Exercise for the Morbidly Obese

Sep 1, 2008 9:18 PM

Guest :

Thank you for mentioning that obese people don't necessairly eat too much. I don't think that I do, but I know I do eat the wrong things. This article was a helpful start to my research on how to lose the weight.

Oct 3, 2008 2:53 PM

lemming4life :

Many people who have never had a weight problem think that if you are overweight you are lazy or stupid or greedy. Many think why don’t you just stop eating? Lets face it if someone was an alcoholic or a drug user you would say don’t drink alcohol or take drugs again avoid the alcohol & drugs right, yes it takes will power but they do not need alcohol or drugs to live! Someone with a food addiction has to face food on a daily basis. Being overweight is not as simple as just don’t eat, not eating can cause more problems and ultimately leads to a greater weight gain. So many people do not realise that emotions are also involved with weight gain. Feelings of guilt rejection self-loathing are just to name a few. It is hard to eat sensibly, exercise, and loose weight when you feel so many negative emotions. If someone wants to loose weight yes they need to exercise and eat a healthy balanced diet, but they also need to explore the way they feel, the way they respond or react to every day situations such as loneliness, hurt, anger, boredom and more. It is easy to do something when you are happy and motivated. How easy is it to do that same thing when you are sad and depressed? Over eating can also be a reward. I feel good today, I have had a good day at work, my favourite TV program is on etc. Let’s treat myself! Once the treats are gone then come the self loathing and hate that traps the overweight into the vicious cycle of weight gain. Some times it is best not to judge, but to listen.

Oct 22, 2008 9:55 AM

Guest :

I have been slowly gaining weight over the last 15 years.
I went from 150 to 320.
I also went from an Active job to a Sitdown at my desk job.
I didn't get nearly enough exercise, though I didn't change my eating habits, so I packed on 10-15lbs a year.
and before I knew it I was obese.
Now I have heart problems that make excersing a problem.
Breathing is extremely difficult, I would love to find an excercize routine for the Morbid obese.

Dec 11, 2008 5:32 PM

Guest :

im 5'6 and 325lbs. im FAT. i have started to eat salads a lot, every time i go to a restaurant with friends i will order a Greek salad with grill chicken. so the past week i have been eating nothing but salads with sometimes beef on it or chicken ( never fried always grill ) i got more hungry so i started to eat those healthy rice cakes about 40 calories. i have been drinking lots of water. my exercise is work paint a lot up and down on ladders sometimes and i move heavy things. after that i got home and make a salad than later on a rice cake no more eating past 7pm. i have a treadmill witch i am gonna start using LOL. im also thinking about buying a StairMaster and a rowing machine. my idea is to do 15 min on each machine maybe more on the treadmill than i will 30 min each after time. Now i need help by you reading this , does this sound good am I doing the right thing? any advise will help a lot. thank you

Dec 13, 2008 10:00 AM

Guest :

Your diet plan sounds a lot similar to mine...
How much have you lost so far?

Dec 26, 2008 8:53 PM

Guest :

"toxins" do not make you fat. excess calories make you fat. i don't use my weight as an excuse not to move. i know i need to move. i don't need to make any excuses. there are water aerobics and chair exercises that are low impact and will work for those with painful joints. is a salad better for your health than a cheeseburger? of course. but ultimately, if you choose the cheeseburger and deduct those calories from your allotted amount for the day, you will still lose weight. diet soda is no different from water, by the way. it's nothing but water with some carbonation and non-calorie sweetener. your body doesn't treat it any differently.

yes, the basics always work. less calories, more movement. but so many of these "expert" articles are written by people who have no idea what it is like walking around with an extra 100 or more pounds on your body. you have no idea how physically painful and exhausting the things you take for granted can be for someone who is morbidly obese.

did the fat person make themselves fat? are they responsible for their own physical health and weight loss? yes. there is more to it than just being some lazy retard who sticks a fridge in their mouth, though.

there are psychological and emotional issues underlying every inch of an obese person's body. many have been overweight since infancy. it's not like we all start out as thin people and then just let ourselves go. there are patterns and issues going back to our early childhoods that ingrain these destructive behaviors in us.

and as for exercise being necessary, many doctors want their patients to lose some pounds first before starting the physical side because it can be dangerous.


toxins...pffft. whatever. arsenic and cyanide are toxins, not artificial sweeteners or colors.

Dec 30, 2008 5:48 PM

Guest :

300+
I always get amused and sometimes mad when I read or hear a thin person trying to explain why a fat person is fat. I have been fat all of my life (since 3rd grade). I was an active youth. I played outside all the time, basketball, hiking and on a softball team. We didn't eat out growing up, maybe once every 6 months. When I got older and worked desk jobs, I gained, so I did aerobics, and lost. I stopped aerobics, and gained. I did Weight Watchers and lost, I got pregnant, and gained. Yo Yo all of my life. The last time I did Weight Watchers, I lost 20 lbs. and plateued for a year, so I quit. I went to Curves. The first 3 months I gained weight! Lost a ton of inches, but your docter never asks how many inches you lose, now does he?! The 4th month I lost 6 lbs, didn't make up for the 9 I had already gained. I don't overinduldge much, binge only occasionally when really depressed such as gaining 9 pounds after doing curves religiously for 3 months! Losing weight has always been very, very, very hard for me. I weighed 305 lbs at last weigh in and am 5'7" tall. While I am not super active, I am not a complete couch potato either. I quit my doctor because I couldn't go there without him pushing gasteric bypass surgery. I'm not ready for that and am not impressed with the results. I have had 3 friends get it and none of them ever got "skinny". One has gained all of her weight back after 15 years plus some. Even at my most active, I was never at my "ideal" weight. I think eventually someone will realize that everyone is not supposed to weigh the same, just like we're not all going to be models, rembrants, or Bill Gates. Everyone has their own God given talent, style and features. Maybe I'm not supposed to be as big as I am, but after 30 plus years of trying to be thin, I still look and am shaped like all the old black and white pictures of my grandmothers, great-grandmothers, my mother and my sister. Imagine that! Heridity does play a certain part, otherwise we all would look alike either. However, I am still trying to battle the bulge or at least get a little more active. Would love to find a sensible plan that works for me, still looking though. I don't eat sword fish, tofu, garbonzo beans or any other weird stuff like that!

Jan 1, 2009 4:10 PM

Guest :

To the guest who wrote on Dec 26, 2008 8:53 PM...You made many points, some incorrect.

You stated "it's not like we all start out as thin people and then just let ourselves go. there are patterns and issues going back to our early childhoods that ingrain these destructive behaviors in us."

Not always. I was thin almost all of my life. Then I fell in love with a man who had emotional problems. He had affairs on me. This is when my weight started to spiral out of control. Yes it is my fault that I let it do that to me but easier said than done. I am the woman who was thin all my life and then one day let myself go.

Jan 2, 2009 12:22 PM

Guest :

I am 380lbs and I am so tired of it! I have 3 beautiful children who would love me to be more active in their lives, but I can barely walk from my room to the living room without getting winded. I have tons of thin friends who think they have the answer to my problem, and have suggested everything from surgery to going running. Yeah, me.....run? lol! I think I would maybe get 10 feet, then drop. I have not always been this huge. I used to be very active, even going from 365 to 260 in 7 months, just to gain it back again in 3 months after I injured my hip and knee. Now I have horrible pain in my back, and normal household chores like vacuuming and washing dishes, are extremely taxing. I have sat down and wrote out tons of diet plans, none of them worked. Now it is January 02, 2009. It is a new year, and I figure, I got nothing to lose, but this fat, I am going to get aggressive. I figure, if I can at least lose the weight, it will make me able to be active, so I can keep the weight off. My main focus, though, is losing this weight. So I am starting a slim fast only diet. Where I will drink slim fast shakes, 1 for breakfast, 1 for lunch, and 1 for dinner. I will drink 15-20 cups of water a day(I love water)and take a multivitamin, and Japanese Linghzi to help me lose this weight. I figure I can sacrifice eating solid foods for 6 months or more, because isn't that what I would have to do if I got my stomach stapled anyway? So, I am not going to eat another piece of solid food from January 6, 2009 until I drop every single ounce of this weight. I will be starting a myspace page to keep track of my progress, and I hope to actually be successful. Anyone who wants to check up on me, or encourage me(which is desperately needed) please feel free to check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/imperialbeachgirl or send me an email at kristinabarker@yahoo.com. God bless you all and I hope you all reach your weightloss goals. Happy New Year!

Jan 24, 2009 6:19 PM

Guest :

I'm an emotional eater. I've lost and gained so much weight over the years it's not funny. In my last relationship, my boyfriend was constantly taking me out to eat, so I packed on almost 100 lbs. I lost 70 after I broke up with him. I later met my husband and 2 kids later, have put it all back on, plus a little. I don't have many friends where I live, in fact I have none. I'm isolated and no one ever comes way out in the boonies to see us. I have a 3 year old and a 8 month old. Taking them out anywhere is a challenge. My 3 year old is over energetic, God love him, I hope he hangs on to it. I'm worn down and exhausted every day. My last doctor visit showed I weighed 304 lbs and I'm 5'7". I'm so uncomfortable in my own skin it's horrible. My husband knows I'm unhappy and I'm trying to change, but he still like his sweets and I've asked him not to keep them in the house because of the temptation for me. I just wanted to find an sensible exercise program I can do that's not so jarring to my system, I'm too sore to pick up my children. I want to change, but I'm not sure where to start. My doctor owns a gym and has never mentioned surgery, I wouldn't get it if he did. I'm not comfortable going to a gym. I feel embarrassed to go much of any place. I'm becoming a bit scared by how reclusive I'm beginning to feel. I don't want anyone to see me like this, even though I've been like this my whole life. I'm only 50 lbs heavier than I was my junior year of high school. I don't know what else to do and could really use some support. My email is mormongal29@gmail.com. I would appreciate any ideas anyone might have. I'm aware I need to diet and exercise, so please don't send me a message telling me what I already know. I need support, thanks.

Feb 12, 2009 12:15 PM

Guest :

I recently had two knee replacements and was recommended by the doctor at the hospital to have band surgery for weight loss.I have no experience with this but have looked it up on the computer.I would much rather walk more and eat less in a effort to lose weight.It is never that simple as there are emotional elements involved.All I know for sure is it is scary to weigh this much and feel like I don't know where to start.I wanted to reach out to you all.

Feb 26, 2009 9:00 PM

Guest :

Hi.My name is Lisa and I don't even know how much I weigh. I don;t want to know, I would guess it's over 300. When I became pregnant at 18, I weighed 118 lbs. and wore a size 5.Now I am 40,17 years into my second marriage,I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren and am so FAT that I can't even play with these beautiful children.It is so discouraging to not be able to lose this weight.My problem was putting on 80 lbs every time I got pregnant and then never quite losing it all,and then doing it all again.I want very much to try power 90 but would like to hear from someone who actually did it first.

Mar 15, 2009 10:44 PM

Guest :

I cried as I read everyone's comments. Strange as it is, I didn't think that there were people that really understood. My friends have always been uber thin and beautiful, and we never really talked about my weight. Truth is, I have always been overweight, even as a child. When I was in grade 3, I had my tonsils removed, and i guess whatever the diet was that followed allowed me to shed those pounds. My father had been away, living in Mexico, he returned to see his little girl 15lbs lighter. his comment, "Wow, now if only you lose a few more pounds and keep it off, you'll be beautiful just like everyone else." And so commenced my years of yoyo dieting... 9 years old and i was dieting. No matter what i ate in solid food, i continued to gain weight, by the time I was in grade 8, I was my heaviest at a size 26, weighing a little over 300, when a professor told me that I was morbidly obese, and that i should try and weigh 170. High school rolled around, and I had stopped eating almost completely, because of my gym class I began to lose weight. I shrunk down to a size 15, but was still not satisfied, in fact at that point in my life I was convinced I was still that size 26. I joined a bunch of sports teams under the coaching of a concerned professor. I finally gave into depression, and ate a little more here and there. I went to my doctor about a year ago, as I was desperate not to reach size 26 again, and wanted him to see if it was something physically wrong with me, like my thyroid. I figured he would call me fat, most do. What did he do? after coming prepared with an 800 calorie a day journal that I had been keeping for months, he put me on a 600 calorie diet, told me that i was a really big girl, and that I was like my mother, if i looked at food, it ended up on my hips. 600 was just too little, and here I am a year later, and still slowly gaining weight, im confused, terrified and don;t know where to turn. I started plus size pilates a few months ago, its wonderful, but i don't really feel like its doing much, and I still eat 800 calories a day. I guess what this massive comment is trying to get across is, that I'm glad that there are people that understand, but what happens when the above doesn't seem to be working either? I just turned 23, and I don't want to spend "the best years of my life" avoiding public places because I can't stand to hear the comments, even at work, people don't take me seriously because of my weight. good luck everyone. <3

Mar 23, 2009 12:26 PM

Guest :

I have always been overweight....
I believe that I was a normal size up to grade 1....then I started to balloon....
I totally loath who I am...I suffer from depression, and no I am not using that as a crutch it is the truth when I am depressed I binge...I hate the comments I get when I am going into a store..."whoa look at her, holy I have never seen anyone so fat..."
Or the whole "holy earthquake..."
Highschool was hell for me...constantly being made fun of I have tried several things to loose weight even the not good things like not eating at all. I am 24 now and I believe I likely weigh over 400 pounds...I am really tall...over 6 feet...but it is hard I hate who I am I was working out at Curves and felt so much better about myself and then got into a car accident and screwing up my back...I can't even walk now since the car accident without it hurting and feeling like my legs are numb...so working out is hard...I can't really.
So all the progress I made is gone....I just feel hopeless...here I am on a Monday afternoon looking on the net for the best ways to loose weight...I hate who I am.
I hate that I can't be normal, all my friends don't understand me...they are all thin and have never struggled with their weight.
They all have suggestions and ideas on how to loose the weight but it isn't that easy.
I am currently going to a dietitian and she is nice, however it is hard to follow this meal plan when I get really depressed and it is like I can't control myself and binge...
I really wish I was thin...a healthy weight because then maybe my dad would actually care...maybe he would think I was worth something...instead of just a waste of space....
I totally feel alone all the time. I had so many dreams even when I was a teenager....I just wish I could follow them, I have no ambition.... I know if I was to loose the weight I would feel alot better....It is very hard, my doctor wants me to have Gastric Bypass...but I know people who have had it and they have told me the horror stories...I don't know good luck to all of you, I wanted to let you know that I am just one more person who is in the same situation and I can totally understand how you all feel.
?

Mar 29, 2009 11:07 AM

Guest :

I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I try to explain this to doctors all the time to let them know how painful it really is, but they just tell me it's all because I'm fat. One doctor actually told me to "put down the fork and you'll be fine." I was humiliated. People just can't look past weight problems. I'm in pain because I'm fat, and I'm fat because I'm in pain.
Jamie

Apr 23, 2009 9:07 AM

Guest :

well honestly i was odese and now that i exercised and eat healthy im not im very average and look great. i have an obese step mom, she doesnt do anything to help her self and it discusts me when i see over weight peopel complaining and not doing anything about it. sorry. just my opinion.

May 2, 2009 1:25 AM

Guest :

To the person who said she was "odese" and now she isn't, and that these people discust her - grow up, get a life! You'd be happier and less judgemental if you did!

May 2, 2009 1:28 AM

Guest :

Great article! I'm obese and miserable! I'm at my highest weight now. I'm only 5'3", and have had a sudden weight gain (20 pounds in a couple weeks!), went from an already high weight to 326 pounds. If anyone would be interested in having a "fitness buddy" to email or myspace and share the struggles along the way, email me. anewme2008@gmail.com

May 9, 2009 12:10 AM

Guest :

I would love to lose weight. I do not eat huge amounts of food, but I eat once per day and go to bed I am so exhausted from work. Yes, I have a desk job. I have always been heavy, then obese, but I became morbidly obese after suffering through years of stress at work. I had a whacko boss, I did not sleep for years. I threw up every day all day. I was a nervous wreck. I talked to my doctor about cortisol as a possible reason for the large amounts of belly fat I have gained during this time. But he blew me off. I have one question - why are so many pilates and other workout equipment usually only supportup to 300 lbs?
This is a major issue if you are suffering from mobility issues.

May 9, 2009 8:19 PM

Guest :

I have found in my struggle in weightloss that it is about the mindset you have. You have to want to change, and you have to begin where you are most comfortable. Find something you enjoy doing and you will most likely stick to it. Anyone wanting an fitness buddy, encouragement, or to share stories, feel free to email me at: divinest_sense@yahoo.com

May 30, 2009 5:48 PM

Guest :

Hello and you can call me 400 plus.that's how i feel everyday and that who i am. My name is nikki and i have struggled with weight since 5th grade. I can remember being sick all the time and not having a enough energy to do anything. I'm a chronic ashmatic and have allergies to a few things.I was in class in grammar school on this particular day my button popped off my jeans. My teacher asked if she can help so i let her, After that she made a rude remark saying that if i continue to get fat everyone would make fun of me and call me fat.So about 6thgrade i started trying to eat less,however my mom lost her job and all we had was a toaster and bread and butter.
So you can tell what happened next,by the time i was in highschool i was over 3001bs. and i cried everyday i was teasesd people through things at me. For about the first 2 years then after that i prayed and asked god to forgive those kids who did not understand and also i prayed that god give me the strengh to overcome every rhing that was going wrong in my life. God and the support of my family has brought me along way.I believe in myself more now than i ever did and i also believe that God will not put more on us than he put within us.So no i have not lost the weight yet but i'm going continue to try and do what ever i can. Sometimes i feel as if i am wearing a fat suit and some people see me for who i'm and some people don not. I would like to unzip the fat suit and walk out the way God wants to be. I hope that all the people on here gets their miracle too. If you want talk or be buddies <nbworld2@hotmail.com>

Jun 13, 2009 8:59 PM

Guest :

I am 5'6" tall and weigh 463 lbs. I don't know what to do. I have tried them all and then some. Atkins works short term but who can eat only meat forever. Low fat gives me hypoglycemia. I tried one well balanced meal a day and gained weight on it. I went on a water fast for three days and still didn't lose any body weight. I have tried all the pills, some legal and some not, no results. I hired a personal trainer who took a grand from me, worked me until near death just to have me go up a pants size. I can't commit suicide because of my religion. I have given up.

Jun 15, 2009 8:42 PM

Guest :

300+...
I hurt.....physically. Even when i dont move....I lost 100lbs almost 2 years ago but was hit by a drunk driver and gained it all back with all the problems im having....i know its no excuse.... I have a problem with food I love to eat and cant seem to stop...can anyone give me some advice?

Jun 23, 2009 10:53 PM

Guest :

I am a lot like the march 15 guest. Im only 23 and I have been over weight all my life. There was never a time as a small child that I was thin. It also didnt help that as I got older I was taller than most kids in my grade, so being big and tall was grounds for teasing. The teasing didnt stop until high school, but recently some of my friends went to the beach for Spring Break and a random car passed by and someone yelled "I love you shamu". I froze, no one had ever made me feel so horrible. I was with my friends whom are all skinny. No one said anything. Its not like i didnt try to lose weight because I have always loved swimming and have since I was young. I hit a triple digit when I hit high school and got to 300lbs. I joined color guard and swimming and lost about 30lbs. I was still big and I never noticed the weight dropping because i was so big. It never stopped me from being a normal girl, just made me feel that there was more for me to experience. I got into swimming and maintained my weight, untill i graduated and gained 50lbs in college. Now im 330+lbs last time I went to the Dr. This was a shock to me and no one knows this(till now). I havent been back in a long time, so I dont know if its changed. Im trying now to exercise a lot this summer because im not working or going to school. I have been doing pretty good with dancing or boxing outside for about an hour, I just know I need to do more. I have so much to lose I feel sometimes that I cant do this on my own. I realize this is the summer I'm going to change my life and find my happiness, eventually. I want a better life and I wish for support from anyone who reads this to give me it and ill give it back, email me at strangeone18@aol.com. Thanks and good luck to all.

Jun 30, 2009 2:35 AM

Guest :

Hiring a compassionate knowledgeable Personal Trainer would be a great start on your quest for a healthier lifestyle. If you can not afford to join a gym or hire a PT, invest in some light dumbbells or exercise bands and begin a strength training program. I am a Certified PT and NPC Competitor with over 27 years of experience. I work with people who are very overweight. We work on strength training and cardio conditioning as well as nutrition. Eating once a day will only slow down your metabolism. Eating 5 or 6 small meals will rev up your metabolism and keep your blood sugar stable. iamgymrat@yahoo.com(Sheri)