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!

@Apileofballyhoo

If I see somebody out exercising I just think they're great to do it. Your idea for this as a goal is brilliant. Really rooting for you.

This. I love seeing people out in the fresh air and getting some exercise. Good luck OP, be rooting for you!

HIT workouts are awesome to boost your cardio and endurance.

I do worry a LOT about people laughing at me, being disgusted when they see how sweaty and out of breath I am.

I felt the same when getting back into the gym; apart from a couple of condescending comments "you're doing SO well" "you're working SO hard", honestly no one cares. And if someone does, screw them. Your health is more important than some idiot's thoughts.

OP you're bloody amazing.

In fact you've completely inspired me - want an accountability buddy?

I live quite near here: www.hiddensf.com/300d-lyon-street-steps-san-francisco-ca.html

I've put on 3 stone in lockdown and can manage about 25 steps before I start thinking I'm going to die. To make it extra discouraging, it's always busy with skinny people running up and down them as part of their training.

I've been telling myself for months that I will in some magical way get fit again, but I'm rubbish without a goal. So if you don't mind I'm going to join you. Onwards and upwards

I think you'll be running up them backwards in eight weeks if you can already do with only a few stops. Never mind thinking about people laughing, visualise your heart getting stronger.

@5foot418stone

Have you met Hendrix?

Timing your self each time might be a better motivator as you see the time reduce. As you get fitter you will naturally walk faster and you will still get out of breath and the improvement might not be immediately obvious if you don't have have the times to show progress.

Don't worry about other people, quite a lot will be impressed with your will power, and will be silently willing you on. Good luck OP.

I'm here and doing it!

I did it! 2 stops to admire the view on the way up and then at the top I kept walking for another 30 seconds or so.

I tried to time myself using my Fitbit but it only recorded 9 seconds. So I need to figure out how to do it ready for tomorrow!

Well done, keep practicing and you'll be racing up in eight weeks

Great to have an actual physical goal OP, I'm sure you will do it!

fabulous challenge.

do you have stairs at home?
if yes, try to walk up and down a few times a day as quickly as you can.

in addition to the cardio you need to strengthen the muscles in you legs/bottom.
look up clam exercises. also going up and down stairs in super slow motion strengthens.

good luck!

Thanks again everyone, for all of your support and advice! I really appreciate it. I read through them all again this morning and it gave me a boost.

I do have stairs at home so I'll be up and down those as much as possible. I will also look in to the recommended strengthening exercises, thank you!

Noodle, those steps look hardcore! What an incredible view you'll have when you get to the top. I'm cheering you on!

NewDuchess, yes, Hendrix is a regular visitor to my work! He's lovely. I didn't see him today though, unfortunately.

Now I'm home I actually feel pretty good. Pleased I did it, anyway! I'll be trying again tomorrow.

I know it's only day 1 but I do feel hopeful, in a way I haven't felt in a long time. I've tried and failed to start losing weight again so many times over the past couple of years. I feel that little spark of determination again like when I did it the first time.

I should have read the post before going on googlemaps to see if they were indeed Saltburn :D Hi from another local and best of luck, I'm confident you'll smash it in 8 weeks!

Ah, this is brilliant, such a good goal. It's years since I've been to Saltburn, my last seaside steps challenge was up to the Abbey at Whitby, oof! Hopefully will be there again in the next few months, and hope I won't have to pretend to take so many photos on the way up to catch my breath.

Working on your strength and cardio fitness will help endurance and capacity, HIIT training, while a bastard, is good for those. Also some simple strength training.

I’m feeling your pain - my kids dragged me up the London monument (not as steep as those steps) and I thought I was going to fucking DIE.

Well done, Op.
you are definitely going to smash it.

Great to see @5foot418stone, your choice of wording towards yourself has become more positive; from embarrassed and dying to proud and hopeful and determines.

It's really hard, trust me I know, but I recommend using positive language when speaking about your health and fitness - improving, goals, achievements - even for the smallest wins. It's amazing how much of an impact it had on your mental state.

Here I go again!

It took me 3:06 today. 2 stops to admire the view but I took more steps before resting, 55 this time, 50 yesterday.

Very good progress, you are inspiring me to find my own challenge op

Well done OP! You are going to be smashing it in no time.

Great going OP! I have a big hill on the way back from school and I've found that my ability to walk up it better is strongly influenced by what I have for breakfast. Toast isn't great but porridge makes a big difference so maybe try a healthy breakfast and see if that makes a difference. The air quality makes a difference too for me but I'm asthmatic so might be more that. Music with a good bouncy beat might get you up there faster too.

Off I go again

You are going to surprise yourself I know it. I was walking in the Alps with a friend, long steep climb on rocky paths when we met a man coming down. He said “put one foot in front of the other and the top will come down to meet you.”
You can definitely do this.