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!

Awesome! Well done, you can do it.

I love that saying Josephine, thank you.

I did it in 2:51 which just seems wrong ??!! But my son timed me on his phone and I used my fit bit

Thanks again everyone, your kindness and encouragement really helps me

I love this thread!!! Well done OP

Well done on your progress so far!

I am overweight - my husband isn't, and I'm heavier than he is. There are some tortuous steps near us and he was moaning about them while we were going up. Puffing and panting in the rear, I asked him how he would feel about climbing them carrying a 4 stone weight on his back - he soon shut up.

My weight is going in the right direction now, thank goodness - sending you positive thoughts.

This is making my heart soar for you! I'm a PT and I'm not convinced I could get to the top without looking like a beetroot, I hope you're proud of yourself, you are doing amazing and I applaud you for setting yourself a goal and really going for it, well done 👍🏻

I've walked up them, I stopped half way (to see the "view" aka get my breath) and I'm not as obese. Go for it, and set realistic goals for weight loss - I'm trying to loose 2 stone myself

I knew those steps the minute I saw your pic. My lovely hometown! That’s made me a bit homesick stuck here in the Smoke. I don’t think I could do them without stopping when I was a kid, though OP. Good luck - and if I see you when I’m next there I’ll cheer you on (possibly from the cliff lift )

Loving this thread . Go OP go! Cheering you on

Just came on to say well done
I had to walk fast downstairs to the door and back to a zoom call the other day and was out of breath.
Live in a three bed semi, not a four storey townhouse!
So I may try to emulate you on the much easier stairs in my house!

You are doing great op! You are an inspiration 🙂

I work out four times a week and walk up hills three times a week and I doubt I could do those without a few pauses.

I was going to take a break today but I got an opportunity so I took it. I did it in 2:39 with 1 stop to the admire the view. I really pushed myself, my legs were like jelly when I got to the top and I'm sure everyone within 5 miles could hear me panting and gasping but bloody hell, I did it.

I don't think I'll attempt it tomorrow, my knees are killing me. But a question for next time... Should I try to do it as quick as possible or try to do it slow and steady but without stopping? Or does it not really matter since I'm not climbing mt everest?

Could you try a pyramid? Up 10 steps, back 10 steps; up 20 steps, down 20 steps; up 30 steps, down 30 steps; etc until you get to the top. Or any other combination.

Neon, I would love to try that! The steps are really busy though and it's not wide enough in the second part to pass safely and I would be getting in the way (I take up a lot of room!). If I go about 9:30/10pm again I'll definitely give it a go!

Just popping on to say you're brilliant.

Well done you’ve made amazing progress since I first saw this thread. I find audio books useful when walking or perhaps get yourself a Rocky playlist! There are some brilliant (possibly a bit cheesy) walk at home videos on YouTube which I have found useful to build my fitness and flexibility, time flies when the videos are on and you can choose 10 mins, 20 mins etc up to 45 minutes. Useful to mix up your exercise and also for bad weather. Good luck!

@5foot418stone

I was going to take a break today but I got an opportunity so I took it. I did it in 2:39 with 1 stop to the admire the view. I really pushed myself, my legs were like jelly when I got to the top and I'm sure everyone within 5 miles could hear me panting and gasping but bloody hell, I did it.

I don't think I'll attempt it tomorrow, my knees are killing me. But a question for next time... Should I try to do it as quick as possible or try to do it slow and steady but without stopping? Or does it not really matter since I'm not climbing mt everest?

Well done! You're doing so well!

I would go for steadily without stopping but it's whatever you want to do 😊

You are an inspiration op!!!

Well done OP! I jog (slowly) around 5km a couple of times a week, I really struggle with hills. I'm told hills really build fitness which I think is true, so will do them but find it hard!

Newsong, hills are bastards! Go you for tackling them 👊

My knees felt alright today so I've just done it 2:44. The cold wind really leaves my chest and lungs burning, I had a really raspy cough and breathing last night and the same is happening again now. I will have to wear a thicker mask or scarf tomorrow.

There was a couple at the top of the steps tonight and they made fun of me, really killing themselves laughing at my breathing, the way I walked, the fact I was using a torch even though it was really dark ??

Gosh I don't understand why people are so horrible :( sorry you had to put up with that Op. Good on you for keeping in with this, looks like great progress already.

What twats OP. Fuck ‘em. Who cares about them when you’ve got the MN vipers rooting for you?

Please keep going OP. You are doing something beneficial for your health and well-being. Who cares what some idiots think, not worth wasting your thoughts on them.

Have you read anything about habits? I've found it really interesting to think about. Theory is, set yourself a tiny goal, one that is impossible to fail at and achieve it every day (or 3 x per week if that's what you decide).

So your goal could be walking to the bottom of the steps. Or climbing 10 steps or similar. Something so small you will always be able to do it, even on your worst day.

It sounds like you are doing so well. Channeling this determination into your long term actions is important.

Thank you all, I do really appreciate the support. :)

I'm over it now, I read through all of the comments again and got a grip.
They just caught me by suprise is all. Especially since I passed a group of lairy teenagers and all they did was move to one side so I could pass and then they carried on with their shouting and dicking about and not a thing was said to me!