Alex in Wonderland

Hi there, ladies.

So, a little backstory for you... I am extremely obese. "Morbidly obese" is the term I believe they're using nowadays (5'7" and 305 lbs.). I've been having trouble finding a good, full body work out and I decided to try pilates this morning. I used to do it all the time, and thought I'd give it another go. So I put the DVD on and it starts going... and I couldn't even get through the whole thing because the majority of the positions I couldn't do. Not even the modified ones. It wasn't until after I stopped that I realized that I was about 60lbs heavier than when I first started doing it. I've had trouble with this kind of thing for a while, and I think I need some tips.

So, my question is, does anyone know some really good exercises for obese people like myself? Something that will really get the heart pumping and work all my muscles? Maybe something that I can take a class for, so I get proper instruction?

Thanks in advance!

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minderela

try swimming and aqua exercise its no to low impact exercise . it will get your heart pumpiing work all your muscles and its easy on the joints.

good luck,

mindy

DianeJ

Also, if you're willing to check out some more videos, and you don't have knee problems, look at Walk Away the Pounds by Leslie Sansone. Various selections from beginner to advanced: http://www.lesliesansonevideos.com/ (scroll down that page to see the videos).

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Diane (40) DH (44)
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Anna L

I recently purchased the "Workout" dvd by Jackie Warner. It's divided into 3- 20 minute workouts. I think that would be perfect for you. It's $10. http://www.deepdiscount.com/viewprod...uctId=39235894

I would suggest walking a lot too. Try and do 1 mile a day OUTSIDE. Exercising indoors can be so boring. Once you start outside, it will become an enjoyable habit.

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Anna (28)

No medications, Height 5'7". Vegetarian/ aspiring raw foodist
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Polly13

Ditto. I also highly recommend the Leslie Sansone tapes. It is very low-impact workout and very easy to follow and you will definately break a sweat. Plus you can build up your endurance over time by starting with a 1 or 2 mile walk and then progressing up to 3,4, and 5 miles. I know people who SWEAR by these tapes! : )

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Phira

I have these: they do work! You might feel a little silly doing the workout, but it's effective if you do it every day, or 3-4 days a week.

It does get a big repetitive, though. I'm so familiar with the "Get Up and Go!" 1-mile workout that I mute the video and play music instead.

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bells4her

Phira, is that "get up and get started!"??? or get up and go? i'm checking blockbuster so i can rent before i buy workout videos and i want to try ones that people really like and recommend and don't want to rent the wrong one!

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Met: 2000mg

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skeeweeaka

For strength training try the Windsor Pilates tapes....they are really great....

TJ

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Phira

Damn, I'm not in my bedroom to check, and I'm about to shut down my compy and get sleep. I think it's "get started," but so long as it's Walk Away the Pounds, and Leslie Sansone's doing it, it should be pretty good.

I'm thinking of selling my DVDs actually (I've got a two-pack with 1, 2, and 3 miles, and then another 3 mile), since I've been going running, and it doesn't seem as if I'm going to stop this time. I can already run about two and a half miles, so I'm not so much in need of a walking workout. Soooo, I should get on selling those!

But for anyone who's obese/very overweight, or who has knee problems, these videos are great. Again, they can get repetitive, and I'm so familiar with the 1 mile that I always listen to other music while I watch. But they are effective when used regularly. I'm not sure how effective they are if you were to do them for a year, but this should at least get you moving enough to get a workout when you're unable to do something else, such as running.

Also, just keep in mind that exercising when you're overweight can be kind of embarrassing (I hate working out at the gym because I'm still very heavy, and I always look like a fat dork in my workout clothes), but it's better to feel ridiculous and get in a good, healthy workout than to just put it off because you're scared of what people might think. Besides, screw them; you are exercising, after all.

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bells4her

I've heard wonderful things about a yoga video called Just My Size with Megan Garcia (a plus-size model). I just ordered it off of Amazon; it's only $6.99 (plus s & h). I don't know how intense the workout is, but I have heard (from a few different sources) that the video is perfect for overweight/inflexible people. I should be getting my copy early next week, so i'll let you know how it is!

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Met: 2000mg

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bells4her

oh! also, I am 238 lbs at 5'3", so I'm "morbidly obese" as well. I wanted to recommend the Jillian Micheals Frontside and Backside for Beginners dvds. (note: NOT her SHRED dvd, i don't have that one, so i don't know how it is!) I used the Backside dvd for the first time the other day, and it really got my heart pumping and my muscles are still a bit sore 2 days later. The big point though is that I was able to do the exercises! I had to pause the dvd sometimes so I could do all the reps (I was usually at about #6 when they were finishing rep #10), but I absolutely could do them even if I was a bit slower.

For these videos, Jillian has you use free weights, a resistance band, a step, and a chair. I got a set of 2-pound free weights for about $4 at Walmart and I've found that 2 lbs is plenty heavy for me right now. The price doesn't go up too much for the heavier weights either. I also got a resistance band at Walmart for $8 and it looks exactly like the one being used in the video. For a step, I use my actual steps in my house, and I used my couch instead of dragging a chair into the living room.

The way the workout is set up is in circuits. There are 6 circuits in each video. Each circuit is made up of 3 exercises each done 3 times. An example might be: jogging in place, bicep curls with the resistance band, and donkey kicks... repeat... repeat. The first exercise is always a cardio type thing, so it keeps your heart rate up the whole time, but it doesn't tire you out because you only do each exercise for about 10 reps or 30 to 45 seconds.

You can definitely do these videos. She shows every exercise in various ways, from what she expects a beginner to be able to do to what a more advanced exerciser can do. The beginner versions are always things that I can do, and I am as "beginner" as you can get! The only exercise I couldn't do was what she called "speed skaters", but she specificly says that if you can't do them, to substitute one of the other cardio exercises that you CAN do.

It's really wonderful set of workout videos!

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Dx: 10/07
Met: 2000mg

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LaTejanaFria

I do yoga as part of my exercise routine and I LOVE it. I would recommend, however, that you take a couple of live classes so that you learn how to align your body correctly. Usually, the teacher goes around to help people with their alignment. Sometimes the adjustment is just a fraction of an inch, but it makes all the difference in the world. And this makes the difference between a little soreness and aches and pains. Yes, you're just putting your body into these weird positions, but there are some really important nuances that will help you get into the positions more quickly and get more out of the workout.

I do Elsie Escobar's yoga podcast class 3x/week and this is my favorite way to do yoga. She's really good about giving those little hints that make all the difference. For example, when you get into triangle pose, she says to first establish your foundation by isometrically squeezing in your legs. Then you can bend to touch the floor (or a block) with one hand while the other is placed on your hip. After you roll your body open, then you can raise the hand on your hip to the sky.

I've been doing a yoga practice off and on for the past six years, and I think I've made the most progress with Elsie's podcast. And the best part: it's FREE!!!

You might want to invest in a couple of props, or find some around the house. You'll probably need a block (or two) and a strap (http://www.amazon.com/Jamz-2500YBS-Yoga-Block%252fStrap-Set/dp/B000LAXB28/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1215807487&sr=8-16) to make modifications to poses. You'll also need some kind of mat. I like the traditional sticky mat but I've known some people who use bath sheets. You'll also probably benefit from having some thick blankets that you can use to sit on, fold up to support your knee, etc.

Good luck! Yoga is such a great way to get in shape. You'll never find anything better!

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