I’ve got a wedding to prepare for in a few months, and, let’s not gild any lilies, I’ve gotten pretty fat since I injured my right knee and hip and lost a lot of mobility. I get around with a cane most days, and running/jogging (which I used to do a lot of) is now no longer possible (although I can use an eliptical).
I’m kind of scared to join a gym, because I hear they’re pretty predatory with their subscription policies, and I don’t know how much use I’d get out of one. I don’t know what classes I can attend or what equipment I can safely use, or even what equipment to use for weight loss rather than muscle gain (or can they do both?). Unfortunately, the no-brainer option of “use a swimming pool” isn’t available in my area, either.
Does anyone have any recommendations for fitness activities, classes, or equipment that are low-impact on the lower body? Are there exercises I can do at home without equipment that will burn fat? I’m not looking to become an Adonis, I’d just really like to be able to fit into pants smaller than a 46 waist.
If what you want is weight loss, you don’t need to overcomplicate things—all you need is to eat fewer calories, and if you want to do exercise, do cardio. Sounds like the elliptical is going to be your friend.
Muscle building is great, but I say this as someone who enjoys bodybuilding: If you try to build muscle at the same time as you lose weight, you’re going to be so hungry that it’s going to impede your efforts to eat less. I’m all for folks doing strength training once they’re not as invested in fat loss, though.
Good luck!!
That’s exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Thank you!
Speaking as someone who’s had ovulsion fractures in both hips and spent a year in PT from a rotator cuff injury in my shoulder, get yourself some resistance bands. They’re great for low/no impact exercises, can be used for a wide variety of regimens, and take up next to no space when stored. They’re usually sold in incremental sets such as 2/5/10/20 lbs of resistance, so you can do things like using a 2 and a 5 lb band to get 7 lbs of resistance if ten is too strenuous. They’re inexpensive as well, but don’t cheap out on them because it absolutely sucks to have one snap on you. There are plenty of 15 minute workout videos available online to help you find the exercises that target what you want to work on, too.
That’s an amazing idea! Thank you!
For exercise, Ring Fit Adventure has some decent accessibility options and it is very good about showing you the correct posture for each exercise