*** Big Fat Weight Loss Thread ***

One of the problems with most forms of training, particularly if you're older (I dunno how old you are, @ic1male) is that you can build muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness faster than you build joint strength and tendon/ligament thickness. I knackered up my right knee and left ankle pushing running too fast earlier in the year. I'm now building up annoyingly slowly again but at least I'm not hurting myself.

My advice - and I'm not an expert - would be to keep things so you can run. I would rest up until you're feeling better. Then introduce running at a rate that feels comfortable and then return to weights and yoga at a more gentle pace, and listen to your body if its starts hurting. Better to get lower gains than knacker yourself up seeking after peek performance (unless that's really what you're in to, but it doesn't sound like you are).
 
ic1male said:
I seem to have got myself in a physical mess. For the past three years, I was just a runner (more jogger). I was never injured, I lost weight and I really enjoyed it. But then recently, I kept thinking about doing some strength training and other things to complement that. So I started a weight program and also yoga. It's been about two months and already I've knackered my quads and hip flexors. I can barely walk let alone run. I laid off the weights for a couple of weeks and things started to get better so I picked up the weights again yesterday. And then the quads started complaining again.

I'm wondering whether to just forget the lower body workouts and stick to core/upper body instead so I can actually go running again. Going to try a couple of miles light jogging on Saturday to see how I get on.
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Is it muscular soreness (DOMS) or general pain from the exercises that you're suffering with? As a new lifter muscular soreness can be debilitating at times, especially legs, which seems to be the issue.
 
I thought it was DOMS at first but I woke up about three weeks into the programme and overnight suddenly found walking down the stairs tortuous. Stupidly, I did run a few times even though with every stroke of my left leg, I had a dull ache rather than pain (such as the agony you’d get with sciatica). After 10 minutes it disappeared but I guess this is the body’s own analgesics kicking in.

As I say things are on the mend, I’ve been out walking and it’s nowhere near as bad as it was. I don’t think there’s any serious tears or what have you or else I’d still be limping about.

The yoga is unexpectedly difficult as well. Lots of strange positions and stretches that I’m not used to which could explain the hip flexor soreness.

This all bloody stems from me having a mid life crisis thinking I’m a teenager again! Do I really think I can go from an almost 50yo, 18 stone blob to looking like Brad Pitt in Fight Club? Because that’s what my mind is preaching. :D
 
Yeah that doesn't sound good. Sounds like you need advice from someone qualified, it could be a number of things, and providing medical advice on here is frowned upon.

My original go-to thought was you need to squat more, but don't do that :p
 
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I've just had an epiphany. Just completed a 10 minute yoga class and paid attention to my body moreso than what the instructor was doing. I immediately twigged that I bet it's the yoga that's done it. Instead of taking these stretches and poses nice and gently, I've been going a bit too full on. Definitely overstretching instead of easing into a "easy" position, I've been going further than I really should. I bet it's nothing to do with the weight training at all but overstretching in yoga and then it's been exacerbated with load bearing. Goddamn it. I'll rest now for a couple of weeks and just get back into the running and then start weights and yoga again but with a lot less overzealousness.
 
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ic1male said:
I thought it was DOMS at first but I woke up about three weeks into the programme and overnight suddenly found walking down the stairs tortuous. Stupidly, I did run a few times even though with every stroke of my left leg, I had a dull ache rather than pain (such as the agony you’d get with sciatica). After 10 minutes it disappeared but I guess this is the body’s own analgesics kicking in.

As I say things are on the mend, I’ve been out walking and it’s nowhere near as bad as it was. I don’t think there’s any serious tears or what have you or else I’d still be limping about.

The yoga is unexpectedly difficult as well. Lots of strange positions and stretches that I’m not used to which could explain the hip flexor soreness.

This all bloody stems from me having a mid life crisis thinking I’m a teenager again! Do I really think I can go from an almost 50yo, 18 stone blob to looking like Brad Pitt in Fight Club? Because that’s what my mind is preaching. :D
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What yoga type are you doing?
 
ic1male said:
A mixture of normal flow, slow flow, restorative and yin yoga. I definitely don't like the normal/fast stuff though, I like to stay in a posture for more than a few seconds.
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Are you going to classes or doing it via online?

The best yoga if you are new to it is hatha yoga because it focuses on doing the moves correctly.

Just means that you are less likely to damage yourself and to get the most out of it.

I always remember my yoga teacher saying that if you are doing the move and you are not feeling anything during the stretch, you are doing it wrong.
But if you are really hurting whilst doing it, then you are also doing it wrong.

You want to feel a gentle stretch but nothing more.

Also if you are holding a move and you start shaking, to stop, coz that is when your muscles are over working and you are not getting any further benefits.
 
Alice In Wonderland said:
Are you going to classes or doing it via online?

The best yoga if you are new to it is hatha yoga because it focuses on doing the moves correctly.

Just means that you are less likely to damage yourself and to get the most out of it.

I always remember my yoga teacher saying that if you are doing the move and you are not feeling anything during the stretch, you are doing it wrong.
But if you are really hurting whilst doing it, then you are also doing it wrong.

You want to feel a gentle stretch but nothing more.

Also if you are holding a move and you start shaking, to stop, coz that is when your muscles are over working and you are not getting any further benefits.
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Ah very useful. It’s all Peloton app online, they do much more than just the bike thing now. And the last bit about muscles shaking does happen, yes. I then tend to wobble over and probably cause that overstretch.
 
so heres my input, dont under estimate walking and steps.......

Before covid i had commitments which led me to walking around 20000 a day. covid hit and then i got bad back and breathing issues from a osephegus issue.

went from 12 stone to 20 in 2 years....

SO just get out there and walk!
 
ic1male said:
Ah very useful. It’s all Peloton app online, they do much more than just the bike thing now. And the last bit about muscles shaking does happen, yes. I then tend to wobble over and probably cause that overstretch.
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I'm guessing you wouldn't be keen on going to a class then?

Even if it was just a few as a compromise?

I just worry that part of the reason you are so sore from the yoga is incorrect positioning.

And yes, a good session will leave you sore and uncomfortable but not to the extent that you are describing.

This is something a teacher can be much better placed to help you with.

The best thing about a teacher is they can help you extend your stretches but safely and not in a way which could really injure yourself.

Are you warming up and warming down and relaxing properly afterwards too?

Coz that will make a huge difference too.
 
Alice In Wonderland said:
I'm guessing you wouldn't be keen on going to a class then?

Even if it was just a few as a compromise?

I just worry that part of the reason you are so sore from the yoga is incorrect positioning.

And yes, a good session will leave you sore and uncomfortable but not to the extent that you are describing.

This is something a teacher can be much better placed to help you with.

The best thing about a teacher is they can help you extend your stretches but safely and not in a way which could really injure yourself.

Are you warming up and warming down and relaxing properly afterwards too?

Coz that will make a huge difference too.
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No, the last time I went to a class I was the only fella there and on my first session the instructor had me up against the wall trying to do a headstand!

As I briefly joked, Apple Fitness+ is the better option because they have three trainers on screen so you follow the one that is doing the very easiest version. Peloton doesn’t have that. So I will be swapping over very soon.
 
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ic1male said:
No, the last time I went to a class I was the only fella there and on my first session the instructor had me up against the wall trying to do a headstand!

As I briefly joked, Apple Fitness+ is the better option because they have three trainers on screen so you follow the one that is doing the very easiest version. Peloton doesn’t have that. So I will be swapping over very soon.
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That does so pretty good to be fair!
 
Alice In Wonderland said:
But if you are really hurting whilst doing it, then you are also doing it wrong.
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Like most gym goers, i've often exercised 'into' a bit of pain to 'work through it'

Coming up on 2 years with osteopaths, rehab, MRI scans and private consultations and my strongest simple advice i've heard over and over but previously ignored, when there is pain - stop!

The grey area is when it's a bit of DOMS and actually doing damage to yourself, it can be hard to tell the difference.
 
I’m back in buffet land (Cyprus this time). Not quite as many mini desserts, but gosh there’s a lot of tasty meat. Will have to do overtime in the pool to make up for it. Perhaps there’s a gym?! Will the kids let me go is the other question. :cry:
 
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