Excercise over 450lbs

Ok, so I have a bmi of over 77 - I weight over 450 - surgery is in October. I really am eager about doing excercise, but there is not much i can do without huffing and puffing, sweaty, beat red face.... need some recommendations? I know... walking... but if you saw me walking down the street, it wouldnt be pretty and i dont need the extra attention just yet.... don't know what to do. Someone said Curves, but my concern is actually being able to get in/on those machines and not getting stuck! and being able to do the program! I can't believe no one has come up with a gym/class geared specifically to WLS patients... only makes sense!!

At 530 lbs, my exercise options were limited because, frankly, I couldn't do a whole lot. I started using an armbike (tabletop model) every day. When I first started, I could only do a few reps, but now I'm able to do a mile without feeling winded. It's a pretty good aerobic workout. Other ideas include the "Chair Dancing" video, an exercise video in which all the exercises are done while seated. It's very invigorating. Also, if you live anywhere near a warm water therapy pool, you can check to see if they offer classes. The pool in my area offers a variety of classes for people with bad joints, people of all ages and abilities, etc. If water aerobics doesn't do it for you, just walking around in a pool will provide good exercise without killing your knees. Kix 530/426 pre-op

Thanks for the great info! Where would I get the chair dancing video? and a tabletop armbike? never even heard of that! I'm so sheltered! you can email me - [email protected]

The exercise therapist at my wls center made me get a heart monitor and just get my heart rate up for like 20 minutes to begin with. I did not have to do much to get the heart rate high. I took it to work one day and figured out why I came home tired. I started just walking. I do not think I made much real progress before surgery as far as getting fit but it did get me to start a program which has really paid off. I remember trying to get started on my exercise program and walking along a rode when a car pulled up and someone yelled out boy are you fat. Hurt my feelings. Good luck

Hey, John: I was coming home from a medical appointment the other day, and when the van dropped me off at my house (I use accessible transit and walk with a walker), the landscapers working on my neighbor's yard stared at the van when it stopped at the house. They stared at me while the lift was lowering me to the driveway. They stared at me as I walked to the curb to check the mailbox, and they stared at me as I walked up the driveway. I had to control the urge to walk over and ask them, "Since you seem so entranced by my beauty, would you like to take a picture?" The only reason I didn't go over there is because what I really wanted to do was clop 'em with my walker, and I'm too cute to survive in jail! You gotta ignore idiots. They are really not worth the bother. Kix

People can be so cruel - that's just horrible. Last year I was at the grocery store when this little girl started pointing at me and screams "look at that ugly, fat lady over there!" - she said it over and over and over. The mother did nothing, just went about like nothing was happening. While everyone else kept staring at me. God, it was horrible. She would also look at old people and yell "look at those ugly old people!" That kid was just horrible, almost seemed possessed. I still get a panicky feeling when I walk into the store - I have noticed that I try to go late at night when there are no kids, I didn't even realize I was doing that until recently. It's amazing the affect people can have on us.

Hi, One of the best things I did early on was to get into a Y water-aerobics class. Water displaces something like 40%+ of your weight and if you can get into an arthritis oriented class, even better. And trust me on this, don't worry about how you'll look in a swimsuit, no one in these types of classes is a bathing beauty, ever. Usually they're seniors who are trying to stay active, and they're accepting of body flaws. Also, water-exercise is one of the best types you can do ... you work all muscles. All the best to you! Myra G

Hi, I weigh 453 and have back problems. I started push mowing and just regular housework- done continuously as some of my exercise. I also have several exercise videos I bought cheep off ebay that I like. There is a mile walk video that is good and I have really enjoyed a Jenny craig video called lets get moving . It has lots of places that it will say..if you feel like stopping please go to the cool down section. I felt so proud when I could get to the second point where it said that. I agree with the water exercise if you can..I just dont have anywhere like that nearby (I live out in the country). My dr. gave me a book with sports band exercises and stretches to do pre op (I will have surgery soon..I should find out Friday). I know they sell the sports bands and videos at walmart and I have a friend that uses those alot. The stretches have helped my back alot. Good luck!! Shellie

Michelle, Get in a pool and just walk. Plus just start walking down a hallway in an air conditioned building back n forth, even put a chair close by to stop and rest. start with ten minutes and add each week. My goal was to walk last year in the "Walk from Obesity" which is all around our nation in september. I now swim and hour of laps plus an hour long water aerobics class. My surgeon as per the 6 month diet my insurance wanted put me on Protein only thus I lost 40 pounds before my surgery date. Last Christmas I was 600 pounds . At my RNY, May 10th I was 560. It's now been 41 days and I get weighed tomorrow(Thursday) I'm sure I'm under 500.30 days out I had lost 50 lbs. already. I'm lucky I get a free gym membership through my insurance. And I go to a YMCA. Is there a YMCA or YWCA in your area? If money is tight, they both have a Scholarship Program, where your membership fees are based on your income. Before I got insurance, I was paying $10.00 per month to use their facilities. Just stay positive and you'll make it. Also check the OH site for contests. This month their giving away a great exercise video made for WLS patients. It's also in the OH book store. God Luck, Mike

Hello Michelle, my bmi is over 77 too, so I can relate to the exercise dilema. My knees are shot and I can barely walk. My dietitian suggested "Sit and Be Fit". Just type it into an internet search. The program can be purchased but it is also shown on many PBS stations--usually at a ridiculus hour--but that it what recorders are for. There are still some things that I can only do a modified version, but it is a step in the right direction. Other exercise videos I found too aggresive, and though I love the pool at the Y, the stairs are too steep for me right now. Let us know what works for you. It never hurts to have more than one option. Best of everything to you on your journey. E.