Home Fitness Programs For Obese Individuals

Home Fitness Programs For Obese Individuals		momof2kd
		Jul 17 2008 07:40
Hello, I'm slightly ashamed for posting this seeing as most of you in this section are well-informed and pretty much are not obese. I'm 6'1 in height, female, going on 33 years old, and weigh around 292 pounds last time I was weighed. I started back about a year ago with doing mostly walking on a daily basis. Of course, I also mixed that in with a bit of workout video time. However, I slacked off for a few months. I'm getting back on track with my walking as of late. But, that just doesn't seem like it's enough. I'm a stay at home, single mother. We live in a small town, so the nearest gym is 30 minutes from us. To be frank, between gas prices and gym membership prices, there's no way we could afford it. Which means, I need suggestions on a fitness program that I can complete at home. I know walking can be good and is better than nothing. I'd rather not stop there though. It doesn't seem to be a well rounded workout. I'd like to do a bit of cardio, strength training (I'm not entirely sure what this is and what it includes), and whatever else needed to basically fit in everything that should be included. Please keep in mind that I'm not in very good shape. So, running 5 miles isn't possible at the moment. I'll work up to that level though! Thanks in advance for any input any of you may have.

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#1	littlemalynda	Jul 17 2008 07:50
Hi, Ya know, walking isn't a bad start. I would set a goal... even if it seems like it's under-shooting. First set the goal of walking 1 mile (no matter how fast or slowly) 6 days per week and one day off. Then increase this to a faster pace, same thing; 1 mile per day, 6 days a week. This should help you lose some weight in itself. It will also save your joints and ensure you don't damage yourself. Your body isn't meant to carry that much fat/weight so you really need to be careful and not over stress. Go slow... even if it seems easy it's a good start. Then move onto other exersizes. Most importantly anything to increase circulation... stretch, maybe throw in some yoga poses, or do floor exercizes for 10 minutes while watching TV at night. :) These are all simple ideas and they will help you get active slowly while you lose weight from effective dieting. Remember to go slow... you have your whole life to get sexy! Just take it day by day and if you mess up start over tomorrow. ;) Good luck, and I hope you get your goal!!! -The Formally 210lbs Mel
#2	melkor	Jul 17 2008 07:56
Heh, running in general isn't a very good idea when you're starting out, at least until you've done a strength training program to prepare your body for the pounding it will take. 'course, I felt like you did 60lbs ago, and so did Duke - 300lbs ago. But you're here, and you're starting to treat yourself better, and - well, just one step at a time and you'll get to where you want to be in time. Also, keep in mind that when starting out, just about anything will work for you. it might not be perfect, and something else might work a bit better, but meh, you've got a lifetime to get it right - the first thing to focus on is just to get into the habit of doing something; the details are pretty unimportant compared to the importance of being consistent about something. At the most basic level, strength training is finding something heavy and picking it up a few times. You can see examples of the "equipment" I started with in my gallery :)
#3	thecupcake	Jul 18 2008 05:04
Hey! I found a great work out DVD that I've been raving to everyone about. Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shread (one of the trainers from "The Biggest Loser"). It's a twenty minute work out with 3 levels and she gives you options for modifying moves you may not be strong enough to do. The thing I love about it, is after doing this work out diligently for the past 2 weeks, I'm seeing a lot of results. My arms and legs are a lot more toned and my endurance is up as well. I break a sweat every single day I do this work out. All you need for this DVD is a set of hand weights. It's great because you do 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs 3 times. She also has a warm up and cool down at the beginning and the end. I found this DVD on Amazon.com and it received rave reviews there from everyone who had been using it. I've combined it with doing an hour of cardio at the gym each day. Although you don't have access to the gym, maybe try a half hour of a brisk walk each day and up it by five minutes every week. I made my boyfriend do the workout with me tonight (he didn't even have hand weights AND he is a Marine) and he quit half way through, huffing and puffing and cursing the TV. This is an intense but quick workout and Jillian gives you the motivation you need to keep going. I hope this helps! Best of luck!
#4	hotstratman4u2	Jul 18 2008 06:04
Keep up the good work girl! You have taken the first steps to a new you. I know about that small town thing too. I come from the smallest. It does make it harder. youtube is full of great exercises that you don't need a gym membership to do. hope that helps. Keep on keeping on! Vince
#5	momof2kd	Jul 18 2008 06:33
Thanks to everyone for the advice. I've started back on my Tae Bo and tried a new one that I've had for years, but never tried. The cardio one, and whew, it kicked my behind. I have to modify some of it, but I just keep pushing. Talk about panting and being near passing out. Felt good though. I'm thinking about doing a bit of circuit training (Tae Bo) three times a week and walking the other three until I can get to the point where I can run. Surely, with the calories this site says I burn doing 40 minutes of circuit training with those dvds, I'll get somewhere. I also have hand weights and never thought of looking through Youtube. Lovely advice. Thanks much.
#6	loveschocolate	Jul 19 2008 01:30
Do you have comcast or any other cable with on demand programming? My cable company has a channel that is just on demand fitness videos (mostly workouts, but some informational) done in your living room with minimal stuff, or you can tape/dvr a workout from the fitness channel (for when walking gets too boring). There are strength training sessions, cardio, walking indoors, stretching, etc. Good luck!
#7	melkor	Jul 19 2008 01:49
Yup - when first starting out it's only important that you get the habit down. The details of what you do (and boy do I have a lo to say about that sometime down the road :-P) doesn't matter compared to the effect of consistency in your diet and workout. Well, if you're an exercise nerd like me and want to completely optimise everything you do the details are important, but the most fundamental mistake we often make is to go at it too hard and heavy. First, get into the habit of moving in a way you enjoy, and counting calories. Fiddling around with the details comes afterwards :) (tae-bo? good choice - Billy has some good workouts out there. And go for the sustainable activity - I have a lot to say about what kind of exercise is best for you, but when you're just beginning that is pretty much unimportant compared to doing something you can be consistent at :)
#8	amazighus	Jul 19 2008 01:51
The people above all gave you the advice you need. I am only going to focus on one aspect though. After a while you will get bored, you will feel as if you are just wasting time and losing the weight might take longer than you expect, don't give up though. It's very important you stay motivated and you believe that you are changing your life and not just losing weight. if you ever feel bored or lazy, come and post here and we will push you and motivate you. Good luck
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