Tuesday: 1,2,3 Let's Exercise- Motivate BMI's Over 50+

I will copy the same thread for about a wee****il i get regualr familar faces. Thanks everyone that shared there challenge yesterday. We all help each other in so many ways.

Orginal post:
I started this post partly to start more activity within this forum. People starting with BMI's 50+ share an extra something in common and understand the challenges that it takes to become healthy and stay motivated even after a stall. Most of us face the overwhelming reality that not even 100, 125 or 150 lbs is enough to get us to a fully healthy state. This daily post is just to announce what you have done physically to add to your overall health. As we all know, exercise is an essential key and it provides benefits in tremendous ways.

My heaviest was 383 lbs and by surgery date i was 368 lbs. I have walked from week one following surgery and along the course i have gotten discouraged but always stayed passionate to continue my journey. It was hard and i sometimes cried along the way but i feel so much better because exercise is fueling me with energy, hope, inspiration and the drive that's needed to continue long term. I workout 4-5 days a week and my activity changes from day to day however, cardio is always in the program. Rather your 2 months or 8 yrs post op we're all going through the same fight equally. I've had to build up to where i am today but it doesn't matter if you can only walk 10 minutes to start, the point is; YOU'VE STARTED.

Remember nothings to little, every stride counts and that's what matters.

LET'S MOTIVATE....LET'S MOVE...LET'S CONTINUE THE FIGHT


What is your "Let's Exercise Challenge" today? Please Share...

Today i will do atleast 4 miles elliptical with resistance and kettle bells for arms. I'm up late so lord give me strength today. Good luck everyone.

Thank you so much for starting this thread! Today I will walk at least 3 miles either on the treadmill or outside. I also plan to do at least 15 minutes of strength training with dumbells, some pushups, squats, lunges, and a little ab work. I'm having some trouble sleeping tonight, so I thought I would check out my favorite board.

At this point in my journey, exercise is a source of energy and conversly calms me down when I am stressed. It just helps me feel so good to move!! I worked graveyard shift the last 4 nights, and my sleep schedule is all messed up. If I had exercised yesterday, I know I'd probably be sleeping like a baby now.

My plan for exercise today is 30min with the Wii Fit and 5min Elliptical.

Have a great day all! 

I haven't done any form of exercise for so long - and I really need to start doing something.  I thought the Wii Fit (and now they have a dance one) would be fun to try - but expensive for me as I don't have anything for it.

Do you find it gives you a pretty good workout?  Does it do any cardio?  Is there a weight limit?  (I would hate to buy everything and then break it as soon as I stood on it!!)

I have ordered a yoga for weight loss and a pilates for weight loss, and I look forward to both of those (I enjoyed those classes when I had the nerve to go to the gym), but I know I need more.

Thanks!

Hi there,

The Wii Fit board does have a maximum weight of 330.  I just found out today from a friend that it will not let you play anything if it calculates you are over the 330 mark.  That said, when I first bought the Fit and placed it on my floor (which is a regular carpeted floor with a large rug on top of it), I didn't add the leg extenders to the Fit (they're not mandatory) and it calculated me as 30 lbs lower than what I knew I really was.  Since then, I added the extenders and it weighs me very accurately compared to my regular scale.   Basically, the leg extenders add scale accuracy. 

If you don't already have a Wii, it does get expensive, because you need to buy the Wii and the Wii Fit Plus, around a total of $300. 

I truly do give it two thumbs up though.  I'm 313 (have weighed as much as 380) and what I like is there are many levels of ability.  The exercises do not last that long, or you can create a training program where they do run longer.  Whether you're interested in improving your balance (fun games like skiing and snowball dodging), strength, flexibility, or upping your heart rate with cardio, the Wii Fit Plus has a lot of fun options.

What I especially like is that it's right here in my living room and I can hop on for short periods of time.  My other workout equipment is in the basement (out of sight, out of mind) and it feels like it takes more effort to use.  

I did the yoga exercises and a few of the cardio and I was sweating profusely and very sore the next day.  The boxing and the step aerobics definitely gets my heart up.  I guess it all depends on your current fitness level and what aspects of exercise you enjoy (playing cute games like Fit  hula-hooping isn't everyone's cup of tea).

If I were you, I would start off with the DVD's you ordered and see how much you like them.  And maybe find a friend that has a Wii Fit and try it out... I bought before I really thought through whether it'd be a good fit for me... it worked out fine, but I probably should have been more thoughtful about such an expensive purchase.

Oh, you asked me specifically if it does cardio.  The exercises it has for cardio include running, bicycling, boxing, Kung-Fu, hula-hooping, step aerobics, etc.  Apparently the better you get/more you play, the more games become unlocked (or the harder levels do)... we just got it, so I don't know just how many there are.

Man I'm long winded :) Hope this helps! 

Thanks Michelle!  That is exactly the information I was looking for!!

I will probably look into it when I am closer to the 330 mark (another 28 pounds to go).  I know I should be able to get my butt outside and walk, but I am so self-conscious of people watching me and laughing.  I know - it sounds pretty self-centred, but, I have had people yell out comments when I have been walking, and that just starts the whole cycle of emotional eating all over again!

And thanks everyone else - you are motivating me to actually get active!

I totally hear you about the self concious thing.  I'm not comfortable using equipment in a gym.  Though, I did get over a bit of my issues when I started taking water aerobics.  I was horrified initially at getting in the pool at my highest weight, but I fell soooo in love with water aerobics.  It was exercise I could do for a full hour, feel like I was getting a good workout, but not do damage to my joints or completely lose my breath.   This past summer I semi-led a group of women and loved it... "Screw what people think of you in a bathing suit!" I told myself.  Being in the water is theraputic to me.  I just need to apply a bit of that attitude to other forms of exercise!  LOL

I'm headed to the gym today at 6:00 and will do 25 minutes on the treadmill and 10 min on the elliptical.

My goal is to move more!  A total knee replacement last year, foot problems and my fitness level have me limited... but I'm starting.  Yesterday I walked a lot - around the hospital where my husband is right now.  It was at least something.  I went home, and back to hospital in the evening, more walking.  I'll keep going and really try and get on the exercycle by the end of the week!  I need the stress release.