LIVIN' LARGE: Minimizing yourself and maximizing your life!When you have over 100 pounds to lose it can seem impossible to get started in the right direction.
I just wanted to introduce myself. I just found this thread lastnight and have already found so much great information. I just ordered my NROFL book this morning and am excited to read it and get started. I'm 34 years old and have been struggling with my weight my whole life. I just recently began a running program and signed up for my first 5K in a month. Do you think that i'm too overweight to start lifting program? I have recently joined a gym, but am pretty lost when I go there. Not really sure what to do..how much to do ..etc. I'm also concerned about the lifting effecting my running program...does anyone else have experience with this?
I appreciate anyones feedback that they are able to share.
Hi and welcome, Holly. You've certainly come to the right place for guidance on your journey.
As a former fat boy and reformed (read: former) runner, I'd actually suggest reversing your training priorities: yes lift, no run. There is no such thing as being too overweight to start lifting, but there certainly is such a thing as being too overweight and/or out-of-shape to run. I don't want to discourage you from running if that's something you enjoy, but in order for your body to be able to absorb the forces at work while running, especially "distance" running, you should have a good strength foundation that comes from a good lifting plan (such as those found in NROL).
In my own experiences, I found that being overweight created some problems I didn't know about until after I dealt with varying degrees of running injuries, promblems like quad-dominance (mainly from simply moving around the extra weight all the time) and mobility deficiencies. If I had to do it all over again, I would not have taken up any kind of running until (a) I'd lost the weight I intended to lose and (b) been on a steady strength training program for at least six months, probably closer to a year.
Good luck, and by all means, ask questions!
__________________ No Magic Pill (the log)
My Movember page (yes, I'm slacking on pictures)
welcome Holly! I second what Phaedrus said, I'd focus on the weightlifting. It really worked for me when I was around 260+ pounds and has the added benefit of being really fun. Plus, I don't know that my knees could take the stress of running but that's me.
I'm doing NROL4W after stagnating doing my own weightlifting routines, and boy! It's tough but great. Be sure to start a training log here on the forum so we can all cheer you along.
I'd suggest the same. Lifting I started at over 300 pounds. I'm not sure when I'll start running, but probably not until at least under 200 pounds. Good luck with your goals.
Welcome aboard! Phaedrus49er is right on. You've gotten great advice, so far. Lift now, run later (or never). Now lifting now and walking now is another story.
IMO opinion, you should only run if you love running, not to lose weight or get in shape. Of course you should be able to run when you need or want to, but training TO run isn't necessary.
There's a lot of great people here, hope you stick around!
Thank you for all the kind welcomes!! I'm really excited to get my book and start learning and get lifting! I really want to get healthy...and as many people i'm sure know...it's a hard struggle. I won't lie...I am a little nervous about going to the gym and looking like this big fat girl lifting weights...lol...but I guess I just need to get over that. I will definetly post a progress report once I get started...I know that the support here will be a huge help!! Thanks again.
Welcome and well done for taking this first baby step...............as the proverb goes " a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step" or something like that. Good luck on your journey, you are doing just great. I would like to echo everyone else says - that doing the weights is probably the best place to start. Running is for really, really fit people and then only if you enjoy it whereas you can lift weights and do really well no matter what size you start at.
and hey, you're as good as anyone else, go girl, we are with you all the way.
Thank you for all the kind welcomes!! I'm really excited to get my book and start learning and get lifting! I really want to get healthy...and as many people i'm sure know...it's a hard struggle. I won't lie...I am a little nervous about going to the gym and looking like this big fat girl lifting weights...lol...but I guess I just need to get over that. I will definetly post a progress report once I get started...I know that the support here will be a huge help!! Thanks again.
-Holly
Hey welcome! You're in good hands here for sure! I am currently over 300lbs, and I am that fat girl in the gym. Was it intimidating for awhile? Hell yes...but after that it is empowering. NROL will break it all down for you...and any questions like others have said are always welcome here! Also...if you haven't done so already, I'd start a log...so we can see what you're up to and help you out if you get stalled. Having a log for me has been HUGELY helpful!
Personally when I am in the gym and I see someone that is overweight I am so proud of them for being there. Care about yourself don't worry about other peoples positive or negative thoughts!
Good luck on your journey.
If I could offer any form of advise "Beyond weight training" find anything that you "Like" to do that makes you Move: hike a mt. with your dog, ride a bike, dance...Just find things you like to do that make you move is a big key.
Welcome to the forums Holly, hopefully things are going well. As you have found from this thread many of us have experience with losing weight, myself included. I came from similar beginnings to yourself. I was in my 30s as well when I turned my corner. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...i/progress.jpg
I won't re-iterate the start lifting now, running later bit, I agree. I still have issues with running which I believe stem from me being tall and heavy even after dropping 100ish lbs.
I can totally understand your thoughts on going to the gym. I know I had them as well. The gym was like this magic special place jocks went to that I didn't feel I belonged. Are their people in there who will judge you negatively? Yes probably, assholes are unfortunately not a dieing breed. Most people in the gym are a positive supportive crowd though. It is one of the things I was most surprised about, in a good way. The people there are for all their faults pretty friendly and willing to help.
Now the reason I actually wanted to reply, which I temporarily forgot. Which is advice about this journey.
Is it easy? Not always. However it is ALL you. This journey is a path where you are in complete control. This isn't getting missed for a promotion cause your boss decided on Harry instead of you. This isn't betting on sporting events and having your team lose. Luck does not play into the equation at all. For me it is the best part about it. I accomplish my goals on my merit. Don't take this to mean you are in it alone, you are not. Having a social network is awesome and I know I am personally MUCH more motivated and ready to get some work done when I am hanging around fitness people, and reading these forums
Holly if you want this. It's yours. Take it.
And perhaps the MOST important advice.
If you slip, if you eat to much, if you binge, if you skip workouts, it is not the end. What we do most of the time defines us, not what we do some of the time.
Og.
__________________ 2009: No races, No times. Slow year. So, now you're 96 cals short. You're now in starvation mode. Doomed. - LostDog
Blog entry: November 1, 2009, Pancakes LiveSTRONG daily plate log
I wanted to add my opinion to that of everyone above. Lift and, if you must run, run later.
I am pretty much in the same boat as you, except of course I a guy not a gal. I have about a 100 pounds to lose. I lost a lot of weight before. I did not pay attention and it all came back so I have to do it all again. I have gotten a lot of good advice from this board. I don't post much but I read a lot. Pay attention to what people say here.
If you want to watch my journey, I just started a blog to use as my journal. If you read and comment on it maybe we can both encourage each other.
100 lbs to lose..just starting.
. Good luck on your journey, you are doing just great. I would like to echo everyone else says - that doing the weights is probably the best place to start. Running is for really, really fit people and then only if you enjoy it 
whereas you can lift weights and do really well no matter what size you start at. 
Linear Mode
