Hello, I'm visiting from the SBD forums. I need some advice on exercise, and this seems like just the place to get it!

As you can see from my ticker, I'm pretty heavy, although I'm working on it! I am fairly sedentary, and I need to change that. I have some obstacles, though, so I wondered if some of you could make some recommendations? I'm not really familiar with different types of exercise, so I don't know what to try.

I have asthma (exercise-induces as well as allergic), so pretty much any kind of running type exercise is out. Also, I have a bad back from an old injury, as well as bad knees (due to my weight), so I need something that is easy on both.

I'm looking for something I can get a DVD for, so I can do them at home. I'm in college, as well as a SAHM, so my schedule is hectic and varied. I don't necessarily want something that will be my only exercise all my life, just something to get me moving with the intention of re-evaluating my needs and capabilities when I've lost more weight. I'm on a budget (due to college expenses), so while I'm willing to buy a dvd, I'm not willing to buy special equipment or join a club - I'd have to stop buying food if I did, which is hardly fair to my DS and DH!

I've thought about pilates, yoga, or bellydancing, but I've never done any of those, so I don't know if they'd suit. I am at least reasonably flexible, so I don't need to worry about that so much.

Any advice or recommendation would be greatly appreciated!

Hello there as you can see i'm pretty heavy also, so far all I do is walk I sarted at 5min then to 10 then 15 and so on now I do 1 mile a day and i'm going to increase that this week ( my mini goal for the week) go to a shool track to walk around or just get out the door and walk around the block, just start slow, some people use "walk away the pounds" videoI
have not used it
but alot of people do and like good luck to you

Does your public library have execise videos? You can borrow them just to check out the moves, you probably know already which moves aren't good for you or at least you will after you try it for a few minutes

I get a lot of my exercise videos and equipment from garage sales and friends who buy every new piece of equipment and then after a few years get tired of it.

Sarah

Hoosierlady - I can't do a lot of walking - too hard on my back and knees. I can do a little, but then it takes me a few days to recover - even a heavy bout of shopping is enough to affect me that way. I think I'll be able to pick up on the walking as I lose weight, but for now I just need something to kickstart me.

Hi Sarah! My library does have tapes but not many DVDs, and we don't have a VCR (at least, not a working one!). No, I haven't the vaguest idea of what moves I could do. I can't bend my knees too deeply or kneel on them. That's all I know. That's why I thought I'd see if anyone had some suggestions to point me in the right direction. The last time I tried a few minutes of something, I hurt my knees so badly I could barely walk the next day. I don't want to repeat that if I can help it!

I started doing light weights while sitting on a footstool. I just played with doing arm things. It all uses calories.

Definitely try bellydancing. It's very low impact for your knees. It does work up a sweat but is not too difficult so you won't be breathing hard like with aerobics. I like Rania's weight loss 4 disc set. You can get it on ebay for around $20. The only caution I would say is skip the "undulations" if your back is too bad. They are like doing a roll using your abs and back. You'll see what I mean if you try it. It also works your upper body because you hold your arms up most of the time. The set that I mentioned even has a toning segment on each dvd (arms, abs, etc). Good luck!

Try looking on Craig's list or at a freecycle site for your area. I gave away my VCR on freecycle, so I'm betting you could find a working one. Maybe some exercise videos too. I work in a library and we still have way more videos than DVDs.

Thanks for the recommendations!

If you're a SAHM why not take the kids swimming? They could go to a kids class while you get a few laps in...

2frustrated - thanks for the idea, but my son's not yet even 2 - a little too young for that!

I decided to try a Richard Simmons dvd - my DH rolled his eyes when I mentioned Richard Simmons, but it looked like fun to me - and it's for me, not him! I can remember my mom doing "sweatin to the oldies" when I was a kid, so I guess my "Richard Simmons Supersweatin Party off the Pounds" set to 80's music will be my version of it! DS loves music and dancing around, so he can hop around to the music while I'm exercising - it'll be fun for him, too.