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Unfit and overweight after illness - help!

9 replies

JasperDamerel · 11/11/2015 09:18

I've spent a big chunk of the past year being quite ill, and as a result I have gone from reasonably fit (able to run 10k but only do modified push ups) and a couple of pounds overweight to barely able to run for a bus and a few pounds away from obesity.

I can sort out the food side of things without too much trouble, but I don't really know what to do with the exercise. I want to keep things fairly low impact because of the quick weight gain, especially as I have had problems with plantar fasciitis in the past, so I want to avoid running until I have lost a good deal of the weight and built up more strength, especially core stability.

I also can't afford a personsl trainer/gym/classes, although I will probably go back to my contemporary dance classes in the new year.

Basically, I want stuff that I can do at home, that will help me build the muscle I need to properly support my new heavier body until it is less heavy, to give me back my cardio vascular fitness, and which can be started from a very low level of fitness but which allows for rapid progress.

Having written that, I guess some sort of circuits DVD would be good, with embarrassing power-walking until I can run again. DVD-wise, the ones that look promising are the beginner shred, possibly moving on to P90 (not P90X).

Does that sound about right, or does anyone have any alternative ideas?

It feels horrible being this until, like my body doesn't really belong to me, and I want to be able to do stuff again, but want to avoid injury.

OP posts:
Tanaqui · 11/11/2015 10:06

Could you swim? Would be good for support? And yes to lots of walking. Maybe also something stretchy- yoga or Pilates- to avoid injury?

sleepwhenidie · 11/11/2015 10:12

Don't be embarrassed about walking! It definitely sounds like a good plan. Swimming is also a good suggestion and Shred is excellent (but don't rush through the stages, make sure you are comfortable with each first). Yoga would also be brilliant, there's a lot of free yoga stuff online. The most important thing is to listen to your body and not push too hard, be kind and patient, you will get to your goal eventually, don't put any deadlines on it Smile

User543212345 · 11/11/2015 10:17

I'm in a similar position, jasper - going from being badass strong/fast to weak and starting again. A couple of weeks ago I did a Bob Harper DVD which I used to find a breeze and was spannered for days. So I'm back on doing Shred or something similar a couple of times a week and walking everywhere I can. It feels like it's not enough but 30 minutes or so is my limit at the moment.

It's how I started my journey to super fit in the first place, so I know it works.

Chin up, and enjoy!

sleepwhenidie · 11/11/2015 10:27

YY Sweary - nothing more frustrating when you are all enthused to start getting fit than to overdo it and put yourself out of the game for days/weeks!

suzannecaravaggio · 11/11/2015 11:16

Search YouTube for exercises that can be done at home
Walking is very good
Use a phone app to log speed and distance
Build up gradually

MrsMook · 13/11/2015 21:41

When my body was recovering from a tough birth and stubborn SPD, I started with aquafit to get moving with low impact.

When I was feeling a bit fitter and stronger, and feeling more comfortable at walking, I then started with C25k.

maybemyrtle · 15/11/2015 15:10

OP are you me? You have asked the q I came on here to post!

My q is, will walking really make a difference? I tried a Pump class for the first time in months yesterday and even though my weights were ridiculously light I was so out of breath and weak. It was a bit of a shock realising just how out of shape I've got, and I hate feeling like this. I have had lower back problems, exacerbated by poor swimming technique, so I'm loathe to swim. I was thinking fast walking 30 mins 3-4 times per week (on treadmill if bad weather and can add in hills etc) - will I really see improvements though? I guess anything is better than nothing though right?!

JasperDamerel · 15/11/2015 22:42

I've got the Beginner Shred DVD and have it all ready to go tomorrow morning, so I'll see how it goes.

OP posts:
JasperDamerel · 16/11/2015 10:10

Beginner shred done, and I'd say it is spot on for where I'm at. I managed to do about 60% of it properly on the first session which gives me lots of room for improvement, but isn't so hard that I want to give up. My glutes still seem to be working fine, but the rest of me was very wobbly and weak. I went down to my lightest weights (1kg) although I will probably increase to 2 or 3 for a couple of the exercises next time. I'll have to be very careful with lunges, because I've lost all that nice knee stability, and I was truly dreadful at the triceps dips.

If I keep at it, I reckon I will have noticeable improvement in a fortnight and be ready to start on normal basic exercises in 6 weeks or so, in time for January.

OP posts:
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