Weight loss can be challenging even under the best of circumstances. If you struggle with being able to walk easily -- due to injuries or obesity -- you will deal with additional challenges. That does not mean, however, that you have no fat loss options.
Swimming
If you have difficulty walking, but want to lose weight, you will need to find ways to begin increasing your level of physical activity anyway. Swimming is one of the best such methods, because it allows you to burn calories while putting almost no pressure on your joints. If you do not feel comfortable swimming laps at first, begin by trying a shallow-water aerobics class or similar program.
Stationary Bike
After you have begun to make some progress toward your weight loss goals from water-based activities, you can try increasing the difficulty level very slightly by switching to dry land exercise. Stationary bikes are the lowest impact of such exercises -- just like the water helps hold up your weight in a pool -- the seat helps hold up your weight on a stationary bike. You can begin with very low levels of resistance to start burning a few calories, gradually increasing the speed, duration, and resistance of your bike workouts.
Elliptical
Once you have become somewhat accustomed to an increased level of activity through swimming and stationary bike workouts, you can add another level of difficulty through the use of elliptical machines. Ellipticals will require you to support most of your own weight while using them, but they are still an extremely low impact means of exercising. Additionally, the mobile hand grips and reversible motion of most ellipticals allow you to create a varying range of workouts.
Diet
Exercise of any kind -- even very low-impact options like the ones mentioned above -- can be very challenging if you have difficulty walking easily. Changes to your diet can also help you reach your weight loss goals, and increase the effectiveness of the exercise you are able to do. Even small improvements like cutting back on soda and candy or switching from white bread to whole grain bread can help.
References
- Rice University: Summer Exercise Highlight: Swimming
- Love To Know: Low Impact Exercise Equipment
- Weight Loss Center: Best Low-Impact Exercise Machines for Cardio; June 2009
- University of Utah: Promote Health Through Diet and Exercise
- University of New Mexico: Exercise vs. Diet in Weight Loss; Christina J. Paez et al
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