I’m 42.
I’m female.
I’m severly obese.
Apart from daily swimming, I get almost no significant activity.
I just quit being a heavy smoker.
Sounds pretty damn good, eh?
Anyway, here’s the question/problem:
I’m starting to work out. Not ridiculously, by any means, but I’m back on my machine, I’m walking my dog. My muscles don’t get particularly sore, and I don’t get particularly exhausted, so I’m not overdoing it.
HOWEVER… within an hour or so after working out, and continuing for…well, days… I get STIFF as hell. If I sit in one position for longer than 15-20 minutes, getting out of that position becomes quit an uncomfortable challenge. It is all over my body, but it is particularly severe and painful in my right hip.
Is this arthritis?
Will continued physical activity and weight loss alleviate or exacerbate the problem?
IANAD, but it sounds like you’re just feeling the effects from working out. I did one set of behind the back weightlifting once, and while it was a mere 20 lbs, I could barely move my shoulders afterwards for a few days.
If you’ve just gone for a job or a swim, sitting down immediately after is a Bad Thing. You don’t want to do that. What you want to do is cool down gradually, such as by walking for a few minutes. If you’ve just gone for a half-hour swim, try doing a few minutes on a treadmill (going on a low setting and going steadily down).
My recommendation: stretch before and after you work out, or jog, or swim, or whatever. And make sure you drink plenty of (not pool) water.
that you’re right. What I want is for my efforts at exercising and losing weight to reverse the inadequacies of my body, not intensify them.
The reason I am especially concerned, though, is because the discomfort is very specifically in my bones, my joints. It feels like they are glued or something.
When I run really hard and I haven’t eaten, or if I go without water for a while and then I start exercising, my teeth, knees, etc start tingling and feeling cool. My best guess is that you need to be more thoroughly hydrated and build up to strenuous exercise more gradually.
I am not a doctor. My dad’s a nurse, but still. Anything I say I say with the caveat that if it doesn’t work it’s not my fault:) But drinking more water and/or exercising more gradually and/or stretching isn’t really going to hurt you, as far as I know.
** Stoidela, ** I’m sure no doctor, but I’m with both suggestions, how much water are you drinking, and are you having a warm up and cool down with your exercising??
As for the arthritis fear, and it’s a real one, however, if your pain continues in your JOINTS when you aren’t exercising, and they are what is feeling stiff, then you ought to see a doctor.
Otherwise, I’d use ibuprophen, and a heating pad, if this is just sore muscles we’re talking about.
Stoidela,
First, let me congratulate you on moving in a positive direction in your life. I am not a doctor, but I too have started back from being very overweight and being mostly sedentary. I’m 42, male, and will have to lose another 60 lbs. to fit into those height/weight tables. I’m an old, bald, fat man. But I’m getting to be a vigorous old, bald, fat man. The advice I have to give you is based on my own experience, so take it only for what it’s worth. Your stiffness is probably related to your new exercise program, and it may or may not be caused by arthritis. Either way, you should not let it discourage you from continuing to execise as much as you can. The key here, I think, is to go at your own pace. If you are swimming 10 laps and you wind up so stiff you can’t move, cut it back to 8. As has already been posted above, you need to spend part of your workout time warming up and cooling down. If you swim yor 8 laps, then walk for 2 to cool down. But keep moving! Remember, like all those old boxing movies talk about. Your knees are the first things to go, followed swiftly by all the rest of your joints. Also, don’t expect miracles overnight. It took you a lot of months to get big. It will take some serious time to take them off. But it will happen. As the weight comes off, the stress on your joints will lessen. The same way with your lungs. When you stop smoking, your lungs will eventually clear out and your body will get more oxygen with less effort. It’s a long, long road, but trust me, it’s worth it. Turning 40, (or 50, or 60, etc.) doesn’t HAVE to be a litany of all the things you can’t do any more. By all means, see a doctor. Mine says there’s nothing wrong with my knees. But they still feel stiff and sore after I work out. But I feel so much better now than I did 6 months ago. I don’t really see any improvement week to week, but month to month, it’s there. Listen to your body, and go at your own pace. We are all pulling for you.
James, while a personal trainer might be safer, they do cost quite a bit of money.
** Satchmo ** that was good advice and I hope you surprise yourself with how well you’ll begin to feel. THAT’S the neatest thing, when you FEEL better, it will encourage you to keep up the good work.
Excellent topic! And some very considerate and well thought out responses.
My input on this topic is as follows:
I am 39 years old 6’2" and have been in relatively good shape all of my life. I have no medical history or current medical problems. However, in April of 1999 I quit smoking cold turkey, after a 2 and 1/2 pack a day Marlboro Red habit for the past 20 years.
I didn’t quit because of health reasons. I had never coughed in all the years I smoked. I quit because I refused to continue to support those greedy damned cigarette manufacturers.
Anyway, as a result of quitting, I gained about 50lbs in 6-8 months. In Feb of this year, I said, “to hell with this” and began a lifestyle change (a diet is temporary…meaning weight loss is temporary) in order to shed the lbs and become a more healthy individual.
My choice was to begin a restricted carbohydrate eating style. It may not be for everyone, but I feel it is the way for me. I strongly recommend a book called “Protein Power” by Drs Michael and Mary Eades …it could change your life.
I have very easily shed 55lbs in 8 months with very little hardship or depravation. I almost feel that I am where I want to be…about another 30lbs will get me down to my optimum weight/build ratio. This is not the same as the so called height/weight charts…The traditional H/W figures are totally unattainable for most people. With my height I am supposed to be 185-195lbs according to the traditional H/W chart. At that weight, with my build (v.large frame) I would look malnutriated.
According to the Eades Weight/Build method, I should be at my optimum at about 230lbs.
Anyway, I’ve rambled…
Best of luck to all of you in your health related endeavors!
Men lose weight SOO much easier than women do. Sigh.
But you are preaching to the choir on the protein topic. I stopped being able to lose weight some years ago using anything like low fat or low calorie. The only thing that actually takes weight off me (not to mention the only plan that is tolerable to live with) is a low-carb plan.
I think Atkins is unhealthy and too extreme. I’ve had good success with Carb Addicts, but what is the thrust of Protein Power? Low fat? Any complex carbs at all?
The basic thrust of Protein Power is that a lower carbohydrate/high protein diet was and should be the proper lifestyle of homosapiens. It is not as strict, I don’t think, as Atkins.
The Eades’ research has shown that mankind was inititially a carnivorous creature…hunter/gatherer. Did you now that Anthroplogists classify primitive remains as either “farmer” or “hunter” based on the robust healthfulness of the bone structure? Those with the strong, robust skeletal remains have always proved to be the “hunter” type.
The more healthy, robust “hunter” type had a diet high in protein and very low in carbohydrates. Interesting, huh? In ancient Egypt where the diet was primarily carbohydrates, science has shown that there was a rampant prevalence of Diabetes. The ancient Egytians were in poor health all around. They had terrible teeth/gums. They were physically frail/weak. Their enemies called them the “bread eaters” from their main food staple while out on campaign during wars.
The Eades believe that history shows that a diet rich in protein and lacking in high carb foods is a more healthful and proper diet for the human animal. Read the book…it is an educating experience.
I’m glad it seems better, would you post again to your thread to let us know how you are??
WAY to GO, ** vtel57!! ** You just stopped cold turkey on Marlboro?? I think I read once that was one of the stronger nicotined cigs too! Excellent job!
It was probably the most difficult thing I have ever done. Someone who has never smoked just cannot understand! An x-cocaine addict might be able to relate…