Help - my health is scarily fucked - how do I exercise and lose weight when I can't use my bloody leg?

[Greensleeves]

I am ashamed to say that I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at the age of 36

I have completely overhauled my diet and cut out salt and anything fatty as well - I had gestational diabetes with ds1, insulin dependent, so I know what to do about diet.

I need to lose lots of weight and get fit and get my blood pressure down (I have been on medication for it since ds1 was born too, after severe preeclampsia it just never came down)

BUT I am very limited in my mobility, I had an operation on my knee last year, it didn't work properly so I am having a bigger one in a couple of weeks and the recovery period will be long. I can't walk very far, it hurts a lot if I push it and there's always the risk that it will buckle under me and cause more problems. I'm a supply teacher (can't apply for proper jobs until leg is sorted out) and I'm still doing the odd afternoon here and there, but I have to strap my knee up so tightly and be really careful, and I'm always a bit screwed the next day.

so what can I do to exercise? I can't lose weight unless I exercise (am really fat)

can you get in a swimming pool?

My sister has got similar knee problems and shet found that by going in pool the weight is off her knee and she can move around, try and find a ladies only time?

Can you swim? If so that might be something to try, as it doesn't involve any weight bearing.

Swim. Or can you go for gentle walks? Or you could lift weights while sitting down.

You don't need to exercise to lose weight though - you just have to eat fewer calories than you use up. If you're that large and the problems with your leg that bad, I'd concentrate on diet to start with, and leave the exercising until you've lost a bit of weight and find it a lot easier to move around.

Dumbells, lift, lift and lift some more. The muscles in your arms aren't the biggest but you can get a good sweat going. Start with tin cans if necessary. Do three sets of 20 reps. Shoulder Press, Bicep curls, military press. Google some more, Pinterest is a good site for looking up exercises.

Golden rule: 3 miles or 30 minutes a day, until your mobility is better make sure you get the 30 minutes.

I have a major phobia of swimming pools I know that sounds like whining, but it's true. I'd do anything else, I'm not pouring cold water for the sake of it, honest!

Oooh, soup can dumbells, I can do that! Thanks, I will look into those exercises.

I used to be really fit and spend loads of time climbing and walking on the moors. I bloody hate being like this. And I am worried I am going to have a stroke unless I sort myself out (am also on heavy medication for depression and anxiety too, which doesn't help)

If I was a horse they'd shoot me

Swim or aquasize, walking a much as possible, Pilates mat work for core strength and general fidgeting. Keep moving.

I'm very restricted in my mobility but do all the above and more than anything it's diet, portion control and cut out snacking. Oh and reduce alcohol if appropriate. Joining a group like Weight Watchers is fabulous for motivation. I joined and now at target weight but still go regularly for the maintenance. I thought I'd hate it but quite the opposite.

Good luck.

DH is/was very overweight and has one vvvvv bad knee (needs replacing, no ACL, massive bone spurs, no cartilage, hugely painful) and one bad knee.
He's lost a huge amount of weight since Jan doing 4:3 (ie 3 fast days a week, eating his calorie requirement the other 4.
For exercise, we got a turbo trainer for my bike (so it can be used indoors), and he's built up from not being able to do 5 minutes at a time to doing 60 minutes.

If you could go to a gym, then you could hand cycle, use a rowing machine with hands only, and obv do sitting weights

When I broke my leg last year, I put on weight (which I could ill afford). I found that the only thing I could really do was to cycle - not out on the road, but on an exercise bike. I found that I could do more of the work with my good leg initially, with the damaged one following a bit. Gradually built up strength and it burned calories too.
Would that work for you, do you think?

Thanks for all the ideas, I had to go and deal with squabbling kids (so sick of the arguments, so made them clean opposite sides of the patio doors so they can look at each others' grumpy faces )

The hand weights and upper body stuff sounds like the way forward, I just need to be able to make a start, get my metabolism up and lose some of the weight so I'll be able to exercise properly once the knee's fixed. I haven't got room for an exercise bike though and would never go near a gym

was considering having a go at the Wii dance things, my kids have got them and it looks like mostly arm movements - but I odn't know how to use the thing and my kids would fall about laughing if I asked them

anyone tried Wii Let's Dance or Just Dance or whatever it is called? Can you just use your upper body? I want to have a go but I feel quite foolish asking dh or the kids to set it up for me!

I was going to suggest Wii fit, there are lots of activities like hula hooping, bowling and stuff, bit less embarrassing than dancing. Play it with the children they'd probably love it!