so I posted this in the "Exercise" forum, but I didn't get any responses...lol
I tried a workout DVD called "Weight Loss Cardio Sculpt" for the first time...and I loved the dvd, but I found that it's extremely difficult for me to do the sections on the mat. If I'm supporting myself on my hands, my wrists collapse or are in tons of pain, if I'm on the mat kind of like this _/\o (lol)...and when I have to unbend my knees and only be supported by my feet and my wrists, it hurts my feet so much...
is this just because I'm too fat to support myself? I don't understand...
these are the same reasons that I stopped trying to do yoga, because the positions where I was supporting myself with my hands or my feet were physically painful.
its really frustrating because I'd LOVE to do the yoga dvds and this cardio sculpt dvd that I bought, but I'm afraid of hurting myself. I just don't understand why I can't do it...
If it hurts - stop. Don't ever think you have to push past pain when exercising. Just do what you can that is comfortable for you. If you can't support yourself on your hands then use your elbows if that is an option for the exercise, same with the feet, use your knees.
On the videos they are giving you examples of what a very fit person can do and the average person might need to work their way up to what they are showing you.
You also could try building on the exercises you mentioned. Start on your hands or feet but drop down to elbows and knees as soon as it is too uncomfortable. Next time see if you can hold a little longer.
Basically, with any exercise program you just need to keep moving. If it is in a part of the video that you cannot do without pain try doing another exercise during that time that might work the same muscle group. Until it moves on to where you are comfortable doing the moves.
Lastly, see if you can find a friend or even join a exercise group that can give you low impact exercises that help you build up to the high impact exercises. I know here, where I am, there is a homeopath in town that does woman's fitness classes and you don't need to join a gym or commit to any contracts you pay per class. It could be a great idea to find classes like these that you can go to so that you can learn with actual people instead of the tv.
Divine, I get the same thing, and I don't know why it happens. I used to take this intense class, you alternated 1 minute of cardio with 1 minute of strength training for 45 minutes - and the same thing would happen to me.
Are there modified versions of the exercises you could do until maybe you gain strength in your wrists? Also, make sure you're placing them the correct way - I know that was part (not ALL) of my problem.
I don't have any advice except don't do it if it hurts, but try again when you're stronger. What I really wanted to say was that your drawing ( _/\o ) CRACKED me up. I mean I laughed a lot. Cute!
I noticed this when I did pilates so I'd do modified things- like when it would say lie on your back and lift your body till you are on your neck I'd be like RIGHT..... 235 lbs on my NECK?! No thank you....
I did find using a thick blanket under my mat helped a lot as well
For me, when my wrists hurt in some of the positions, it's a sign that my arms are not strong enough and that I need to focus on strengthening them. That may not be your issue, though.
I have to disagree with most people here. Most people associate anyt discomfort with pain. Are you sure you are not just feeling the burn and stress of exercising.
Most excercise is not supposed to feel pleasant. You are supposed to feel a burn and discomfort. Are you in college? If so I would try to talk to one of the school fitness trainers.
I agree with bench that muscle discomfort is just part of exercising, but I think I understood by your post, divine, that it was hurting in your joints? Your feet and wrists? That's what would worry me. You don't want to injur yourself and sprain or break anything.
It was definitely my joints. I know the difference between pain from exercise and pain because I'm hurting myself. I guess the real reason I'm worried about it is I've got carpel tunnel in both wrists, and I've had a foot surgery and an ankle surgery on my left ankle (which was the one that hurt more)...so I'm just worried about hurting myself....and frustrated because yoga is something I've ALWAYS wanted to do, and now it seems like I can't..
My wrists sometimes hurt something terrible in downward dog, which is similar to your /\ pic. First, I took a small towel and folded it up and put it under my palms to give myself more padding. That helps keep my hands from sliding. Then I have to make sure every time that my hands are properly positioned and all the weight isn't on the base of my palm or on my wrist. Make sure that your weight is evenly spread out into your hands and fingers so it doesn't push on the wrists.
I don't have much ankle pain because I can't actually get my heels all the way down to the ground so I haven't had to deal with pressure on the heels.
Have you tried pilates? I have crappy joints and don't like yoga, but pilates is much easier on the skeleton (but not the muscles!) in my experience... and very good for toning.
Hm.. I've mostly only climbed stairs and jogged for exercise, but I've even gotten pain from that. If I push myself to the point where I feel like I'mma pass out (well maybe not THAT far), I'll start feeling pain in... my uterus? Well maybe not ACTUALLY in my uterus but it feels JUST like bad period cramps and lasts like 15 minutes... I HATE it, so I try not to ever push THAT hard so I can avoid those "cramps."
Pain while Exercising
