X post sort of.. exercise question

ok so how do we, as heavyweights, begin to exercise with all the attendant pain?
specifically for me, i have really bad heel pain which my doctor says is ... due to weight, of course! lol
so do i just power through it and limp a long, or is there any thing i can do to help with this?
what did YOU do to get your exercise in?
for me, gyms aren't an option as i cannot afford one, and my apartments don't have a pool - walking is pretty much the only thing i can think to do.. but if you have other ideas, I'M OPEN TO THEM!

thanks in advance

Is there no way you can get to a pool? I found a community pool that charged a small fee for use, and I went in a few days a week and swam as much as I could.

Then I started walking, and I had major foot pain, but I got cortisone shots, orthodics and a cane- helped somewhat but basically hurt and I just sucked it up.

You can also do home exercise videos, I really like the Biggest Loser ones. Also you could get those bands or small weights and so some body weight exercises.

I wish you luck, I know it's not easy, but it will get easier. I can now run miles and ride my bike for hours!!

:Danni

this is so inspiring - one of my dreams is to be able to run someday... even if its only for 10 feet LOL

Thanks! Yeah this surgery has done wonders for me, and my friends. I've got post-op buddies who hike mountains, do Ironman Triatholons, run marathons- it's just amazing!

We bought a used recumbent bike off craigslist for pretty cheap. That helped me get in better shape & when I started walking it was much easier.

I have plantar faciitis a d a heel spur and at 420 lbs, I had excruciating pain. I started by walking 5-10 min at a time. I got good shoes which helped.

Now I'm walking a lot, running, biking, and swimming. And no pain! It's such a huge difference and I actually love exercising.

Jumping into the pool with the other respondents!  I swim five days a week, and it has been FABULOUS!  I am becoming more lean, so the problem is the scale may not move, but I know I am shrinking - in a good way.  Even jus****er Walking is GREAT - think buoyancy! 

I think if you start looking at rec centers in your area, you will find something!  YMCA is a good start, and in my area, some of our hospitals have POOLS - so check around for that as well.  The heat of the therapy pool at my doctors office is amazing!!!  Just have to do a little digging.

OH!!!  I am also doing Sit and Be Fit - on PBS -- their website: sitandbefit.org - if you want DVD's.  It is LOW impact & you can use the chair for support.  Hope this helps!!!!

Brenda : )~

Everyone has given you good responses but I will add-- if your heal pain is unexplained, meaning not just from the weight you need to get your uric acid tested.  Heal pain can be a sign of gout. 

Your PCP can get you a blood test, my uric acid was high right before surgery but I was also eating a lot of lunch meat on my preop diet.  My heals did hurt, but I was not diagnosed with gout.  It is now normal.

Just something to check out.

Walking as best you can and swimming is great!  Good luck! JJ

I had ankle problems. What worked for me was a rowing machine. Not only did it take the stress off my ankle until I lost some weight, It involves more muscle groups, so you burn more calories than walking, about 30% more per minute according to most exercise calculators.

I bought a $200 treadmill ( With a 250 lb weight limit) when I was 400lbs.  I walked for one TV commercial at a time on it.  Then I worked up to all the commercials.  Eventually I turned on music instead and did a whole song, then two, and so on.  I HATED that rickety cheap thing but it got me moving in the privacy of my own living room, and eventually I was able and ready to go outside and walk.  Spandex is my friend....it helps support everythig when I walk.  I tried running but the flopping about made NOISE so I went back to walking.  Spandex helped with my swelling too..and wear support knee highs and good sneakers  ;)  I like New Balance 606's...in the summer I wear only Teva Pretty Rugged Nylon.  I walked (and still do) in the woods alot, softer ground = less foot pain.  cement hurts!  Is there somewhere you can walk on dirt or grass?  It REALLY helped me.