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By Tudor - 4/11/2010 7:23:38 AM
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Got a couple questions for you that are into exercise equipment. As most of you probably know, I am a big fat guy, and disabled. Over the past year, I have noticed my disability getting worse. Much of the problem is my weight issue that is not my disability, however does complicate it much more, and may very well be the reason my disability is getting worse. Some already know, some don't, but for the record, I am a former athlete (played football for many years 11 total from High School through my Air Force days). I used to not really be a health nut, but was very much into being in shape, and strong. I was 6'5" at 250/260 lbs in my prime. I am now 6'4" because I lost an inch from my injury years ago, arthritis, and of course my gravity problem. Now, I am 6'4" at nearly 600 lbs. Ruined lower back, and severe nerve damage in my right leg. This past winter was very hard on my bones and joints, and I now see myself being totally wheel chair dependent if I don't try to do something to get some of my mobility back real soon. I am thinking, and praying that I can reverse my problem some. I will always have limitations due to the injury, but I think I can reverse at least some of my problems. I am not going to go into my entire medical history, because it is lengthy. But, no, I can not exercise like I used to, and am very limited in what I can do, which is much of the reason I have gained so much and not been able to loose much significant weight. No, it's not because I am fat and lazy. Again, I am a former very active athlete, and would trade most anything to have that ability back. I have limitations, and even my doctor took me off physical therapy, because what it was doing to my blood pressure and vitals dealing with pain the way I do. I don't, and have never shown pain, and have always have a very high pain tolerence. I just dealt with it. And that was a problem, because your body will deal with it, if you do emotionally or not.
But anyway.. I am going to do something. I don't want to be totally wheelchair dependent. I don't even like the fact that I have one, and I damn sure not gonna spend the rest of my life in it. Against doctors orders, I am gonna come of the drugs dealing with it, and I am gonna suck up the pain, and do something. Over the past 6 months, I have been eating allot better than I have been the past few years. I eat a good hearty breakfast, and a good lunch (mostly healthy foods). For dinner, I only eat a small bowl of fresh fruits, and a few nuts. After 6 months of that so far, I feel like a million bucks, but still can't physically move. Now, I want to see what I can do on my own to get at least some mobility back. I can barely walk, BUT, I found a piece of equipment, that is low impact, that I think might work. It has been allot of years since my athlete days, and I really don't know allot about equipment. I used to work out with free weights, so just don't know allot about all the high tech crap that have out now, and if they are any good, or a gimmick. The one that stuck out with me though was the "BowFlex". It sort of does make sense to me. I been looking at some, but damn, they cost allot. I found a few used ones, but the cheapest I could find have been the standard machine for about $800 used. Yesterday, I found one just 11 miles from me. I thought too good to be true. It is a BowFlex Extreme, with a few upgrades on it. From doing some research, it retails for about $1300 for the machine, and the upgrades it has comes to about another $300 +/-. This guy wanted $500 for all of it. This is a depressed area that the bad economy hit very hard here in Michigan, and the guy ended up telling me if I was serious, he would bring it to me, and set it back up for $100 cheaper than he advertised. So, it cost me $400, delivered and set up at my home. Is that a pretty good deal? And am I on the right track for something I can use that is low impact, and that might be able to strengthen some of the areas that have been neglected without doing more damage to my back and leg..?
Any input, or advice, would be appreciated.
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By 91YEEPER - 4/11/2010 7:41:12 AM
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i would first invest in a heart rate monitor and then an elliptical machine. the bow flex is nice but at this point a cardio very low impact would suit you better.
something like this would work your cardio, allow you to maintain a certain heart rate and be low impact.
http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/ProForm-SpaceSaver-500-Elliptical-Trainer/3955073/product.html
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By Tudor - 4/11/2010 8:01:15 AM
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My heart, really isn't the problem. Actually, my heart is, and has always been very strong. All my internal organs are actually very strong. The problem was, my blood pressure jetted to stroke level. Partially due to my morbid obeseity, but also due to the severe pain levels my body was experiencing due to my back, leg and arthritis. Like I said, my problem was, emotionally, and mentally, I block out pain and just don't complain, or show it, but it doesn't mean it isn't there, and you can not fool your body. Your body physically will deal with the pain, even if you don't mentally. Since I wasn't expressing or showing it, my trainer just didn't think there was a problem. I just did what I was told to do. I suddenly dropped, and that was when he checked and found I was suffering a mild stroke. When they connected a monitor to me, every time I started the workout my pain levels rose way up, and my blood pressure followed, even though I showed no physical indications. They would ask me, and all I would say is "yeah, it hurt, but I got to do this.."... They wern't used to, or set up to deal with someone that could block out the pain levels I deal with daily. My doctor pulled me off all physical therapy, and pretty much sat me in a wheelchair. I am at a place in my mind now, Im not ok with that. I am going to start a low impact, mobility regimin, and going to be monitoring my BP through it. If I tried cardio at this point, I would stroke. So, I have to keep my heart rate low to and learn to maintain my BP low while I endure the pain of the low impact workout. I am not trying to bulk up, I am first trying to get my flexibility up 1st, then work on stretching, and strenthining muscles that I can. Cardio is out for now. Maybe later as I gain flexibility, and mobility better I will start slowing into a cardio and progress while monitoring the BP... If that makes any sense.. I would make more sense if you knew what my doctor knows.. I am not bragging about my pain threshold. It is a blessing, but at the same time a curse. They connected probes on me a few years ago checking for nerve damage, and while in an MRI. They actually saw the pain I was dealing with in images, and I was interacting with them with a straight face. They told me from their indications, I should't even be talking coherantly seeing what my body was dealing with. They saw images like that, and the person couldn't speak, and rolling around screaming in pain, but yet, I was there, interacting and talking to them carrying on a conversation. They would ask "Are you in pain?" I would answer, "yeah, I guess so.."... The specialist would just shake their heads, and ask if I was some sort of naval seal or something, hahhah.. Dunno.. Don't know why that is. My dad was the same way.. I seen that man get nailed by a treated 4X4 that fell 8 feet right on the top of his head. That would have laid out a normal man, but my Old man just stumbled back, didn't even fall, and just went back to what he was doing, hahha.. I had to stop him, sit him down myself to treat him, hahah. Anyway.. The point is, I have to watch that carefully, because my who BP problem is my body dealing with pain, when my mind won't, and that is what causes a stroke level BP during my work outs.. So, the only way to do that, is low impact, NON cardio for now anway..
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By imgonnasnap - 4/11/2010 8:42:18 AM
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A lot of those shows that follow the lives of obese people show the routines they did to help them. Exercise for an average person and for an obese person is certainly going to be different, as it seems you already know. A Nintendo Wii is a great tool for any age/condition, IMO. If you do decide to get a machine, like the bowflex, check out craigslist or any other used classifieds as you can find it at half the cost of a new unit.
Not that it takes the place of exercise but it will certainly help, is it possible to get a lap band through your insurance? Food intake is a part of the solution. Make a list of what you are eating, count the calories.
Check out discovery health: http://health.discovery.com/
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By 91YEEPER - 4/11/2010 10:05:23 AM
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the heart rate monitor is to keep you in the fat burning zone, with different heart rates you accomplish different tasks. like a very high heart rate is typically key for muscle building and weight gain. a lower heart rate is typically key for weight lose.
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By Tudor - 4/11/2010 10:23:31 AM
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We have a Wii, and I do play that some... Its pretty fun actually. And, I have already got the machine. I just bought it today. The one I said I gave $400 for, which I thought was a steel. It is the Bowflex extreme, with about $300 worth of upgrades to it.
Yes, I will have to do much of my stuff modified, to work with the hugeness, and of the limitations of the disability. I so need to loose weight obviously, but I am working more on increasing my flexibility, and mobility first, and as that grows, I will be able to do even more, and work my way up to fat burning stuff. But at my current flexibility, I can not do much to burn fat. Its one of those catch 22 situations really. Sometimes it is hard to understand by people that don't deal with mornid obesity, and a disability. Not only do I have limited motion available to begin with, it is made worse by having an extra 350-400 lbs of weight to carry along with it, that I can not put down. Think of it this way, take 4 to 6 bags of sacrete, or sand and carry it around all day, and then excersise while carrying it. Dont put it down, all day long... That, on top of a damaged back and leg.. I guess you can hop around on one leg carrying it, just for a day.. It will give ya a different outlook, hahha. The point is, yeah, its much different than just working out.
Yes, I considered the lapband, and even gastric bypass. But I would rather try to do it on my own. That isn't a cure, only a tool and a starting point. My ins wont cover it, because other than my back and leg, I am a healthy person, so they won't ocver it. They said the only way they will cover it, is if I was diabetic. So, basically, they are waiting for me to develop diabities before they will cover the surgery. yeah, odd huh? But, that is what I deal with too. Its a 20K$ surgery, and I need the insurance to help with it. They wont.. Been through all that too.. So, Im gonna do this on my own.. I dont want to wait till I get totally wheelchair bound, OR become sick before I try and stop the spiral. So, Im gonna do this...
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By jtgroover - 4/11/2010 11:29:27 AM
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6 meals a day, Small portions, Weight watchers will help you learn portion control. lowimpact, Start walking More activity you do the more Calories you will burn. I lost 40 pounds last summer and have lost 10 so far in my latest attempt. No real excercise regimen but more active the better
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By JakeOrion - 4/11/2010 2:23:39 PM
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Count your calories.
By trying to keep your intake from 2000 to 2500 a day, plus any physical activity you can accomplish, you'll start shedding weight. Patience is virtue. Rather than eat, check out those Slim Fast shakes. 300 Cal each can, but you can have 1 for breakfast, have a fruit snack, another can for lunch, veggie snack, and then a good healthy dinner to finish off the day.
Become a fish fan too, Salmon is considered the best overall healthiest and lose weight food you can eat.
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By Tudor - 4/11/2010 8:23:56 PM
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Love fish. I eat Salmon at least once a week. I haven't been really counting calories, but like I said about 6 months ago, started eating healthier. I eat my real meals earlier and lighter in the evenings. Don't eat anything past 6pm when activity level is most low. Most my food I eat now are much healthier and fresh. Very little to no processed crap. My wife has always been a health food freak, although I have corrupted her and she hasn't been really into that for the past 10 years, until I told her I am going to expect her to get back in it, and be my nurtritionist. She stepped up to the plate, and started back at it, and buying and preparing more healthy fresh meals. We season with better seasoning now, and less salt. That has resulted in my mind being clearer now, and having the desires to get more active now. I feel phyically great, but just don't have the ability to move like my mind wishes now. Very frustrating. My mind tells my leg to take a step, and sometimes, it just wont move. My wife was very happy to hear me want to change my eating, taking that first step. She was glad to do it, and it helps her too. Now, we just have to start out slow, with a range of motion therapy regimen. This is where I hope the bowflex helps some. As my range of motion increases, the more I will work on actual strenthening techniques, and then onto more cardio later. I got the food in order, now just need to get the physical movement in order. Gonna be a long process, and I am ready for it, and in it for the long haul. Not even worried about the weight loss at this point, just concerned with the actual motion and activity moving up. With that, the weight loss will follow.
The bad thing about this guys is this. I think I am more shameful than the average fat guy. Why? Because I know, and knew better. I was very active and if I say so myself, and awesome athlete, that KNEW how to keep my body strong. I do know nutrition, and do know how to build a workout regimen. But, I let all that go, and let myself give it all up, and this happen to myself. The accedent, I couldn't help. It happened, and could have happened to anybody. But There were things I could have done at that point to stop the downward spiral. I just didn't give a schit about it at that time, because I lost a part of myself, my game, and I gave up on all of it because my life changed. So, now, that at least my mind is back, now I need to suck it up, get over that part, that will never be the same, and do what I can to get back as much of it as I can. I want to see my grandkids grow up.. Thanks for the input.. Keep em coming, I will take and use what I can...
quote:
Originally posted by JakeOrion
Count your calories.
By trying to keep your intake from 2000 to 2500 a day, plus any physical activity you can accomplish, you'll start shedding weight. Patience is virtue. Rather than eat, check out those Slim Fast shakes. 300 Cal each can, but you can have 1 for breakfast, have a fruit snack, another can for lunch, veggie snack, and then a good healthy dinner to finish off the day.
Become a fish fan too, Salmon is considered the best overall healthiest and lose weight food you can eat.
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By JM93LiftedYJ - 4/11/2010 10:26:07 PM
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I'm going to second the weight watchers. My mum do that for a long time. She lost over 100 lbs. (it was actually kind of funny because her sister gained over 100 lbs; the going joke was the my mum lost the weight and her sister found it). Its a lot of work though. You open the fridge and everything is labeled with a 1, 2 or 5 and so on. But she found out that a lot of restaurants incorporated a weight watchers menu where it would give how many points each meal was. That and the weigh ins were a great confident booster. The meetings showed a lot of support for the people there.
You're on the right track though. A lot of people in your position would just throw in the towel and confine themselves to a bed for the rest of their lives. I give a lot of credit to those that make themselves aware that there is a problem and have the willpower to fix it.
I wish you the best. =]
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By YJ Bill - 4/12/2010 10:35:00 AM
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The lap band would be a sure way to loose weight. Fake the diabetes test so insurance will cover it?
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By dittohead - 4/12/2010 10:55:03 AM
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The bowflex will do you wonders. Stick with it. Use it at very low settings to start. You are not trying to build muscle so much as lose the excess weight. COngrats on this important decision.
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By JakeOrion - 4/12/2010 12:09:09 PM
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Good to hear Tony. Also, and this is important:
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. As much as possible.
Just doing the Bowflex is great an all, but if you keep continuing the same routine day in and day out, you'll quit. Trust me, been there, done that. The key is to keep yourself physically active as much as possible, while doing different things. A trip to the grocery store may sound like a chore, but if it gets you out of the house, it burns calories. Drive down to the book store or library, grab a book, and head out to the park and read for a bit. Anything that will get you off your butt and constantly make you keep moving will help the calorie burn count.
I know you said you didn't feel the need to lose weight, but honestly, your weight is prohibiting you from doing very much, so weight loss is the priority. The key is to lose it slowly so it stays off. By keeping a calorie count and being active (even if you are wheelchair bound) as much as possible I guarantee you you'll begin to lose weight. I read somewhere we lose about 500 calories while we sleep! Over the day, if we sat doing nothing, our bodies use about 1500 calories for its daily process. So, doing any activities that can burn several hundred calories a day, well, do the math. 
Keep us updated so we can continue to encourage you, PM me or email me, or heck, call me so you never lose this motivation.
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By scherf68 - 4/12/2010 12:44:08 PM
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You can do it Tony, we will watch the progress, we want you healthy again.
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By Tudor - 4/12/2010 8:50:29 PM
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Thanks fokes... I'm gonna do this.... Jake.. Your 100% right. I didn't mean to make light (no pun) of the need to loose weight. That is the main overall focus. My disability is not the biggest problem. the weight is not the cause of the disability, BUT it greatly impacts and complicates it. I need to loose at least a couple hundred pounds. The problem with that is it requires activity like you said. Allot of it. My range of motion is greatly deminished from the disability, and then even more with the weight. So, the longer I go, the more range of motion I loose. Every year, it gets worse. I see myself in another year or two bed riddled, for the simple reason, I won't be able to move enough to manipulate my own weight, and there aren't many people that can pick up my fat ass. So, it is a viscious spiral. While I do still have some reange of motion, I need to start using it, pain or no pain to keep at least what I got. And as I use that, I will most likly get more. The more I get, the more I move, and the weight will start to go down. Sure, I am concentrating on loosing weight. But my focus is on range of motion, because that is what is it going to take to loose the weight. I know as that grows, the weight will follow, so yep, that is the goal. As the weight comes off, the disability will not be under so much stress itself. Believe me, it takes allot of power to stay even as active as I am now, just going about the day. Every time I do something as simply as go to the bathroom, I have to lift a 600 lb weight, so in realality, I am lifting "weights" every day, lol.. I make sure I get out of bed, every day. I make sure I get out of my chair, several times a day. I bought a house with an upstairs specifically so I would have the option of working stairs. Navigating stairs is an awesome workout, and many don't give going up and down stairs as much credit as it deserves. That is great excersise. I also going to start going up and down those, at least once a day as part of my regemin. I don't have to, because the master bedroom and bath is downstairs, and all that is up there is a bath and 4 bedrooms, but, I am making it a point to go up them anyway. I have to do it as a crawl right now, and go down them backwards, but it's also a start, and hopefully in a few months, I will be able to walk up and down them like a modern man (upright, lol).
Since this is a Jeep sight, I will add a Jeep comment. My love is always been classic cars. I have restored many over the years and built several jeeps over the years. Always been a Jeeper. I haven't been able to enjoy that hobby in some time, especially wheeling. I am hoping in a year, or two, I can start enjoying building again, and even wheeling.. I miss it the most..
Thanks again for the encuragment..
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By Tudor - 4/14/2010 8:51:28 PM
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Well, this is the 3rd day of my workout with the BoxFlex. I got to tell ya, I think it was a good investment. Even though it is low impact, and most guys would laugh at the "workout". I am hurtin big time, lol.. But, it isn't the hurt as in pain I live with. It's the good hurt I remember when I was an athlete. Hurts like hell all over my body, but the satifying hurt that you have when you played an awesome game. The wife has been worried, but I try to insure her Im ok. I get "in the zone" and just go with reps like the energizer bunny. Already stepped it up a notch yesterday (paying for it now though, lol). I am working mostly on my lower back, and legs for now. The one that is doing the most I think for now is I am doing inverted situps with the straps around the top of my head at with 60 pounds connected. I was doing it with the straps over my shoulders, but decided to strap it to my head to also build my neck strength. I have spurs all up and down my spine, and into my neck and when I get fatiqued, I have a hard time even holding my head up, so I want to build my neck up as well. I think it will help with that.
Like I said, I hurt like hell this morning, but feel good, and will jump back on the machine in a few minutes for todays beating..
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By JakeOrion - 4/14/2010 9:41:06 PM
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When you start hurting, drink lots of water. This helps "flush" out your system and reduce your muscle soreness. Drink some Gatorade for your electrolytes too. Remember though, start off slow. Too fast and you could actually worsen your condition. Force yourself to take it easy and gradually build up.
Keep at it Tony. It sucks, but strive for your end result.
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By Tudor - 4/14/2010 10:24:06 PM
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You bet.. Thanks for the encouragement. And the reminder to take it slow... I am bad about going full bore. When I played ball, that's how I played, full throttle, and didn't get off the throttle until I got to the end. Good for the competitive sport, but in this case, I need to remember I am only competing with my problem, and it is on my terms, and I set the pace, not the problem and take it as fast, or slow as I need to, to go the full distance. So, thanks for reminding me to pace myself to be successful. I need that..
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By JM93LiftedYJ - 4/15/2010 12:57:58 AM
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I remember when I used to workout. My first day I spent a couple hours there. Did 220 situps. Got home and damn that was sore. I hurt all over. Two days later I stopped at 50 situps then did some work on biceps. After a few months I was at 300 situps and didn't feel a thing. Of course, I don't work out anymore. =P
Keep it up Tony. You have your mind focused on something and that's great. We're proud of yea.
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By Tudor - 4/15/2010 2:32:09 AM
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Thats all I am doing now are the 50 inverted sit ups with 60 lbs strapped to my head. It is a good workout for my lower back, my neck and stomach all in one shot. Then I just follow that up with 50 butterflies to maybe help get myself from a DDD cup, to just a D cup, lol.. Then, 50 leg lifts. Those are the hardest with my knee, and leg problem. they are modified lifts tho. I back up to the box flex in the wheelchair, strap the cables to my ankles, and kick straight out, 50 per leg. Then I rest, and let my BP go back down.. Then hit it again in the afternoon... Im hoping to maybe even double that in a couple months..
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By dittohead - 4/15/2010 8:20:27 AM
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Wow, thats a great start! You'll be in the D cup in less than a year. Have you set any weight loss goals? 5 pounds a month? It doesnt have to be much, just something to gauge your progress by.
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By Sarges 7 - 4/15/2010 7:31:50 PM
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Proud of ya, Tony, you're an inspiration. Keep up the hard work.
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By Tudor - 4/15/2010 8:32:58 PM
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Not really. I know how important goals are. But I have not put a number on it at this point. I will eventually though. My goal right now, is to keep doing this no matter how it hurts. I really don't have any way to weigh myself right now anyway. No scales to weigh someone my size for personal use anyway. How I weigh myself every now and then is at the hospital every so often when I go there. They have a utility area in the back of the hospital where they weigh freight and stuff like that I guess. They let me go back there and get on the scale. I have also gone to the dump and drove the truck onto the scale and they weigh it with me out of it, and then me in it and do the math. That works pretty good too. When I weighed last time at the hospital, I was 594 lbs. I think I lost a little over the past 6 months changing my eating habits though, and may be around 550-560 now... Hopefully as I gain range of motion, I will be able to step it up as that gains. As that steps up, I should start noticing it come off. At that point, I will drop by the hospital again, get a good starting weight and check it every month or so.. But for now, Im just gonna settle in to a new routien in my life...
Thanks again..
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By dittohead - 4/17/2010 1:07:32 AM
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My father in law is doing the same thing as you. He uses 2 scales and has his wife tell him He id down from 425 to 375. He looks great and he is walking again! Keep up the hard work. This is not fun or easy.
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By Tudor - 4/22/2010 8:56:34 PM
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Been a couple weeks now, and I have a serious question to your workout folk. Like I mentioned before, when I was an active athlete, I knew nothing but "full throttle". If there was something needed done, I was like a freight train to stop. I am in a delima at the moment. I have been on my machine every day without question to work towards my goal. After a week, I was feeling great, and had noticed a substancial increase of my stamina. The past couple days, my legs have gone south, and started feeling very weak again. I don't want to stop, even for a little bit my regimine, but questioning if I should give myself a break? I don't want to, because I am not there yet, but yesterday, I could barely stand taking a shower. This morning, I find myself having a hard time walking again. Should I take a break for a day or two, then get back at it? Or should I work through it? I don't want to do more damage, at the same time, I don't want to stop. Should I adjust my workout to 5-6 days a week, taking a break for one to two days a week?
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By JM93LiftedYJ - 4/22/2010 9:17:34 PM
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IIRC, I think you're supposed to work a day, take a day off. Work a day, take a day off. And so on. You might be overdoing it and your body is fighting back.
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By Tudor - 4/22/2010 9:59:03 PM
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Oh, it's definatly fighting back. But, it's a fight I have lost over the years, and I'm gonna go to battle to take it back. I don't want to go backwards, but at the same time, I don't want to do more damage, or get to where I dread the workout. I enjoy it, but the past day or two, it's got to where I feel like I am being counter productive. So, even though I don't want to stop, I think I may take the day off and rest my legs and get back at it tomorrow. I don't mind my body fighting back, I expected it. But, I don't want to give in to it either. If that makes any sense. I want to win the long term war, so if it means retreating for a day or two, to hit it again head on, that might be the best choice. Sometimes to win the war, you need to give in on a battle or two.
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By Ol Yeller 7 - 4/23/2010 2:58:05 AM
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Tony,- you may have mentioned it, but did you consult your Doc before starting all this? He/she can give you some ideas on diet or vitamins to help with the muscle fatigue.
I lost 70 lbs over a 3 month period some years back-40 lbs in the first month-(long story), and it totally screwed up the vitamin/mineral/hormone/chemical balance in my system. I had to go on supplements & meds in order to get everything back in order.
Go see your Doc-
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By mike100 - 4/23/2010 3:20:09 AM
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I take a day or two between my workouts. Just so long as you do something about 3-4 days a week and maybe something else low impact on your off days (like using a flight of stairs you don't have to or parking at the back of the parking lot) just to keep your calorie burn up. For me, the food intake is just as important as the exercise.
The most weight I have ever lost outside of a fitness routine is when I spent 70 days in Chile and a few weeks in China. there is something wrong with the food here- it isn't all your fault- it's all the processed shit we eat.
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By JakeOrion - 5/1/2010 8:53:37 AM
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Don't think we've forgotten Tony, so how's it going so far?
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By Tudor - 5/6/2010 12:26:53 AM
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Going pretty good. But yeah, my body is fighting it big time.. I hurt my back on it last week, and had to lay off for a few days, but back at it.. I am now doing it two days, and off one. I think I tried to do too much too fast really. My old MO, that got me in this condition in the first place, so I have to be aware of that, and fight that too.
On the Dr. question, your right, but no, I had not consulted my Dr before, but do have an appointment mid week next week. I want to be sure not to do more damage than good this time.
Thanks again folk..
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By Tudor - 5/15/2010 12:08:24 AM
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UPDATE:
Well.. The workout continues, but I have had a little hitch in my come-a-long. I finally went to see my doctor since I haven't seen her in more than a year. I irronically developed a breathing issue since my workout. Had a couple scary eppisodes very recently that I was concerned with. My doctor is afraid the recent increased activity has released blood clots from my legs into my lungs. They seem to be small at the moment, but she has ordered some blood tests, and chest X-rays to confirm. It can be very fatal if one releases large enough to cause respatory arrest, or gets past my lungs into the heart, so it is a concern. But, the work out needs to continue. Hopefully they will release a little at a time, and small enough not to cause a big problem, or disolve as my activity increases. Scary a little bit, but not gonna let this discurrage my workout. I need to get in better health..
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By YJ Bill - 5/15/2010 2:57:48 AM
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Keep it safe Tony, "no pain no gain" no longer works when you get to our age
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By Tudor - 5/15/2010 3:47:00 AM
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If that phrase is true Bill, Under the no pain no gain clause, I would be in tip top condition, and a multi millionaire, lol..
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By ken - 5/16/2010 2:21:45 AM
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Have you considered swimming or water aerobics? Very low impact total body workout.
I need to shed some weight. I'll be starting nutrisystem and joining a rec center to swim and have access to variety of low impact equipment. elliptical, bike, weights.
Keep it going Tony. We are all rooting for you and an inspiration to get me going.
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By Tudor - 5/16/2010 2:37:20 AM
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Ken,
Yes, swimming is really the best thing for someone with my issues. The problem is practicality. I live in Michigan and don't have a pool, and the cost of one large enough to be any use for swimming laps is way more than I could even consider. We can't afford one, and especially the upkeep anyway. We live in a small town, and there is a nice physical therapy complex complete with lap pool in the closest larger town (3 rivers Michigan). The complex has awesome programs for fitness, especially for disabled, and elderly, but is WAY expensive. Can't afford that either. I am on medicare, and they won't cover it. Insurances really count on me dying, so they won't have to cover costs, and aren't really interested in my getting healthy. They will only cover what they consider "needed" for life or death types of issues. Which this really is, but insurances don't see it that way. So, pretty much, I am on my own... But, not gonna let that stop me either, so it's all good..
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By newyj - 5/21/2010 9:59:48 AM
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save the money for all of the machines and gadgets, just get some of the therapy bands, they come in all colors for different resistances and start hackin away any movement will be good and you can choose, how much you need that day, just keep records of what you do and when so you can track progress
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