Ok so Im 27, male and currently weigh about 337 lbs. I haven't really had a problem losing weight, im averaging about 4.5 lbs a week, but the people at MRC are telling me that im not losing fast enough, they are trying to get me up to like 8-10 lbs each week. The argument between them and me is that i have lost all this weight without getting off the couch. i havent really changed anything except what i eat. They are telling me that im supposed to be exercising every week and that if i did i would lose more weight. the problem is i have alot of fat rolls and dont want to have a lot of sagging skin when this is all over. the doctor that told me to go on a diet said that 2 lbs a week was healthy and anything over that would really be pushing it but i have lost alot more than 2lbs a week. so i guess my question is should i get off the couch and start exercising? and if i do what is a good start up work out for someone who has spent their whole life on the couch?

I'm not doing MRC, but I really enjoy walking. It's simple enough for me to do it without feeling overwhelmed. I also try to go to the gym a couple of times a week and do either the treadmill for 30 mins or the bike for 30 mins coupled with about 20 mins of machines. Honestly though, I prefer the walking. It gets me out and about in nature and I don't feel awkward. At the gym I sometimes feel out of place with fit and slender girls jogging next to me while I struggle to maintain a brisk walk.

Good luck on starting your weightloss. I think that you'll find that you feel much better once you start moving.

yeah they told me that i could go to a gym and get on a treadmill and just walk, but i went to a couple different places and they all told me the same thing....im to heavy to get on a treadmill, how embarrassing.

Hey silverfox! Exercise is never a bad thing! Don't do it just to increase your weight loss per week but do it for your heart and mind. I'm a very heavy exerciser (was 7x a week for 2 hours/day but was cut down to 5x a week for 50 mins/day while on this diet) but I wasn't always this way. I only started working out in an actual gym (I was always an athlete on teams) about 6 years ago. It's extremely intimidating at first but after a week or so, you feel like a regular. Do you have a gym you can go to? If not, just start taking walks. Don't push yourself too much as it's actually better to do light cardio while in ketosis. If you do anything that really exerts yourself, you risk muscle loss. Just committ to taking a 20 or 30 minute walk (whether it be on a treadmill or outside) 3 or 4 times a week. Then once you feel comfortable, maybe throw in some jogging. Also, it might be good to purchase some resistance bands. You can get them from any store like Target or Wal-Mart. Do some google searching on "resistance band movements" and maybe do 2 different movements for each of your muscle groups (1. bicepts, 2. tricepts, 3. shoulders, 4.Quads, 5. Hamstrings, 6. calves) twice a week.

Don't worry so much about the sagging skin. Are you taking the MSM? It's supposed to help reduce joint pain and inflammation, and help keep you skin firm while you lose weight.

Ask questions at your center. Not sure about all centers, but mine has 2 certified trainers on staff that know tons about working out.

Good luck!

Addition: I agree with OnTargetforLife...check with your doctor before you start any exercise program. Especially if you've never followed an exercise routine before.

You might consider an in home walking sytem like Leslie Sansome's "Walk Away the Pounds" DvDs.

She has several that are great for someone starting out and you can always walk in place if something gets tough.

I would also seriously consider checking in with your doc before starting an exercise program. And consider letting him/her know about your diet program. I am a nurse not a doctor but I have to tell you that some of what you wrote made me concerned. I have to be fair and say that I know nothing about MRC.

Good luck to you and congratulations on taking the steps to make changes. That is a huge accomplishment!

I don't see how you are "too heavy" to get on a treadmill. I have seen people who are HUGE go on the treadmill, they don't run, but they walk on it. They also use the other machines. The gym machines are good quality and expensive machines that can take a person of your weight I'd say.

Exercising is good because it will help with the sagging skin, specially if you lift weights- that will help tighten your skin as your muscles develop.

You don't have to go to the gym to get a workout. There are many people who do things like play DDR for half an hour a day to get their workout in, or they go for walks in their neighborhood, ride bikes in their neighborhood, use workout tapes and weights, and so on.

I find it odd they are pushing you to lose 8-10 lbs a week, I mean you are a larger weight so you can lose more weight at a faster rate, but they should be emphasizing exercise, not JUST poundage...

Good luck man.

well my b/f weighs 330 and goes to the gym 3x week and gets on the treadmill or elliptical...so i would say your not too heavy for those i would start out with just walking though, thats all i do for 2 miles at the gym and have managed to lose 2-3 lbs a wee.... good luck

Hi Silverfox,

I've found walking outdoors is much more effective than a treadmill because of the change in terrain. You'll build more muscle because of hills and valleys etc. I myself have challenges of being motivated to exercise and I've found having a buddy to walk and talk with helps tremendously! I have a friend who needs to lose weight too and we've been walking nearly day after work. We work together and as soon as we are off the clock we go to a park across the street and make it part of our schedule. We are accountable to each other so we do it. Also, you can never be too heavy to walk on the sidewalk and all it costs is the cost of a pair of good shoes. I've added weights when I walk for extra calorie burn and muscle building, plus it's good for your bones. I love the fresh air and my friendship with this person has gotten stronger since we've been walking together. It's great therapy! Congrats on the loss you've achieved so far...never give up!

I would start small like parking far away in the parking lots and taking the stairs, then go on to taking walks then maybe some strength training, etc. If you try to start with something really strenuous you will probably give up! (Well if you are anything like me!) I am actually struggling with the same thing, it is hard to change old bad habits! You can do it and congrats on the weight loss...WOW!

Yes, I like the walk n' talk plan! It helps you gauge your heart rate as well. But above all...think 'moving'. You've got to move....at all cost. If it even means cleaning house, walking to the store instead of driving, taking the long way around places...just MOVE. Plus, think of all the stuff you get done by just 'getting up'. Weight watchers activity points give you one point for 20 minutes of house work. That's really big! So in a way, you can trick yourself into moving by simply doing chores. Hope that helps!

I would try walking in a pool if you have one available to you. The buoyancy of the water will keep the weight off of your joints and the resistance will help you to burn more calories.

I, too, am surprised that the gym told you that you are too heavy for a treadmill. My home treadmill has a weight limit of 350 pounds and typically gyms have much better equipment.

Get outside and walk if you can't do anything else.

How did I miss this?

I always say that exercise equipment is just something to spend money on~Walking does you just as good as a treadmill will/can.
I wouldn't be embarressed if I was you~ it's there loss of money.I think they was just being rude.THAT MAKES ME SO MAD~I could kick there butts for ya~! Or with ya HAHAHAHA
After you get to your goal go and say I didn't need your darn treadmill afterall did I?
MY house is my free treadmill~I just walk from room to room.