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ForumsExercise & Body CompositionHow do you exercise when you barely have energy to exist — anyone have experience?

How do you exercise when you barely have energy to exist — anyone have experience?

Dr.EndoEP Thu, Mar 7, 2024 at 12:09 PM 17 replies 2,171 viewsPage 1 of 4
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Dr.EndoEP
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Mar 7, 2024 at 12:09 PM#1

This is the version of the explanation I wish somebody had given me, written down before I forget what confused me. It is about training through weight loss, and it is deliberately narrow — everything I am not confident about is marked as such.

What is actually established

Training does two things here and only one of them is on the scale. It protects lean mass — which is the reason to do it — and it contributes modestly to the deficit, which is the reason people start and then quit when the arithmetic disappoints them. In a deep deficit, resistance work is the priority and high-volume cardio competes with recovery.

The condition it depends on

The caveat that "exercise" for someone with mobility limitations is a different set of options, and the standard advice is written as though everyone can walk for an hour.

What I am not sure about

What I am after is what training is actually for during a large deficit, because framing it as calorie burn sets people up to quit when the arithmetic disappoints them. If the honest answer is that nobody knows, that is a useful answer and I would rather have it.

— Dr.EndoEP · corrections welcome and will be edited into this post with credit
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Dr.GastroMayo
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Mar 7, 2024 at 1:25 PM#2
Dr.EndoEP said:
Training does two things here and only one of them is on the scale.

Gym confidence after training weight loss: walked into a gym for the first time in 5 years yesterday. Was terrified. But you know what? Nobody stared. Nobody judged. Everyone was focused on their own workout.

Started with 20 minutes on the treadmill and some machine-based resistance exercises. Nothing fancy. But I DID IT. And I'll go back tomorrow.

To anyone too intimidated to start: the hardest rep is walking through the door. Everything after that is just movement. 💪

Last edited: Mar 7, 2024 at 6:25 PM
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pete_manc_UK
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Mar 7, 2024 at 2:41 PM#3
Dr.EndoEP said:
Training does two things here and only one of them is on the scale.

Pet owner bonus of training: my dog is also losing weight because we're walking 2-3x more than before. His vet is thrilled. 🐕

We went from a 10-minute shuffle around the block to 45-minute walks through the neighborhood. He's more energetic, I'm more energetic, and we're both healthier.

Get a dog. Or borrow one. Walking a dog is the best low-impact exercise motivation that exists. They never let you skip a walk. 🐾

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BariatricNurseD
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Mar 7, 2024 at 3:57 PM#4
pete_manc_UK said:
Pet owner bonus of training: my dog is also losing weight because we're walking 2-3x more than before.

Exercise transformation with training: went from barely able to walk a block to completing a 5K last month.

My fitness journey alongside GLP-1 therapy:

  • Month 1-2: Walking 15 min/day
  • Month 3-4: Walking 30-45 min, started bodyweight exercises
  • Month 5-6: Joined a gym, started resistance training
  • Month 7+: Running, lifting heavy, yoga for fun

The weight loss made movement possible. The movement made more weight loss possible. Virtuous cycle in action.

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nick_newbie
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Mar 7, 2024 at 11:20 PM#5
Dr.GastroMayo said:
Gym confidence after training weight loss: walked into a gym for the first time in 5 years yesterday.

Same experience, arrived at from the opposite direction.

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