When is someone skinny enough to run?

[Danda]

I'm also in the "lift weights" crowd, as well as exercises that will help increase your muscle mass all around (with many you don't even need weights, just gravity). I've always had a low metabolism, as do pretty much all of the women in my bloodline. Then I wrecked it even more with too much calorie restricting. Best results I ever did get when it comes to weight loss was working large muscles. I friggin love squats and lunges, and I'm pretty sure I could kick a door down with the right boots by now. Just be sure to measure and forget the scale for a good long while when it comes to tracking progress. Weight lifting but stuff like squats did increase my metabolism to a genuinely noticeable degree after about 2+ months. Supposedly increased muscle mass, which I agree with because I don't think I was burning a huge ton of calories with my workouts. Anyway then once you are at a more comfortable weight that you won't get anxiety about running, you can go for it.

 

I also second the fun of sprinting in short bursts, just like as fast as you can flippin go and then walk a while. Never in my life have I been able to jog even one mile nonstop (srs) but sprinting at night when it's warm out is pretty fun.

[todreaminblue]

run in water.....from very obese to military fit running in water allows support for your joints.....as other posters have said talk to a doctor first if you are really overweight and having a someone do the exercise with you like a trainer or a friend is a really good idea..not only for motivation but for safety purposes...people who lift heavy weights always have a spotter.....at your heaviest you are lifting heavy weight....you need a spotter to watch .....deb

Edited January 17, 2015 by todreaminblue

[Taramere]

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.

 

Right. I use the gym, but have really tailed off in the past while. I was a bit put off by an over-enthusiastic"no pain no gain" type personal trainer I signed up with last year. I'd I'd say that most of my exercise comes from walking instead of using the car. For instance, this morning I've walked about four miles (to and from Boots) and I'll walk another four this afternoon as there was something I forgot to get. I'm quite happy to walk for miles, lost in my own thoughts. It's exercise, but doesn't really feel like it.

 

I know that gym membership in France is lower than pretty much anywhere else in Europe (and times I've spent a week or two there, I struggled to find any gym - all I could find were pretty basic, unappealing places that didn't seem very geared towards women). I think generally the sweatiness of gyms is unpopular there. They don't consider it elegant. Yet the French are significantly slimmer, on average, than Brits or Americans. They walk a lot, cycle a lot, mealtimes are more of an event and they're less inclined to snack between meals. Being in decent shape really doesn't need to involve a tortuous lifestyle where you spend hours on end running on a treadmill like a hamster - and it can be counter-productive when people take the "no pain, no gain" approach to it.

 

I think one of the reasons obesity is on the increase is that more and more people are buying into the notion that being in decent shape does in fact require these very punishing exercise regimes. Some people enjoy those regimes, but a lot don't. Those who don't (who are evidently in the majority, if obesity stats are to be believed) might end up giving up on exercise altogether if they hear too much of the line that "walking isn't any sort of work-out...you might as well not bother at all."

 

I think if somebody's very obese, the best thing they can do is start with small steps. Leaving the car at home if it's a short journey and walk. Using the stairs if it's only a flight or two. Getting a dog, or walk a friend's dog, on a regular basis. Gradually build up, and try to ensure that exercise is something that feels pleasant and relaxing...and once they're in better shape they can probably start thinking about more energetic sport, and then perhaps they'll want to join a gym so that they can use the equipment there to help improve their performance in that sport.

Edited January 17, 2015 by Taramere

[Emilia]

OP, try swimming and cycling. Both are low impact and won't ruin your joints. They are perfectly good substitute for running too long term if you wish.

[AVarma]

I actually already have started lifting though right now I'm using dumbbells that are ridiculously light for a man. But I guess you have to start somewhere! Anyway I think going to a doctor might be a bit overboard. I mean I don't have any blood pressure or sugar problems or anything like that. I'm pretty healthy except for the weight.