exercises for someone with health issues...?

Alyssa Autopsy

Alyssa Autopsy

New member
i really really need to lose 82 more pounds. but i'm not gonna get there without exercising... but i have issues exercising.

cardio = complicated by tachycardia. gym machines shut themselves off, and i feel like my heart's gonna explode.
weight lifting and yoga = extreme back pain due to scoliosis. when i try to bend my body or lift weight, my back hurts like holy fuckin hell.
simply walking = pain due to weak joints and messed up legs. i have fallen arches and knee issues that i'm not quite sure of what they are. when i walk, my right ankle hurts, and my left knee makes weird clicking noises, and letting it go on long enough causes more pain. if i continue walking, the arches of my feet start to hurt. and by the time i've walked a measly 1/8th of a mile, i can barely stand without extreme pain.

please, i really need help. the only exercise ive been getting for years is riding my bike to the library and back (2 miles total) but it takes me about an hour to do those 2 miles, and when i'm done my legs feel like jelly and my heart is thumping and i can barely breathe.
 
well, no response... =_=

i got DDR. it's kinda a lot for just starting out (i don't play beginner mode, that's for newbies, and i've had this game in the past) but i take literally half-hour-long breaks after every song so i totally return my heartrate and breathing to normal and un-jellify my legs xP
 
I have some of the same problems as you do, so I can only share my own experience. For the tachycardia...check with your doctor for the reason you have it, and ask if it's safe for you to exercise. My cardiologist has cleared me for exercise in spite of it.

For the aches and pains when walking, try an elliptical. It doesn't have the impact on the joints that you get from walking. It won't shut off on you because it's powered by your body weight. You don't have to go fast and furious. Go at your own speed. Don't let anyone else tell you you have to reach a certain intensity for it to be effective. You know what your body can and can't take. I figure that moving slowly is better than not moving at all, and who knows, your condition may improve and you may be able to speed it up a bit. When I went to cardiac rehab, they started me at 3 minutes! Adding a little bit each day I am now up to 30 minutes or more.

I have also heard that a recumbant bike is good, but I can't do it because it bothers my back.

I am not an exercise physiologist or professional of any kind. I am only relating my own experience.
 
If you have so many problems, I would't touch an elliptical machine with a ten foot flagpole. It wreaks havoc on your hips, knees and ankles.

Have you tried swimming? You can do that at your own pace, and from all the exercise you could possibly do, it is the most gentle on your joints etc that you could possibly do.
 
Hmmm, after switching from the treadmill to the elliptical, my knee pains have almost disappeared. I still have arthritis....it's not going to go away, but I can do the elliptical for 30 minutes, no problem. Each person should clear their exercise options with their doctor.
 
Goal2Bhealthy said:
I have some of the same problems as you do, so I can only share my own experience. For the tachycardia...check with your doctor for the reason you have it, and ask if it's safe for you to exercise. My cardiologist has cleared me for exercise in spite of it.

For the aches and pains when walking, try an elliptical. It doesn't have the impact on the joints that you get from walking. It won't shut off on you because it's powered by your body weight. You don't have to go fast and furious. Go at your own speed. Don't let anyone else tell you you have to reach a certain intensity for it to be effective. You know what your body can and can't take. I figure that moving slowly is better than not moving at all, and who knows, your condition may improve and you may be able to speed it up a bit. When I went to cardiac rehab, they started me at 3 minutes! Adding a little bit each day I am now up to 30 minutes or more.

I have also heard that a recumbant bike is good, but I can't do it because it bothers my back.

I am not an exercise physiologist or professional of any kind. I am only relating my own experience.
Click to expand...
i am no longer a part of the gym, and the elliptical kicked me off. you have to realize, when you work out your heart rate should only be between 130 and 150 tops for heavy exercise... mine was 180 after 5 minutes of slow working out.
 
San said:
If you have so many problems, I would't touch an elliptical machine with a ten foot flagpole. It wreaks havoc on your hips, knees and ankles.

Have you tried swimming? You can do that at your own pace, and from all the exercise you could possibly do, it is the most gentle on your joints etc that you could possibly do.
Click to expand...

there's nowhere for me to swim. i have no friends with pools, and the closest waterpark is just that- a waterpark. there are 2 slides and a kiddie pool. there is nowhere to swim laps.
 
Goal2Bhealthy said:
Hmmm, after switching from the treadmill to the elliptical, my knee pains have almost disappeared. I still have arthritis....it's not going to go away, but I can do the elliptical for 30 minutes, no problem. Each person should clear their exercise options with their doctor.
Click to expand...
unfortunately i don't HAVE a doctor... :sweat:
 
Alyssa Autopsy said:
i am no longer a part of the gym, and the elliptical kicked me off. you have to realize, when you work out your heart rate should only be between 130 and 150 tops for heavy exercise... mine was 180 after 5 minutes of slow working out.
Click to expand...

Actually your goal HR zone varies with age, goal and what your current fitness level is.

I don't understand why you don't have a doctor with these sort of problems but yoga is not a good option for scoliosis if it causes you pain, Lifting weights should not cause pain if done correctly with the right exercise and weight selection with the benefit of strengthening muscles around joints which reduces the stress and can lessen the pain.

With foot pain you need the right shoes or at least the correct inserts if your on a tight budget.

I also agree with San, the elliptical machine is bad news for knees and hips unless your body proportions match the machine perfectly.
 
I know how you feel! I have so many health issues that get in the way. :-/
 
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