[thischick]

Hey Ashley,

Thanks for reading my post. I know not everyone is going to feel the same way as I do about every issue, but it's nice to just say what I'm really thinking and feeling sometimes, you know what I mean? Don't get me wrong, I'm mad as hell at myself for letting me get this way, I just think there should be better options out there to fix it. Exercise is hard in its' own way to every larger person for various reasons that have to do with body size. Someone really should take the time to come up with decent solutions to the starting to exercise dilemma overweight people go through. It really does take an iron will to start an exercise program when a person is extremely overweight. Problems with co-ordination arise, heart rate issues, being able to do the moves properly and just being able to keep up are serious issues nobody seems to want to deal with. The biggest issue is how you feel the next day when you positively ache all over and wonder if you can really do it all over again & it takes time but eventually the weight comes off & the pain goes away. My vent was expressing these concerns. Seriously overweight people risk exercise-related injury every time they exercise with "conventional" exercise that is all that's out there for us right now. So when you say you've lost 80 pounds and you have made exercise a serious part of your life, I have to commend you, really. :grin: I know how hard you must have worked to get here. How much you must have suffered, sweated, and probably felt like (or did) cry after working out in the early days. You deserve your happiness and your success. You've earned it. Maybe someday though, somebody really will make an effort to develop & even research safe exercise practices for the severly overweight. Maybe then the system will change. Maybe then more people will come to exercise with the idea that it's good for them instead feeling like we've just been put through the rack! :grin:

[Ian Robertson]

You are not alone. Committing to exercise is extremely difficult for many people, in fact I would say most people. Have you ever tried water aerobics? If not, try and enroll in a class at the Y or something and see if that feels better for your joints. Also, you said youd din't like the recumbent bikes because of the premature fatigue factor. However, you might not be going slow enough or another option would be to break up a 20 minute bike ride into sets of 4-5 minutes and then take breather for little bit. Since cardiovascular exercise is dependent on an elevated heart rate, that's what you should be concerned about. Your maximum heart rate can be calculated by subtracting your age from the number 220. Do not exceed this number and try to work between 55%-85% of your maximum heart rate. As for your strength training, perform 20-25 repetitions for at least several sets. Keep it challenging, whole body, and only take breaks when you feel that you NEED to and not when you WANT to.

[phengirlca]

Oh ladies...I so know what you are feeling. I started phen last Aug, and had some physical problems that made it very painful to do any type of cardio exerciese. But I am tired of being a "swamp donkey" and hurt at the fact that my son gets teasted because of me. I stuck it out, pain, sweat and all. I was 34 lbs down, having taken a 2 month break from phen. I did however gain back 10 lbs, but have now lost 5 of that 10 since starting at the gym. I got a membership for Christmas. The first day there, I got on the elliptical, went for 2 min and just about died....I could barely stand. Now 2 1/2 weeks later, I am doing 30 min.on that reched machine. I can totally relate to what thischick is saying, I feel the same way. I wish there was a place that was only for us "morbidly obese" people. But unfortunatly there isnt. I say do your best, something is better than nothing. I am always here for suppport and encouragement for all of you. There are days ( many of them) that I feel I just cant do this anymore,.....those are the days we all need each other the most. Please please please dont hesitate to contact me, its always easier when others feel and understand what we feel. Have a great day everyone.

[poohbear]

I'm not one to exercise in front of anyone,in fear of being judged,but maybe until you loose an amount that makes it easier for your legs,you could do less stressful things.You could use a pool,it would be less jaring on your body,maybe just marching in place in the water and raising your arms up and down over your head in reps with maybe 2 or 4 lb.weights.Maybe sitting in a chair and doing leg lifts from the knee down and doing the same with your arms.And if you can only last a few minutes,so be it,just do it serveral times a day to add up.Anything is better than nothing at all.Good luck

Poohbear