| morning workouts? |
[Jul. 4th, 2009|10:50 pm] |
Folks:
This isn't really a fat-related question really, but I'm usually a student with a variable schedule but I work 9-5 during the summers. And I'm having a really really tough time getting motivated to wake up early to go swimming. Going after work or on a lunch break isn't really feasible. Anyone who's not a big morning person had luck in getting up at 5:45 to work out? Tips? I'm frustrated with myself, but I also really love sleeping.... |
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| Spinning workout podcasts |
[Jun. 23rd, 2009|01:11 am] |
does anyone have a source for spinning podcasts I can download? for free or for a reasonable amount of money. The only limitation is I do not, and will not use iTunes.
The spin classes at my gym are never at a time I can get to, and even if I could, from what I see and hear, they're so crowded not everyone who shows up always gets a cycle. The good thing is that I can use the spin cycles at any time they're not in use for a class. I've taken plenty of spin classes in the past so I generally know what I'm doing, but I've never been able to put together a truly effective workout for myself.
I found one blogger who put together some decent podcasts. I liked them, had a couple of good workouts with them. But I was reading her blog tonight, looking for some of the other podcasts and I ran into some posts where she goes on about her fellow American's "nauseating obesity".
Needless to say, that made me feel nauseated. Really turned me off this particular podcaster, knowing what she thinks of me.
I hoping to find some other spinning podcasts and my google-fu is failing me, but then, I've never really been into podcasts before. Anyone else use them? Have a good source for them.
Thanks. |
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| Help! |
[Jun. 11th, 2009|03:14 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  frustrated | ] |
Any recommendations for fitness balls? Anti-burst seems to be the phrase of choice, but I have a hard time believing that there still isn't a weight limit despite the fact that several of the brands I've looked at have neglected to list one. For what it's worth, I'm 5'10" and my weight is hovering somewhere around the triple cent mark. Ideally the ball would be sturdy enough that it could serve as my desk chair when I'm working from home three days a week in addition to being used for core exercises and such. |
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| A Workout DVD For A Picky, Reticent, Easily-Bored Wimp? |
[Jun. 10th, 2009|01:11 pm] |
Hi folks,
I'm in my mid-twenties and I walk a couple of miles a day, but I wanted to kick things up a bit and get more active. Since I'm cheap and uncoordinated (and I am a wimp when it comes to the outdoors,) I've always had a soft spot for workout DVDs. They worked well for me in the past when I had a big, air-conditioned ground-level surface to stomp around on.
But I now live on the top floor of a flimsy, thin-walled apartment building and have neighbors below me. So a great deal of DVD-induced stomping could possibly be construed as un-neighborly. The folks downstairs are quite nice, and I wouldn't want to subject them to a great deal of ruckus.
So I'd like to find a workout DVD that doesn't involve a great deal of jumping and stomping. I also have an old knee injury that makes very deep bends and squats a bit uncomfortable, so I'd like something a little bit more low-impact for the time being.
Another problem is, I'm bored to tears by slow, meditative movements. They're fine for warming up, of course, but I'm afraid that most lower-impact DVDs would just be a lot of stretching and slow yoga-like moves--which are perfectly lovely, but just can't hold my attention. Maybe something more dance-like, in which I can do a lot of moving and flailing while keeping my feet mostly on the floor?
Anyway, I know it's a tall order, but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations.
I just joined the community and you all seem fantastic! This seems like a great proactive place to get active and feel good, no matter your size or shape. Thanks again for any suggestions you might have! |
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| Aqua jog question! |
[Jun. 9th, 2009|10:11 pm] |
Hello lovelies,
I recently got a Y membership (hurrah!) and my bestie is dragging me-willingly- to deepwater aqua jog tomorrow evening. I'm excited, and a bit nervous... I've never done anything like this before! I'm a yoga/ toodling around town on a bike sort of girlie.
Which leads me to my question- aqua jog belts? I'm a bit worried it won't fit... I'm currently around a 20. This seems like the perfect new exercising opportunity for me, I spiral fractured my ankle a couple of years ago, and I'm always looking at ways to continue to strengthen the muscles.
What have your experiences been like? |
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| Limited by my belly for some Pilates moves? |
[Jun. 6th, 2009|10:17 am] |
Is there anyone else out here who has done a lot of Pilates?
I'm pretty serious about Pilates. I take three classes a week, two group reformer sessions and a one on one training session, doing whatever takes the fancy of my trainer (cadillac, chair, mat work, ladder barrel, whatever). I've been taking classes for about two years now and while I've made huge strides in almost everything, I still feel limited in my progress in a few things. Part of me is wondering if its my size.
I know certain things will always be harder for me because of my size. A lot of the mat exercises, the weight I'm lifting is my whole body weight, which is about 250lbs. Or doing pull ups on the cadillac. It's harder for me just because I'm lifting much more weight than my smaller classmates. I don't mind that, because eventually, I'll get there and just be that much stronger.
But I think the thing that really gets me is short spine. I've been struggling for two years to do any absolutely perfect one. I've gotten a lot better. But I have never been able to completely return the carriage to the stopper before going up onto my shoulders. I just don't bend that far. I'm starting to think it isn't a matter of flexibility or strength. I'm wondering if it's just my belly in the way, stopping me from bending fully in half. My trainer says she thinks its mental, but then, she's naturally a tiny thing and has never had to worry about anything like that.
I guess I would just feel a little better if I knew some other peoples experience. I love Pilates like I have no other form of exercise, ever. I don't want to be limited in it. |
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| Getting Started! |
[Jun. 5th, 2009|09:56 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | work | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  chipper | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Buddy Holly | Heartbeat | ] |
Hi everyone!
I've been reading this community for a week or so, on a mission to follow through with my new year's resolution. Not to lose weight but, to get in better shape and if weight comes off that's fine. A year or two ago when I was with my ex-fiance (who was also pretty big) I did lots of hiking and jogging (I also had a job that required a lot of heavy lifting/walking all day until I got promoted but, anyway). It's a little embarrassing that I really lapsed on doing anything physical just because of him for so long that it's hard for me to walk a mile anymore. So! Yesterday I joined our local YMCA. They showed me how to use the treadmill and I'm thinking of going to do that on my own today before I meet with a 'coach' on Tuesday afternoon. I have workout 'clothes' but, I really need help in the two three most important parts: sports bras, swimsuits, and shoes!
1- I'm well above 300lbs and wear a 46D/44DD, 5'4. Jiggling is a major concern for me since I've never been part of a gym (just Curves and it did not work for me, too much drama and crappy facilities). I have on I really like and it's from Wal-Mart, can't find it now. I'm very cheap, but suggestions welcome!
2- I have ordered and exchanged like 4 bathing suits from Junonia, I'm thinking about trying again. I think my problem is I'm pretty long in the torso + I have a belly and don't like when my chest is unsupported. Any other place I can try? Currently I have a tankini from Old Navy that I don't like and wouldn't use to swim laps it's just for the beach and I wear a bra under it, haha.
3- Shoes! I need to buy some asap! I know the importance of good shoes so, I'm willing to be less cheap about this than sports bras. I'd like to go somewhere local and pick 'em up today but, I don't know how that's gonna play out. Do you have any suggestions for a fat like me? |
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| Waves muppet arms excitedly! (and a bike clothing question) |
[May. 28th, 2009|04:50 pm] |
Hello all!
I just learned of this community and I have to say I am quite excited! it is nice to see that there are those of us who are fat AND fit (now if only my mother - at a 100 lbs with cholesterol nearing 300 - would listen to me but that is another rant for another place)
but YAY! I do like to be active, and bike, and swim and do pilates and lift weights and I am trying to convince myself that I like yoga but that is a hard one to swallow at the moment
but I do have a question for those who bike...I commute about 10 miles to work on my bike and I got myself a pair of knickers from terry to help with the comfort...but the fit is lacking - I have a really large bootie and when something fits my hips I can fit the phone book in my backside
I am not looking for the knickers that are tight or form fitting but are built like capris - but also have the chamois in the crotch
I have looked at Junonia but they don't have the chamois
help??? |
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| Looking for Personal Trainer |
[May. 15th, 2009|04:34 pm] |
Hi! I just put up the following ad on craigslist, but I wanted to put it here as well:
I am a 52 y.o. female looking for a personal trainer: advocacy of health at every size (no weight-loss goals) a must, experience with clients who have large bodies (I'm 4xl) and chronic illness (diabetes, osteo-arthritis) highly desired. Must come to my house in Yonkers. I'm thinking in terms of yoga and some gentle work with weights, but open to new ideas. Need help setting up plan for my daily schedule, number of meetings per week with you to be determined. I am educated, motivated, and opinionated--we need to be a good match, but I'm a peach of a client for the right person. Your age, sex, weight & most other social categories are irrelevant; training/education matters, but experience matters more, and compatible temperaments and views on weight and health may matter the most. I'm not out to become a fathlete, just in this for my health.
Pay: Competitive, depending on training and experience
Where: Yonkers, NY, near the Cross County Mall
If you are interested & local or know someone who is, please e-mail me via the my lj info-page address or leave an LJ message for me. Thanks!
Mood: cautiously optimistic |
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| Bike helmets and double chins? |
[May. 7th, 2009|04:33 pm] |
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OK, I hate the term double chin, but: the last time I tried to wear a bike helmet (when riding a loaner bike), it felt like I had to squish my double chin to the point that it was uncomfortably constricting my throat in order to have the helmet strapped on securely enough. I'm looking into getting a bike of my own this summer, and I'm worried that I'll avoid riding it because of the uncomfortable helmet thing, or ride without a helmet and get dirty looks from everyone. Was I just being too paranoid about how tightly I thought I needed to buckle my helmet? Are there alternate helmet types that are easier on the throat? Fat bikers, help me out here! |
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| Couch to 5k |
[May. 7th, 2009|09:31 am] |
It's been a little quiet here, so I figured I'd share one of my finish line photos from my 5k this past weekend. I'm about halfway through the Couch to 5k program, but did a race this past weekend anyhow. It was walker-friendly, so I knew I wouldn't feel bad if I needed to walk some of it. My time was 45:42, which isn't too bad considering my shirt wouldn't stay put over my belly, and my running skort kept creeping up. I finished this race with some major chub-rub ^,^
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| I need ideas |
[Apr. 24th, 2009|02:19 pm] |
So. This summer I am taking a month-long road trip through the US. I'm planning to go down the west coast, hit Vegas and the Grand Canyon, go across the South to Atlanta, back up to DC and NYC and then back west via Chicago and Fargo, ND, Yellowstone, etc.
Anyway, this morning I've been thinking about ways to make an impact on the fat-phobic world with this trip. I'd like to work in as many things as possible that fat people "can't" or "aren't supposed to" do. I'd basically like to debunk the idea that you can't live your life until you are no longer fat.
I'm planning on blogging and taking photos about whatever I do, possibly video if I can wrangle a camera from somewhere. So far I'm definitely going bungee jumping, camping/hiking and possibly taking a dance class but I need some more ideas. Any thoughts? Email 'em to carrie at fatrights.org. Thanks! |
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| Stretches? |
[Mar. 25th, 2009|10:22 pm] |
Hey everyone!!
I'm new - Danielle, 23, student. I've never really been a fathlete in my youth, but lately I've been really interested in getting more exercise as a way to feel healthier and to also help with my mood disorder. I already have a basic level of fitness (I live in a city and have to walk long distances every day), but I'm not at the stage I want to be, yet - I feel kind of creaky. Anyway, I've long been a fan of swimming, I want to get back into Yoga, and I also want to take up running.
Which brings me to my question! I'm hoping to start the Couch-To-5K program sometime next week, and while I have most of the "Beginning Runner" tips down (good shoes, don't push it too hard, etc), I'm still lacking some decent stretches to do before I go out. I want to make sure to get nice and loosened up, so that I don't pull anything - does anyone have any links to websites with a stretching program I could try, or suggestions on good stretches to do?
Thanks so much in advance for any help you guys can give. :) |
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| Body Positive Dance has our Debut Performance |
[Mar. 17th, 2009|11:50 pm] |
Fathletes in Action! About a month ago I founded Body Positive Dance Company. This weekend we made our debut at the Dancing for Dachshunds fundraiser at the fabulous Go Dance Studio. You can check out the video here: www.budurl.com/bpdt. It's not perfect but for having just a month of practice we were really happy. Enjoy! |
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| swimmity swim swim |
[Mar. 10th, 2009|10:58 pm] |
i have been able to swim a mile for a while, but it's my own special kind of mile, where i swim in 100s and i stop after each one and each 100 is a unique medley of free kick, breaststroke, kick/freestyle and elementary backstroke.
free has always been my worst stroke and i couldn't even swim 50 yards of it without stopping in the middle.
however, ladies, gents, others and sundry, i swam 150 free, 150 of alternate kicking and pulling and then another 150 of free -- without stopping for one single second this morning. true, i was going awfully slowly. BUT i swam a quarter mile of free (or free components), a measely 18 lengths, but something i never thought i could do. i'm aiming for a mile :)
what athletic victory have you achieved recently? |
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| Couch to 5K |
[Mar. 6th, 2009|11:54 am] |
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Ok folks, who here has tried Couch to 5K? A local sports store, Fleet Feet, is offering a group training session and says it's for complete beginners, and they take folks who run, walk/run, and walk. I'm thinking I'd be one of the walkers. I don't even know if I could do a 20 minute walk at this point. I'm looking for people who've experienced this....trying to exercise on my own is getting me nowhere, I need the motivation of a group of people. Thanks in advance! |
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| Negative review for wide yoga mat seller |
[Feb. 27th, 2009|11:06 am] |
After reading the suggestions in this post, I went ahead and ordered from a company called Yoga Accessories.
Immediately after placing my order, I realized that I had ordered this mat instead of the mat I meant to order, this mat.
I immediately sent an email to their customer service email address, asking them to assist me in changing my order. I got no response.
The following day, I received an automated email that they had received my order and were processing it. I forwarded that email to their customer service email address again asking them to adjust my order before it shipped out. No response.
I attempted to call their customer service line the next day, and was put into a voice mail system from hell which ended with a "thank you for contacting Yoga Accessories. Your message has been saved." I never had the opportunity to leave a message for anyone.
I called again and was actually put into "Robin"'s voice mail. I left a message explaining the situation. I did receive a voice mail back, but she told me that I would need to refuse the package and order the correct mat with my credit card. She didn't say if I would get a refund for returning the wrong mat. Also, because I have this thing called a day job, the wrong mat was delivered to my house without the opportunity to refuse the order.
I called again on Monday of this week and left another voice mail for Robin, asking her to call me back to explain how I could return the wrong mat. No response.
I left another message for Robin on Wednesday, stating that I had already left a message on Monday and to please call me back to resolve this issue. No response as of today.
I may just be spoiled by Amazon's fantastic customer service, but this company had almost a week to correct the order before it was shipped, and I've since been ignored both via email and voice mail by their lousy customer service. I would advise against ordering anything from this company, Yoga Accessories.
Cross posted to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) bigbody_yoga |
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| Since I just like to keep the discussions happening: |
[Feb. 24th, 2009|12:37 am] |
Bikers:
Can everyone find a bicycle that's comfortable for them with appropriate professional sizing help?
I've tried many (okay, like three) different bicycles and without fail, I get knee pain, ass pain (but that's just that i need a different seat probably) and EXTREME BACK/SHOULDER PAIN. This also happens with stationary bikes.
Are these all purely sizing problems or are there some people who just don't fit comfortably on any bikes?
I own a bicycle and I don't really have the money for a new one -- can any bike be sized to work for almost all people or do certain people have to avoid certain types of bikes?
I'd really like to get into biking, particularly with the coming fossil foil apocolypse and because it's so much faster and lower impact than running and LESS BORING than walking but I've been stymied whenever I try and ride one.
Also, for people who used to ride bikes but then stopped for, oh, say, 12 years . . . Do you have any advice for reminding yourself how to ride? I tried it last year and I neglected to realize that my driveway has a slope. I careened down it, almost screaming at the top of my lungs and narrowly avoiding hitting a telephone pole. Then I put the bike away. I would like suggestions about a different way to relearn biking that doesn't involve ANY telephone poles.
Thanks. |
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| Two questions |
[Feb. 23rd, 2009|10:41 am] |
Hi there! I'd like to be more aerobically inclined (wouldn't we all...) but have any number of excuses I can pull out. I'd like to get rid of a couple.
1. Since I was young (and in better shape), I've had problems with breathing heavily and having my throat feel like it's on fire, even with a relatively small amount of exercise. Breathing through my nose and forcing myself to breathe slower doesn't help. Nobody has ever been able to help me on this, and I've been allergy/asthma tested a few times. After talking to a friend, though, I have a suspicion that it could be some kind of exercise asthma. Does anyone have any experience with that?
2. I would really like to be in the habit of biking more, but I feel like I'm never doing it efficiently. I see all of these people around me pedaling slower and going faster, and no amount of gear shifting has gotten me into the rhythm that I've seen. I live in a very bike-friendly town, but I don't know if the Bike Federation or any other local groups really offer training on pedaling more efficiently; I think their offerings are more limited to preventative maintenance and that sort of thing. Is anyone familiar with biking resources like this? I have your basic midrange 21-speed hybrid, purchased at a reputable local shop.
Thanks! |
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