins routines (and free!).

And of course, steer clear of empty foods. Sweets and crisps might give you an energy boost, but is a short lived one. Choose wholesome food, filling yet healthy, as you need the energy to keep going!

[IDismyname]

I think the OP has checked out of this thread... she didn't like any of our suggestions

[TreehouseTales]

Posting to read up. I'm large and I can't just walk a long way like I used to as my body doesn't play ball.

[WaitrosePigeon]

I'm like you.

I do 3 yoga classes a week but other than that I walk.

I think you should put your headphones on and do lots of walking.

Myself and my dog are trying to loose weight and we are walking it off.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Reading MrsTP's post was just what I needed at the moment.

Thanks pinkie! I was inspired by my friend who used to be 100 pounds heavier than me and took up running. She's doing so well. Trick for me was a good running program, wide shoes, a very slow pace and a buddy.

I need to work on food next but running helps because I'm not hungry after running. I could eat a walrus stuffed inside a blue whale when I swim.

[HappyJustToBe]

Agree with creampie that Roller Derby is worth looking at.

[StrawberrySquash]

I second walking. You can build it up as you get fitter.
And if you find dance requires too much coordination then think about other classes. I do body conditioning, which is a mixture of running on spot type things and light weights, squats, abs stuff. Because you are doing more repetitions of one thing than in a dance class, you need much less coordination. There are various classes like circuits, boxfit that will basically involve moving and lifting and maybe punching for an hour.
And if you start out not able to do as much jumpy stuff as others that's fine. People in our class do that, and the instructor just makes sure they have an alternative when they can't do something - that's the instructor's job. As you get fitter you'll be able to do more.
The good thing about a class if you don't like exercise is it being at a specific time makes it harder to not get round to. I even get fined if I don't go without cancelling.

[malika54]

I used to hate exercise too. With a passion. Especially running. But there came a point when it didn't matter how much i was starving myself, I just didn't lose weight. Joined my local pool (cheap and low intensity, so NO ACHY MUSCLES ) and went everyday during the summer holiday, then twice a week. Once I went back to work I started the couch to 5k and was able to run 2.5k within a couple of weeks. I think swimming was easy, and really built up my stamina as well as defined my muscles quite quickly.
I had never ran in my life outside of school when we had to do cross country and used to hide in the bushes of our local park for a smoke .
But seriously, if I can get fit, then anybody can. Really. I used to HATE sport, now I actually enjoy it. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. Back ache has disappeared. I feel less tired. You should start slow and steady, but make sure whatever you choose to do becomes a habit. I think that's the key.