Advise Needed Pls - Obesity Message Board

MyLilButterball · 11-04-2003, 06:53 PM

I have just started making changes to my diet and working out. I would like some input as to whether or not I need to add or change anything from those of you who are pros at this.

Firstly, I am 277lb (yes, it's disgusting) and 5' 4" tall. I'm 27 years old and want a fit, toned body. I have 3 children. For the past week, I have been taking walks on the beach (not powerwalking as I'm out of shape) but I walk 6.6 miles and it takes about 2hrs. I'm walking barefoot to help strengthen my feet too. I have Tae Bo videos that I do sometimes but not for the past week. My only cardio has been walking. Is that enough or should I up it?

Also, I've been lifting free weights every other day. I have 5lb weights and do 3 sets of 14 reps. I don't do weight training for my lower body as I have a knee that grinds when I squat (hubby says it's very early osteoarthritis). Any thoughts on exercises for legs that won't make my knee worse? It does NOT hurt, just grinds. I want to get the weight off before it gets too bad although hubby says it'll take 10 years to progress.

I've cut out all junk food from my diet. I eat 5 small meals a day that are very healthy and drink lots of water. This past week, I lost 6.5 lb and 5 inches. We can't afford a gym, supplements or any of the protein powders/bars atm so I have to just go with what I've got. Any advice would be appreciated.

nikki2kids · 11-05-2003, 11:20 AM

I think that you are doing everything that you need to do. If you keep up the walks, the weight lifting and the modified diet, the pounds will come off. Be careful not to lose it too fast. At first, it's OK to lose more than 1-2 pounds in a week. However, after the first few weeks, you should not try to lose more than 1-2 pounds. Otherwise, you will end up losing muscle mass instead of fat. Also, you need to let your body and skin adjust to the smaller you. If you lose too fast, you'll end up with a lot of lose skin. A slow loss will not do that. In addition, if you continue to weight lift and walk, your body will stay tight. Don't worry about doing weights for the lower body for now - I think the walks are enough at this stage. Once you lose the weight, you might find that you no longer have knee problems. At that point, you can try to slowly add a lower body weight routine.

Keep up the good work!!! Getting started is probably the hardest part. Keep us posted on your progress.

I'm 5'2", I have 2 littke kids - one is still a baby.
SW: 226
CW: 185
GW: 130

peaches123 · 11-10-2003, 04:03 AM

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Sounds like you got a good start. I might suggest drinking WATER!!!! 1 ounce for every pound you weigh is a good goal... and avoid all white flour, white pasta, white bread go to whole grains, white is sugar. keep an eye on the carbs, if your gonna eat fruit, water based fruits are good because the fill you up, with you guessed it water.. Keep walking!!
Good luck!! In the same boat different river.
Peaches123

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyLilButterball

I have just started making changes to my diet and working out. I would like some input as to whether or not I need to add or change anything from those of you who are pros at this.

Firstly, I am 277lb (yes, it's disgusting) and 5' 4" tall. I'm 27 years old and want a fit, toned body. I have 3 children. For the past week, I have been taking walks on the beach (not powerwalking as I'm out of shape) but I walk 6.6 miles and it takes about 2hrs. I'm walking barefoot to help strengthen my feet too. I have Tae Bo videos that I do sometimes but not for the past week. My only cardio has been walking. Is that enough or should I up it?

Also, I've been lifting free weights every other day. I have 5lb weights and do 3 sets of 14 reps. I don't do weight training for my lower body as I have a knee that grinds when I squat (hubby says it's very early osteoarthritis). Any thoughts on exercises for legs that won't make my knee worse? It does NOT hurt, just grinds. I want to get the weight off before it gets too bad although hubby says it'll take 10 years to progress.

I've cut out all junk food from my diet. I eat 5 small meals a day that are very healthy and drink lots of water. This past week, I lost 6.5 lb and 5 inches. We can't afford a gym, supplements or any of the protein powders/bars atm so I have to just go with what I've got. Any advice would be appreciated.

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tri 03 · 11-20-2003, 02:46 PM

Congrats- it seems like you are off to a great start---just be careful not to do too much to start so that you burn out---take a day off here and there as a reward to yourself and to allow your body to rest up and heal itself!
walking is one of the best things you can do- esp if you have knee problems- maybe change the intensity that you walk every few minutes once you feel your walks are too easy! Ie- speed walk for 1 minute and then go back to normal for 5- etc.
Good luck and keep it up!

Mexican Dude · 11-30-2003, 10:53 PM

Yeah, congratulations on your great start!!

My only advice would be "dont overdo it". I am overweight like you and know how hard it can be to work out with this much weight. I have read from a lot of places that when you start excercising you should take it easy, especially if overweight, or you could end up doing more damage than good. If you take it easy, and increase the time you excercise and the dificulty level little by little you have better chances at being constant.

Maybe you should walk only an hour, or even less, then increase the dificulty over time.