Over weight and need to start slow?

Question

My boyfriend has just found out that he is over 300lbs. He wants to take martial arts classes with me which I think is great but I seriously doubt his body and heart are ready for that sort of high impact excersise. What can we do to ease him into it?

Answer 1

Try suggesting that you and He start a light exercise routine together first.. you know, to get in shape, together.... try suggesting low impact cardio exercises....( like taking a brisk 30 minute walk around the park)... try to get him to loose some weight without hurting his feelings.... Suggest doing things "together"...

Answer 2

A doctor has your answer not people here at Answers. If you cannot afford a doctor my suggestion would be to research it. First of all, check his blood pressure. If its high than he needs immediate attention cuz he could have a heartattack. Find out if he's a diabetic. If so, once again, get medical attention fast or he'll die. If both are fine than start the program slow. What works for some may not work for others. I suggest having him take a 15 minute walk and record it. Take notes like if he's sweating a lot or looks pale or has shortness of breath even chest pain. If so, medical attention is needed. This would be an indication he will not able to do Martial Arts until his body is fully ready. All he can do is brisk walks. He can also do stationary exercises until he gets use to it. He can than do the Marital Arts. He can do a partial martial arts movements. I suggest renting any movie about exercise and about Martial Arts that may be suitable for his body weight. I have one in mind and its simple but I don't know the name of it but David Carradine is the instructor. Good luck and remember start slow on any physical exercise. God Bless

Answer 3

I do believe a Dr's advice is important. I know my Dr suggested I lose weight many times but gave no methods. I was 400 lbs in March 07 and found a system ( not a diet) that has helped me release 155 lbs very safely. I have not felt this good in years and no loose skin. I have been using exercise now that I can and I feel even I would like to take a martial arts class. I lost 31 lbs the first 30 days then 70 lbs in 60 days and 94 lbs in 90 days 114 lbs in 113 days and then quit counting. I know that results will vary depending on your why and how close you follow the plan. so no reason to wait or ease in, his body will tell when enough is enough depending on his age I'm sure his body will love the new metabolism created by exercise and proper nutrition.

Mark Macey
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Answer 4

Wait till January to sign up.

Walk 1 mile more each day. Walk together to make sure he does it. It'll be healthy for you too. If it's raining take an umbrella. Don't stop the program! Stay persistent. Walk one mile for the first two days, then two for two days, three for three days, the most you should walk will be 10 miles. I know that's a lot! But it gets you in shape. Only walk 10 miles for two days then walk an average of five miles per day. That way you know your body can take up to ten for more than one day, but you're not straining yourself. If it's raining you can do four miles, if it's sunny do six. =] I know that sounds like a lot of walking, but it'll help and being over 300 pds is a major health risk... nobody wants anything to happen to him, so take an hour or so a day and WALK.

p.s. if it's snowy, icy, or REALLY rainy where you live you might consider buying a treadmill do up to 6 miles instead of up to 10, sometimes tread mills take more outta you. Walk at a 2.5 rate, slowly decreasing when you reach the mile before you're ending.

p.s.s. there are also great food plans, check out weightwatchers.com they've got some awesome recipes. Limit proportions! Cut out sugars and lots of starches.


Happy Walking!

Answer 5

My wife is overweight, and now diabetic. That is a good thing for her, because now she eats a hell of allot more, and is losing weight. And not just crappy tasteless salads, but real good for you type foods!!! Google diabetic diets. People that are overweight have high blood pressure, exercises that have allot of straining could cause a sudden drop in blood pressure resulting in being dizzy or passing out. Try to get him on a treadmill or exercise bike, keeping his target heart rate around 121 beats per minute, three to five times a week; twenty to thirty minutes a time. Best of luck.

Answer 6

DISCLAIMER: Consult your physician before starting any exercise program (though most physicians need to consult their own physicians about starting to exercise)

That being said, as a personal trainer for years, I can tell you that the most effective thing he can do is the thing he will stick to (rhyming unintentional).

You don't just wake up one day and realize you're 300+lbs. It takes years of work and dedication to reach that weight. Likewise it will take much time and commitment to lose the weight. As such, it is extremely important that he find something that will hold his interest for the long haul.

One of the big mistakes people make early on is overcommiting to regimens that are far too difficult for the average person to follow, let alone a highly deconditioned person. They get excited about changing and forget that avoidance is their natural response to strenuous activity. The only way to prevent quitting is to make sure you are seriously interested in the activity you're pursuing.

With this in mind, I would advise him to start small and easy. Tell him to set a goal that he truly believes is attainable and then make it one step easier than that. Once the work becomes really, really easy, then you can increase the challenge. The strategy here is to always leave yourself wanting more. This way you keep progressing but you don't burn out.

As for exercises that he might use to ease in, I would suggest recreational activities. Unless he is romantically in love with them, stay away from gyms for now. There'll be plenty of time to hit the weights and stairmonsters once he's ready for new challenges. Using recreational activities for exercise is important for two reasons. One, it makes exercise feel like play. And two, as opposed to what's done in the gym, it's not artificial. The gym is an adjunct to support the work you do in your real life, but often people use it as an end in itself. Does it really matter that you can squat a bar full of weight or push it off your chest? No, but it is important to be able to jump around with your laughing child on your shoulders or fly him or her around like an airplane. That's real. That's where strength, conditioning, fitness and most importantly HEALTH count.

There's too much in the world to enjoy to not stay active. Help your man find something fun to do and do it together. Helping your partner get and stay healthy is one of the best things you can do for each other and your relationship!

Peace - Mighty

Answer 7

Get a personal trainer. But Martial Arts will be a good help, as long as you tell the instructor that you'd like to take it slow at first.

Answer 8

Before registering for these martial arts classes,I would definitely talk to a doctor or fisician.It's better to not take any chances.........health is a very importante thing.
I wish I knew more about this so that I could help you.

Answer 9

First off consult his doctor. If you are overweight, and if you have any health concerns always check with your physician BEFORE strenuous exercise. The Doctor may have some advice. Now if you want to help get him ready, go for long walks every day- walking is good.

Answer 10

Try walking at first and maybe, some yoga. But, he needs to have his doctor check out his blood pressure and such. But, he does not need to try martial arts out, and be that overweight. He needs to go on a healthy diet and do easy exercise at first.