Runs with scissors discussion

The Cleveland Clinic has issued a program called GO FIT! as a challenge to the area to become healthy. They are offering a 3 month membership to Curves or to the Y. Anyone over 18 qualifies as long as you live in the participating counties, and don't already belong to either place or did in the last 90 days.

My best friend Karen said that she's going to do it and that if I want to, she'll do it with me. I registered on-line yesterday. Now I have to decide where I am going to go.

For those of you who don't know, I am a large person. I am over 300 lbs. I am in good heath, and I have been trying to make changes for the last few years. I have been out of work for 3 years, so joining my local rec. center has been out of the question. I have said that when I have the money, I don't have the time, and when I have the time, I don't have the money. Now, I have no excuse.

I'm scared. I am afraid of humiliating myself like I used to in gym class. I am scared that if I don't do this now, I will never get started. I am scared that I will become a different person and I don't now how to be anybody but the "fat kid". I know that I will not be model thin (who wants that!) but that I can be healthier......I'm scared I will fail. I'm scared that I will not lose any weight, that I will not make a dent in this mass of what ever I am and that I will always be this massive lump that is destined to be the thing that people stare and giggle at when I go out. I'm scared that I will let my friend down, that I will let down my boyfriend, my friends , my family and my self if I don't mange to do anything....I need support, I need help, and I hope you all will hear me out when I need to vent about this process and cheer with me when I do well.

I'm scared, but I'm ready.

Kim HAPPY NEW YEAR!
And remember when you need to vent I'm here....

Kim, good luck with your exercise challenge. I'll be rooting for you!

I will be going to the Y as they have more activities for me and better hours for my friend to go with me. Narzain has also registered and will be doing the program with me as soon as we get on the waiting list.

Good Luck Kim.
Please be careful not to try too much at once....

My only goal is to do 5 minutes at a time. I will work up to doing more as I can. We will be registering in person tomorrow so that we can be put on the waiting list.

Glad you will be sensible...

Most likely for the first time....

You may well be surprised at how much you will come to enjoy the working out, as long as you keep at it. Push yourself to expand your limits, BUT do so SLOWLY so as to allow yourself time to adjust to each "step" along the way. The key to success (or so I have seen in the far distant past LOL) is to be consistent. Make sure that you keep going, keep at it. 5 minutes a day is 5 minutes more than you do now! AWESOME way to start! The folks there SHOULD tell you that the best way of you use machines is to start with say 5 or 10 reps. A rep is the action that you take on the machine, weights, bike or whatnot. Keep doing the same number of reps, each grouping is called a set. DO 1 set, then go to a different machine or station and do the number of reps there you feel comfortable doing with a little pushing on your part. Once you have done al the stations or machines that you plan to make your routine, you can shower and head home or do another group of sets. The key is consistent reps in a set and increasing the number of sets. Then as you acclimate you can add more reps per set. Good luck, I know you can do it!

I am not allowed to use machines yet. My doctor told me to stick to water exercise, walking tracks, treadmills or elipitical for now. He said that when that becomes easy, we can disucss me using machines. He is worried about 2 injuries I have had to my shoulder and neck. This only for 3 months if I can't get a scholarship, so I am not getting to carried away. I hope to be able to walk away with a few things I can do at at home to keep up with being active.

I am not sure about where you live, but here in Cleveland the Rec centers have Aquacize classes and lower-impact arthritic aquacize classes, and they are all free to residents (and in the pool!)

I have to pay for my local rec. center, so this is why the GoFit! program is a start for me. The Y has water classes too, but I have to wait for my evaluation to be done before I can do anything. There are scholarships that may be available to participants when the program is over, so I am hopefull that will happen.

Got my call on Friday but I haven't called them back yet. I will tomorrow and I will let you all know how it goes.

Good luck!

I go for my assesment on Thursday, fingers crossed!

Well, I went for my evaluation yesterday, and I was very humilliated. Now, I would like to note that the staff handled this well. I held it together until I got home, and I did mangage NOT to stress eat over it. It was a small group, I'd say less than 15 or so, and we were told about the programs we may partake in, what fees, if any, applied and what is expected of us in the next 3 months.

It is required to work out a minimum of 3 days/week, but there is no time limit minimum or otherwise that each workout must last, we must weigh our selves 1x's/week and fill out a sheet. 1x's a month, they will re-asses us.

Here comes the humilliating part. I have no delusions about my size. The scales at the doctors office do not register anything above 350 lbs. So does the scale at the Y. We were weighed in front of everybody. No numbers were mentioned aloud or anything, but there I am, standing in front of all these people, and I can't get on the scale because I am too big for it, and everyone knew why. Then, we had to have our hips and waist measured(which will be used once a month to track progress)in seperate room. Her measuring tape almost wasn't long enought to go around me.

I know that some would say, "Well, does this tell you anything?" Again, I have no delusions of my size. I live with it every day. I have to deal with seats that are too small, turnstiles I can't or have trouble fitting through, too samll bathroom stalls, and other things most people take for granted as being the "right size". This is not a set back, and I fully intend to go through with this. I hope that by the end of these 3 months, I will be able to get on that scale and have it work.

I'll keep everything crossed for you.
My heart goes out to you as I hate anything communal and so can only begin to imagine how you must be feeling....

Been there, do that, and I know very personally how it feels. I am VERY proud of you for holding it together! Awesome job!
HUGGIES

Thank you. You don't know what it means to me to have people in my life who not only support me, but who also understand what I am going through. Next week will be the firt work outs......eeep!

I did my first attempt at a work out today and managed 8 1/2 minutes:) I was on a cross trainer and it got away from me. I got a little dizzy, so I stopped and tried a bike, but got dizzier. Too much cardio too soon perhaps, but I am proud of myself all the same.

Awesome! Way to go, Kim! HUGGIES!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday, I took a water Tai Chi class. I loved it. I got there early and open lap swim was going on, so I was allowed to get in the pool early, so I did 4 1/2 laps and some streching. My class was an hour so I manage 1 hour and 20 minutes!:) I am the youngest in my class, too. There are 3 ladies and our instructor is a very nice man. All of them are very experienced at living life. I can't wait to go back on Wednesday. (The class is Wed. and Fri.)

I am looking into a few other water classes since they will offer me a no-impact workout, which is important to me at this time. I am thinking about the arthritis class since it should go at a more sedate pace, which is also something I need.

I am so proud of myself!

I have survived a 45 minute work out today. I took a Silver Sneaker Class hoping it would fit my comfort level. I had trouble keeping up! I had 80 year olds running circles around me! (Not literally.) It meets 2 day a week and is normally an hour, but I think I will stick with 1 for now, and keep up with my Tai Chi and do laps before class.

I went to Tai Chi both Wednesday and yesterday (Friday). On Wed. I managed to get in about 6 full laps before class (we were running a little later than I would have liked) and I got in 14 full laps and a series of stretches before class yesterday. Now, I just have to figure out what to do at least 1 more day/week to meet my minimum visit limit. I'm thinking walking on a treadmill

Awesome! Way to go, Kim! Keep up the great work :)

Well, today was my first weekly assesment, which means I fill out an information sheet and go weigh myself, which was pointless (yes, I tried) because after only 1 week, I'm still to big for the scale. One of the questions was how many minutes did you work out this week and I figured it to be about 150! That's 2 1 hour Tai Chi classes, 40 minutes of swimming laps before those two classes combined, and the walk I took yesterday.

I went yesterday, in the morning, to try my luck on a treadmill. Afetr getting changed, I found out the cardio room was closed due to the roof work being done. So, I had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon, so I couldn't go back later in the day. I went to the library, then since I had time to kill, I went to a local park and walked there for 10 minutes along the lake. I figured to get 10 minutes on the treadmill, so I just transfered my walking to outside, and the best part is I still met my 3 visits for the week at the Y as well.

I went to Tai Chi today and our instructor was ill, so 2 of the ladies who have been in the class from the beginning, led it today and while it was different, it was still good.


Side note to the doctors vist: I do not have to go back until July and since my blood work was good in November, I don't have to have any more until after my July visit. Best part? My blood pressure was 133 over 83. Normaly it's 140 over 60. Tai Chi is paying off!

I manged 10 minutes on a treadmill for my first attempt yesterdsy. I am proud of myself. I am also proud that I had the following email to a Plain Dealer reporter appear as a letter to the editor on Sunday, April 11, 2010:

Thank you. Thank you so much for the way you handled your article today. I have been a larger person all of my life and have had to suffer the indignities of a world that doesn't care. All you hear is "Quit eating!", "Exercise more!" (how can you when every move hurts?) Fat is treated like a 4 letter word in our society and if you do not fit into the socially accepted mold, you do not exist. I appreciated your gentle handling of the topic and hope that this level of sensitivity continues in the works of your colleagues and their articles.

I truly wish that this article would open the eyes of those who don't see us, but I know that as long as people like me are classified as " a health problem", we will never be seen as the wonderful, productive, good, lovely, generous, attractive ( to some) people we are. The line about not being sexy really hit home with me, as it has taken a long time before I found a wonderful man to share my life with, who thinks I am the most beautiful woman in the world. I have dealt with the "last call syndrome", where at last call, anything looks good.

I have had my fair share of adults insult me or not correct their children, in public mind you. I have had my fair share of "what are you doing here" looks at stores, restaurants, etc.

I am in GoFit! now, and I am trying. I know I will never be 120lbs., but I believe you can be a larger sized person and still be healthy. I am a work in progress, we all are. Thank you for giving those of us who normally don't have a voice, a good solid one.


Cool, huh?

AWESOME!!!!!!! Way to go, Kim!
Hugs from the family!

YYYAAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep up the good work Kim!

I did 15 minutes on the treadmill yesterday, which meant I walked a little over a 1/4 mile! I am VERY proud of myself!

I managed 10 minutes and a 1/4 mile on Tuesday and yesterday I swam 1/4 mile! Talk about proud of myself!

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO! You go, girl!
We are VERY proud of you!

Love from the Fairy Godfathers

I did it again yesteday! Yes, you read that correctly, I swam another 1/4 mile yesterday before my Tai Chi class.

WOOO HOOO! That is GREAT, Kim!

I swam a 1/4 mile again yesterday, in a little under a 1/2 hour. I will mark 1 month in the program on Friday. I am making cookies today to take to the staff tomorrow. I understand that they will be appreciated.

Good for you Kim!! Keep up the good work! Swimming is so relaxing:-)

I LOVE swimming. I am really loving the Aqua Tai Chi class too. This month, I am going to try the weight room as I was told that I could after my first month was over. I still have to be carefull of a few things, but I am not trying to a body builder or anything.

Today, I am going to see if I can do the 1/4 mile again. I hope by the end of next month to be close to the 1/2 mile if not actually do it.

I swam another 1/4 mile yesterday, for which I am proud. Yesterday also marked my first month in the program and my first assessment. While my numbers have not measurably changed, my mental and emotional states have dramatically. I am VERY happy with my progress, since this is primarily a mental battle for me, and physical second. We will see next month what happens.

I am going to try either weights or treadmill today. I will see how crowded the room is when I get there. I have decided that my goal is at least 5 reps. on which ever machines I try today, or at least 10 minutes on the treadmill. I have manged 15 minutes, but that may have been a fluke. I know I need to push myself beyond my comfort zone or all of this will be for naught, but I also know pushing too hard will result in me getting hurt, which is a whole world of not good.

I figure if I can get in 2 more minutes on the treadmill or 2 more lengths in the pool each time, the next thing I know, I will be doing 30 minutes or a 1/2 mile. For me slow is better, and I know this is going to be a long process. I didn't gain all of this exta weight in a day, and I also know that not all of it will ever come off, which is fine with me. I am comfortable being me, what ever size I am, but I would like to be healthier version of me.

I lasted 10 minutes on the treadmill Tuesday, and yesterday I had to miss my Tai Chi class because something I ate decided to have a bad attitude and wage a small war on me. I am fine today, so I am going to go to the open lap swim this afternoon to make up for yesterday and go to Tai Chi tomorrow as usual.

I SWAM A 1/2 MILE YESTERDAY! Tired but proud.

Kim,
we are SO proud of you! Keep up the fantastic work!
Great BIG huggies from the Fairy Godfathers and Ben too!

Your doing good Kiddo...

I did a 1/4 mile yesterday before Tai Chi because I was a little tired from the day before, but I hope to try for a 1/2 mile again this week time permitting.

Today, I wanted to cry. I decided to try the weight machines and see how many reps I could do. Well, the only machine I can use comfortably is the pully. The seats on the rest of them are too small for me to sit on comfortably or properly. I do not see this as a set back, but as an activity I am not able to do now, but in time, will be able to do. I will stick to swimming and the treadmill for now and I will keep trying the machines off and on to see if I fit.

Which leads me to the question of how am I supposed to exercise if the equipment works against me? Too many times I have seen exercise equipment meant for home useage with weight limits too low for me to use them. How are we, as larger people supposed to exercise if the equipment works against us?!

I think it's time that more exercise classes understand the needs of larger people and modify workouts to help us get started and maintain ourselves. For those of you who have never had a weight problem (but support our cause) fat moves one way, and you the other. It's true. Fat floats, and it keeps moving even when you have stopped. We need more national programs designed to help us, programs that take in consideration the fat movement issue, heavy steps, and range of motion. Exercise equipment needs to be affordable and have high enough weight limits for us to use, and seats/benches need to be wider and better adjustable!

If we want to be healthy, we need items to help us get there!

You go girl! I SOOOOOO agree with what you said. They want to ban this, ban that from restaurants but they won't come up with affordable, durable equipment to help those of us that need to lose a lot of weight achieve a healthier lifestyle. I get sooo flipping sick and tired of the people with the attitude "just put the fork down". It is NOT that easy or no one would have the problems that most of the US is facing.

I still swear that if the government, or the science community would do the right study they would find that it is the fault of all those chemicals they put into the food we eat. Want fatter cows to sell for more money and sooner? Pump them full of this drug, it won't effect the people that eat the meat. But yet obesity has literally exploded since the practice started. You want your cattle to reproduce faster so you can slaughter them faster? Pump them full of THIS drug, no bad! But we have girls menstruating at 8 years old now. No effect? Yeah right!

I agree! Too many chemicals affecting everything in our world. The studies haven't and won't be done because then the goverment would have to admit it was wrong, and any politician admiting that will never happen. Not to mention lawsuits. There would be too many lawsuits. Admit wrong doing or making any kind of mistake in this country and you get sued.

Well, yesterday I attempted to do another 1/2 mile in the pool. I was thwarted by my own bladder and a wet swimsuit. After completing lenght 32 (it takes 44 lengths or 22 laps if you prefer, to make a 1/2 mile in the pool), I really had to PEE! so I went to the locker room to use the restroom. I got out of my wet bathing suit just fine. Getting back into it, well I got trapped by my straps and had to have help from some nice person who was trying to take a shower get me unstuck. So, when that was all over, I had about less than 10 minutes before my Tai Chi class was about to start, so I will try again soon and pray that there is somebody else in the locker room should I have to pee while swimming....

You have my deepest sympathy on the swimsuit issue as I have suffered that in the past myself...
I try not to take tea before simming and always bop to the loo just before going in...

I am going to work out today, as I had to miss Friday due to watching of my bestfriends youngest (not complaining, she pays me well, and I need the money.) Last week I managed 5 minutes on the treadmill, but I was trying a steeper incline and a faster speed. I felt like George Jettson (Jane! Stop this crazy thing!) while doing that, so I think that I will stick to the speed and incline I have been using a little while longer.