Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Elliptical and sore quads!



Recommended Posts

I just invested in an elliptical machine. I was very excited! But I got on the thing and after only 12 minutes (disappointed) my quads were killing me and I had to stop. Anyone else experience this? What is your advice concerning working up to more time. 12 minutes is not enough so I walk an hour too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just invested in an elliptical machine. I was very excited! But I got on the thing and after only 12 minutes (disappointed) my quads were killing me and I had to stop. Anyone else experience this? What is your advice concerning working up to more time. 12 minutes is not enough so I walk an hour too.

Oh no. I am looking into the very same thing, ellliptical exerciser. I can't really get outside too much and the gym is difficult also with a 22 month old. Please let me know if this gets better for you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you stretching before and after you get on? You should stretch at least the quad and calf muscle. I am a big guy and I can not reach behind me to grab my ankle to stretch that way. Using my PT knowledge I modified it. I face away from the stairs. I place my foot behind me on the third stair, depending on your height you may need the 2 or 3rd. I then start to try and sit on that foot, until I feel a stretch in the quad. I hold onto the stair rail for balance. I have yet to actually sit on my foot. I would recommend a hamstring stretch too. Also are you properly hydrated, that can lead to cramps. Ellipticals are great machines, a great cardio exercise with out a lot of stress on the joints. I recommend them to most of my arthritic and back patients.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a hard time with the machine before I had the surgery. I was only able to do it for a few minutes my first tme and I had to build myself up everytime I got on, pushing myself another minute everytime.It started with a song I had to stay on for the lengh of one song and then workmy way up to two and so on. Now its a 30 minute tv show. I have to have some stimulation. music or tv. Good Luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Each person has their own way of thinking of what exercise they enjoy, we had an eliptical and sold it, now I am preparing for ZUMBA classes, Tomorrrow is my 1st visit to the surgeons and need to know how much I can lose before going below the required BMI for surgery. I rather dance than do the machines- but enjoy and set up a routine. music and maybe a book?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yesterday I worked through the pain of sore quads and after 15 minutes they pain let up. I was able to do 45 minutes very slowly. I will try again today but my husband recommends resting today. We'll see how it goes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is what my trainer has put into my training effect.

Time

Endurance

Pace

Are the three factors, you should set a goal for where you want to be so for instance this is my treadmill plan

Goal Time 60 min

Goal Endurance 3.5 incline

Pace 6.0 mph

Current Settings

Time 30 min

Endurance 2.1 incline

Pace 2.5 miles

So every workout change ONE portion of your plan, and only increase it by 2. So tomorrow I will do

Time 30 min

Endurance 2.3 incline

Pace 2.5 miles per hour

and then the next workout

Time 32 min

Endurance 2.3 incline

Pace 2.5 and so on

My trainers thought process is that if you don't push everything all at once, and make it a gradual increase its going to be better for A. your body, and B. your progress.. Hope this helps..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have been using a elliptical for about 3 years now. Can't stand the pounding (impact) when using a treadmill. Perhaps when I loose more weight.

Anyhow, there are 3 different styles of elliptical machines at the gym I go to. I am only comfortable on one of them. Seems that on the other 2, I am standing very erect, almost feeling like I am leaning backward at times. The one I use I feel that my weight is leaning a little forward. This is the only one I am comfortable with, so when it came time to purchase one I bought the same brand.

Ellipticals are more about resistance and time rather then speed. Set a goal, say 20-30 minutes for starting out, and set your resistance to "1". When you get comfortable, start increasing your resistance to 3, then 5, 7. When you can do 30 minutes at 7-10, then it's time to think about monitoring your heart rate and go fro the Cardio for 20-30 minutes. After that, you can start increasing your time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You will get your endurance up as you do more. I started out only doing 5 mins and just slowly worked myself up. And you can play with the settings and see what you like the best. I have been using the elliptical for 2 years now and still have days where my muscles are having a tough time keeping up.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

And here I was feeling good about doing my 3 minutes tonite and only having to stop once..lol Guess I have a LONG ways to go..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My elliptical has the moving arms so that helps give more of a full body workout for me. I can't do the ellipticals that only the legs move on a tract, too up & down for me and heck on my hamstrings. I'd say just start out slowly with resistance at 1. After 5 minutes, see if you can increase the resistance a notch. Gradually increase every 5 minutes, etc. until you reach the goal you've set for yourself. Considering it's all about getting your heart rate up, if you can only keep resistance at 1 or 2, just get your speed up until you're feeling stronger and muscles are adjusting to the new routine of working out. I've worked my way up to resistance 15 and start at 1...I increase resistance every 2-3 minutes and it keeps me from getting bored (mentally & physically)! Good luck and keep up the good work!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Lol wow. I bought a Gold's Gym elliptical from my friend for $60, and the first time on it I did one minute and had to rest before doing another minute. Three days later I got on again and did 2 minutes straight and about died. I'm thinking the elliptical just isn't for me.. maybe we should look into buying a new treadmill or something.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×