Getting fit - help needed for fat, middle-aged blob

[wolf63]

Hi I am seriously overweight - about 20 stone. I am on day two of a diet - dieting for my holiday in August. I am 44 and female.

Whilst I have an idea about dieting and calories I am at a loss when it comes to exercise and toning up.

I plan to do a bit of walking - it is just laziness and the naff weather that stops me from doing that.

I have an exercise bike which I could use - but my legs are heavy - when I was young and thinner I still had massive thighs and calves. Would cycling make them more muscular or would that only happen if I did it to excess?

I am going to have to tone up my belly too - but will get rid of some of the fat first. Most of my excess weight is in my belly.

Any hints or ideas?

[lil123]

Hi wolf63
I think the best thing is to take it easy what ever exercise you chose to do
swimming is great
I do 20mins everyday to a exercise dvd and each week I had a little bit more
This way I dont think sod it when I put too much pressure on myself
Also the slimming world plan is excellent to follow as you can really eat loads
I lost 7stone on this after I had my son
The support is great each week and there is no need to ever go hungry which is one of my hates really which is why I ended up overweight in first place
Good luck xx

[wolf63]

lil Thanks. 7 sones is an amazing amount to lose - congratulations. I lost 3 stones the other year but lost interest and put most of it back on.

I don't want to swim - it kills my sinuses and I really don't enjoy it. I really have to start walking on a regular basis though. When I had my dog it was great exercise, but cats are not too good on the lead. Maybe I will get another dog!

I must admit I am a bit concerned about loose skin on my belly if I manage to lose the fat.

Anyway - I am off to look at the housework, tomorrow I might do some.

:-)

[lil123]

Rosemary Conley's dvd's are good as there easy to follow plus real people on them not models that put me off straight away.
YOU CAN DO IT !!!

[pastafreak]

Hi,wolf...get yourself a pedometer and start to moniter how many steps you in a day....you should aim for 10,000 eventually.Start to do just a bit at a time and slowly increase the amount you do-challenge yourself to do more each week... walking is a good all-round exercise and if you do it so you are slightly out of breath, then you are giving yourself a cardio workout. Good luck!!

[wolf63]

Pasta Walking would be great. I actually have a pedometer on my desk.

Frankie is sitting going "wah! wah! feed me fatso". I was thinking of taking him for a long walk - a one way walk. Maybe I will get a little cat lead and take him around the park.

I have stuck to my diet all day! I am off to Atlanta to a Sci-Fi convention at the end of August and want to enjoy myself and not feel knackered all the time. The terrible twins are off to the cat-otel for a week or so.

lil I have a few keep fit video and DVDs - but have never actually used them. I live in a flat so it is not really to jump around. However I have an attic area that I could consider using.

[fabemmy]

Hi I weight nearly the same amont as 20 stone and I got a trampolin to do exercising with and really helped me and I lost 9 pounds in the first week alone and it can be fun to exercise as well. its worth buying one of them little fitness ones for inside the house thats the one I have.

[DONNAKEBABUK]

You could try weight watchers, I lost a bit on there. Have you tried asking your Doc for Reductil? I would not recommend Xenical though if he offers it to you.

Best Wishes.

Gastric Band Katie.
x

[wolf63]

fabemmy I live in a second floor flat. I don't think it would take long for me to crash through the floorboards. Good idea though.

DONNAKEBABUK I don't want to try the drugs. I have talked it over with the doctor and I don't think that I want the side effects. I am on loads of other medications already.

I will just have to try and slowly increase my excercise and decrease my food intake. The cats are getting tubby too and they are dieting, Frankie the tom is not at all pleased and has been begging for food.

Thanks all.

[TEAK36]

Hi Wolf63,

Please do not take offence at this, but a bit of walking just aint gonna do the job.

I am a 41 year old guy and have tried pretty much every diet I have heard of, but in the end, it comes down to simple mathematics in most cases. If you eat more calories than you burn, you will gain weight, and vice versa. Also, the older we get, the harder it becomes to lose the weight.

In my case the main problem was portion size, and even though I was going to to the gym 4 times a week, I ate enough for 3 people.

About 3 weeks ago I decided enough was enough, I cut my portions down to a resonable size, I cut out the sweets, crisps and cakes, and still go to the gym 4 times a week. I also do some stretching and 500 sit ups at home 3 times a week.I have now lost a stone in weight, but I have to admit it is bloody hard work.

Good luck with losing weight, and I hope you enjoy the Sci -Fi convention.