Morbidly obese help

[Brainfogmcfogface]

In a nutshell, my car has died, I’m a single mum on benefits, no savings, I cannot afford a new one (not even a cheap run around, I have pennies to my name) My daughters school is a 45-50 minute walk away, there isn’t a direct bus from where I live, and I’d have to get 2, maybe 3 busses and even if the timings did tally up we’d be late every day. I’m morbidly obese, in constant pain due to my weight, but I have no choice but to walk there and back twice a day, toddler in tow in September. Help! How can I get fit enough, right now I’m trying to walk a bit every day but a 20 min walk literally has my knees and hips aching and causing me so much pain, I’m considering home school as I just can’t see how I’ll cope. Any advice on upping my fitness?
Thanks in advance.

My joints were in bits this year and I was sure I was back for more injections on my knees but exercise has done so much me as has less sugar, more water, fruit and taking glucosamine. I've no help but you are doing epic honestly, I'm not obese but I know joint pain, I'm 40 and before lockdown I thought I'd never go walking, or even play any outdoor games with the kids again. I hope someone has some good advice. People say go to your gp but my go-just told me glucosamine was fake and I had to accept I was now middle aged and had put too much strain on my joints and had to accept it. Then a friend told me her gp had told her the opposite, he kept saying use it or lose it. She then kept repeating it and when the kids had to do Joe wicks for pe, I started with them. I cried and nearly gave up for the first 4 sessions but then I started to be more okay (not brilliant!) You can do it op. And if you cant at least you're starting to do something

The best thing you can do is calorie restrict to lose weight. Your joints are really overloaded. If you can get some weight off, the pain will stop

If you went on the Fast800 diet or any other low carb diet you could probably lose a stone by September which would at least help?

Honestly walking is a fantastic exercise. I started walking 4 miles a day when I weighed 21 stone. It really helped me feel better and lose weight.

Buy some skechers, take water and take it slowly. How many miles is it?

Could you possibly find another parent who could team up with you so you could do the morning school run and they do the afternoon one?

At least this it would be semi tolerable.

take it slowly.
you have some weeks to build up.
do 10min a few times a day.
then 12
then 15
you get the gist.

agree with diet. but again, take it slowly. one change at a time like
week one: no sugar in tea & no soft drinks
week two: no snacks
week 3: portion size & up veg portions

good luck!
you can do it

I second low carb. I've just lost 25lb in nine weeks so it can be done.

I think exercise plays a lesser art than diet but obviously is important.

Can you get some supplements as suggested by PP and try to walk twice a day for 20 minutes to get into the routine?

Yes It will be painful and tiring initially but each day it will get a tiny bit easier.

Your joints are hurting because they aren’t use to it. Keep it up, and the pain will subside.
Pair this with a healthier diet and you should see an improvement.

You may see the car breaking down and being forced to walk as the starting point!

Comfy shoes, a pac-a-mac and some healthy snacks for the walk home (fruit/nuts etc).

Walk, daily, a lot, but also lose weight. You need to shift some weight to take the pressure off your joints. You can do this! What a great motivation.

Would the toddler go in a pushchair? You may find having something to lean on is helpful.

As your muscles get stronger your joints will feel the strain less.

Think of it as a fitness program you will be starting in September. And unlike the rest of us, you won't be able to say "oh I don't think I'll bother today."

Can you start by getting one bus, and walking the rest?
You are talking about walking for 3 hrs a day, in just a months time. 20 mins is a good start. Can you try and increase it by 10 mins a week?

Yoeure already doing it by trying. Don't homeschool, little and often. Go on a calorie restrictive diet and get some weight off quick.

Look at what trainers you're wearing, I'm very, very overweight, probably in the same category as you but can walk miles with no bother. I do at least 5 miles most days and most of this is possible because of a pair of £30 trainers that offer good support. ((Adidas Haiwee)) they're so good I've ordered 4 more pairs. I can't imagine wearing anything else.

Whatever you do don't get sketchers go walk, yes they're comfy but don't offer much for extra strain on joints.

Are you able to cycle? It's low impact, would get you to school quicker and you could put the toddler in a seat on your bike.

Tackling the excess weight is really important, and that's all about what you eat. Have a browse in the weight loss chat section

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat

and see if you can find things there that help you make a plan. I found joining a general chat thread in there really helpful, as it was nice to connect with people who were also seeking dealing with the ups and downs of weight loss.

In terms of coping with the walk, then yes I think starting daily walks now will help. It needn't be for long, just getting into the habit of going out and walking is brilliant. So well done on making a start! I suggest swooping 1x 20mins for 2x 10 mins, and increasing by no more than 10% every 5 days or so.

Getting good trainers or walking shoes will help. For trainers, get a size up from what you usually wear, and if your feet are wide then consider men's (they are made on a wider last). Cushioned soles wouid be good, and for walking it doesn't really matter if you have neutral or supportive sole (unless you need orthotics, in which case go for neutral)

Then it's just a case of sticking with it. You don't have to enjoy it - see it as a necessary task. You might also want to see if you can find any beginners workout classes you can do at home. Try your council's parks and recreation department, as their health/well being section might have Get Out Get Active type videos, which are likely to be suitable.

Would it help if you used walking sticks or hiking poles?

Good luck, OP. Maybe this is the push you needed to get healthier and fitter.

Keep going a little bit further every day. Look in this as a chance to get fitter and lose weight. If you walk one way can you get a bus some of the way back when time is less of an issue?

Low carb or keto is absolutely brilliant for shedding weight. You see results really quickly which makes it easier to stick to as well. I lost 3 stone almost without trying. That and building up the walking every day will work wonders.
Check the keto board on Reddit; some of the weight loss pictures on there are amazing. People losing 100lb, 200lb, sometimes in less than a year. If you filter by top of all time there are some really inspirational stories, including one person who managed to lose 345lb and another who dropped from 500lb to the 200s.

Why us your daughters school so far away? Is there not a school bus or the option of changing the school to a closer one?

You say the walk is 45-50 minute walk, do you know how many miles or km that actually is? I think you could probably reduce the time to walk there so it won't take so long in the future. Some good advice above, build up your walking times every day for the next month and really try to create a calorie deficit so you don't eat as much. It's doable and the need to walk will help you do it! It's really good for children to walk to school and they honestly like the time with you. Make sure you have sturdy shoes and a good raincoat so you're ready for all weathers, including a buggy raincover. We believe in you

How far is it? Is it the nearest school for your dd? Is moving her to one nearer an option or is it that long to walk due to weight and toddler?

With a toddler in a pushchair to lean on that should help. Plus with regular exercise it should help weight loss and with a healthy diet and the exercise hopefully the walk will be quicker.

Yy to better shoes.

Also try knee and ankle supports.

Yes to calorie restricting.

Also vitamin D supplements

Sorry should have said, pushing a pushchair I found helpful when I was less fit and good for carrying the school bags!