Hello all,
I am an original JC loser from when Jenny first started some 15+ years ago. I had lost 79 lbs at the tiem and was feeling wonderful when I found myself having gotten pregnant with my first son and off the program. 15 years later with my hubby, two sons and carrying more weight than I ever have in my life (pushing 400lbs) the doctor is suggesting the gastric method but I'm just too chicken and frankly have too many other problems tha make it pretty risky so I've returned to JC. I found that the weight loss this time around has not been the same as before when exercise came easier for me since I was not as big back then hence the weight melted off. I'm older and use a cane to walk everywhere, I have arthritis in many parts of my body and basicly never move because of the pain or being wiped out from the effort that just moving takes.
My question is that of exercise and how to start mobilizing my body around just plain movement.
What can one do to mobilize a sedantary body into shape?
One doctor suggested the water exercises but I feel so ashamed when I show my body at the Y where I have a membership to workout and swim. I hate to say this but I am so fixated on the ME aspect of this, I worry about being seen by others struggling as I work out, I worry about being made fun of (what has kept me out of the pool so far was the last time I went in being laughted at when struggling to crawl up the ladder. Can you picture it? Ok ok I know I know don't let the turkeys get you down and all but the feeling snd fears are real and keep me paralized with the thought of this happening over and over again, If I could only keep my eyes off of myself long enough to benefit from being in public.
Can anyone relate or have any positive suggestions??
Thanks for your help

happy_frau, (cute name by the way!)
I will have to echo your Doctor's suggestion about water exercise. I have been going to water aerobics 2 - 3 x per week for over 2 years and it is really wonderful. I had a really severe ankle and leg fraction 8 years ago, had to wear a full leg brace just to walk at work, but after water aerobics for 6 months, I almost never have to wear that brace again!
The water is a great workout, you are pushing about 60 lbs of resistance just in walking in the water....You feel weightless when exercising, you don't notice when you are sweating (but you will sweat!) and you can increase or decrease the intensity of your workout according to how you feel that day.
DO NOT WORRY about how others will view you. We have had several very large men and women join our class or just do their walking in the lanes next to our class and I have never heard anyone make any comments to them except to welcome them to the pool and congratulate them on just getting out there.
You will feel so much better after you do it a couple of days. Your joints will move easier and feeling weightless is a gift in itself
If you don't have a swimsuit, just wear shorts and a tank top, whatever you can move in. I go to a YMCA also and it has become such a part of my daily life, I miss going if I can't make it during the week. I also attend a 30 minute circuit training class.
If water classes still don't appeal to you, ask the Y about any land classes they have for seniors. These classes are usually slower paced but still work in some strength and resistance training. So what if you are the youngest in the class, get ACTIVE for your life!
You can lose weight without exercising but it is a much slower process and you will feel so much better mentally and physically if you can start moving and grooving!
It is NEVER too late to get started....
Good Luck and just get out there and TRY it, you'll like it

Hi Happy...
Welcome back! When I began my journey I weighed in at an appalling 420. I am 5'11" so know one really could guess my weight! I am down almost 50 pounds, 20+ inches and now go to the gym 4-5 days a week. I do deep water aerobics 2x a week and use treadmill and circuit training the others. I have decided It is all about ME and no one else! If people look at me I smile and wave! I started by just walking my stairs 2 x a day extra and parking across parking lots. I also vacuum, dust and wash my floors twice a week whether it needs it or not. Yes housework is aerobic! Put on some tunes and shake it in your living room! start with 15 minutes of dancing around...You will be surprised. Stick with it and do not get discouraged! It is a slow process with lasting results! Good Luck

Welcome Back happyfrau and best of luck. I have to tell you I agree water aerobics are your best choice and least painful option. If the Y is uncomfortable, bypass it and look for a private gym or some other alternative for a pool with more accessible stairs.
My closest pool is a retirement community that gives water aerobic lessons for seniors - for a small fee they overlooked your failure to live there. The best part is they have a ramp and nice wide steps to enter the pool. And since most everyone is 70+ they don't poke fun.
More recently I have found a smallish gym that offers lessons too. Again most participants are older but the gym caters to all ages. The nice part is they have great steps to get in and out and one lady just wears bike shorts over her suit.
A final suggestion I have found helpful is a rebounder - its a sort of mini trampoline. Again it is designed to minimize joint stress but they can be hard to find for our weight range. I love mine - found it on ebay. It can be really fun and easy to do.
Hope those ideas help, but whatever you do - MOVE! Your arthritis won't improve staying still.
Good Luck with JC and hope to "see" you here again.

Hi there ... getting mobile and then staying mobile is the key is absolutely a necessity and it is so hard to do with excess weight on the joints. I use to life guard the aqua fitness classes at my local pool ... and rest assured there were men and women of all sizes in there... I totally understand the not wanting to go ... why not find out when they are and go and check one out first to see if its something you could do, if possible go to see several classes at different locations, because with all group exercise classes some instructors are not the right fit.

In the mean time, I suggest chair aerobics, you will be able to get your heart rate up (so burning fat) and you can strenghten both your arms and your legs without impacting your joints. You should be able to find a tape online.
hope that helps

I look at people who are exercising (of any size) & think "good for him/her". Trust me, people are impressed with you (& the ones who would think anything else aren't worth our time). Try collagevideo.com for the chair exercises. You might also ask a friend to join you for a water class. Just one--but having a support with you will get your mind off your insecurities.
Proud of you!!

Thank you all for your kind encouragement.
I went to get my first two weeks of food from JC and got a pedometer to start tracking my steps (mobility). I contacted the Y for my initial meeting with the trainer and haven't heard back from them so naturally I've been "waiting" for them to make the contact with me instead of ME following up making sure the follow thru. Tomorrow I go to find out what they can offer in the way of water aerobics and any other type of training that might work for me in my current state. I like the idea of trying the chair aerobics and will check those suggestions out.
I hope to keep you all informed on my progress. I'm hopeful and kinda scared of course but thankful that your all here to share my challenge with. I sincerely appreciate all of you who took the time to share your thoughts,ideas and suggestions to help me on my long journey to healthfulness.
Thank you all.....I'll be in touch

YAHOO!
You've got to be so proud of yourself right now....
You are taking GIGANTIC steps to feel better and it will pay off, I promise!
Remember this (my Nana use to tell me this all the time!)
"The Squeaky wheel get all the oil."
Never be afraid to speak up and ask for what you need, you will probably get it!
Good Luck!

To get started with the chair aerobics...
I went to the collagevideo.com site and found all kinds of chair aerobic videos!
Thanks so much!!
In addition I read a review from someone regarding one of the videos and it's instructor Mary Ann Wilson who hosts a daily TV program called "Sit and Be Fit". Check your local TV listings for a daily chair aerobics workout for those of you who are like me....just starting to move.
BTW today is my 52nd Birthday....I got a great coupon from JC for a free piece of Birthday cake AND 10% off of my next weeks food order just gotta print out the coupon to redeem...THANKS JENNY!!

Thats Great!!! Happy Birthday! I was smiling as I read your replies! We all have things that make push our comfort zones and it is so important not to give into to the fear of not doing something because we don't really want to. When I gained weight I did not want to go out running, I use to wait until it was night time so no one would see me, until I realized when I drive passed people in my car out running how much thought to I give to them, the answer is none ... so who cares who sees me!
I am very glad to hear about you taking positive steps!!! Perhaps set a follow-up date for the Y and let us know how the chair aerobics works for you ... we are all pulling for you and your success!!!

Great to hear happy_frau! Happy Birthday too!!!
Remember to drink lots of water when you do any activities and also remember, house work counts...Take care and good luck!

Thanks for all the Birthday wishes...I so appreciate the kind gesture.
Well, I spoke to the director of the Y who was most eager to help me with all my needs for special helps in getting started in my exercise program for weightloss. She also said the "aqua aerobics" class was a group of ladies who had been working together for some time and "they love newcommers"! (I thought YIKES will I allow myself to receive the help from these folks or continue to be miserable with what I've not done) I have to admit I felt like everything was gonna work just fine so I set the appointment to meet with the trainer to start a workout routine and go over the different machines and the like. I had thought I would go between other appointments I had that day but lo and behold my kids had the day off of school so this was a problem since I couldn't leave them home alone for a number of reasons that eventually I'm sure I'll share....thus I was not able to keep the trainer's appointment.
I was disappointed in myself but thought it ok since I had made up my mind to at least do the exercises for the chair aerobics to start out. I must admit that the chair aerobics were just right for the level of mobility I'm at. One thing I liked was that they show examples of several different levels of mobility. I found myself to be one of the ones who is slower and not as mobile as some of the others who they showed on the program. I had thought that the chair exercises would be so simple and not very effective yet when I was finished at the end of the thirty minutes I felt like I had actually done something good for myself and DID get a workout. As I was doing one particular exercise that called for me to sorta trace with my foot, my foot from front to sides and back sorta like a rolling (hard to explain) that I was working areas that had not been moving at all for sometime and boy I felt my feet were actually working out! I felt very hopeful about the whole process.
I've not started the JC foods just yet mainly because I feel like I wanted to start both the exercise at the Y and diet at the same time. Monday is the official starting day for me.
One thing I wanted to mention is that when I was on the JC program years back, the program used to have classes we could take as part of the program where other members would watch videos and then share and chat about how they were dealing with the program or topics that were part of the class for that day. I found this to be very supportive and thought I'd find this same support this time around. Instead I found the program really didn't have a hands on face to face kind of support other than with the counselors and even that seemed difficult for me since some of the counselors were little tiny individuals who has lost maybe 20-30 lbs and reached their goal. I just could not relate nor did I think I could benefit from someone who had so little to lose and besides how could THEY relate to me being so much bigger and having so much more to lose. Anyway the point I wanted to make is I had little hope or confidence in this chat method yet I feel like you all have been SO supportive even if I can't see you or hear your voice. I see some of you have websites with personal information about yourself most with pictures of before and after JC or in progress which made you all seem more real and personable.
I can see light at the end of the tunnel and I'm pretty sure it's not a train this time!!
I think what I'll do is keep the supportive dialog going with you all on this thread posting my daily thoughts, sucesses, struggles and challenges until I figure out how else I can use the chat forum for support.
I do feel guilty for not meeting the trainer as originally scheduled but if I beat myself up too much I'll simply feel defeated and give up the whole ball of wax so I'm gonna do as some have suggested and give myself a break and just do what I have to do on Monday when the time comes and not dwell on what I didn't do (the trainer) but on what I DID do and am doing (the chair aerobics)
I think I'm getting the hang of this support thing....well at least today.....I know you all would be supportive of what I did so why not ME be nice to ME as well right??
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE!!
Hope all have a wonderful weekend
With gratitude,
happy_frau

That's right, happy frau, treat yourself as a friend or fellow JCer would-with kindness & forgiveness. Congrats for making so many steps in getting closer to your goal. This board is what got me to goal, I swear. I can't tell my 'regular' friends or family that I struggle with eating like I do. It's embarrassing that I lack self-control mostly--anyway, these folks here will pull you through any low point.

Dear Happy_Frau,
Happy Belated Birthday!
I'm so glad you tried the chair exercises and posted such a great response about them...you will most likely inspire someone else in your position to try them.
Isn't it amazing how something as simple as "tracing" with your foot can make you feel muscles you don't usually use??? I did that exercise as part of rehabilitation when I broke my ankle and leg and it can be a real killer exercise!
Don't beat yourself up about rescheduling your trainer appt at the Y. The list of things we give up or push aside for our children is endless, isn't it?!
Definetely keep that appt next week, though. I think you will find most people at your local YMCA are competent and very attuned to helping you on your road to a healthier lifestyle. Keep trying all the different styles of exercises they offer - water, circuit training, weight-training, low-impact step, etc...you WILL find one or two that you really enjoy and you will notice a difference in the way your body feels in about 2 weeks, I PROMISE!

Did the chair exercises again today and got a good workout....WHEW....not too hard not too easy....just right....it's nice to know that no matter how little the amount of exercise I do now, I'm doing way more than I have been so it's really all up and out off my launch pad from here on out. I can do what I CAN and KNOW AND SEE that I'm actually moving again! Slow yes but moving just the same.
It's getting colder here in Northern California now but my bones are smiling that I've decided to move and keep the warming juices flowing to keep me mobile. I was dreading this winter too for the first time in my life thinking how in the world was I gonna make it with all the cramps and charlie horses I would get from just not moving... to moving to get down the hall.
Just in the small steps that I've taken and your continuted encouragement I can see the changes in my attitude and mobility. I'm hopeful this winter is gonna be warmer than I had thought.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT...IT HELPS!
happy_frau
Hope all is well with you and your families
Happy Sunday All!

WHEW!!
What a week this has been.....sorry for the delay in updating my news.
First I did start the JC foods this week on Monday....along with going to the Y for starting out my exercise program....I started out with a really nice trainer who showed me around the facility as well as let me watch a Aqua Aerobics class filled with some of the most warm and friendly people! I decided to start on the treadmill since I was too chicken to be seen in my bathing suit and frankly didn't know if it even still fits me. Anyway I started out on the coolest machines that EVEN have built in fans on either side so I could keep cool WOW!. These things even have a place where you can plug in your ear phones so you can watch one of the many TV programs they have on or if you prefer you can listen to music instead. The handles have a way of keeping track of your heart rate as you work out too. I was so impressed with the cool gadgets on this machine and the way it is computerized to keep a record of what work out you do and for how long and just about everything you do while at the gym. I was SO impressed with the equipment they had GEESH!!
I started out at 10 minutes doing a slow steady walk on Monday then moved up five minutes every day until Weds. when I called my doctor because my knee had swelled up like a melon and I wanted to know what I should take for the swelling. I had been feeling good although my knee kept giving me grief but I kept thinking no pain no gain. Well....he told me to stop the workouts until the knee swelling went down. Naturally I was shocked to hear this being I thought he would have wanted me to walk....he did say as long as it was on a flat level surface there should be no trouble. WRONG! So I missed Thurs and Friday and wonder just when I can go back to what I thought was good for me. ANyway I had some xrays done on that same knee a few weeks prior because my doctor wanted to see what might be the problem with the swelling I was having even before this working out was taking place. He thought scar tissue that might need to be cleaned up in addition to a damaged maniscus...don't know how to spell the dern word but it's some tissue in the knee that he thinks I should get surgery on. I had told the doc forgetaboutit since WHO would be willing to wait on me hand and foot for the two weeks he says it will take to recover?? Bottom line is I may have to have the dern surgery after all just to be able to do some of the exercises like the treadmill. We didn't talk about the pool mainly because he was in a hurry and he said he just wanted to let me know he got my call but would need to call again later regarding the xrays and what he thinks I should do.
To make a very long story shorter....I cried my eyeballs out about having to stop the exercise....mainly because I thought here I was all focused and motivated to move the bod! Here I felt like once again something to stop the process or basicly throw a wrench in the works so to speak. Anyway I thought ok so I'll just do the JC foods but to tell you the truth I kept feeling that that just wasn't gonna cut it for as much as I NEED to loose and the amount of time it will take to loose it....ok ok I know it's gonna take time.,..but still...I was SO disappointed in the way things turned out this week in the end. I'm suppose to hear back from the doctor on Monday and hopefully he will give me the ok for at least the Aqua Aerobics only thing is I need to not stress about the wardrobe necessary in the pool. Maybe I was rushing things who knows. I'm just shocked that I was actually doing the treadmill after worrying so much about IF I could do it.
I don't want this set back to SET ME BACK!!
I'm doing the JC foods and not having too much trouble with it other than eating ALL my foods but I just wish I could be more patient with myself and my timeline for losing poundage. HO Hum I know some of you have probably had set backs too....I just hope I don't loose site of the prize and flake out on myself. I have a JC counselor who seems to be motivated to motivate me but it's still really all up to me and my mindset. I pray I can keep focused and that if I do need the surgery for the knee that I will be able to keep the weight down with at least the JC foods....it would just be so nice to see the LBS melt off with the exercise piece of this weightloss program I'm doing.
One thing that has helped me with the food portion is the forking the dressing for my salads. I never in a million years thought that 1 tablespoon would EVER be enough dressing for any of MY salads but I found that it really is as long as I fork it.
One problem I do have is keeping my kids away from my snacks and deserts....the brats keep sneaking them and leaving me without. Gonna have to get a lock for the freezer for sure!!
Hope all is well with you all and your families....Hope your all losing and having fun doing it!!
Will keep you posted on things again soon.
happy

Oh Happy_Frau,
I'm so sorry to hear your knee is giving you such trouble! But glad you are sticking to the JC food plan. Don't give up, even if you are not able to exercise, just changing your diet will help you lose weight, it just might be a slower pace but watching that scale go down instead of up will be your reward!
Re: exercise...
I had a very serious break in my ankle and leg about 8 yrs ago. (broke all the bones in my ankle and 2 leg bones hiking in Northern AZ)
I am plagued with swelling and severe pain in my ankle if I do the wrong kinds of exercise, it is just something I will always deal with. BUT water aerobics is the best! I can thing of a single reason why your doctor would not allow you to do the water aerobics, it is non-weight bearing and just moving all the muscles around my old injury help me STAY mobile. When I have overdone it on walking and my ankle is killing me, I head to the pool. The action of swirling that foot around in the water really eases the pain and helps the swelling go down. I used to have to wear a special brace from foot to knee just to be able to walk at my job but since I have been doing water aerobics for about 2 years, I haven't worn that brace in over 6 months. I also use a stationary bike and have noticed the few times I have used an elliptical machine, that it is also very easy on the joints.
The newer machines are wonderful, give you lots of great info while you are working out that will keep you motivated.
I know I'm not a DR., but I would try to wait until you have lost 40-50 lbs and see how your knee feels then before having surgery....(unless something is torn in there and will just get worse) You might notice a significant change once you get some of the weight off, the more we weigh the more pressure on every little joint in our body! Every time I went to my Dr's about the pain in my ankle, the first thing they advised me to do is lose 50 lbs!
Good luck and thanks so much for posting the news of your past week...

happy Frau I am posting this link to a thread in the 100+ board - it is from someone who has succeeded with Jenny food only. http://216.90.130.69/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimateb...c&f=16&t=001261
Be patient - you cannot push yourself. You are very motivated and time passes so quickly that this too shall pass.

Hi Ladybug!
You are always so inspirational. I'm glad you are doing this with us.

I don't post here often, but I just had to post here today because you sound so much like me. I've got a long list of medical issues. One of which is chronic pain that keeps me from exercising. I joined the Y, but like you, I was ashamed to be seen in a swimsuit. It seemed like everyone I saw at the Y was young and thin, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Then... I ended up having to do physical therapy because of my back. Part of my physical therapy included the pool. The one good thing about their pool, unlike the Y, they would let me wear shorts and a shirt. I was scared to death, but after one session in the pool, I couldn't wait to go back. On land, I have to use a wheelchair wherever I go because of the pain. In the water, I can move for over an hour. Once therapy ended, I was allowed to join their fitness club at the cheapest rate. I now go 3 times a week. I absolutely love it, and I want to encourage you to give it a try. The facility I go to, is right next to a hospital, and everyone using their pool has a problem. Many of them have a weight problem. I haven't yet joined a class, I just do the walking and the exercises my physical therapist gave me to try to help the backpain, but the weight losses seem really good since I started going to the pool. Maybe you can check your area hospitals to see who does pool therapy, and see if they have a membership program you can join. If it's anything like the facility I found, it's a lot more comfortable than the Y. They also open very early, and I go before they get crowded. Please, please try the pool. I promise you won't regret it.

Something that has helped me to stay motivated with exercising is a head game that I play with myself.
What I do is after every exercise session (no matter what it was) I always say "Beautiful, just beautiful this feels wonderful!"
I also do everything I can (just like acting)to really FEEL the reality of this statement and I sit for a few moments just feeling tremendous love.
It takes awhile to brainwash yourself but it can be done and it really helps. I honestly do enjoy exercising now....no kidding!!