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What can someone who is very overweight, with painful joints do, to exercise more?

69 replies

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 11/01/2015 13:12

I weigh somewhere in the region of 20 stone. I am trying to make healthier decisions around food, and hopefully I will gradually lose some of the weight.

But at the moment it feels as if exercise is well-nigh impossible for me. My knees are often painful, and I get bad back ache if I walk any distance.

I did join a local gym, and was going 2-3 times a week, spending 1 - 1.5 hours doing 3 10 minute sessions on the treadmill, just walking, then three sessions on the resistance machines, and I did start to lose a little weight - but after each session, my knees were so sore and swollen I could barely walk, and eventually just walking up from the car park became too much for me, and I stopped going.

We could, afford gym membership, but not if I never go.

Can anyone suggest some gentle exercise programmes I could do at home - I feel I am far more likely to stick to something like that, and then, when I have lost some weight and got some of the stress off my joints, I could rejoin the gym and make better use of it.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Itscurtainsforyou · 14/01/2015 21:39

OP I have sympathy, I also need low impact exercises because I'm very overweight I have joint problems.

I've just started a trial at the gym, focusing on treadmill walking and the recumbent bike - I've decided to only do 10-15 mins of each, then some resistance machines which focus on leg /arm muscles without putting weight on knees, hips (& in my case, my dodgy back). I then go into the pool for as long as I can.

My hopes are that if I do this 4-5 times a week, my weight will go down, my strength will go up and I should be able to increase it. But I think little and often is key in the early stages.

In terms of eating, I low carb (no bread, pasta, rice & potatoes) and try to keep an eye on portion size. If you don't fancy this, what about joining ww/sw for some guidance/motivation/support? It can help to have some "rules" to follow.

Good luck!

tabulahrasa · 14/01/2015 21:57

I do slimming world, I've lost 6 stone so far.

It works for me precisely because nothing is forbidden, it encourages you to eat fruit, veg, lean protein and starchy foods and the only things that are weighed or measured are dairy, grains and all the indulgent things that everybody already knows they should eat less of. So because it's not a case of you can't eat that, or pasta and potatoes are bad it works really well for me as a way of eating rather than getting into a diet mindset.

PasstheDaimbars · 14/01/2015 22:08

Just a FYI, if you do decide to get a power plate thingie, go on ebay. OH was recommended one, he's a runner.

Got one on ebay for £20, has raved about it so much his Mum wanted one, and he picked up the second one for £23.

Hulababy · 14/01/2015 22:13

I have joint pain due to arthritis. I find that proper cycling is easier on my joints than an exercise bike. But I can only really cycle on the flat - going up hill puts too much pressure on my knee and ankle joints.

Swimming is the best non impact sport really I think, if you can swim well enough for it to be a form of exercise.

MonstrousRatbag · 14/01/2015 22:21

There is a school of thought that a low or no carb diet can exacerbate depression. So while I do think cutting down on white bread and pasta is a good idea, as is reducing portions, you might want to continue to eat potatoes (with skins), lentils, beans and whole grains like quinoa;

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 14/01/2015 22:44

I have depression, so I will take very careful note of that, Monstrous!

I might also look at Slimming World - especially if I could do it online.

OP posts:
BIWI · 14/01/2015 23:10

That's interesting, Monstrous. Have you got any links to information about that?

GraysAnalogy · 14/01/2015 23:14

I'm trying to lose weight too and have arthritis (despite being in my late twenties, not weight related though) so I know how you feel. It's really difficult isn't it.

As others have suggested, swimming, light walking, yoga, Zumba and I tell you what I really enjoyed but is slightly dated now - Wii fit. It's great!

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 14/01/2015 23:17

Careful, Monstrous - she's good! Grin
On a purely anecdotal level, I become shouty and edgy if I try low/no carbs. I have even tried specific low-carb 'bread' recipes, which were truly delicious (if calorific, but I know that's by-the-by), but found myself with a thumping head feeling either tearful or filled with rage, but definitely on the edge.
I just think everyone's different, and low-carbing doesn't suit everyone.

BeCool · 15/01/2015 10:43

I think there is a danger of lumping everything together when it comes to diet. eg. the no-carbs concept - there is no doubt that the typical Western diet is very high in processed carbs which creates an imbalance in our diet. These carbs are best avoided and pave the road to many serious health issues. But we do need carbs - we just done't need the highly processed ones. And it is really easy to be eating processed carbs at every meal - toast for breakfast, sandwich for lunch, pasta or pizza for dinner, chocolate bar snack. This is really easily done and seen as a fairly normal diet in UK.

Eliminating refined carbs (white bread, flour, pasta, rice, and all processed sugars) and replacing them with moderate amounts of unprocessed carbs sourced from whole grains, vegetables etc will make a massive difference to any diet and subsequently our health.

I think we have a weird/skewered version of what is normal in our society and this makes healthy changes feel weird or confusing or that we are being deprived of something everyone else is enjoying.

Wholegrains, lentils, vegetable heavy meals are still often seen as alternative, for the health freaks, a bit weird etc. When does anyone every get served wholegrain toast in a TV show as normal. We (collective nation we) think white bread, processed sugars, fizzy drinks, fruit juices, sweets, chocolate, pasta, fried doughnuts etc are all 'normal' foods. But really these items have only been 'normal' or everyday items since food manufacturers figures out white bread lasts longer on shelves than wholegrain bread. The introduction to market and subsequent success of margarine as a "healthy" alternative to "unhealthy" butter was one of the greatest cons ever perpetuated upon the world, and we are still paying for that with our health. As our disposable income has increased so have marketing budgets for foods formerly kept as 'treats' - sweets, chocolate, soda etc are now daily snacks rather than occasionally consumed items. Why not -we can afford it - with our pockets maybe, but our bodies are paying for it. Again all these processed, packaged foods are very long life products - great for industry/business. Not so good for healthy bodies.

My point is our concept of 'normal' food is heavily influenced by food manufacturers and you would have to be a mug if you think personal health or even the health of the nation is any concern of theirs. It isn't. They change only when they are forced to change.

As individuals we need to get informed and use this knowledge to craft our own daily long term diets - not out of old habits or a skewered idea of what is "normal", not out of widespread availability, or from fear or fads, but from informed common sense. A healthy diet will consist of protein (but not too much), carbohydrates (preferably from veggies or wholefoods), fats (again choose your fats wisely and in moderation), fiber, plus a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Eating a balanced diet consisting largely of unprocessed foods and plenty of vegetables will get all of us a long way down the healthy diet route. Changing the mental programming we have been subjected since birth to is a challenge, but I think for many of us it is the only realistic option for proper change.

Of course if you are an overeater (like me), you can live on brown rice and kale and still gain weight if you are eating too many calories. So portion control is important whatever you are eating.

BIWI · 15/01/2015 11:56

It was a genuine question for Monstrous by the way Hmm

I don't know all there is to know about low carbing and I would never claim that I do. And I know from experience of Bootcamp that low carbing doesn't suit anyone.

Making a claim that low carb is linked with depression is a really serious one, and therefore obviously I'd like to be able to read more about it.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/01/2015 11:59

I have had a look at the Slimming World website, and am going to ask the Financial Comptroller aka dh if we can afford for me to join - maybe just for three months, initially, to see how I get on with it.

I've got my FitBit up and running, and it is interesting to see how many steps I am taking (not many) - and I am going to try to do a few more each day.

I shan't be venturing outside today - it is blowing a gale out there, and the car was getting blown around when I was driving home from the vet hospital, so I think today is a day for battening down the hatches - but I am going to try to be a bit more active indoors.

OP posts:
BIWI · 15/01/2015 12:34

Hah! I should have said

"and I know from experience of Bootcamp that low carbing doesn't suit everyone"!

MonstrousRatbag · 15/01/2015 12:46

BIWI, I can't now find all the links I read when I was looking it up, but this link explains the thinking-scroll down to the heading The Low Mood Connection.

I have done low carb dieting very successfully in the past (3+ stone post-partum weight loss, felt great), read Taubes, Briffa et al, and am broadly an advocate of it. Trying again after a recent bereavement I was struck by how quickly my low mood worsened, started reading up and found this link among others. My personal trainer, who knows a thing or two about nutrition, says he has read the same and advised me to keep some carbs, such as potatoes, in my diet in reduced amounts.

A similar thesis is the basis of Potatoes not Prozac which I haven't read, so neither endorse nor dismiss.

misscph1973 · 15/01/2015 13:00

BeCool, that is so well said!

Industry has a lot to answer for, and personally I think the only way forward is taxes and education, ie. more and better researched) state information and tax on sugar and junk food.

In Denmark they had the infamous "fat tax", which was abolosihed, becauase all fats and oil were taxed, even olive oil and real butter. so that didn't work so well ;) But sugar is sugar, all sugar is evil, and it should be taxed heavily.

In Sweden they have changed the official recommendations on the basis of 2 years study more or less based on the popular DietDoctor website, run by a doctor who promotes LCHF, low carb/high fat. But this is a country where people actually take note of official recommendations ;) They now recommend plenty of good fats.

tabulahrasa · 15/01/2015 13:06

If you're interested in slimming world bella magazine the issue dated 13 -19th of January has a free membership offer.

I know you were looking at online, but that means it will only cost you £4.95 and you get the pack with all the information and someone will go over it and you get access to the website anyway...I'm sure it would be easy to just change to online after that if you don't want to go to the group. I go to a group, but tbh I mostly just get weighed and leave.

I also didn't exercise until I'd lost about 4 stone, well anymore than I was already, I have a dog too, that I walk, when he's not on cage rest, lol (elbow displaysia).

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/01/2015 13:21

Slimming world are doing a free membership offer in their online packages at the moment - but if I miss that (because I don't want to bother dh whilst he's away - he's got a lot on his plate with work, and sorting out his mum's estate and probate - not to mention grieving for her), and money is a bit tight right now - I will get hold of a copy of Bella!

See - this is why I think MN is still an amazing place - all the help, support, advice and practical offers I have had, just on here - well - you are ALL amazing people!! ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

OP posts:
ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 15/01/2015 23:12

BIWI - apologies - didn't mean to seem chippy. Might have had a larger glass of port than was wise last night.
Re. Potatoes not Prozac: I read it about 15 years ago - leapt on it when I saw it in a bookshop when I was in a pretty depressed state.
The theory there is not so much avoiding carbs as sugar (and 'white' carbs). The potato in the title is intended for last thing at night, to help keep blood sugar levels steady for the next day. Obviously, there's a lot more detail in the explanation.
I did manage to kick sugar for a few years on and off (and steadily lost weight while scoffing a huge spud with butter and mayo at bedtime), but fell off the wagon several times and eventually stopped trying. I do think I now have a different attitude to sugar - it doesn't hold such an appeal any longer.
Anyway, please come back with updates and inspiration op!

Grah0SoontobeaFatty · 17/01/2015 22:26

I was 20St now 15st 3lb which for my height still makes me a Obese bmi.
I lost the 60lbs on low carb high fat/protein and most importantly no exercises. When I was 16-17st I would walk 10km every night for two weeks. weight didn't change. Did the normal work day and ate properly lost 3-5lb a week.
I got down to 14st 10lb before trying to switch from a losing weigh, to a healthy life style - 1 month vacation and Christmas was 228lb on New years eve. So I would do the Low carb boot camp on here. lose the weight then as you come out of boot camp add in the exercise. I can now happily ride 70km off road and only have sore backside, no knee problems. Once I get down to 196lb planning on adding in the weights. Remember boot camp is about losing weight not forever diet just lose weight and then change lifestyle by adding in new treats.

What can someone who is very overweight, with painful joints do, to exercise more?
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