Hello everyone!

[ZekeP]

Hello, my name is Zeke.

I found this forum the other day and I've really enjoyed reading some of the success stories. Some of the transformations are amazing!! All of your successes has inspired me and made me even more determined to reach my goal.

I've been overweight for the past 10 years or so. Life changes after marriage and my activity level really went downhill. The weight gradually came on and I've been holding around 250 lbs for the past 3 years. I've also ruptured a disk in my back. I'm sure being obese and having a weak core contributed greatly to the back problems.

What I've done so far.

Last Monday I reduced my calorie intake and started an exercise routine. I'm planning on continuing on on this routine until I increase my stamina. That's when I'm planning on doing some weight training to increase my strength.

Anyway I'm looking to get back down to around 175-190 (depending on my % of muscle).

I've never worked out a day in my life before last Monday. So any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kellylmt]

Welcome!
We're coming from very similar places I think. My highest weight was 250 a few years ago, and I floated around between 250-199-235-225 you name it for like three years, losing and gaining the same crap over and over. I was doing it without a plan and definitely without any work out program in mind, and it never stuck. Now I've gone from creeping back up the ladder at 230 to 209 in a little over 2 months thanks in large part to having this board to come to for advice. As far as workout advice goes, the most important thing i think is finding something you get excited to try, with enough variation that you won't get sick of it after 2 days. Good luck!

 

[ZekeP]

Thanks for the reply. I started my diet and exercise routine on 8/1/10. I've currently lost about 10 lbs.


I came up with my exercise routine after reading different forums online. I mostly wanted to focus on weight loss first. I have a treadmill at home and decided to use it.

I started out walking for 5 minutes and then jog for 1 minute. I repeated this for about 25 minutes.

I was planning on increasing the length 5 minutes every week. That was until the other day when my knees started getting really sore. I cut out the jogging and just did the walking. This doesn't seem to be helping my knee problem at all. I feel a sharp pain whenever I climb stairs or move quickly now. I'm thinking that I may need to rest my knees and start over with just walking until I've lost more weight.

I'm also doing sit ups and push ups. I've started using a dumbbell to work my arms. I've been working in some split squats to work on my leg strength.

 

[Chloe Braun]

I was planning on increasing the length 5 minutes every week. That was until the other day when my knees started getting really sore. I cut out the jogging and just did the walking. This doesn't seem to be helping my knee problem at all. I feel a sharp pain whenever I climb stairs or move quickly now. I'm thinking that I may need to rest my knees and start over with just walking until I've lost more weight.

Knee pain is commonly caused by doing too much too soon when you haven't exercised for a long period of time. Give your knees a chance to recover. Then start out slow. Maybe walk for 1 week first. Then progress to running

Also, don't forget to do warm up exercises. Do knee exercises to strengthen knees, make sure you have proper footwear too. You are also right, reducing weight will lessen the stress on your knees. =) You are on the right track!

Congratulations on the weight you have already lost! Keep up the good work =)

 

[ZekeP]

Knee pain is commonly caused by doing too much too soon when you haven't exercised for a long period of time. Give your knees a chance to recover. Then start out slow. Maybe walk for 1 week first. Then progress to running

Also, don't forget to do warm up exercises. Do knee exercises to strengthen knees, make sure you have proper footwear too. You are also right, reducing weight will lessen the stress on your knees. =) You are on the right track!

Congratulations on the weight you have already lost! Keep up the good work =)

What kind of warm up exercises should I be doing before walking?