Aibu to not know how to exercise as a fat person

[Blueonwhite]

Really really fat (140kg) and need to lose weight.

I want to exercise as part of my journey (I know and understand that food is the most important part) but it’s so physically hard! Went to beginners yoga and couldn’t do hardly any moves. My stomach was in the way of simple moves and I just can’t hold my own weight on my hands right now. The teacher sort of gave up on me after two sessions.

Tried a beginners fitness/stability class and couldn’t lie on my back and lift my legs to the ceiling. Again too much fat on my stomach to do the moves. The teacher said not to sit on the stability ball so I guess they’re not for people of my weight. Had to sit out that part.

Tried spinning and lasted 5 mins if that. The seat really hurt (I presume because I’m so heavy) and I just don’t have any stamina.

Going walking is fine but isn’t going to help burn calories/get the heart pumping/help with mental health.

Aibu to think I’ll need to lose a lot of weight before I can exercise properly?

It’s your diet that’s the problem here. Fix that. At your size even cutting 100 cals per day and walking slowly 30mins per day would have you losing a lot of weight over several months

I think you are doing so well trying this, and it certainly sounds like you are motivated and commited, otherwise you wouldn't be trying all these classes. I think walking and reducing your food intake is a good place to start. You can do this slowly and build up to faster and longer walks, along with other activities. Online yoga is how I started, and it allowed me to build my confidence before attending classes. I find being hungry for a portion of the day allows me to eat what I want in the evening. It doesn't sound as though your class instructors were very good. Swimming is good too, and the staff at my local pool are so supportive of adults trying to improve their technique and fitness level. It is crucial to have supportive instructors. I really hope you are not too put off. I lack confidence with sports, but I do find that seeing myself improve is very motivating. Really focus on the positive small changes and have a gradual lifestyle change rather than expecting instant results. It sounds as though you have a lot of courage.

monkey no my feet are ok. I was a size 20 at my biggest. I wear sketchers memory foam. My current version also have the air heel plus memory foam. Well worth money. I do it as 2 or 3 walks. Started aiming for 10,000.

I second the sketchers. It helps with the impact. Maybe a memory foam or get into normal shoes could have a similar effect.

I am 132 kg, this week I had some bad blood test results so I have now realised it's time to sort it.

I have reduced my carbs and sugars, increased my protein, veg and some fruit.

I am walking, swimming and cycling.

I am hoping this will be a start.

Walking, swimming depending on how you feel about that and if you have the budget a personal trainer would be good too. Have you got support or maybe an exercise/healthy eating buddy?

Well done OP for deciding to lose weight and do something nice for yourself! Agree with PP re walking. Dont underestimate how much it helps mentally too .

I also recommend intermittent fasting. It's amazing for weightloss /fat loss but more importantly, gives your gut, brain and body time to heal and its not that hard once u get used to it so its actually sustainable longterm. Less time spent on digesting food means more time to regenerate, heal, build etc. Of course start gradually at a pace comfortable for you. For example I started with 12 hour eating window and 12 hour fasting where you have nothing but water. You sleep for 7+ out of those 12 hours so its not hard. Then you build up fasting gradually until you're eating during only 8 hours and fasting for 16hrs. For example I wake up 8am everyday but don't eat until 11am. Then between 11am and 7pm I eat normal healthy food. At 7pm I close my window and have nothing else for the rest of the evening. I also drink 3 litres of water everyday. Water you can have anytime so in the morning when I wake up I sip on my water until "breakfast". Try that for a few months and you will feel like a different person. I got rid of my brain fog and have much more energy. Also helps that I got rid of my lovehandles and overall jiggle! Of course the food choices you make will matter, but with fasting you can continue to eat normal food and no need for starvation. I still eat 2-3 meals a day. Oh and the time is adjustable to you for example my friend has her first meal 8am and stops eating at 4pm because of her work.

As others have said, we’ll done for starting an exercise and diet plan. It’s not easy and there will be bumps along the way.

As I’ve said above, I love walking and I find it’s accessible (you just need some boots and a waterproof to get started). I think you need to find something you enjoy and is easy to fit into your day to day life. Good luck OP.

Sketchers memory foam. Thank you @Dixiechickonhols and @SchrodingersImmigrant. I have Sketchers for plantar fasciitis. They really helped. I'll look at the memory foam ones too.

You could try Leslie Sansone 'walk at home' classes on YouTube. These are power walking classes made up of walking on the spot plus some straightforward other moves. Sometimes it's just Leslie, sometimes she has a group with her and there is wide range of ages and bodies, it is very accessible and inclusive and positive! I started her classes in lockdown after a recommendation on here for a gentle start to exercise and it's really stuck for me. Good luck!

Can you go to a water workout, walking. Go to a gym and ask/pay for an instructor to show you excercises which will help you but are suitable for your frame and give you realistic goals to work towards.
Go swimming you can build this at your own pace.

Swimming is great all over workout and is gentle on joints. Good luck with getting slimmer and fitter!

Not sure if it's already been said but aqua aerobics is much more gentle on you joints an good for strength, toning an increasing flexibility, I'd also second swimming and walking.

Hello, my friend went from 20 stone to 12 stone doing a healthy eating plan, swimming and loads of fast paced walking. Good luck

I've been at your weight and I swam, walked and did kettle bells. I also did yoga and pilates. Yes there were some positions I struggled with because of my size but the teacher gave adaptations (not aimed directly at me, but for those less flexible too). And I used a ball so it should accommodate your weight.
I would recommend a PT though, as I would any one starting to get in to exercise. Even just a few sessions to work out a routine that you can do but still be challenging.

Also I don't consider 20 miles up and down the with 30kg backpack "a walking". That's "a hiking"

A lot of us like to refer to it as a saunter in the mountains, due to the origin of the word saunter - sainte terre.

I'm slim and walk absolutely everywhere op, I honestly think it's key. Try to walk as much as u can. Good luck

@AcerLady, can I just say thanks for the Leslie Sansome Youtube recommendation - had not heard of these, but great little workouts for those of us who aren't very fit, and different lengths so you can do what you have time for.

@Whitney168 oh I'm so glad you have enjoyed Leslie's workouts! 😀 thank you for posting 😀

Another vote for Leslie Sansone!

During lockdown a friend of mine who is a nutritionist supported me and I lost over 10kg. (was 97kg to start with). She broke it down so my first challenge was to drink 2l water per day, zero sugary drinks and walk 70,000 steps per week. It worked for me. Being outside was great for my mentsl health, i put my headphines on when i walked and it has bern great. I can't swim and have been told by my surgeon that I'm not sllowed to run due to arthritis in my knees but the walking has been great. You can do OP... the most important thing is that you want to do it. Remember ... baby steps and good luck my lovely, you've got this 🙂

Agree with the walking advice. Also try Team Body Project on you tube. They have low impact, standing sessions. Can't recommend them enough. personally I think save Joe Wicks for when you've lost some of your weight and are starting to feel fitter...