Yes, I tried to workout yesterday out of shear guilt. I went to my on demand feature for my cable and selected something on Exercise TV. They have a lot of different workouts for you to do, ranging from the very basics to a one and a half hour boot camp workout. I watched a few to find the easiest one that I thought I could handle. This was very revealing. I selected the easiest class but it was 20 minutes long. I was already skeptical, because at 523.8 on my last weigh in I am still a lot to move. I am still having a hard time breathing when active, and 20 minutes to me, might as well be the hour and a half boot camp. I decided to watch it through once and learn the moves so I could transition smoothly while I worked out. This proved to be somewhat helpful, and humbling. As I sat there learning the sequences, not only was my son doing the whole workout, but I was getting winded just moving my arms around and pretending like I was doing the exercises. I was convincing myself that I'm just not warmed up yet so as to stay positive and still be able to actually start the work out.
My son is such a motivator, the whole time he was learning the exercises on the first run through, he kept saying this is fun daddy, you can do this daddy, just watch me daddy and do it like this. I was so amped by the time I started the actual workout that I forgot about all the negative thoughts I was having. I love my boy so much it's ridiculous...lol. Anyway, I started the 20 minutes, the lady put a clock on the screen which I think was just to torture you! I went through the 2 minute warm up and I was feeling pretty good, my back wasn't hurting, and I was still breathing relatively well, and my kids were right there working out with daddy, both cheering me on. I was getting into it. So the pace started to pick up and it was as if she read my mind through the TV, I immediately felt my back starting to show signs of cramping and spasm, as she said "you can do this!" A determination was welling up inside as the we started to go through the first set. It was starting to get harder to breathe and my back was not backing down, so in a panic I looked at that big blue clock...it had not even been four minutes including the warm up. I decided right then that I had to keep moving even if I couldn't finish the whole workout. I started to just walk in place to try and catch my breath. the timing was perfect because she started to do squats....HAHAHA ya not happening. My boy was like it's OK daddy you can do it, let's go! lol.
I felt so guilty about Thanksgiving night that I just had to do something productive, if for no other reason then to restore my own self confidence. Up to this point of my workout, I had already learned something about myself, I am stronger than I had been giving myself credit for, and I have a lot of work to do. I was in this walking in place point of the workout when I could not breathe, I was struggling to get any air and I started to feel faint so I had to stop. Angrily, I sat down for a few minutes and I caught my breath. The moment I felt OK again, I stepped back into where the video was at and tried to continue. At this point the video had gone to the floor, I did FIVE PUSH-UPS! I am 524lbs people...AND WHAT FOO...YE-UH! (((hands up while saying this and head wobbling showing attitude on my face))) lol.
Well, OK, so they were girl push-ups, aaaand my belly made them more like roll-ups, but hey...I did them.
Anyway, the video finished that part and started to get back into the cardio/leg work. This time it had incorporated some Kenpo Karate, so I was getting into it since i had studied this as a child. I was trying to tell my son the moves we were doing and my breathing started to catch up to me again, but this time my back did have it, as I was throwing the last set of punches I got stuck turning to the left. I grabbed my back and waddled wheezing to the couch. So there I was, stiff, soar, sweaty, wheezing, and gingerly placing myself on the couch, realizing that I had made an effort. I was a little shocked at what I had done and embarrassed by how little I had done, it was an odd sensation. But, I changed my defeat from the night before into a triumph in that moment.
11-27-10 Progress Report. I am starting my round two training with a bang, though i know my working out may be premature, I needed this to prove to myself that I am on the right path. I stuck to my diet yesterday and eat nearly all raw foods and was never really hungry. I did have about a 3/4 cup serving of spaghetti with my family, but it was the only real carbs and meat I had that day. Today I started with cantaloupe, cottage cheese, and grape nuts. A half cup of each, well a bit more melon than that, but that covered my proteins and part of my daily intake of my essential fiber, minerals, and vitamins. I feel a renewed energy towards my program today, and I am now off to try my hand at some beginners yoga....STRETCH FAT-MAN... STRETCH! As always I am humbled and honored to have you with me on this journey. James.
I just want to jump up and down for joy! Way to go James! And Im here to agree with you, you ARE a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. Let me explain this. I watch biggest loser faithfully. Im hooked on it. But something I have noticed since season one, those people of fluff (as you call yourself and others lol) can work out a heck of a lot harder and longer than I can. I was trying to figure out how these bigger women were so able to do things that I cant do. Well James, you have been carrying extra weight for many years. You are insanely stronger than the average public! I think your biggest obstacle will simply be the breathing. I say simply, but thats not simple and yes, when you start getting dizzy you take a rest, get your oxygen back, and then get back up and move.
ReplyDeleteLast season on BL, they had a man that was 546 lbs at the start I believe. Several weeks into the season, Trainer Bob put the amount of weight on himself, as that man carried for years. He almost cried. He couldn't hardly move and he was in serious pain. He did this because he wanted to see what it was like for Mike (the obese man) to carry this weight and to work out with it etc. Anyway, he had a very moving discussion with him about his strength and what he could do. I believe that to be very true. Your back carries over 500 lbs EVERYWHERE you go. So you do have back problems most definitely, but as you lose that weight those back problems are going to seriously decrease and you will have one of the strongest backs around. Im not sure how your disks are etc., but the loss of weight is going to change your life in ways you haven't even begun to realize. Not only does your back carry all the weight, every time you lift your arms to brush your teeth, take a drink of water etc. you are working out harder than the average person. I am not trying to point out the weight of your limbs in a bad manner, but rather show you that just MOVING is a true workout for you. Even sitting in a chair and doing arm circles is HUMUNGOUS for you! Because most of us can take a 12 oz can of veggies and seriously get some weight training doing arm circles. You don't need those things James, not yet. Your own weight gives you plenty of exercise.
I do believe you are right and you overdid it a little. I think for cardio type stuff you should seriously start by walking in place and MAYBE circling your arms while doing so. Swinging your arms should be more than enough though. Just remember when you are doing these things, that you are doing them with weights on. Most people do these things without weight, and if they add weight to these types of things its typically 5-10 hand weights they hold. So again, you are much stronger than the average public, just pay attention to your oxygen and heart rate. The rest will begin to fall into place as you move through this.
I am so excited to hear these things and so very proud! James, many people who are your weight never leave their beds. Im serious, they even use bedpans. What you have done for years, and most definitely what you are doing now is AMAZING. Keep it up! You CAN do it! And keep them kids in there with you when you do this. What great motivators. Give them love from Aunt Margaret. Im so proud of them too!
this is great! keep up the awesome work. change is a process not an event so hopefully you'll measure out your work out time to capability and more.
ReplyDeleteyou're doing well. you'll inspire us in more ways than you'll ever know!
Awesome son! Keep up the push forward, you did not fail on Thanksgiving, you won because you are now fully aware of your breaking point. I feel this struggle with you and I am proud of you to not let it stop you. Keep moving in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteThis backgroound is definitely easier on my eyes, thank you for the change.
love you, mom.
You've got the right idea..our bodies were created for motion and when we stop moving like we should they shut down on us. If you can push yourself 5 mins more each time you exercise or say add an extra 5 mins a week you'll do well. You'll work up more endurance. You can also split your exercise time up..two times a day insted of one. Reading with you..remember lifes a journey and not a destination. Your children are learning from you. God bless, Yvonne
ReplyDeleteSo... I attempted some pushups and well.. Hats off to you, I failed miserably and I'm only 145lbs, hah. Since my mom mentioned it, one of the things I noticed on the biggest loser is instead of having them do pushups at first they just have them hold their weight up in the push up position for 30 seconds. It may not sound that long to most people... but 30 seconds can be a lifetime. Maybe try that next time and have the little ones do a countdown for you. I love you James... You are doing great!!
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