I've been overweight ever since my last pregnancy, and I feel hopeless. I'm very weak and ill, I hurt all over, short of breath, back issues, muscle issues and its a chore to even move at all. I'm eating a low fat diet with lots of grains and protein, and not sure where to start with exercise, since I can barely walk even just from room to room. I'm thinking sit and be fit maybe. I've been very very sick this year, one thing after another, so I know I've lost a lot of muscle, which is why I eat protein - I hope this will help. I didn't know where else to go, so I came here. I can't promise I'll be the happiest member around, but I'm certainly determined to beat this, I just feel my body withering away, and its a scary place to be. I hope to get some great advice on where I should start where I can handle exercising (and please don't say "just start a little at a time" lol I can't even handle a minute of walking constantly ) maybe stretching or yoga or chair exercises maybe? Ahhhh. I want to believe I will see that skinny person in the mirror someday, I know she's in there somewhere.
good to meet you all and if you identify with my physical limitation pls I'd love to hear from you and how you beat it or what you're doing that is working for ya.

Of course you can join

bf2chick

Sounds like you've had a rough year. Has your doctor given you any suggestions as to what exercises you can do? I ask this because you mentioned back pain and that you'd been sick alot this year. We have a forum here for dieting with obstacles:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14

You can check that out and all the others too. Please join in where you feel like.

Hey bf2Chick...

Have you talked to your doctor? If you've been sick, he or she would be able to best give you advice on how to build up to exercise. If your insurance would cover it, you might even consider some physical therapy...I know that my PT office did some great work in a heated pool. So see if that is a possibility...they can help you get strong enough to exercise at home, and may be able to design you a program to get stronger after your sessions end. If you can't get from room to room easily and have insurance, it should be covered.

We have a wonderful "Dieting with Obstacles" forum for those who struggle with specific obstacles...and your illness has definitely been an obstacle. You CAN overcome it, though. Head on over there and read a bit!

Otherwise, look around, find a spot, and get going. Can't wait to get to know you better!

wow you both have great suggestions and I hate to say been there done that lol but I have. I recently got fired because I've missed so much work this year and since Texas is a right to work state the unemployment commission said my hands are tied. unfortunately, that also meant my insurance ended august 31st, and until we get more funds, a doc is out of the question. I can say, though, that up until that date I saw a wealth of doctors, but none of them - none - called me overweight or even thought my weight could have something to do with all of this. I look back now and am stunned. at the risk of offending me (which they wouldn't have), they all apparently held back the obvious. well, obvious to them, not to me at the time. Anyway, I went to er's with chest pain, had every test in the book, even went to a cardiologist, who all said my heart was fine. I do however have high blood pressure (surprise surprise). I also have acid reflux, but don't feel heartburn. I get constant migraines, and my whole body just hurts. and no one ever figured out why....til I did, and that's my weight. what hurts is a couple of my family members think my health is imagined, and I just leave that alone cuz they obviously aren't overweight so they aren't aware of all the bad things that come with being overweight. and being without a doctor, I can't afford physical therapy. when I get more funds, I definitely will look into that and find someone local, but that won't be for a while now. And of course can't join the Y for water aerobics or anything either, til more funds come in. I'm so desperate for help lol, I put an ad on craigslist and freecycle.org asking for trade of babysitting services to have or at least borrow some type of equipment to help me. sad.

and thank you so much for the board recommendation - I am going to look there now, what a great idea. thank you so much for the warm welcome, I feel like I'm really understood here, and that helps so much, it really does.

hey, bf2chick, and welcome.
Wow, sounds like a terrible combination (job loss, etc) you're up against. Until you can get into a pool (which I heartily recommend) you might look into starting lifting weights (like, starting at 2 pounds, something very light) to help you rebuild muscle strength. You can do that sitting down or standing and holding to something for balance. If your local library has a copy of _Strong Women Stay Young_, check it out (no pun intended).
Take care of you,
anita

Welcome bf2chick! Others have given you such great advice, so I'll just give you a big

-Susan

Welcome bf2chick

I would also like to give you a hug. There is always hope so don't give up. You have come to a great place for support, wisdom and motivational stories. Take time to read some of other members amazing stories, struggles, triumphs. I wish you the best and hope you can figure out how to get better both physically and mentally. Hang in there and hope to see you around.

Karen

awww thank you all so much, hugs much needed always lol. weights are a great idea, I think my mom has some I can borrow, the light hand ones, might even have some ankle weights for some leglifts in a chair or something. awesome - thank you

everyone has been giving you such good ideas...i just wanted to pass on a little encouragement!

ella

Welcome...

I am also pretty new here, although i now def feel like i have talked to every1 here for years. It is a great place to be, noone ever makes you feel like a failure or like you do not belong. There are so many inspirational threads and post to help you and everyone welcomes you openly to every post. I am honestly so glad i found this place. It has really kicked me in the butt to do something about myself. To help me change me for me. No one truly understands unless they have been where you are. Before i came here and truly started focusing on what i needed to do, i felt the same way. Out of breath all of the time, and generally did not feel well, and i was certainly depressed about my weight. Even though i only joined a week agao, i feel more in tune with what i need to do for myself. I feel like i have gotten so much info and inspiration. I was never able to stick to something and feel so good about it before now.

I agree with everything they have said in the above post. Especially water excersises. They help support you while giving you some resistance to your muscles. Small weights are also a very good suggestion.

With some support, time and effort, i am sure you can feel like a new you in no time.

bf2chick, I just wanted to say hi and offer support. I wanted to tell you, also, that I too suffer from acid reflux and if your heart checked out, you might want to consider the acid reflux as the source of your chest pain. I have terrible chest pain that acts just like cardiac issues but once I get my esophagus straightened out, it eases up a bit. Next time you see a doctor, check it out with him. When my ar acts up, it also makes me feel carpy all over. Nothing feels good.

Also, don't let the lack of equipment get you down. I dropped my gym membership to save money and actually work out more at home using nothing. Yoga dvds can be checked out from your library and are a great way to ease into exercise if you have issues with your back, etc. You can alter the poses to suit your body and increase them as your strength builds. I also found that walking has helped my mood and outlook more than ever working out at the gym did. I still have a long path to trod but it feels better, anyway!

Being menopausal has also brought on a wealth of aches and pains for me and walking has helped reduce those, as well. (Joint pain, all over flu-like pain sometimes, etc.) Its cheap, you can take your children and doesn't require alot of expensive equipment.

Good luck...you will find nothing but support here!