Exercise is one of the key ingredients to losing weight. For those who are extremely obese, exercise is difficult. There are some tips, however, that a morbidly obese person can use to get moving and start losing weight. A slow start is the best approach to starting any exercise program, especially if it has been a while since you last exercised.
Start Slowly
Obese people face a great difficulty when starting an exercise program. Going to the gym is sometimes too much for an extremely overweight person. Fortunately, an exercise regimen does not have to take place in a gym, and you do not have to push yourself to the extreme in the beginning stages of your program.
Increasing your heart rate is the goal of your exercise workout for weight loss. Thirty minutes should be your ultimate goal for a cardio workout, but if 30 minutes seems like a high goal, break it up. Start with 10 minutes of cardio such as walking or biking. Do 10-minute sessions three times a day and you will reach 30 minutes a day. If walking for 10-minute intervals is too much, start with exercises in your chair. Arm raises over your head will get the heart pumping and help you to increase your endurance, for example.
Even if you are excited about getting started with an exercise program, it will not serve you well if you push yourself too hard and injure yourself. Do as much as you can in the beginning and work up to a goal of 30 minutes in one session but don't overdo it. It may take you a few weeks to reach the starting goal, but eventually you will get there.
Increase Workouts
As you build your endurance, you can add more exercise and even include different types of exercise in your workouts. Walking is a great way to start, but you can add swimming and biking as you become stronger and begin to lose some weight. Always reach for a goal that is just out of your reach. This will keep you moving forward in your exercise program.
When you look back at where you started in your exercise program, you will be amazed at how far you can go in just a few months.
Find a Partner
Having someone to work out with is a great motivational tool. Get a walking buddy to go around the block with you. If you have a dog, get out there and get some exercise for the both of you. Building an exercise regimen is not easy if you have been sedentary for a while. A motivational buddy might be just the thing you need to keep you moving. Help each other and both of you will see the rewards of including exercise in your daily activities.
