Massively Overweight - Training Issues

I am going to start help a friend in work get a bit more healthy. Right now he is 5ft 11, and 280lbs. I've started to advise him over his diet, and he is getting a bit better, but he wants to start a little training.

Now i'm going to start him off with some very very very light cardio 2 days a week, im just wondering if there are any safety concerns? Im sure his heart and lungs (hes a smoker too) are under a lot of pressure. Do you think we should not even bother training at all, and have him seek medical advice, or do the softly softly approach (im thinking 3-5min elipitcal running, low resistance, and then the same on the bike) for a few weeks
 
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You didn't mention his age! Eliptical is is good... it keeps the joints from pounding until his weight comes off...
 
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Scottee said:
hes 27, and a smoker

Man, he's just a kid, work him till he pukes.. No honestly take it slow and keep him "educated and motivated" then he'll work himself until he pukes- when he starts seeing results... You have to see those results...
 
Yeah, at 27 I wouldn't worry to much, but starting him off light if you want is ok I guess. Although I would have him light cardio 5 days a week - I mean why not? He shouldn't be sore and its more than twice the calorie burning.
 
At 280 lbs and a smoker he might want to get checked out first to find out how hard you can push him. If he is taking your advise, will he also take your advise and stop smoking??? I agree with the eliptical training and at least 3 times a week. If he can do six then do six. get him addicted to working out. the biggest thing at this point will be for him to stay motivated. these first few weeks are going to be hard. but if he keeps at it, through eating right and exercise he will start to drop the pounds.
 
I'd say start with light weight training and light cardio. Teach him some stretching exercises and encourage him to do these before and after the workout. Being that out of shape and moving that much weight, every workout will be a big one. He will get very sore and probably lose motivation if he doesn't expect it (and learn how to work through it).

I'd start at 15 min. weights/15 min. cardio to start, three days a week. Any other days he wants to voluntarily do cardio is cool--tell him he can take a swim, go for a walk, etc. I agree that the elliptical is a good choice, as is walking at a slight incline.

He's young, yet. But I wouldn't press too much at once. My feeling? If he starts working out hard he'll probably cut back on the cigs anyway. The key to lasting success is not taking on too much at one time--it's a lifestyle change.
 
hi , im new to this forum. but i was in a similar position to this guy .
http://www.fitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12055
I had to do it on my, i just started with cycling 2 days aweek, saw little weight loss for the first 3 weeks, but i was getting fitter so i kept going. After 2 months i lost about 24 lbs. Then i kinda got addicted and found myself doing 30-50 miles aday. The exercise was alot harder than sorting out my diet. Now go cycling for about an 3 hours aweek and 1-2 hours a week of jogging. Find him a sport or exercise he enjoys, is my best advice.
 
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