musculo-skeletal blockages to going lower on weight
Up until ~2 years ago I had discovered a fitness sweet spot that I had not enjoyed in years: namely I was in really good physical condition for my aging 51 year old body. I had built up a lot of strength and resilience through regular gym class workouts including weight training, spinning, even Zumba and of course a steady diet of road riding.
Fast forward 2 years. I have been in a relationship that involved a lot of driving. I saw my gym time go away and gradually forgot about regular workouts. I watched my weight slowly go into the 190's, then over 200, then over 210, and eventually you quit weighing in and when you venture a look you're pushing 230. Well, now I am making a concerted effort to be back at the gym regularly but it really is like starting from ground zero all over again. My brain and my cardiovascular system are motivated and capable but my MUSCULO-SKELETAL system is what is holding me back. I mean, am I the only one whose hips and hip flexors are so stiff that beginning to work them in pilates/yoga class is near impossible? I mean I feel like I am up against a wall where all the built up tightness concentrates inflexibility in the low back, the hips, etc... I have been working on my core but apparently not enough as I have only dropped one pants size (from a 40 to a 38). I mean a couple of years ago I wore size 34 pants every day and had a few pair of size 32 that fit me well. I was confident in my ability at the time as it seemed that if I exercised there was a direct correlation to my weight and also my proficiency of riding on the bike translated to my road biking performance as well. I sort of remember this dark phase from the last time when I pushed through some kind of invisible barrier and my strength and flexibility came though for me. I just wonder among the clyde/athena collective here: are any of you being held back by nagging tightness, strength imbalances and such? How are you working through it? |
Well, I don't know about being held back so much as just getting to be less flexible and enjoying more pain as I get older and/or exercise less... I certainly don't recover as quickly as I did in my 20's or even 30's, but I find that if I stay away from the gym, EVERYTHING gets harder to do. I've been going to the gym steadily again for the past 6 months, and I feel immensely better (in terms of strength and flexibility) than I did back in May. I am nowhere near as flexible as I want to be (especially after learning that flexibility is important to longevity... lol), and so I am actually consider a Yoga-type class to supplement the jujitsu/kick boxing stuff. I just have to get over my shyness/chickenness of wading into a class full of women on mats.
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Probably your muscles aren't the problem. It's fat, no need to overthink. Practice pushbacks (from the table.)
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Originally Posted by Erwin8r
(Post 18284733)
Well, I don't know about being held back so much as just getting to be less flexible and enjoying more pain as I get older and/or exercise less... I certainly don't recover as quickly as I did in my 20's or even 30's, but I find that if I stay away from the gym, EVERYTHING gets harder to do. I've been going to the gym steadily again for the past 6 months, and I feel immensely better (in terms of strength and flexibility) than I did back in May. I am nowhere near as flexible as I want to be (especially after learning that flexibility is important to longevity... lol), and so I am actually consider a Yoga-type class to supplement the jujitsu/kick boxing stuff. I just have to get over my shyness/chickenness of wading into a class full of women on mats.
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
(Post 18284970)
Probably your muscles aren't the problem. It's fat, no need to overthink. Practice pushbacks (from the table.)
For me, I can't loose the fat until I ratchet up the calorie burn. Eating calories and burning calories are strangely intertwined. |
If you are going to a gym, isn't there a trainer who can do an assessment and provide you with a program of appropriate stretches? If a trainer isn't available, or you aren't willing to pay for the service, try a physical therapist for the same thing. But really, that is the only way for you to get the flexibility and movement back into your body.
There are some web sites that deal in stretching exercises, but the few I have seen seem to assume people are already flexible, and they end up demonstrating some preposterous exercises that only someone who has been doing them decades can do. |
I made an appointment with a highl regarded massage therapist. She works with the local ballet company. I'm optimistic that the tearing sensation that I can feel deep in my anterior right hip is something that can be worked out.
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I'm going to try a yoga class this morning. Wish me luck. I'm kind of embarrassed about my fat belly but I have to start somewhere I suppose. Will check in later.
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Originally Posted by masi61
(Post 18285805)
I'm going to try a yoga class this morning. Wish me luck. I'm kind of embarrassed about my fat belly but I have to start somewhere I suppose. Will check in later.
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Originally Posted by masi61
(Post 18286045)
Just got back from gym. The yoga instructor is sick. Did spin class instead. Those Keiser bikes are really silent, and the older, suburban crowd at this particular LA fitness was very polite. I guess I'll have to do some Yoga to get all the physical and psychological stress out of me.
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I stretch a lot.
My 56 year old body needs it more than ever. |
Originally Posted by Erwin8r
(Post 18286066)
Darn--I was looking to hear the excellent-experience report from your Yoga class and thus draw courage for my own impending incursion... :D
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