Simply walk

Hi,

I am 52 and 35 lbs over weight.  I am limited to certain activity such as running, jumping etc., due to a weak bladder and other, wonderful, medical problems I will not get in too lol. 

Most of us can walk.  I have incorporated 45 minutes of walking and 30 minutes of floor exercises.  It has only been a week but I have lost 5 lbs and my energy level is rising.  In one more week I will up my walk to an hour and my floor exercise to 40 minutes.  I know the key is remaining consistent. 

I wish you the best on your journey.  I for one am thankful we have this site.  Good company.

blessings

April

About fitness, when I first started dancing I was tired at the end of class but not any more. It is not as exhausting as some other types of dancing. There is no jumping. Also, in my classes there is quite of bit of standing around while the teacher explains a move. This was very helpful at first because it gave me a chance to catch my breath. Now I don't think of the dancing as a workout but as a fun activity that also gives me some exercise. No need to wait to lose weight first unless you have some physical limitations. Just jump in.

NEVER let a pound or a few pounds stop u from doing anything.

DO IT NOW!

How many things have u stopped from doing because of how much u weigh?

It isnt about weighing, its about DOING.

Do it to your personal level of fitness- like anyone would do anything. No level to work to except your own.

The best thing i ever learned from a yoga teacher?

Keep your eyes on your own mat - everywhere.

Get out your scarves and tell your belly to get ready to rock and roll!

This is day four of walking. Today was the hardest yet. It was hot and windy and I had to take a four yr old and a dog with me. But you know what? I found I could still walk for an hour and not tire as easily as I did the first couple of days. In spite of the heat and wind (which felt oh so good on the last leg) I made good timing! I'm feeling good!

~Maggie

Congrats on those first lbs! My daughter danced ballet for 13 years and wasn't one of the skinny ballerinas. Well, after quitting such intense workouts 6 days a week, she ended up going from 115 to 160 in very little time. One thing, she is petite - 5' 2". So, the weight really showed on her. She also suffers from exercise induced asthma, so it gets tricky for her (she used to use an inhaler, but is not getting treated, as I am also, through Oriental Medical treatment).

 I have always been a proponent of losing weight in a healthy way. I don't believe in crash diets, or doing hours and hours of exercise. She is now slowly losing the weight in a super healthy manner. I told her to set 3 month goals, and not make unrealistic ones. It's best to go slow and steady, as it gives you the time to adjust to the changes. Otherwise, one is so irritable, resentful, tired, and just plain hungry a lot of the time.

I gave my story on the welcome site, but will give you a short version. Having been skinny most of my life, due to serious food allergies, I ended up going from 118 to 160 in 8 short months. I could have easily kept gaining weight, as I fianally was able to eat foods without having diarrhea episodes on almost a daily basis for many, many years.

I used to run, but now believe in rebounding and hula hopping which I just started 4 weeks ago. According to some sites, 1 hour of hula hooping equals 600 calories burned!!! I was so amazed at how quickly my body started changing, no lie. The rebounding is an answer to an ex runner, as there is no pain for me at all! I only bounce up to 1/2 at any given period.

My husband broke and separted his shoulder in 5 areas a few years back. He was misdiagnosed by 3 doctors, who said it was just a sprain. He endured excruciating pain for 7 months, until a sports doctor who works on famous athletes (we live in Santa Barbara) finally diagnosed him correctly and performed shoulder surgery. Well, in 8 months time he wasn't able to exercise (he is super athletic) -- he gained lots of weight. The only exercise he was able to do during his recovery from surgery was walking. He walked everyday for an hour on the beach and lost all of the weight without breaking a sweat. He walked slowly, and never pushed himself. He was so shocked to discover how easily one could loose weight through walking. Keep in mind that we need to add 2,000 steps to our day (2,000 steps equals only one mile. Imagine what 3 miles does for you!) to burn calories more efficiently.

Don't worry about the lbs coming off slowly, you'll eventually see bigger numbers. Always remember that the inches come off first, then the pounds. Keep up your exercise, watch portion control, drink water before every meal, and up the veggies and fruits (avoid salad dressings - but balsamic vinegar or a lemon wedge is a good alternative).

You are on the road to a healthier lifestyle. You are in a great community!

Very inspirational post, learningnewtricks!

In late March I stated on this thread that I was going to check out belly-dancing.  Well, yesterday my husband and I were downtown near the building where he saw the women dancing, so we checked it out.  I got the number to sign up for a beginner's class and entered it into my phone. 

There were some women practicing and I thought, "Can I really expose my stomach apron?"  The answer is "Yes!", I know it is, but this is so outside my comfort zone that I'm needing to take baby steps.  Next step:  Call the number.  Before the dance class goes out of business and the building falls to the ground.

Mad4moon -  I'm not sure how that class is, but in my class all you need to wear is comfortable clothing that you can move in.  Most of the gals wear tank tops with either yoga pants, shorts, or long skirts with a hip scarf (it's fun to make the coins jingle).  Bellydancing is a wonderful thing - it gets you back in touch with your body, isolating muscle groups.  It's a personal challenge to get those body parts to move like you want them to.  I laugh at myself all the time - I'm not a dancer by nature, but there's something very earthy and sensual in the movements.  It just makes me happy.  Take that step.......

Hi,

I never could hula hoop, but it sounds like fun, I'm going to try and do it again 40 something years later.  Wish me luck

I think everyone should go outside of their comfort level and try new things, what's the worst that can happen?  Someone laughs, usually its you at yourself.  I have a belly dancing dvd, its fun, it re-connects a woman back with her femininity and again its fun, and its an excuse for new clothes, wait until you buy the belt made out of bells and the bracelets for your arms and ankles.  If you're going to do it, enjoy it.  I like the sound of the bells.  Good luck.

Thank you everyone for the reminder to get out of our comfort zones. I really needed to hear that today. I find it so easy to stay where I'm at and not try new things (especially exercise related) because I think I will look stupid or won't remember the steps. Exercise should not be about steps, it should be about movement and expenditure. I burn tons of calories on the treadmill or elliptical crosstrainer, and never think a second about how I look or "the steps". Yet, those exercises do not glamorize my femininity or celebrate my curves. Dance does, doesn't it?

I can't say I will try a bellydancing class because I am not sure that we have one locally, but I promise to you all to try something new this week. At this second, I don't know what that will be but I will keep you posted.

Thanks again for the encouragement and the empowerment pep talk. I really need to hear other women who are comfortable in their own skin.

J-mom

hula hoop dancing is all the rage now - google hooping.org.  It's a really cool website devoted to hoop dancing including videos on tricks of the week and performances from all over the world...and a music player with several great hooping tunes that can be purchased from itunes.  I took a couple hoop dancing classes that were offered at a dance studio last summer and got hooked.  It definitely works the abs, while being loads of fun at the same time.  A great stress buster after a frustrating day at the office!!!!

No kidding! Our hula hoop class is full, and all but 3 of us are young 20 something year old UCSB students. I hadn't hula hooped in many, many years, but it sure came back! It's so amazing how quickly my body is getting more toned up just from this funny sport. We do lots of tricks, but I am not quite as adept as my daughter. It's fun to do it with her, as we both encourage each other. We also think the other one looks so cute! I just started adding holding 2 lb weights while hooping -- man did my arms get a workout!

I just saw the movie The Hudsucker Proxy (Cohen Bros. movie) through NetFlicks-- it was so funny because the hula hoop was a main attraction in the movie. 

We also have a total gym and elliptical, but I find rebounding and hooping even more effective. Plus, I have those machines outside, and I can use the rebounder and hula hoop while either listening to music or watching TV. 

Going out of the comfort zone is key to embracing a healthy lifestyle. I initially worried how I would be perceived by the young, fit UCSB students in my class. Well, there was no reason to worry because age becomes irrelevant in the exercise world, especially around other females who are somewhat out of shape. We encourage each other and also laugh together. It really can be rather funny watching others learn new tricks. I don't mean it in a bad way, but it's funny because we, too, look funny to others. 

I used to belong to a health club where a woman was over 200 lbs overweight. Well, she stuck to going on a weekly basis and didn't care how she looked. In the period of a year and a half, she slowly, but steadily lost 150 lbs and now looks great. I told her one day how she served as my inspiration, and she was shocked because I was one of the women she had as an inspiration! So, even when one thinks they look silly when exercising, like a huge blob, and disgusted with their own looks, someone else perceives us in a totally positive light. Many times we are our own worst enemy and derail the positive steps we make.

I envy that you have an ongoing hula hoop class!  The classes at the studio were just a novelty thing since the instructor happened to be on the east coast visiting her mom for vacation.  I haven't tried a rebounder - my house is very small and I've already got more unused equipment than I care to admit.  I've been taking kettlebell classes which I adore.  Just bought a kettlebell today at Target so I can practice my swings at home (and get some extra cardio in).

You are so right about how we can be our own worst enemy.  I'm the largest woman I've seen in my kettlebell class....and the weakest.  At moments it's discouraging because I'm just so out of shape, that I feel like giving up.  At least there are no mirrors in the studio!  But I'm already seeing a difference - and I keep telling myself that it's all baby steps.  The support I get from CC is also making a difference.  Realizing that I'm not the only one with weight issues is a big help.  This website is a blessing!

And how did you FEEL after running the Boston Marathon.  I can imagine how exilerating that must have been.  You need to get that feeling back, even if just from having a good, brisk one hour walk.  Good luck!

Congrats on the "Boston" xlshortround!! I too ran a Marathon in 2004 for my 50th birthday present to myself. It was the 4th most emotional feeling I have ever experienced-crossing that finish line, (besides my marrage and the birth of my son and daughter.) The feeling of pesonal accomplishment cannot be matched. I to have had a hard time since then. I have put on 50lbs since then. While training for the 2205 Detroit 26.2 I step off a paved path at mile 12 and felt a pop in my knee. it was the meniscus. Second time same knee. Another surgery and more therapy and it feels better. But with this wieght gain it's hard to get a running program going. Doctor says cool it down to 5 & 10 Ks. I WISH I COULD GET THERE! I don't want to start running again till I get below 180. 40 more lbs to go. It was easy to drop weight training for a Marathon, THIS is tough. Walking, riding a bike and watching what I eat has had some sucsess but its SO SLOW! I want to run again so bad but I don't want to blow out my knee again. Do you find it hard to not be able to run like I do?

LOL, LOL  Nooo!  Its funny, I remember how great I used to feel and the craving for a good run but when I actually start to run it just isnt the same.  When I see people running and they are moving along at nice rythmic pace I get jealous because I remember the Zen like feeling that it brings.  Your body is basically moving by itself and your mind is free to wander anywhere or conquer any problem. 

Physically, I think now I am better off walking but the high of finishing the marathon will never leave me.

Good Luck with your rehab!

Hi All, A newbie here and just started to get my act together and need to loose weight as no fun being huge. In denial until now and feel like a blob. Me and my weight are ready to part company on a healthy eating plan. Monday 25th May 2009 is start day for the extra 60 pounds and I to part company.

Hi bertiecat,

You may feel like a blob, but you aren't one, so don't put yourself down there are enough people out there who will do that to you enough, so love yourself.

Saying goodbye to old ways of eating and saying hello to a new healthy lifestyle is good for you.  I made that decision and I'm trying hard to learn helathy living.  Blessings to you.

Susan1154

Hi Ladies,

Does anyone have a recommendation for belly dancing classes in Springfield, Missouri? I've found a couple of troupes, but don't know much about them. Thanks!

Barbara

My job has a summer program of exercise that I joined.  We formed teams of 10 people and we keep track of any sort of exercise that we do and then it gets converted  into miles.  I am not sure how accurate their measurements are, BUT it is motivation.  The goal is to track all the miles from all the teams and see how many times we  would have walked back & forth from our district offices.  They gave us pedometers and a CD.  I am short and have a very short stride and I can not cover alot of mileage on breaks, etc. but I am out there walking and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.  It is fun being part of a team just for fun.  And it is helping my lower back problem.

Sharon

Over the years, I have been an exercise hater! It didn't matter what kind of exercise it was, I hated it! Late last year, my 14-years younger sister challenged me to do a triathlon in August...I weighed 250 at the time. I was immediately going to scoff at the idea and then I thought, why not? Is the challenge in winning the race or participating in it...OR...is it in getting your body ready for it? So, I started my exercise program on December 26 and joined the YMCA on January 3 and began swimming and treadmilling. I also filled in with Wii Fit on days I didn't go to the Y. I bought a brand new hybrid bike as soon as the snow stopped flying (Wisconsin) and I now bike between 10-15 miles 4-5 times a week. The thing is that I have exercised EVERY single day since I began my program...I have not missed one day. I've exercised through a couple of not real bad colds and one case of the stomach flu...thank God my treadmill at home is close to the bathroom! At this point, it's a huge challenge for me to not give in and stop my streak. The really beautiful thing is that my activities have stopped being "exercise" and have just become what I do to be healthy. I love being active!

I'm down another 30 pounds and I feel great! This has been a life saver for me as in an earlier post from someone else, my son also passed away last year in an accident and I was floundering and drowning in grief. I am now so much healthier both physically and mentally. I live my life with the philosphy that I don't want to have any regrets. Going back to the person I was before would fill me with regret and I won't be that person ever again.

We are all traveling along a journey and we just need to take charge of where that journey takes us!