AVarma Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I've heard that if you run while obese it can affect your knees. By BMI standards I'm currently obese. I was hoping to get down to overweight before I start running. I have about 15 pounds to go. I just wanted to get some of your opinions on this. At what weight can you start running without messing up your knees or other joints? Link to post Share on other sites
aggie382 Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 People on the Biggest Loser run from the very first day. There's really no reason not to unless your doctor says you shouldn't due to other health concerns, like your heart. Running impacts the knees for everyone, regardless of their weight. It's a high-impact activity. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
amaysngrace Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 All kids in school have to run in gym class and there are enough of them who are obese. But before starting any exercise program you should see you doctor just to make sure that you're healthy enough. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author AVarma Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 I understand that people can run when obese. I don't want to develop knee problems down the line though. Link to post Share on other sites
Levite Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 (edited) Maybe you could use the BMI as a guide? Calculate Your BMI - Standard BMI Calculator FYI, this index tends to run a little strict. Many people who appear healthy are classified as "overweight". Instead, you might want to use "obese" (or a 30+ BMI) as your reference point for being "too heavy to run". You also might try running on grass or a soft track, instead of hard concrete. This will be less impact on the knees. Edited January 16, 2015 by Levite 1 Link to post Share on other sites
elaine567 Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Try power walking until you get your weight down a bit. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
xxoo Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Let pain be your guide. If it hurts, don't do it. Get a little lighter/stronger first. Can you walk 1 mile? 2? If so, walk with a 30 second jog in the middle. How do your knees feel the next day? Good? Increase the amt of jogging vs walking week by week, staying within a distance you know you can walk. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
thefooloftheyear Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 As others have said...See a doctor first and get a blood test as well...Certain hormonal conditions, if left unchecked will absolutely sidetrack any of your goals.. Intense weight training will burn a lot of calories....and shed a lot of excess mass(fat)...And you will have the added advantage of building your frame and base musculature..which is vital, imo.. More women are now realizing this..and seeing the light.. Low impact cardio does little to nothing, in terms of fat burning...Its better than nothing, but not a very good bang for the buck in terms of time invested vs results.. If you dont want to do weights, use a stair climber...If you arent soaked with sweat after 5 or 10 minutes,,,then increase the intensity.. Good luck... TFY 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author AVarma Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 More women are now realizing this..and seeing the light.. I'm a man. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
thefooloftheyear Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I'm a man. Opps...sorry, man.. Anyway....same advice applies...Hit the weights...trust me..mix in cardio, but make it as high intensity as you can... Good luck TFY 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Maleficent Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I understand that people can run when obese. I don't want to develop knee problems down the line though. Then you might want to find a no impact/low impact kind of cardio such as swimming, biking or skating. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
seekingpeaceinlove Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Listen to your body. I have bad knees (previous sports injuries, required surgery) and have always had to be careful about the type of exercise I chose to do. I run, sprint, jump rope, sprint up and down stairs when my knees feel good. If I'm feeling pain, I'll walk, swim, row or ride my bike. Don't be afraid to try something new. It may feel awkward and uncomfortable at first but stick with it and you will see progress. RULE OF THUMB: Listen to your body Link to post Share on other sites
Imported Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Just go with walking at a good pace and have a good eating plan. I think most people that develop knee problems don't actually "run". They jog. Jogging is..unnatural. The pace is too slow for your stride. I see people jogging and they always look like they are hopping up and down. Their full body weight is directly over their legs and as a result, their joints take full jolting impact. I don't see how they're not going to have problems later. Now if you actually run, your stride is natural and your foot landings will take care of itself. The point at which your foot hits the ground is farther in front of your total body mass, so how your legs absorb the landing is more like a leaf spring, which is far less damaging than the piston action of joggers. So if you can run at probably 6 to 7 MPH at the very least, you should be fine. But if your pace is @5 to 6 MPH, do yourself a favor and just walk. Link to post Share on other sites
Taramere Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Use an elliptical. Good exercise and less impact. Agreed - I'm a big fan of those machines. They're deceptive in terms of the amount of exercise you're doing, too. With the treadmill, you do burn slightly more calories - but you really feel like your body's paying for every calorie you're burning, whereas with the elliptical trainer you don't realise how hard your body's actually working (until you go to bed and sleep like a stone). I can't really understand people using treadmills when there's the option of an elliptical trainer - given the stress running places on joints. The advantages offered by the treadmill don't seem all that significant, weighed against the disadvantages and potential joint problems exacerbated by high impact exercise. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Imported Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I can't really understand people using treadmills when there's the option of an elliptical trainer - given the stress running places on joints. The advantages offered by the treadmill don't seem all that significant, weighed against the disadvantages and potential joint problems exacerbated by high impact exercise. I consider mobility to be very important. Running is not just for exercise, it's an ability that I can do outside of a gym, just as I am. It is form and function. An elliptical is a pure form over function exercise. It will help towards running as compared to doing nothing, but being able to go full tilt on an elliptical for hours and hours will not mean you are capable of running even 5 miles at a fast pace. You can get from here to there with running. You just stay in one place with an elliptical. Treadmill running is a little different than running outside, but your gains from it will directly help you with running outside. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Taramere Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I consider mobility to be very important. Running is not just for exercise, it's an ability that I can do outside of a gym, just as I am. It is form and function. An elliptical is a pure form over function exercise. It will help towards running as compared to doing nothing, but being able to go full tilt on an elliptical for hours and hours will not mean you are capable of running even 5 miles at a fast pace. You can get from here to there with running. You just stay in one place with an elliptical. Treadmill running is a little different than running outside, but your gains from it will directly help you with running outside. I have to run enough in daily life, since I'm always late for things...but I've never been into running as a calculated form of exercise, except when I was in my teens and had to do (I was in a tetrathlon team). I was never much of a fan of it. I don't mind if I'm playing tennis, or running to get somewhere on time - because then, I'm not really focused on the running so much as I am on getting to where I need to be. But running just for the sake of it is not something I enjoy - whereas I quite like the elliptical trainer because I can combine it with watching tv or listening to music. And it certainly helps my fitness outside of the gym. I know it does because I often cycle to work (though I've got out of the habit in the last few months I must confess) and when I've been using the elliptical trainer a lot, I really notice the difference in terms of how fast I cycle and how easily I manage hills. I know some people enjoy running for its own sake, which is fine....but for those who don't, the thought of getting on a treadmill and hating it is probably enough to put them off going to the gym. In the OP's case, if he's likely to be prone to joint pain then the elliptical trainer seems like a safer choice 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Under The Radar Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 The only time I run is when I'm chased ...... I should probably take a nap soon. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
xxoo Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I enjoy running, but not on a treadmill. I like to run outside and run fast, then walk, then run fast again. Makes me feel young and lively OP, Don't be discouraged by intervals of walking! You don't need to run constantly to get stronger and have good results. Alternating walking and running within a session can be smart. I've used the elliptical, but it hurt my feet??? I don't know if anyone's had that same experience. The soles of my feet felt like they were on fire from the constant contact. Link to post Share on other sites
SomeDude16 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 How are you calculating your BMI Op?? Link to post Share on other sites
somedude81 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Humans actually aren't designed to run that much. It's very hard on our joints and can lead to bad knees. We're built to walk. If you want to get your body moving and raise your heart rate you should powerwalk or use an elliptical. Personally I prefer the elliptical and I used earlier today at the gym. IMO your goal should be to lose weight and build muscle by lifting weights. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author AVarma Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 How are you calculating your BMI Op?? Healthy Weight: Assessing Your Weight: BMI: Adult BMI Calculator: English | DNPAO | CDC Link to post Share on other sites
SomeDude16 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Healthy Weight: Assessing Your Weight: BMI: Adult BMI Calculator: English | DNPAO | CDC That is not an accurate measure of bodyfat. The BMI was invented 200 years ago and neglects body composition in it's assessment. I have a low bodyfat and lots of muscle but according to my doctor and the BMI I am and have been for years obese. If you want an accurate assessment I recommend using either Air-Displacement Plethysmography or going to your gym and asking a trainer to use calipers to measure. Both of which are astoundingly more accurate then the formula. Don't read too much into it until you have an accurate assessment, if you feel capable of doing it, then do it. Don't let your mind hold back your body... 2 Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 OP if you have a car, make note of all points one mile from your house. Use that as a reference point, i.e. walk halfway here and back and you've walked one mile. Walk there and back and you've walked two miles. Do any errands on foot within that radius. You can buy a pedometer and try to beat your mileage every day. Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 (edited) OP, if this is a concern to you you should talk to a doctor before starting on your exercise regimen. If you can afford it, some places have sports medicine specialists that are better placed to advise you on a regimen tailored to you, after examining you. In general though I think you want to start by taking small steps - don't try to run several miles right away. If your knees are hurting, stop, and talk to a professional if the pain persists. Also running isn't the only form of cardio - you can cycle, or use an elliptical (aha, so that's what it was called!), etc. Low impact cardio does little to nothing, in terms of fat burning...Its better than nothing, but not a very good bang for the buck in terms of time invested vs results.. I agree, but everyone still needs some cardio for, well, cardiovascular health, regardless of weight. Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease the risk of several diseases and to increase health and fitness in general. Edited January 17, 2015 by Elswyth 1 Link to post Share on other sites
dichotomy Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Try power walking until you get your weight down a bit. Agreed this worked for me many years ago. I think there was some rule (on treadmill) when you could get to 3.0 or 3.5 continuously power walking you should be able to start jogging a bit. Remember also the trend is HIIT - which could mean run fast a little then walk a little. Link to post Share on other sites
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