Excercise over 450lbs

When I started water aerobics, I weighed 571 pounds. I lost 41 pounds before my surgery. My knees weren't in the best shape, but I took a high impact class. They let you go at your own pace, and I found that going faster and getting my heartrate up made me feel healthy and energized. I started out doing one class twice a week. Within a couple of months, I was doing back-to-back classes twice a week and swimming laps two or three days a week. I've lost about 150 pounds. I'd be specific, but I haven't been on a scale since April. That's next week Good luck!

Michelle, I joined Curves at over 435 lbs. It was hard getting in the machines at first, but now I can do it fairly easily. I am 425 lbs now. I actually enjoy the workout, it does not hurt my back like walking does, I think because you get to sit down on the machines every other one or so. I was so self conscious when I first went, I cried all the way home the first day and tried to go when no one else was there. But everyone is so kind and now I have people I see everytime I go there and I like it. It's amazing how much better I feel, and the other day, I was able to walk 12 blocks!! I got a new Ipod, and I was so excited about it I walked farther than I thought I could. I have the chair dancing video and I HATE it. I find it harder to do than Curves. Just decide on something a stick to it. You can do it! Julie in WA

Hey michelle, mall walking is a good option. Most malls open 2 or 3 hours before their stores open to allow people to come in to walk. It's usually air conditioned and there are not many people in it. Stretchy bands work really well...they are extremely cheap (although i recommend in investing in the ones with better handles) and you really can work up your heart rate by doing sets at a quicker pace. Walk away the Lbs videos r good too. Bascially at your weight and fitness level ..anything you do will raise your heart rate enough to start. You can also buy a step (as in step arobics) and a step arobic video. The climbing motion is really good for weight loss and building muscle. I had a personal trainer who trained me everyday before surgery.....he was a friend but i hated him..he always pushed me to do more then i thought i could do. Once the weigth starts coming off after surgery it will be so much easier to exercise. I went back to the gym for the first time since surgery a couple of weeks ago..and i could do 20 minutes on the cross trainner at level 12,a nd i could have kept going but i wanted to do some weight training...before surgery i could barely do 20 minutes on level one...lol.

Thanks everyone for all the great advice! I've already ordered the Chair Dancing videos and am looking at arm bikes.... next will be a search for water aerobics!