Lurker with a question

[chocolatelove]

Hi ladies,

I have been lurking for a couple of months and have been amazed by all of your achievements. I started couch 2 5K about a year ago in order to increase my exercise capacity to avoid open-heart surgery (I have a congenital heart defect). I did increase my exercise capacity and ran my first 5k in October, but the experience proved how much I needed surgery. So I had surgery in November and ran my first post-surgery race last weekend. My pace is comparable to many of your 10k times, but I did beat my pre surgery time by 10 seconds.

Anyway, my question is about a gift. My mom needs to lose about 100 pounds and has been doing well with weight watchers for a few weeks. She's done WW on and off for at least 20 years, so she has all of the WW accessories. She has trouble starting any type of fitness, even walking, because she's so heavy. I'd like to get her something for Mother's Day that can help her ease into a program (which she wants to do). Do you have any suggestions? I'd like to keep it under $100 if possible. Thanks so much!

[lauren170]

How about a subscription to a health or fitness related magazine?

[katinthehat]

First, congrats on your achievements, those are pretty amazing!

Second, do you live close to your mom? I think if you do, offering to walk with her, even just around the block, is the best gift you can give. If you don't live close to her, there are a lot of DVDs in the "Sit and Be Fit" family you could send her. They're aimed at seniors but would work for her with her weight. Really though, the best thing you can do is just always encourage her and listen to her when she needs support.

[thom]

Congrats to you on your progress and achievements!

I agree w/ the PP that going walking with her would be awesome if you live close. Maybe you could even make her a certificate for a weekly "walk date" or something that works for both your schedules. Another idea would be membership to a local fitness center she feels comfortable at or a package of group classes for beginners.

Good luck to her!

Edit: If she's more comfortable starting out in her own home, I would suggest looking into used treadmills or stationary bikes -- maybe on Craigslist. I got a very heavy duty treadmill for just over $100 after about a month of looking.

[lifetaketwo]

If you live close, could you register both of you for a walking friendly 5k? It would give her something to work towards and you could do it together.

[chocolatelove]

Great ideas. Thanks, ladies!

[mrs.jacinthe]

What about a fitbit or something similar? She may not be able to walk *far*, but she could do some sort of goal to each week take 500 more steps than the week before. Or something like that ...