to ask for exercise advice as a monstrously fat woman with dodgy knees?

[Greensleeves]

I'm sick of being fat and uncomfortable and feeling like shit all the time, and have decided to Do Something About It. Have joined MFP and a great weight loss thread on here, am managing the diet thing well and dh and I are walking 3-5k every evening.

I want to do something other than walking, but it's difficult - I'm incredibly unfit and very self-conscious, and I also have a badly dodgy knee (severed my ACL and meniscus a few years ago and have bone spurs, it makes sickening noises when I walk up steps and gets tired/weak very easily).

I looked at Aquafit classes, but I think I'm just too self-conscious to be seen in a swimming costume (honestly, it's a frightening sight) and probably too unfit for it as well. Walking long distances every evening is lovely, but very time-consuming.

Does anyone have any ideas for ways I can boost my exercise without having to look a fool or feel completely overfaced?

Recumbent bikes and exercise machines are good because they have a bit more space and take the pressure off your core. Probably start with the recumbent exercise bike first.

Went to the doctor's with my knees and was told cycling, cross trainer or swimming and if doing online exercises to leave out squats or lunges. The operation transformation (programme that is nationwide in ireland, brought about by rte) website and exercise programme is great and all free

Good for you for considering the aquafit!

Also just a thought, but my birthing ball is also an exercise ball, it's very comfortable for when I do stretches and I wonder if those can be encorporated into some kind of joints-friendly exercise?

Walk as much as you can and make it a sustainable part of your lifestyle. I have a great static bike that is powered by cycling it so you can pop it in front of the telly which is great. I also recommend shape up shoes. I was really sceptical but I got some shape up style sandals and they've transformed my calves. I have had a lot of comments about my thighs looking slimmer to.

Agree with everyone else who suggested aqua fit. Can I also suggest joining a gym at a nearby hotel - such as a Holiday Inn or Hilton. They’re much smaller and less expensive than dedicated gyms with pools such as David Lloyd, and they’re half empty most of the time. My Holiday Inn one has yoga, Pilates and aqua classes once or twice a week each, and there’s a nice pool and small gym. Best of all, many of the patrons are like me - middle aged and overweight, though I’ve lost about a stone since joining in November just from exercising. It’s £36 a month (so less than 4 packets of fags) and they often have deals on. There’s also no annual contract so you can sign up for a month or two to see if you like it.

YouTube is your friend here OP - you can try endless workouts until you find one that works for you and you enjoy (or at least can put up with for 15 mins a day - I never actually enjoy working out personally!)

I'm sure if you started a topic here specifically asking which YouTubers people have found enjoyable / effective then you'd get lots of suggestions

Have you seen a physio for your dodgy knees?

They will be able to advise on a series of exercises and stretches which can help with your knee pain and instability which can be done at home. They will also provide support on activities which will help with weight loss as well as improving your knee symptoms.

Hi, good luck to you! I felt too self conscious to exercise in front of people so I bought a cross trainer and did an hour a day (not to begin with) in the garage until I lost the first 3 stone. I would recommend Gumtree etc for second hand equipment if you go that route. People buy it and hardly use it so you can get some real bargains.

However, I have joined a gym now (council) and there are all sorts of people there, and everyone is very welcoming. They also run the GP referral classes, and they are really good too (ours are 24 sessions for £40 including aquafit). The NHS has some home based exercise videos which I have used. There is a pilates for people with knee problems that might suit you: www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/knee-problems-pilates-exercise-video/

First of allcongrats on walking 3-5K every day. That's great. I am also (ahem) rather largeok, actually way, way too large. I have started using the community pool once a week--don't take classes, just do pool walking and semi-dog paddling. As has been mentioned, great for your joints. When I do walk my neighborhood, I use those Nordic ski poles (the ones for walking). Yes, I look like a total dork, but I use the poles because they take some of the weight off of your knees when you walk. And lastly, I use a ski machine. New, they are expensive, but used ones are usually really cheap. They offer a strenuous workout, (good for cardio too) but because you never lift your feet up off the the sliding parts, are also low pressure for your knees.

Speed walking over short distances?

Walk. Lose a couple of stone and I’m willing to bet your knees will stop hurting.

At the size I’m guessing you might be. Keep walking, and keep walking faster,swim and aqua if you like. With dodgy knees I could never have cycled even when like you doctor kept suggesting it, try it and if it hurts stop.

Can one cycle when one is very large? I'd sort of assumed I couldn't blush

^^
Well yes

This is how I lost it: cycling and low carb.

Change your life, op, it'll melt offa ya!

I'm the same as you, I go to aqua twice a week and love it. I was self conscious at first but everyone is really friendly