I couldnt walk around for a while bcs of my knee but it is getting better... I am thinking about doing weights for my upper body until I can lose a little more and really start working on my lower body....
When I started my program I was well over 300 pounds with some mild physical limitations. I was very uncomfortable, physically and mentally, with activity, ESPECIALLY cardio. I'm still not in love with cardio, but I don't mind it. I found (a) the types of activities I like better than others (aerobics classes? NO walking and biking and elliptical? YES) and (b) that I love weight training.
I agree with the previous poster re: positive affirmations. Positive self-talk is a key for me, regardless of whether to topic is exercise or food or whatever. Rather than telling myself over and over how much I hated exercise, I would tell myself, "I may not like it now, but I want to learn to like it," or "One day I'll be fit enough where this won't be so much of a pain," or "I want to be an active person," etc.
Start where you are. Do enough to challenge yourself without making yourself utterly miserable. Keep talking to yourself in a positive way. Look at people with active lifestyles as role models, not aliens. Experiment with different types of activities and learn what you have an affinity for. Do your exercise mindfully, take pleasure in the fact that your body is doing what it was built to do -- MOVE.
Ive been exercising for a month now. I still hate it. I like being outside when I walk, but I still hate it. I hope that I end up liking it. Each day I MAKE MYSELF do it, cause I know it will help me lose weight. I really hope I can make it last and not quit. And afterwards I feel so sore and out of it. But we must do things we dont like....I keep telling myself. Good luck finding what works for you! Im right around 275 also and I want the scale to move quickly! So exercise will help us. As much as it sucks, it will help. Huff Puff!
I really wish there was something I could say that could make you love exercising. I love it! I feel like I am accomplishing something when I hit the gym. I just put my tunes on and get busy..I do hope you guys grow to at least like it a teeny weeny bit..lol
Yeah once you get past the struggle of REALLY not wanting to have to, and you just make yourself do it, it feels amazing. I had a hard time there for a while when I had re-started trying to lose weight, and I couldn't get back in to the swing of things like I was last year when I exercised every day. But now that I'm making myself do it, I feel so proud of myself afterward. You just have to accept it as something you have to do, and realize that you'll lose weight much easier if you exercise.
Actually, I had been stalling and making every excuse to not exercise just a week ago, and now this week I've walked about half a mile for the past 3 days. Of course, it helps to have some motivation. 2 of those days I had just been walking to the mailbox (I live out in the boondocks, it takes a quarter of a mile walk to get to my mailbox) because I'd been waiting to get a new game in the mail. :P Seriously, that was my main motivation both times, and now I'm going just because I know I can.
Oh, and PS: Belly dancing is amazing. You should try it. It's really fun to do, and it doesn't even feel like you're exercising until you're done. There's a show on FitTV called "Shimmy" that's really good.
Cyn mentioned the Leslie Sansone walking videos. They're not too bad ... I actually look forward to them sometimes! You can get a preview of them at collagevideo.com to see if it's something you'd be interested in. It's definitely weird walking in place at first, but you get used to it. It's a video workout that I don't feel stupid doing, and one that I can keep up with (most of the time). There's also plenty of ways to ramp up the intensity after your body starts getting used to it.
Hey ya. I thought I would chime in a bit late. Hope that is okay!
I am learning how to exercise as a regular routine and I have to say, apart of me HATES it lol. It isn't that I hate the exercise...I actually love it. It is that I get bored doing the same thing over and over again. I also hate getting myself to exercise. That is proving a stubborn struggle for me. I will literally talk myself out of it lol. However, I've found that once I get there I love it and enjoy myself.
What I do is walk, that isn't very exciting, but I added an inexpensive iPod shuffle in pink to let music entertain me. I also do aerobic workouts with DVDs at home. The two that I have are fast paced and actually fun..challenging. I live in the second floor of an apartment and I have to quietly hop around...believe me that is a challenge in itself for me being this big hahahahaha.
I'm readding Yoga and strength building this week to my workout routine. I need to keep things mixed up or I get too bored.
I think swimming and dancing will do the trick but if you are looking for something that I know works and is easy on the joints etc try walking.
I started out at 534 pounds and used walking to lose most of the 193 pounds that I have lost so far, when I started out I would huff and puff around the block that I lived on and it was slightly under 1/3 of a mile and any more than that my back, feet and knees would hurt and I would be miserable, slowly but surely I added distance as my body built back up and now I walk about 2 miles daily and can walk more than that if I wanted to (I walk 2 miles because it takes me about 30 minutes) walking does not feel like exercise to me one bit yet its doing the trick.
I also ride a stationary bike and hike, both of which are easy on me too, the hiking is a byproduct of the walking and is more of a workout depending on how far I go.
I just have to chime in here and give a big thanks to everyone's comments. I realize that I am not alone in the "I hate exercise" state of mind. I've been struggling to get my butt up out of bed early and at minimum go for a walk and finally today I did it. I took the puppy with me because he needs the most training and went for a short walk. I was a bit winded by the time we got home, but my knees and back weren't killing me, so that's good. Now the trick is to convince myself to do it again tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll take the Doberman with me, he can give the Shepard down the block a run for his money! LOL!
Thanks for all of the encouragement and strength. Now I really have no excuse not to do it and I know that I'm not the only one who hates it and is in pain! You all are my heroes!!
As for doing things I don't like, early on I really had to tell myself it doesn't matter what I WANT, but what I NEED. I don't want to pay my taxes, or go to work every day, but there are lots of consequences if I don't. Same for exercise.
Ya know, I never thought of it this way. Now I feel really guilty for not getting up this morning & going to the gym when mom called to wake me up to go. See? I even have a gym partner & couldn't make it in.
One thing I know I could do is walk to work -- I live less than a mile so I really shouldn't drive. Guess I will hoof it there this morning....
Being nearly 400 pounds, I understand completely how hard it is to exercise - to want to do it but also to find the energy to do so.
I've only just begun the process of getting off my duff and getting in some movement so I've started with bowling and a water/swim fit class twice a week.
That might not seem like a lot to some people but to those of use who are so heavy, that's a big deal. I'm really enjoying the swim class and it's helping me to tone up but more so strengthen up my weak knees and other body parts without the stress on my joints.
I've also bought a stationary bike but need to put it together (tonight). Walking - well I can do about a mile before my feet start to ache. But I think I can just try to increase and build from there.
So I think the key is to just start, no matter how little you might start, and stick with it and gradually you'll increase your exercise level because you'll find you have more energy.
Good luck and know you're not alone. This is a huge struggle for me every day but I'm not giving up and I hope you won't either.
I just wanted to add, since nhickcox mentioned Walk Away the Pounds and how walking in place is a bit awkward at first:
What I've been doing is just putting the video on mute and playing some music in the background. You'd be surprised how easily a beat goes with the steps you take, and it feels a lot more like dancing than walking in place. Definitely much more fun and much less awkward. :P
Plus, exercise videos can feel a bit cheesy, but if you take the cruddy music they play and person talking to you away, it's an enjoyable workout! lol
yea me to that's what I've been doing Leslie Sansone walking videos was HARD at first. Now I do them 6 days a week and walk around the neighborhood 2 miles after work. I have lost 47pounds since I think January. It hasen't hit me at all. People at work are noticeing and I can't stand the attention. I want to be over looked and ignored that's what I am comfortable with. It really bugs me make me feel like adding the weight back on. To "cushion" me.
But now I just noticed my tummy is all saggy and cottage cheese looking. Yuck being fat was better. at least the skin was filled out.
Maria ... i know i'm a little behind in posting but i do understand how hard it is to work out being over weight... from what i understand swimming is great exercise... next to walking or running it is one of the best ways to work out so im sure that will be enough if thats all you want to do... i have a love/hate relationship with exercise i think i would love it more is i was able to do as much as i want to do... but right now i walk alot... i go get ice coffee with my friend and we just walk and talk around the park and before i know it i've walked about 2 miles... i noticed work out buddies help.
I understand
hanging skin
