Newbie

Have started program yesterday and am looking forward to giving my best effort.  I have had an open ulcer on my right foot for over three years and have not been able to walk much or go in pool.  I gained all this weight as a result.  Any other sedentary peolple out there with battle stories or suggestions.

Hi!  not sedentary, but I'm definitely new! good luck to both of us!

I have a condition called interstitial cystitis. Basically, it's a bladder condition where the walls of my bladder are stiff and scarred and full of ulcers. As a result, my bladder doesn't stretch much, but if I eat or drink certain things, it causes something similar to an allergic reaction inside my bladder. Well, prior to my diagnosis, I didn't know what things I should or shouldn't be eating or drinking, so my bladder was constantly having this reaction. Over time, it caused all of the muscles in my core and pelvis to be constantly in spasm as well. I couldn't do anything that involved my core or I would end up in the hospital. I obviously gained weight, not only from lack of movement, but also because I was miserable and eating to try and cope. After my diagnosis, I literally had to retrain all of the muscles in my core to function properly. I learned to take it very slowly. I still struggle with my condition sometimes, but it has gotten better. It has taken me two years, but I have lost 30 pounds so far. Just remember to take it slowly. This isn't a marathon. It's a journey, and if you have set backs, be kind to yourself. You are changing your life.

Exercise is cumulative, so if you can go for a couple of short walks in a day ...including shopping... add the minutes together and there you go!!!

I started out just a little workout at a time, and i tell you a person can't do much at 650 pounds.  But I started workouts as a way to try and save what muscle I had, and slowly worked up to where I am reasonably fir today.  even if i have another 120 pounds to go before i reach my GW of 250. 

But I moved most of the weight off by burning it off, not by starving it off.  Like me, start small at your bedside if you have to.  Keep it up, and soon you will see results!!

I also started yesterday on this site! So much to explore! I have been exercising every morning and sticking to my diet for a good week now. I'm in physical therapy for my knee and my therapist told me to stop exercising on my own today. He wants to see how ell just the PT works for 2 weeks before deciding when to do the surgery. This news is very depressing to me. I'm a single mom of a 4 year old girl and I'm only 25 years old so knee surgery seems very scary. But I want to prove to myself that I have the will power to stick to my diet the best I can and still do "non-knee" exercises! Trudge forward everyone!!!! =)