The KInd Life Community Forum

All - I am new to the group. I recently started my dietary change to a vegetarian diet, and LOVE IT!!

I set out last week as a time to concentrate on my deit, and this week to start to explore exercise options.

I do need to lose weight (50lbs to be exact), however I am willing to take the slow route to do it. It took me awhile to put this on, and it will take me awhile to take it off.

I do not want to start an eggressive mode of exercise, I would like to find something that is calming - but still effective.

I am trying Yoga, but I do not have long legs and arms and feel rather awkward trying to do the different poses. Maybe this passes after time?

If anyone has suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

I am glad that you are not looking for "quick fix" weight loss solution. Too many times I see people do that and it just doens't work! Kudos to you!!

I have lost 30 pounds and kept if off for about a year now. When I started my weight loss I was not vegetarian and lost about 20 pounds eating that way and doing about 45 min. of cardio 4 times a week (eliptical, jogging or riding a bike). That took about a year. Then, I went vegetarian and lost about 10 pounds in nearly 6 months or so. A year after becoming vegetarian I started training for my first 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles).

I am still a half marathoner but am now vegan (for about a month). I am noticing it is easier to lose weight (I run about 15 - 30 miles/week depending on the training week).

My advice would be to stick w/ yoga; like you I'm not great at it but it makes me feel amazing! It will also begin to tone your core and other major muscle groups. Walking is a great excersize (take Maryann's routine, that sounds great - uphill is key); and if you feel like running some day, go for it. Run 5 minutes, walk 2-3 minutes and continue on that pattern for 30 minutes. (I used to hate running, now it is my therapy for a stressful day). For good cardiovascular (heart and arteries) health it is recommended to do 30 minutes of cardio 5 days a week. For me, I do 4 days, but higher cardio times.

All in all, do what seems right to you and what makes you feel the best!

Enjoy this wonderful journey! Good luck w/ your weight loss!!

Yoga a walking are amazing workouts that are low impact on your body but high impact on weightloss. It might be fun to get some friends to go walking with or maybe volunteer to walk a dog at your local shelter to mix things up. I would also recomend working with a personal trainer but be sure to find one that your comfortable with and that understands your goals! The Wii Fit is also pretty fun and easy to get you started.

More power to you, Heather! I agree with walking - it's a great way to start slow. Then you can start jogging...then running..before you know it you've finished a 5K race and are hungry for more. I started walking my dog a few years ago and have run in 3 half marathons and am doing my first full marathon this year! Running in races may seem impossible when you start, but the feeling you get when accomplished is hard to describe. Whatever you do, just make sure you enjoy it!

Best of luck to you in your journey ;)

Yes, walking is wonderful, a nice comfortably swift pace to lift your heart rate a little. Also consider light weight training. This also works the heart and boosts metabolism for about an hour afterward. And best, long term, the lean muscles you form burn more calories at rest than other body tissues do. Start with 8 lbs. in each hand, bicep curls to 90 degrees, bending at the elbow. I do 15 of these, four sets, with other exercises mixed in (overhead triceps with lighter weights than biceps, leg lifts, sit-ups) You are not aiming for getting buff here, just gently getting stronger and improving metabolism. You will sleep better too! Good luck -- it is the slow body change that lasts!