Morbidly obese - I want to walk up these steps...

[5foot418stone]

This is a really long post, sorry, but I'd appreciate any advice/encouragement!

TL;DR: I want to walk up some steps without dying. How long to accomplish this?

4 years ago I was almost done with an 8 stone weightloss. Then stuff happened and I've gained it all back over the past 2-3yrs.

Rather than hating myself and resigning myself to living like this forever, slowly eating myself to death, I'm starting to try again. I've put my fitbit back on, got my streak going on MFP, etc. I know how to lose weight but I do struggle with motivation.

So I've set myself a goal.

There are some steps near to where I live and I want to walk up them without stopping and then dying at the top. They are utterly horrible, torturous steps and I want to conquer them. Currently I plod up them slowly and I have to stop 2-3 times. It's really quite embarrassing.

I won't be able to walk them everyday, maybe 3 times a week. I don't want to push myself too hard to start with because it's a surefire way to make me give up. Do you think I'd be able to accomplish this goal in 8 weeks? Or is that too lax?

It's these steps in Saltburn if anyone knows the area!

I'd appreciate an air high five!

I have really hurt my back, I have to pretty much crawl upstairs at home it hurts so much, so I haven't attempted the steps this week. I really hope it doesn't set me back too much.

I've been stretching and yoga-ing to try and ease it but I can't even lay down, I have to sleep sitting up.

I feel quite down about it, tbh. Struggling to stay on track with eating sensibly whilst feeling so rubbish.

Oh no, poor you, especially as you were doing so well. When I hurt my back a few years ago the GP recommended trying to move around as much as possible (not exercising or step climbing) but just around the house. It was agony but I'm sure speeded up my recovery as it stopped all the muscles going into spasm. Oh and ibuprofen gel helped loads too. I'm sure you're massively frustrated but it's just a small set back and I know you'll be back up those steps soon x

Yes you can easily do that in 8 weeks. I would go for 5 times a week rather than 3 if you can. Or on the days you don't go up the steps, do another form of exercise e.g. a walk or a home workout. Do something active every day even if it's less challenging and you will see the difference. 3 times a week might not be enough if you don't do anything else.

@nancywhitehead i appreciate the advice! but should probably check out the full thread to see it's been covered! I've knocked a full minute off my time in less than a month, go up without stopping and walk 100,000+ steps a week, plus HIIT, yoga and weights.

@Atreus Thank you so much. I'm trying to stay active (2 small kids so even if my leg was hanging off there's no chance of rest!) without overdoing it. I'll have to get some iburpofen gel. I have a heat pack on at the minute and just did another 30 minutes of gentle yoga and it's feeling a bit better. The pain just takes my breath away when I stand up straight. I don't know how I managed to go to bed feeling great on Sunday night and then wake up with such a bad back on Monday morning! How do you even hurt your back while sleeping?!

Right, I'm drawing a line now. Will stop feeling sorry for myself and I'll be back at it tomorrow even if I have to crawl down the bridlepath instead of my usual scramble through the woods and end up with a bad/slow time. I'm sure it will still be quicker than my first attempt.

Sorry to hear you are in so much pain. This will be a testing and frustrating time but you can do this! Do you have any spare time you could listen or read a book about making changes so you are still doing something to invest in yourself? I’d recommend Atomic Habits or The Kindness Method (that one covers making changes to eating and accepting food planning doesn’t always go to plan, it is how you deal with going a bit off track that matters) I get the audio books from the library and usually listen whilst I am walking. Please be patient and kind with yourself and don’t rush back or do too much to soon.

Sending a very gentle virtual high five. I hope your back is easier today and that you are healing.

Thn k you 😊

I'm not really feeling better but I'm here. It was a very slow walk down and even with pain relief it's hurting me.

Will go slow and steady up the steps, better to do it in a rubbish time than not at all right?

2:14 without stopping. Not too bad, was expecting much worse.

I've just read this thread for the first time. I'm the same height as you, and about 16 stone and no way could I manage that.

2:14 with no stops, with a bad back is fantastic, that's nearly a whole minute less than when you started.
You've inspired me to build up to 10,000 a day again, and restart the healthy eating.

@MrsSlocombesPussy it's the right time of year to start getting those steps in! Have fun :D

I have not done the steps since Thursday and I only just managed 70k steps for the week. The pain in my back has been bad. Even walking up the stairs in my house leads to numb/tingling legs and pain that takes my breath away. I can barely stand up straight, I still can't lay down in bed. It's really getting me down to be honest. I've tried to stay active because sitting still definitely makes it worse but it's been difficult and I'm stressing myself out about making it worse. I hurt my back like this once before in 2015 and it took over a month to feel normal again.

Sorry for moaning again after I said I'd draw a line and stop feeling sorry for myself. I feel disappointed with myself that I haven't managed to stick with my plan.

On a positive note I weighed in at 104.3kg this morning, down from 117.9kg. I'm hoping to be under 100kg by the end of the month.

Whoa...that's over 2 stone!!! You're nailing this!

Wow, OP! Two stone is amazing, WELL DONE YOU!!

You can only work with what you have back wise, you need to take care of it. Don't beat yourself up if you need to take a break from the steps.

Wow! Hold on to that positive note! You have changed more than 10% of your body!!!

Look after your body, let it rest and when it recovers, you will be stronger.

Since running and doing a regular online fitness class, I have noticed that I can walk upstairs in different ways. I can literally just move my body forward and I get where I want to. Or I can hold my body in line, eyes forward and mindfully raise my legs hence engaging muscles. I read someone else saying something similar on here and it really made me notice how much stronger I’d become.

I’ve been following since you started and I know you’ve had a lot of advice-please ignore if it’s not helpful.

Keep seeking out those positives

Oh my goodness you are doing incredibly!! Well done!

Listen to your body and step the training down until you are recovered ... act like a true athlete ... it's better for the long run

Thank you all, I really appreciate the kindness and support!

I noticed today on the school run that even with back pain I walked up the hill so quickly and easily. A few weeks ago I'd have been out of breath and legs aching before I made it even halfway. I don't think I plod so much anymore, feels like I walk more like a regular person which seems like a win?

I've just come across your thread OP and wanted to congratulate you. I have a bad back and joints too and it's a bitch being in constant pain. It does limit my exercise and then I put on weight, and so on and so on.

You've inspired me to find a way that works for me to lose weight and get fit. I don't know what that is yet, but I'm going to find out.

Hey!! I keep losing you & refinding you!!

You're doing brilliantly -both fitness & weightloss.

I'm so sorry you've hurt your back! Could you afford a sports massage? Physio?

Be careful not to make it worse, but gently doing the steps might help 'unlock' it, backs are odd things!

Be careful! Don't lose heart, you'll get there even if your injury adds on a week or two!

You are doing incredibly well. Well done on your weight loss too, it will get easier to move when your back is feeling better. Don’t rush back to the steps too soon, I second seeing a physio if you can they offer such a depth of information and really understand the impact. It could be they could give you gentle exercises/stretches to do to strengthen a part of your back which will help your progress. May be worth looking into one session if you can afford to. The reward of noticing the differences and improvements is a great feeling. I am so pleased for you.

@BendyLikeBeckham I hope you find something you love doing! Good luck to you (:

I have booked an appointment with a physio, so fingers crossed they can help.
I've done 15k steps today (bit slower than usual though) and some yoga/stretching. It actually does feel a little better this evening!

I'm playing fitbit bingo, there's 17 days left, and I really don't want to come last!

Thanks again for all of your advice and kindness. I probably would have given up by now if it wasn't for this thread!

Another local(ish) person here, cheering you on and so impressed by you!!!
I am not overweight, have no injuries and cannot manage to climb more than 15 or 20 steps without pausing. You are marvellous.

I'd have to stop more than 2-3 times going up those steps! It doesn't matter if you have to stop several times, they must be great for improving your fitness! Just looking at them makes my heart speed up (and not in a good way...)

Good luck!

Just a daily cheer to say well done for keeping on moving. I have been more active for 15 months now and I know how much effort it takes. Today I was handed a dumbbell the weight of what I have lost - I have no idea how I carried it around although obviously that weight wasn’t in one hand! I am trying to file the moment to remember what that weight feels like, I don’t want to carry it around again. I wondered if you could do a similar comparison to cement how far you have come.

Wow, you did 70k steps in a week. That's fantastic.
I managed 7.6k steps today. There's a short uphill stretch (think 30m), and by the end of it my heart is pounding!
I take my hat off to you

I meant to say there's a short uphill stretch on my walk