[awlass]

im 20 yrs old, 322 lbs, bmi of 59 and desperately in need of a new life style.

i have arthritis in my low back and both hips, and a damaged knee and shoulder. walking is painful because of the arthritis and my weight is just too much for my joints.

i have 6 1/2 month old twins that i am a stay at home mom for, so i need exercises that i can do while watching them. i do have a double stroller, though again, the walking is extremely painful.

the only gym near me is $50 a month, which is too much for me to afford.

i really need to find some exercises i can to often, that works around my issues.

please help?

[Haley8203]

Have you tried asking your doctor for which exercises would be suitable? My doctor is always throwing ideas at me even when i don't want them lol How about finding a used stationary bike to use at home? Good luck!

[Sherrie568]

Is there a Family YMCA near you?
Water therapy is excellent and some insurances will pay for it. They usually have babysitting available, too.

If you can't get the actual therapy, the Y usually offers low impact water exercise classes. That would cost less than a gym, and a class is less than a whole family membership. You might even qualify for a reduced rate membership.

[jenlag]

Once you start getting some of the weight off, hopefully mobility will not be as much of an issue. I think right now you need to focus a lot on your food intake. You can drop a good amount of weight just by changing your eating and restricting your intake.

[Sherrie568]

For at home, a stationery recumbent bike might work for you. I found an older one for myself on Craigslist for less than $50.

Many exercises can be done while sitting in a chair, or even lying in a bed. Leg and arm raises are a great way to start. Sitting in a chair and marching your feet in place or swinging your arms can get the heart rate going with very little stress on the joints.

Here's an excellent video Sit & Be Fit to start out with.

[Sherrie568]

And... I agree with Jenlag

Once you start getting some of the weight off, hopefully mobility will not be as much of an issue. I think right now you need to focus a lot on your food intake. You can drop a good amount of weight just by changing your eating and restricting your intake.

Come over to the Calorie Counters forum, or pick another plan you like. You'll get lots of helpful support.

[ennay]

Do you have decent insurance? If so ask your doctor for referral to Physical Therapy. A good therapist should be able to help develop a routine that you can do at home as well as help with exercises specifically designed to improve your mobility.

Until then, I agree, focus on the food and start very slowly with the exercise. Maybe even just start with breathing exercises. I read an article once in Yoga Journal with a woman who was bed-bound for 5 months and what she did merely with breathing to keep up her metabolism and her energy was amazing.