"You are the greatest project you'll ever work on in life. Restart. Reset. Refocus. As many times as you need. Just don't give up." A quote someone shared today.
This video is really nice and super motivating! Though I just wish anyone had answers as to why progress is happening backwards. As in, instead of things slowly improving (such as condition), it only gets worse. I've had that in the past where as an overweight teen, I had no problems going to gym 3x a week with 30 minutes on the crosstrainer and pilates 2x a week (at 1hr each). As the months went by, 30 minutes became 25, then 20 and finally I could barely get 10 minutes in before being drained, exhausted and in pain. Pilates fell away completely after a year. I ate normally and normal amounts of decently healthy food (sure I could have done better, but I wasn't living off of junk either) and also didn't overwork myself. In fact, I kept getting told I should do even more and that 30 minutes of exercise a day was a normal goal. And that sucked because I LOVED being active, I hated gaining weight and becoming more sedentary, it's not like I enjoyed obesity. Today, I have never been able to recover from this and my condition is still bad. Trying anything works out okay in the beginning, but proceeds to get worse as time goes on (since then I have been diagnosed with PCOS, hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes together with asthma since birth, but still, despite medication, I still don't get any energy). And sadly, so far, no one has any answers for me except "just keep it up and challenge yourself!" Still, this video is helpful, especially for obese people who battle with the pain of gravity.
This guy gets it. When overweight people (I used to be obese) talk about exercise being uncomfortable and painful, they don't mean the same kind of pain that fit people experience when they workout (well-developed muscles being activated etc.). When you're THAT heavy it's a genuine pain from gravity just doing its thing: your organs feel like they're gonna pop out, or your knees are gonna give way, or your shins are swollen from all that weight. Exercise is obvs still possible (and indeed the solution), but it's not the same. Exercise is not fun when you're that heavy, it's depressing and excruciating. Glad those days are gone ugh
@@4America2024 it really is amazing how you don't realize how many extra obstacles you're dealing with until you start shedding the kilos. The big thing I noticed when I started losing weight was that one day, I was thinking "woah, that's odd, my legs feel power-assisted, like I go to lift a knee and it just comes up like it's on a marionette string". Took me a bit to realize "oh, I've shed weight on the thighs, I'm not having to actively accelerate my leg to overcome its own momentum", followed by the realization "wait... thin people just never have to deal with that. They don't have to adjust their balance to account for the nontrivial shift in momentum from just walking. It's basically effortless for them."
@@ecyor0 You’ve given me a whole new outlook on this. I can now observe with more humility the groans and moans of my husband as he tries to get out of his chair or even get into bed. I humbly thank you…
It's the same reason waterrobics is a great answer for really heavy people. Because your body is supported on all sides by the water and it reduces the impact of gravity with your body's buoyancy.
@@MuffHam they say it just takes something really small like when your dressed in shorts and a t and sneakers turn around and locking your front door behind you on the way out. The first 30 seconds is huge. Once you get over that hump it becomes way easier.
Seriously! I haven’t exercised in 15 years because I was in a bad accident where a but T-boned my car, messed up both my knees, both rotator cuffs, neck, and cause a TBI. EVERYTHING hurts, but I’m willing to try knowing I’m safe and won’t fall. The last time I feel, my doctor said if I fall again, I’ll have to have surgery on my rotator cuffs.
Literally great advice. People are so quick to judge. And you, in under 2 minutes, helped a lot of people feel comfortable and encouraged to exercise. That’s everybody’s right, and you let people know it. Thanks for being so kind!
Surprisingly, people in gyms are not at all quick to judge you, even if you are really out of shape. I was in terrible shape when I finally dragged my ass to the gym and I was dreading every second of it, but people there just kinda let you do your own thing. As long as you take care of the equipment and put things back where they belong and clean up after yourself, they just let you do your own work out routine. It doesn't matter if you're on a treadmill at barely more than a walking speed or lifting tiny weights or whatever it is you're doing, they won't judge you. At least, that's been my experience. And if I had known this sooner, I probably wouldn't have waited as long as I did. Gym goers are, for the most part, very nice and supportive people. I thought my out of shape ass didn't belong in the gym and they would just laugh me out of there, but no. They just let you do you, as long as you return the favor and follow the gym rules.
@@Xylarxcode I feel like you've been lucky. There's lots of horror stories, sadly. As a not so gym interested person, the few times I've gone (with a friend who showed me around the equipment) I've definitely gotten weird comments and stares just because I don't have the right technique or because I'm a woman trying to lift weights or whatever. It makes me really not want to go back.
I grew up during an era of "tough love" that said, "if it doesn't hurt you're doing it wrong". So I said, "Fine, if the way I move is going to be wrong I'm not going to bother." How I wish more fitness advocates said, "be comfortable" instead.
The lack of judgement is the most encouraging thing. ❤ Many of us didn’t choose to get out of shape, life just kicked the shit out of us before we could get up to kick back.
@mialemon6186 girl, being 600lbs has nothing to do w your industrial strength stretch jeans. You see ut, you feel it and you don't just wake up one day the size of a baby elephant. Getting to 200, sure, it's easy to miss when you're tall but when you're the same weight as a mountain zebra it didn't creep up on you because your body was screaming at you to stop every step of the way
@@ghostoflazlo Where tf did they mention being 600 pounds?? You just decided they were morbidly obese so you could come in here and be needlessly rude. Life slapping you in the face and gaining some weight is a thing most people in the first world will experience at some point. It's not shameful. You just get back up and keep going when you can. Don't be fucking rude?
Thank you! I went from being an very healthy, active person, to covid long hauler, then injured my knee. It's so humbling to be here, but I am working an exercise ball FROM BED right now. Grab those dumb bells and bring the to bed lol❤ I'll try the chair tomorrow....
Make sure you go very slowly and only increase if you don’t have PEM. It’s important to work within your body’s limitations so that you don’t get worse. However, if you exercise and feel better the next day and don’t crash later that week, you can push a bit more. I have ME/CFS and went into recovery once, so that was how I felt. Exercise didn’t make me more tired, so I could do more. Best wishes in your healing journey!
Sorry to hear your plight, as I have similar story. But it's nice to know I am not alone in life happening, and am going to give his advice a try to get back up n running .Good luck as well.
Anyone with Long term COVID will become a very brave person. Hats off sir. My daughter is going into 3 yrs with it. She became a huge researcher, seeks help from nutritionists among her arsenal of medical folk. Having COVID is the loneliest illness ever. Little help, little sympathy because outsiders cant imagine or understand it. Lots of doctors are a waste of time because they just don’t know and some ass --even think it’s psychological. God bless the LT COVID people and bring them abundant health.
I have poor balance from a medical condition. Telling ppl they can actually sit in the chair after a squat is SO encouraging!!! I’ve been treated at 6 PT clinics over the years, and none of those providers had this common sense approach. Thank you!
I got hit by a car while using a crosswalk 7 months ago, and I've just gotten to the part of recovery where hopefully I'll be cleared for PT this week. I have some swelling still and paresis. These tips are definitely gonna help; I haven't done a real work out since the accident. Wish me luck and perseverance!
I'm technically not the target audience for this, but last year I've gotten really really sick and I quit working out because I was recovering. When I tried to get back at it, everything felt ten times more difficult, added by me suddenly getting busy at work, and I just can't get myself to work out like I used to. Thank you for the video. This makes me feel like I can do my old routines again and remind me that my body has gotten weaker and I should try to adjust to that.
Oooh, I love this! That's the compassion, tenderness, and humanity I want to see in exercise videos. I didn't know I needed to see this, but I did. Thank you so very much for this.
Even though I love doing squats ... this post touched something deep in me. Without knowing it, I had been pushing in the beyond comfort zone only. Needs balance.
Thank you for this! I struggle with chronic illnesses, am mostly housebound, sometimes bedbound, have chronic pain and use a wheelchair at times. This really has given me some motivation to exercise when my body can take it 😊
This is amazing advice, man! As a woman dealing with chronic pain, starting out was hard for me, so I put the blankets, pillows and chairs in but I felt like a fraud, not doing it correctly. Seeing this I feel instantly more confident about my workouts! 👏
Thanks for not mocking people. Things happen in life and we all gotta stop and start somewhere. It’s nice knowing it’s ok and at least someone gets it.
I thought he was going to be mean, like take pillowa nd blanket and to sleep your lazy ass if you cannot grind harder. Tbh im upset all these "motivational influencers" conditioned me to expect that
I have battled two non- heeling torn achilles tendons. I've gone from hiking 10 miles a day to barely being able to walk. I've been shamed at the gym for not trying harder. Thanks for making content that so many of us can be motivated by.
This came across my feed at the most opportune time. Going into my 6th surgery, battling stage IV Cancer. I always think about how amazing it's going to feel to get back into shape. Truthfully I still worry how I can physically accomplish that, with a body so beat up, stitched up, and yet to be in remission. I hope, I pray, and then your video popped up. I appreciate your approach. Thanks for reminding me it can be done 1 step at a time. Definitely not overnight. Thank you for the Hope
This is really good advice. I am mostly bedridden due to multiple disabilities and chronic illnesses including cancer. I am very weak and my entire body is in excruciating pain. I need to get stronger for my upcoming surgery. You have encouraged me to do something, even from my bed, because I gotta start somewhere.
This is an extremely SMART video. Thank you. I'm a retired Alexander teacher and I understand many of the limitations older people have with respect to exercise. You're giving them a 'baby steps' approach which is very practical and (above all) workable. There are so many exercise and 'remedial' videos on YT but are so often created by young, fit men and women who have the natural flexibility of youth and often can't imagine (yet) the aches and pains of later life. They recommend exercises on the basis of their own youth and fitness but don't seem to realise how dangerous and counter-productive those exercises can be for someone who doesn't have full joint mobility, or perhaps has an injury or 'slipped disk'. Many people stiffen up as they age - for a variety of reasons and this makes them much more vulnerable to further injury. Anyway - very well done!
Yes on this. I did my first pushups from my bed - I have a Japanese platform bed, no box spring - and over time, just moved my torso more and more off the bed to put more weight on my arms.
Thank you!!! I went from ballet, to the Marines, to a really bad period in my life where I couldn't prioritize myself at all, to a knee injury the was caused by compensating for 2 decades for the untreated injury that caused me to leave ballet. Talk about falling off an athletic cliff!!! Coupled with a medication that caused weight gain, and I've been a mess for a few years now. Kept trying to start exercising again, get back in shape, but from my experience, exercise is pushing until you physically can't anymore, running until you throw up, dancing until you're shaking from exhaustion. And yeah, 10 years ago I could do that. But now? I kept hurting myself, and kept digging the hole deeper, until this knee injury was the icing on the cake. Except that it was bad enough that my husband finally got me to agree to talk to my doctor, who sent me to physical therapy. And in PT, they gave me gentle exercises to do while sitting and lying down. They explained how to tell when I should push through vs when to hear my body telling me to stop. They gave me a set number of exercises to do each day, and when it's done, it's done, even if I feel in the moment like I could do more. I felt like I wasn't doing enough, except that after I cooled off, even with ice and Advil, my knee would be in rough shape. I learned quickly to be glad I didn't push beyond what they gave me. I just had my one month re-evaluation. It was EYE OPENING. I'm already so much stronger. Like I knew I was having an easier time with the exercises, knew we've been adding ankle weights and I've been increasing my weight on the leg press, but it was incredible to redo the intake evaluation, where my PT would push and pull on my leg, and see the undeniable difference. I stepped on the scale at the doctor's office today, and I've dropped 12 lbs this month, from the little bit of exercise I've been doing, coupled with cutting back portion sizes at two meals per day. For the first time in years, I feel hopeful. And it started with things like what you're saying: prioritize my comfort. Start small. Don't assume I have to go crazy hardcore all out. Listen to my body. Any movement, any more movement than usual, is progress.
Coming from an athletic background and did ballet when I was a kid: most pro athletes are actually pushing themselves to death. No actually healthy people would actually push themselves to accomplish what pro athletes do every day. Being real healthy is being mindful of your mental health, do moderate aerobic exerecise and eat well. Hang in there.
Reminder that less weight doesn’t necessarily mean healthier! I don’t know u so maybe it’s good for you to, but I see so many people at an average healthy weight fall into the trap of wanting to lose more and then becoming unhealthy. It sucks!! I’m skinny and extremely unfit. Gaining weight would be a good thing for me bc it means gaining strength.
@@humanbean4037Since dangerously fat is more common and easier to achieve for most. (Indulgence vs fighting survival instincts) morbidly obese get focused on a lot. And morbidly emaciated gets ignored.
As someone that started off getting fully into exercising at 330 pounds (now about 240ish pounds) because I thought it was heavily overrated for the longest time. I support the message of this video! Also gotta say, depending on the severity of how out of shape you are, you may have to start with much weaker exercises too! Also, one of the biggest things stopping me from getting into exercising earlier in my life is that people said it can be discomfort, but I took that as "I just gotta try hard and feel the pain". There will be discomfort, but if you're feeling pain you need to stop and let the body rest and do something easier next time. Better to take it nice and slow and get proper form, than to take on more than you can chew with improper form and be unable to use those muscles for a few months. That's like an immediate death to any motivation to keep exercising when you get hurt too much to continue as you wait to heal. As a general rule, I always go for the easiest variant of each exercise when testing out new exercises. There's a lot of complex muscle groups. Ya don't want to go from some strong muscles and shift that weight/power into muscles that are extremely weak and hardly able to do anything. I cannot tell you how many physical, mental, and emotional benefits exercise has. Honestly I feel like I can't get proper sleep without getting exercise at some point in the day. I hope whoever is starting when really out of shape gets a good start!
I lost all my physical abilities because of idiopathic polyneuropathy. I used to be so agile and now I feel 80 with the face of a 30 year old. People pass me walking and I can hear them sigh in desperation because I walk SOOOO slow. 6 months ago I couldn't walk at all, so it is better now. Anyway, I am afraid of going to a gym because people don't see me as disabled and it is extremely frustrating to be pushed and pushed to do things that you are not currently able to do. This kinds of videos are gold 🎉
I hear ya'. The family joke used to be that I was a mountain goat because I could climb anything and had amazing balance. Now I can't walk down a step without holding a railing, and I can't bend over and stand back up because of the autonomic neuropathy associated with my polyneuropathy. I'm a fecking doctor, and doctors won't listen to or believe me.
Hello Mike! 👋🏽 If you see this, that would be amazing! I have a quick story to tell you; 14 years ago I had my first child, I was out of shape & was not satisfied with myself. I wanted to workout & get fit so I would be able to keep up with my kid while we're playing & not get exhausted quickly 😂 A couple of years into my sons life, I wanted to make a change so I went on RUclips & searched up some workouts, I saw some great videos you've posted that did not require any gym equipment. I started grinding on cardio over the summer & a few months later I shaved off about 50lbs, went from 230 to 180lbs & man was I happy! Fast-forward to right now in 2024 with two kids, I recently started working out again (after getting a dad bod 😂) & I am feeling the great things that my body & soul needs. I came across this video randomly & heard your voice, all of the motivation you gave me over a decade ago just came rushing back. I am so stoked that you are still doing these videos because I know you're helping a lot of others. Nice to see you again old friend, you just received a new (oldish) subscriber! Stay Blessed 🙏🏽
This is so helpful. People do tend to judge, and I can't help but feel that they think you should be punished with discomfort when really out of shape. It doesn't matter how you do it. Just do it.
Great advise. As someone with numerous injuries which have turned into chronic pain, this is exactly what I did to start getting myself moving again. I have major wrist and elbow issues, so doing normal planks wasn't an option (for example,) so I still do planks on my bed on my elbows. No elbow pain, and I get to work on core strength. Make it work for you.
I used to be so active until I got sick. Now I walk with a cane and am in pain more than I’m not. I’m still getting used to not being able bodied, and this is the first time I’ve seen someone show an accommodation for exercise. I feel like I have a starting point.
Thank you!!! I've desperately wanted to start exercising, but it's so daunting when you're a chronic pain patient, and pretty unfit. To be honest, it's not actually the advice that's helpful - I do similar things already (hang my washing on an inside rack while sitting on a chair, instead of standing and reaching up to the backyard clothesline, etc). It's your compassion and encouragement that makes me feel like it might actually be possible for someone like me to actually _do_ this kind of thing. Having someone say that even if you're on the lowest rung, you're still helpable really does makes a difference!
Mike Chang. Wow, the OG youtube Fitness Influencer whose adverts I was so sick of seeing but now he's transcended to material I actually want to watch....Good on your Mike!
That’s great advice. The next step after that comfort is found is to push yourself a little into the discomfort via the exercises you do. You do 10 squats today. In the next few do 12, then 15. Don’t max out all in the beginning. I’ve lost motivation many times doing so and comparing myself to past me.
@@enmarzz Weight loss should never be the point of exercise. There's a whole science behind this but in short; your body is a machine designed to adapt and conserve energy. Initially, you will lose weight faster because your body isn't used to it, however, after a while it will get used to your new lifestyle and weight loss will plateau. If you exercise solely to lose weight, you're going to end up disappointed and demotivated when you realize you're putting in a lot of effort for diminishing results. The point of exercise is to restore and maintain your mobility; to make you stronger, more flexible and give you endurance you would not have otherwise. It keeps you healthy, both mentally and physically. Your weight is mainly dictated by what you eat and how much you eat. If you spend more energy than you consume (which exercise does help to a degree), you lose weight. Remember: Exercise = health. Food = weight.
Probably the best exercise video on RUclips. Once you're on the road one thing just follows another but putting that first foot on the path, that's the mountain you need to climb.
Or, if you are like I was, where my core was so weak I could not sit in a chair for more than a couple of hours without having to lie down, you can take an aquafit class. Three times a week for a couple of months. Now, I feel I can move on to squats and other body-weight exercises! And I will definitely be following theses recommendations, because getting fit is a long term project! 💕🇨🇦
I wish I had heard this advice a few years ago. I had always been thin and pretty strong thanks to my genetics and a very active lifestyle when I was younger. Then I slowly became more depressed and continually less active over the years and finally began to gain weight. The weight gain being new to me coupled with the stiff joints and muscles from my inertia, sometimes it just hurt to be alive. I had horrible inflammation in my body. I found things that worked for me and lost about 45 pounds last year and am continuing to work the rest off, but I truly believe with your advice people in similar, worse, or even better spots than I was in can be saved from the torture of being stuck. You have a kind soul. Thank you for sharing.
No one understand people out of shape ..all is made for people who can do it when people out of shape os the one who need the most help.... Congratulations your video is amazing and caring 🤗🤗🤗👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Great advice for anyone starting to exercise again or just beginning. Discomfort and discouragement are the biggest deterrents to starting an exercise program.
As someone with a herniated disc that gets knee pain and pain on my sides this is very good information. I just don't have much motivation to exercise after a hard days work. I work in a warehouse with lots of lifting involved.
Right on Mike! Punishing one's self is definitely not the way back to fitness and health. Like other have commented, I believe you are saving lives!! 👍👍
This is such good advice. My asthma likes to kick off if I do strenuous exercise so I used to avoid all exercise, but eventually I got into better habits by doing what exercise I *could* do, like increasingly long walks, lifting increasingly heavy weights slowly, building up my balance bit by bit with yoga. Still can’t run for the life of me, but I can walk for three hours straight without getting breathless, and that’s better than nothing!
You struck a nerve, that I didn't know existed. With tears rolling down my face, Thank You Mike for understanding what it feels like, and why it could be hard.
This is awesome advice! I have stopped many times because of pain but always heard no pain, no gain. I just couldn’t push through the pain and thought I was failing. This changes everything! Thank you ❤
My physical therapist told me that a little discomfort is okay, but pain is your body's way of saying "Stop that!" and you should listen. I was close to bedbound when I began seeing her and I'm making real steady progress by following her advice.
As a diabetic who tried to recover from peripheral neuropathy, exercising in comfort is a must for me otherwise I'd slip back into the dreaded painful state I was in before
You know, you are an angel. You get that some people just aren't the same. It helps so much when there is compassion and empathy to others struggles. A TRUE godsend. ❤
My son is a ballet dancer who trained with a Chinese dancer and choreographer. He had many pillows that he distributed to the students. He also had a big pile of torn up white T-shirts to put down on the floor to slide on. I think that Stuart McGill also has good ideas on training. He says "Don't pick the scab." Yes. Don't hobby-horse painful movements. And..."virtual surgery"...Pretend you've had an operation and go easy.
Good points. I've found that if I allow myself a little extra help in my exercises, I get better at the movements and gradually don't need as much help.
Thank you!…. I’ve been sitting, working from home for 4 years now. I have not stretched, walked or done any exercise in these 4 years…. I had frozen shoulder for 1 1/2 years from “reaching for my mouse” and lower back pain from my dining chair…. Then I gained 35 lbs from boredom munching. I finally went on a plant based anti-inflammatory diet, lost 35 lbs but my body is stiff as hell. I’m 52, 129 lbs and horribly out of shape…. Sometimes, hearing common sense from someone really helps. Thank you again.
This is the best exercise advice I've literally ever seen. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when I was about 21. It's been half a decade but it's been so hard and frustrating living with chronic pain when I want to do physical activities like I used to.
This is great for people who are recovering from longish illnesses where they've been sick for weeks. I hurt my knee badly and couldn't do much for weeks. I lost so much muscle tone! And people who are bedridden with the flu for 3 weeks or more can be very weak when they finally get well. It can be very discouraging.
This is actually such fantastic advice. Comfort is so important in this case! I became disabled around when COVID went down and this is how I did exercises. I couldn't really move and I could barely walk a metre forward without getting severely winded due to my condition (it would take so long to walk a few steps), and doing "baby yoga" would get me in a sweat. Putting pillows and blankets around me, and moving minimal amounts really helped me. Not everyone needs to or should be doing insane workouts. Building on your exercises really helps and for me it took years and years to get more mobility. I hear that hydrotherapy or just being in a pool when exercising helps so much if you're very heavy or end up with disabilities. Four years on and I'm obviously still disabled, but people can't really tell because I have regained so much muscle and movement again. I would do exercises on a mattress in bed too and that helped as well. Just whatever you can manage! One thing to be careful of: don't trust everything a dr tells you. I had one of my drs tell me to do very short, vigorous exercises for my disability at the time (they were concerned about my core because it was getting much too weak as I had severe muscle atrophy in my whole body), but those workouts wrecked my body much more than needed to the point I still have pain today. So be kind to your body and just build up on the exercises super super super slowly.
Due to Myasthenia Gravis I can’t exercise much, but I need to do something. In school I could squat 370 lbs. Now I can barely walk from one end of the house to the other. Not falling is a plus.
Thank you I woke from 10 year coma and basically no muscles. Tendons all short and tight. Stretch hurt, tire so easily. And soft fluid diet never be able to eat solid again am focusing in tiny bits of meat p. Can’t do meals have to swallow tiny food and fluid hourly. Thank you for video on weakness and sore tender body.
Thank you for caring about my out of shape self. This is logical and I can certainly do it. I’ve started making sure I stand up more at my desk job. I do leg lifts at my desk and knee bends. I walk briskly around the large office before I head back to my desk during a break. I do range of motion so I don’t stiffen up. I have Lymphedema and if I don’t keep moving I keep too much of the toxins in apparently. Now that I have hit menopause fully my condition worsened suddenly and that’s how I discovered I have it. Reading the symptoms it’s clear I have had it my whole life. Doctors tested me for lymphoma and lupus, anemia who knows what else, but the tests were obviously negative. I don’t think there is a definitive test for Lymphedema, but I certainly have every single symptom. I make sure I do a massage all over daily to keep the toxins from building up. I can tell when I have a trouble spot because the area becomes stiff and sore. Exercise and ROM is extremely helpful. Thanks again for all the tips.
This guy just literally gave THE BEST advice in realistically finding a way for people to get back on track or get started on a fitness journey. The hard way, isn't always the right way. While it works for some, it may be demotivating or a risk of injury for others. Always start at a pace that's healthy for you. 🙌
I love you. I don't know you but I love you because you're you're not doing this for views. You're doing this because you actually care. God bless you sir 🙏🏻✝️🙌🏻
Hey Mike, I would not have thought to use pillows or a comforter to help me with exercising! I’ve been avoiding it for a long time and now I won’t have to! Thank you so much! I’m subscribed ❤
Excellent advice! Sometimes I feel like I want to push myself to another level, and sometimes I don't. I try to listen to what my body is telling me, and I feel no shame in ramping it back if I'm not ready for that push. Always remember, doing something is better than doing nothing.
Oh my goodness, thank you! You have no idea how much I needed this! In 10 years of living with MS, I have been admonished many times to exercise, and have attended many an exercise class, but no one ever explained this to me! I think it could be life-changing.
This is excellent for disabled people like myself. These tips help several demographics. Disabled, elderly, obese, beginner, and people who just want to make working out more bearable
I needed to hear this. As I get older, my hypermobility has caused me pain every day, 24/7. I feel better when I move, but it all hurts. Having you give permission to make accommodations has flicked a switch in my head. 🙏
Thanks Mike :) Really appreciate the motivation and willingness to help everyone wherever they're at. Man.. few years back I felt like I was in the best shape of my life. Pandemic hit, and my extrovert self changed a lot, more introvert now. Family driven, trying to self motivate always, and really appreciate your positivity and what you share. Much love!
True true. I started by doing excercises in my bed & off the side of my bed b4 I got up. Now I'm doing them out of bed and I've kept up. You are a lifesaver. Keep the helpful hints coming, I still struggle sometimes so I need them. 😉 Thank you
You inspire me! So THANK YOU! For taking the time and energy to educate and teach and help us. I watch your videos and save them in my “ health & fitness” category on my RUclips so I can always go back. This one is a good one and I love them all. If you taught classes and I was anywhere around you, I’d take them in a minute!! ❤️
I just got this recommended. I haven't seen Mike Chang in literally over 10 years. I had almost forgotten how much I used to watch his videos back when I was a teenager.
Great video and great message. Hope many people see this. When you're not fit a little goes a long way with exercise, making it comfy is absolutely the way.
What a to-the-point and compassionate video! I don’t know why I’m feeling like crying right now but you actually made me well up. Thank you so much for this
After several health issues over the years I've learned to bring exercise to the couch or bed, while I'm standing in the kitchen cooking, etc. Lost over 100 lbs eating healthier and simply making my body move every 15 to 20 minutes if I'm still. Great advice! Good luck to all 👏🏽
Starting is the most important point
Don’t worry about progress
Doing it is what matters
thank you for this
thank u. always scared to take a first step so i dont rly finish anything. thank u again
"You are the greatest project you'll ever work on in life. Restart. Reset. Refocus. As many times as you need. Just don't give up."
A quote someone shared today.
Yyeessss, love that, thanks
@@ShoulderMonster❤❤❤
Exactly. For people starting off, nothing is more important than doing literally ANYTHING to start and keep moving.
This video is really nice and super motivating! Though I just wish anyone had answers as to why progress is happening backwards. As in, instead of things slowly improving (such as condition), it only gets worse. I've had that in the past where as an overweight teen, I had no problems going to gym 3x a week with 30 minutes on the crosstrainer and pilates 2x a week (at 1hr each).
As the months went by, 30 minutes became 25, then 20 and finally I could barely get 10 minutes in before being drained, exhausted and in pain. Pilates fell away completely after a year.
I ate normally and normal amounts of decently healthy food (sure I could have done better, but I wasn't living off of junk either) and also didn't overwork myself. In fact, I kept getting told I should do even more and that 30 minutes of exercise a day was a normal goal. And that sucked because I LOVED being active, I hated gaining weight and becoming more sedentary, it's not like I enjoyed obesity.
Today, I have never been able to recover from this and my condition is still bad. Trying anything works out okay in the beginning, but proceeds to get worse as time goes on (since then I have been diagnosed with PCOS, hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes together with asthma since birth, but still, despite medication, I still don't get any energy). And sadly, so far, no one has any answers for me except "just keep it up and challenge yourself!"
Still, this video is helpful, especially for obese people who battle with the pain of gravity.
Me dragging my chair, mat, pillow and comforter into the gym. 😂
I have a REALLY big gym bag for all of my...cough...."equipment"...lol.
😂
just take a nap on the floor with the cat
😂
Heck why not just move your whole bed in there while you’re at it 😂
This guy gets it. When overweight people (I used to be obese) talk about exercise being uncomfortable and painful, they don't mean the same kind of pain that fit people experience when they workout (well-developed muscles being activated etc.). When you're THAT heavy it's a genuine pain from gravity just doing its thing: your organs feel like they're gonna pop out, or your knees are gonna give way, or your shins are swollen from all that weight. Exercise is obvs still possible (and indeed the solution), but it's not the same. Exercise is not fun when you're that heavy, it's depressing and excruciating. Glad those days are gone ugh
@@gregorywilkinson5731 I believe that. You painted a good picture of internal organs weighing you down.
@@4America2024 it really is amazing how you don't realize how many extra obstacles you're dealing with until you start shedding the kilos. The big thing I noticed when I started losing weight was that one day, I was thinking "woah, that's odd, my legs feel power-assisted, like I go to lift a knee and it just comes up like it's on a marionette string". Took me a bit to realize "oh, I've shed weight on the thighs, I'm not having to actively accelerate my leg to overcome its own momentum", followed by the realization "wait... thin people just never have to deal with that. They don't have to adjust their balance to account for the nontrivial shift in momentum from just walking. It's basically effortless for them."
@@ecyor0 You’ve given me a whole new outlook on this. I can now observe with more humility the groans and moans of my husband as he tries to get out of his chair or even get into bed. I humbly thank you…
It's the same reason waterrobics is a great answer for really heavy people. Because your body is supported on all sides by the water and it reduces the impact of gravity with your body's buoyancy.
Bro, do you realize how many lives you just saved? Real talk. Great advice. Good job bro.
This cured my type IX diabetes.
He nèeds to do a video.
How to workout when lazy and unmotivated.
@@MuffHam they say it just takes something really small like when your dressed in shorts and a t and sneakers turn around and locking your front door behind you on the way out. The first 30 seconds is huge. Once you get over that hump it becomes way easier.
@@EarthsGeomancer 🧐
Seriously! I haven’t exercised in 15 years because I was in a bad accident where a but T-boned my car, messed up both my knees, both rotator cuffs, neck, and cause a TBI. EVERYTHING hurts, but I’m willing to try knowing I’m safe and won’t fall.
The last time I feel, my doctor said if I fall again, I’ll have to have surgery on my rotator cuffs.
I'm Not even through the Clip and almost crying. In "health world", disabled or "far Off" people are almost never SEEN Like this. Thank you.
Literally great advice. People are so quick to judge. And you, in under 2 minutes, helped a lot of people feel comfortable and encouraged to exercise. That’s everybody’s right, and you let people know it. Thanks for being so kind!
Surprisingly, people in gyms are not at all quick to judge you, even if you are really out of shape. I was in terrible shape when I finally dragged my ass to the gym and I was dreading every second of it, but people there just kinda let you do your own thing. As long as you take care of the equipment and put things back where they belong and clean up after yourself, they just let you do your own work out routine. It doesn't matter if you're on a treadmill at barely more than a walking speed or lifting tiny weights or whatever it is you're doing, they won't judge you. At least, that's been my experience. And if I had known this sooner, I probably wouldn't have waited as long as I did. Gym goers are, for the most part, very nice and supportive people. I thought my out of shape ass didn't belong in the gym and they would just laugh me out of there, but no. They just let you do you, as long as you return the favor and follow the gym rules.
@@Xylarxcode I feel like you've been lucky. There's lots of horror stories, sadly. As a not so gym interested person, the few times I've gone (with a friend who showed me around the equipment) I've definitely gotten weird comments and stares just because I don't have the right technique or because I'm a woman trying to lift weights or whatever. It makes me really not want to go back.
Spoiler: no one cares about you attentionwhore
I grew up during an era of "tough love" that said, "if it doesn't hurt you're doing it wrong". So I said, "Fine, if the way I move is going to be wrong I'm not going to bother."
How I wish more fitness advocates said, "be comfortable" instead.
Finally a man smart enough to take care of his body while not pushing me into what doesn’t quite work for me. A gentleman with brains and brawn.
Off topic but your dog is adorable 🥺
@@emilyrasputin aha that's so cute🥹
Take your time and go at your own pace! You will get there even by putting in 5 mins a day as long as you stay consistent ❤
you will never have any change of your phyisique if you train this weak bro enjoy working out for several years to see 0 progress !
@@BreadCrumbsOGL human being 1:29
The lack of judgement is the most encouraging thing. ❤
Many of us didn’t choose to get out of shape, life just kicked the shit out of us before we could get up to kick back.
600lbs don't just sneak up on you. That's putting in the work
@@ghostoflazlo TIL a size XL/14 fits 600lb people. Modern textiles are brilliant eh?
@mialemon6186 girl, being 600lbs has nothing to do w your industrial strength stretch jeans.
You see ut, you feel it and you don't just wake up one day the size of a baby elephant.
Getting to 200, sure, it's easy to miss when you're tall but when you're the same weight as a mountain zebra it didn't creep up on you because your body was screaming at you to stop every step of the way
@@ghostoflazlo Where tf did they mention being 600 pounds?? You just decided they were morbidly obese so you could come in here and be needlessly rude. Life slapping you in the face and gaining some weight is a thing most people in the first world will experience at some point. It's not shameful. You just get back up and keep going when you can. Don't be fucking rude?
Thank you! I went from being an very healthy, active person, to covid long hauler, then injured my knee. It's so humbling to be here, but I am working an exercise ball FROM BED right now. Grab those dumb bells and bring the to bed lol❤ I'll try the chair tomorrow....
Make sure you go very slowly and only increase if you don’t have PEM. It’s important to work within your body’s limitations so that you don’t get worse. However, if you exercise and feel better the next day and don’t crash later that week, you can push a bit more. I have ME/CFS and went into recovery once, so that was how I felt. Exercise didn’t make me more tired, so I could do more. Best wishes in your healing journey!
@@jackiecauthron-schafer9554 thank you!!❤
Sorry to hear your plight, as I have similar story. But it's nice to know I am not alone in life happening, and am going to give his advice a try to get back up n running .Good luck as well.
@@MarLindaPerez-s1i 💕
Anyone with Long term COVID will become a very brave person. Hats off sir. My daughter is going into 3 yrs with it. She became a huge researcher, seeks help from nutritionists among her arsenal of medical folk. Having COVID is the loneliest illness ever. Little help, little sympathy because outsiders cant imagine or understand it. Lots of doctors are a waste of time because they just don’t know and some ass --even think it’s psychological. God bless the LT COVID people and bring them abundant health.
I have poor balance from a medical condition. Telling ppl they can actually sit in the chair after a squat is SO encouraging!!! I’ve been treated at 6 PT clinics over the years, and none of those providers had this common sense approach. Thank you!
I got hit by a car while using a crosswalk 7 months ago, and I've just gotten to the part of recovery where hopefully I'll be cleared for PT this week. I have some swelling still and paresis. These tips are definitely gonna help; I haven't done a real work out since the accident. Wish me luck and perseverance!
Good luck in your recovery path!
Good luck 🍀
Good luck
Hang in there. You got this!
Best of luck! You got this!
I'm technically not the target audience for this, but last year I've gotten really really sick and I quit working out because I was recovering. When I tried to get back at it, everything felt ten times more difficult, added by me suddenly getting busy at work, and I just can't get myself to work out like I used to. Thank you for the video. This makes me feel like I can do my old routines again and remind me that my body has gotten weaker and I should try to adjust to that.
Oooh, I love this! That's the compassion, tenderness, and humanity I want to see in exercise videos. I didn't know I needed to see this, but I did. Thank you so very much for this.
You’re a great motivator!
I have arthritis in both knees and so this is amazing. Thank you.
Same here. I’m recovering from a hip injury from an accident at work , and the kindness in his demeanor made such an impression on me.
Even though I love doing squats ... this post touched something deep in me. Without knowing it, I had been pushing in the beyond comfort zone only. Needs balance.
Thankyou 😊
Thank you for this! I struggle with chronic illnesses, am mostly housebound, sometimes bedbound, have chronic pain and use a wheelchair at times. This really has given me some motivation to exercise when my body can take it 😊
Don't give up ❤💪
Thanks for a workable solution for those of us who are aged, out of shape, and with disabilities
Just watching him squat down made my knees hurt.
This is amazing advice, man! As a woman dealing with chronic pain, starting out was hard for me, so I put the blankets, pillows and chairs in but I felt like a fraud, not doing it correctly. Seeing this I feel instantly more confident about my workouts! 👏
Good advice. Starting is the hardest part and that’s when your brain starts whispering that it will hurt.
This man changed my life. Use to wake up with horrible pain.
Started sleeping on pallet on floor. Wake up so much better!!!!! THANK YOU!💯😁✊️👣🐾🪶🦬
Thanks for not mocking people. Things happen in life and we all gotta stop and start somewhere. It’s nice knowing it’s ok and at least someone gets it.
I thought he was going to be mean, like take pillowa nd blanket and to sleep your lazy ass if you cannot grind harder. Tbh im upset all these "motivational influencers" conditioned me to expect that
seriously, this guy is a breathe of fresh air! :)
I have battled two non- heeling torn achilles tendons. I've gone from hiking 10 miles a day to barely being able to walk. I've been shamed at the gym for not trying harder. Thanks for making content that so many of us can be motivated by.
This came across my feed at the most opportune time. Going into my 6th surgery, battling stage IV Cancer. I always think about how amazing it's going to feel to get back into shape. Truthfully I still worry how I can physically accomplish that, with a body so beat up, stitched up, and yet to be in remission. I hope, I pray, and then your video popped up. I appreciate your approach. Thanks for reminding me it can be done 1 step at a time. Definitely not overnight. Thank you for the Hope
🎉 ☺️ 🎉 This was downright inspiring. You’ve got this❗️
Just wait to see yourself a year from now telling everyone how you beat tf outta cancer!
Good luck and God bless you!😊
@@cand1ss thank you very kindly 🙏
🙏🏾
This is really good advice. I am mostly bedridden due to multiple disabilities and chronic illnesses including cancer. I am very weak and my entire body is in excruciating pain. I need to get stronger for my upcoming surgery. You have encouraged me to do something, even from my bed, because I gotta start somewhere.
This is an extremely SMART video. Thank you. I'm a retired Alexander teacher and I understand many of the limitations older people have with respect to exercise. You're giving them a 'baby steps' approach which is very practical and (above all) workable. There are so many exercise and 'remedial' videos on YT but are so often created by young, fit men and women who have the natural flexibility of youth and often can't imagine (yet) the aches and pains of later life. They recommend exercises on the basis of their own youth and fitness but don't seem to realise how dangerous and counter-productive those exercises can be for someone who doesn't have full joint mobility, or perhaps has an injury or 'slipped disk'. Many people stiffen up as they age - for a variety of reasons and this makes them much more vulnerable to further injury. Anyway - very well done!
Yes, this!!
Yes on this. I did my first pushups from my bed - I have a Japanese platform bed, no box spring - and over time, just moved my torso more and more off the bed to put more weight on my arms.
Thank you!!! I went from ballet, to the Marines, to a really bad period in my life where I couldn't prioritize myself at all, to a knee injury the was caused by compensating for 2 decades for the untreated injury that caused me to leave ballet. Talk about falling off an athletic cliff!!! Coupled with a medication that caused weight gain, and I've been a mess for a few years now. Kept trying to start exercising again, get back in shape, but from my experience, exercise is pushing until you physically can't anymore, running until you throw up, dancing until you're shaking from exhaustion. And yeah, 10 years ago I could do that. But now? I kept hurting myself, and kept digging the hole deeper, until this knee injury was the icing on the cake.
Except that it was bad enough that my husband finally got me to agree to talk to my doctor, who sent me to physical therapy. And in PT, they gave me gentle exercises to do while sitting and lying down. They explained how to tell when I should push through vs when to hear my body telling me to stop. They gave me a set number of exercises to do each day, and when it's done, it's done, even if I feel in the moment like I could do more. I felt like I wasn't doing enough, except that after I cooled off, even with ice and Advil, my knee would be in rough shape. I learned quickly to be glad I didn't push beyond what they gave me.
I just had my one month re-evaluation. It was EYE OPENING. I'm already so much stronger. Like I knew I was having an easier time with the exercises, knew we've been adding ankle weights and I've been increasing my weight on the leg press, but it was incredible to redo the intake evaluation, where my PT would push and pull on my leg, and see the undeniable difference. I stepped on the scale at the doctor's office today, and I've dropped 12 lbs this month, from the little bit of exercise I've been doing, coupled with cutting back portion sizes at two meals per day.
For the first time in years, I feel hopeful.
And it started with things like what you're saying: prioritize my comfort. Start small. Don't assume I have to go crazy hardcore all out. Listen to my body. Any movement, any more movement than usual, is progress.
Coming from an athletic background and did ballet when I was a kid: most pro athletes are actually pushing themselves to death. No actually healthy people would actually push themselves to accomplish what pro athletes do every day. Being real healthy is being mindful of your mental health, do moderate aerobic exerecise and eat well. Hang in there.
Aw, this is so wholesome, thank you for sharing. Good luck on your journey!!
Reminder that less weight doesn’t necessarily mean healthier! I don’t know u so maybe it’s good for you to, but I see so many people at an average healthy weight fall into the trap of wanting to lose more and then becoming unhealthy. It sucks!! I’m skinny and extremely unfit. Gaining weight would be a good thing for me bc it means gaining strength.
@@humanbean4037Since dangerously fat is more common and easier to achieve for most. (Indulgence vs fighting survival instincts) morbidly obese get focused on a lot. And morbidly emaciated gets ignored.
@@0Jenna7 it’s focused on bc it’s seen as shameful to be obese. Shame doesn’t help anyone.
As someone that started off getting fully into exercising at 330 pounds (now about 240ish pounds) because I thought it was heavily overrated for the longest time. I support the message of this video!
Also gotta say, depending on the severity of how out of shape you are, you may have to start with much weaker exercises too! Also, one of the biggest things stopping me from getting into exercising earlier in my life is that people said it can be discomfort, but I took that as "I just gotta try hard and feel the pain". There will be discomfort, but if you're feeling pain you need to stop and let the body rest and do something easier next time. Better to take it nice and slow and get proper form, than to take on more than you can chew with improper form and be unable to use those muscles for a few months. That's like an immediate death to any motivation to keep exercising when you get hurt too much to continue as you wait to heal.
As a general rule, I always go for the easiest variant of each exercise when testing out new exercises. There's a lot of complex muscle groups. Ya don't want to go from some strong muscles and shift that weight/power into muscles that are extremely weak and hardly able to do anything.
I cannot tell you how many physical, mental, and emotional benefits exercise has. Honestly I feel like I can't get proper sleep without getting exercise at some point in the day. I hope whoever is starting when really out of shape gets a good start!
I lost all my physical abilities because of idiopathic polyneuropathy. I used to be so agile and now I feel 80 with the face of a 30 year old. People pass me walking and I can hear them sigh in desperation because I walk SOOOO slow. 6 months ago I couldn't walk at all, so it is better now. Anyway, I am afraid of going to a gym because people don't see me as disabled and it is extremely frustrating to be pushed and pushed to do things that you are not currently able to do. This kinds of videos are gold 🎉
I hear ya'. The family joke used to be that I was a mountain goat because I could climb anything and had amazing balance. Now I can't walk down a step without holding a railing, and I can't bend over and stand back up because of the autonomic neuropathy associated with my polyneuropathy. I'm a fecking doctor, and doctors won't listen to or believe me.
Hello Mike! 👋🏽
If you see this, that would be amazing!
I have a quick story to tell you;
14 years ago I had my first child, I was out of shape & was not satisfied with myself. I wanted to workout & get fit so I would be able to keep up with my kid while we're playing & not get exhausted quickly 😂
A couple of years into my sons life, I wanted to make a change so I went on RUclips & searched up some workouts, I saw some great videos you've posted that did not require any gym equipment. I started grinding on cardio over the summer & a few months later I shaved off about 50lbs, went from 230 to 180lbs & man was I happy!
Fast-forward to right now in 2024 with two kids, I recently started working out again (after getting a dad bod 😂) & I am feeling the great things that my body & soul needs.
I came across this video randomly & heard your voice, all of the motivation you gave me over a decade ago just came rushing back. I am so stoked that you are still doing these videos because I know you're helping a lot of others.
Nice to see you again old friend, you just received a new (oldish) subscriber!
Stay Blessed 🙏🏽
This is so sweet, thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best to you and your kids❤
@@cottonfluff1317 thank you 😁 sending blessings your way ✨
This is so helpful. People do tend to judge, and I can't help but feel that they think you should be punished with discomfort when really out of shape. It doesn't matter how you do it. Just do it.
This is so true and simple 😭😭😭 we just jump in the deep end and feel like that's the only way
Great advise. As someone with numerous injuries which have turned into chronic pain, this is exactly what I did to start getting myself moving again. I have major wrist and elbow issues, so doing normal planks wasn't an option (for example,) so I still do planks on my bed on my elbows. No elbow pain, and I get to work on core strength. Make it work for you.
I used to be so active until I got sick. Now I walk with a cane and am in pain more than I’m not. I’m still getting used to not being able bodied, and this is the first time I’ve seen someone show an accommodation for exercise. I feel like I have a starting point.
Thank you!!! I've desperately wanted to start exercising, but it's so daunting when you're a chronic pain patient, and pretty unfit.
To be honest, it's not actually the advice that's helpful - I do similar things already (hang my washing on an inside rack while sitting on a chair, instead of standing and reaching up to the backyard clothesline, etc).
It's your compassion and encouragement that makes me feel like it might actually be possible for someone like me to actually _do_ this kind of thing. Having someone say that even if you're on the lowest rung, you're still helpable really does makes a difference!
Mike Chang. Wow, the OG youtube Fitness Influencer whose adverts I was so sick of seeing but now he's transcended to material I actually want to watch....Good on your Mike!
When you’re right, you’re right!👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿🙏
🙏🏿
What a lovely, sensible and caring man he is to help those who need a little advice and encouragement.
That’s great advice. The next step after that comfort is found is to push yourself a little into the discomfort via the exercises you do. You do 10 squats today. In the next few do 12, then 15. Don’t max out all in the beginning. I’ve lost motivation many times doing so and comparing myself to past me.
And how long does it take to lose those weight bro?
Facts! I made this mistake when I was younger treating workout routines like the all-you-can-eat buffet and just trying to do too much. 😅
It's okay to do less on some days
@@enmarzz
Weight loss should never be the point of exercise. There's a whole science behind this but in short; your body is a machine designed to adapt and conserve energy. Initially, you will lose weight faster because your body isn't used to it, however, after a while it will get used to your new lifestyle and weight loss will plateau. If you exercise solely to lose weight, you're going to end up disappointed and demotivated when you realize you're putting in a lot of effort for diminishing results.
The point of exercise is to restore and maintain your mobility; to make you stronger, more flexible and give you endurance you would not have otherwise. It keeps you healthy, both mentally and physically. Your weight is mainly dictated by what you eat and how much you eat. If you spend more energy than you consume (which exercise does help to a degree), you lose weight. Remember: Exercise = health. Food = weight.
@@ivoryowl i never view it that way. Thank you!
Probably the best exercise video on RUclips. Once you're on the road one thing just follows another but putting that first foot on the path, that's the mountain you need to climb.
Or, if you are like I was, where my core was so weak I could not sit in a chair for more than a couple of hours without having to lie down, you can take an aquafit class. Three times a week for a couple of months. Now, I feel I can move on to squats and other body-weight exercises! And I will definitely be following theses recommendations, because getting fit is a long term project! 💕🇨🇦
Omg, why did I never think of this?
It's true I always feel like toppling so I give up.
Thank you, you are a genius!
I wish I had heard this advice a few years ago. I had always been thin and pretty strong thanks to my genetics and a very active lifestyle when I was younger. Then I slowly became more depressed and continually less active over the years and finally began to gain weight. The weight gain being new to me coupled with the stiff joints and muscles from my inertia, sometimes it just hurt to be alive. I had horrible inflammation in my body. I found things that worked for me and lost about 45 pounds last year and am continuing to work the rest off, but I truly believe with your advice people in similar, worse, or even better spots than I was in can be saved from the torture of being stuck. You have a kind soul. Thank you for sharing.
Powerful talk. Good, reassuring. Gold!
Best advice for us out of shape people ever
No one understand people out of shape ..all is made for people who can do it when people out of shape os the one who need the most help.... Congratulations your video is amazing and caring 🤗🤗🤗👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Great advice for anyone starting to exercise again or just beginning. Discomfort and discouragement are the biggest deterrents to starting an exercise program.
Thanks for your time and effort.
I've avoided exercising almost all of my life, but now I think I'll start slowly but steadily with your advice.
AND that’s what you called SOLID ADVICE!
As someone with a herniated disc that gets knee pain and pain on my sides this is very good information. I just don't have much motivation to exercise after a hard days work. I work in a warehouse with lots of lifting involved.
Right on Mike! Punishing one's self is definitely not the way back to fitness and health. Like other have commented, I believe you are saving lives!! 👍👍
You just made me remember to just think in solutions again after a while. Good looking G❤
This is such good advice. My asthma likes to kick off if I do strenuous exercise so I used to avoid all exercise, but eventually I got into better habits by doing what exercise I *could* do, like increasingly long walks, lifting increasingly heavy weights slowly, building up my balance bit by bit with yoga. Still can’t run for the life of me, but I can walk for three hours straight without getting breathless, and that’s better than nothing!
You struck a nerve, that I didn't know existed. With tears rolling down my face, Thank You Mike for understanding what it feels like, and why it could be hard.
This is awesome advice! I have stopped many times because of pain but always heard no pain, no gain. I just couldn’t push through the pain and thought I was failing. This changes everything! Thank you ❤
My physical therapist told me that a little discomfort is okay, but pain is your body's way of saying "Stop that!" and you should listen. I was close to bedbound when I began seeing her and I'm making real steady progress by following her advice.
As a diabetic who tried to recover from peripheral neuropathy, exercising in comfort is a must for me otherwise I'd slip back into the dreaded painful state I was in before
Dude, thank you. I was doing exercises on a mattress and thought this isn't going to work. Now I have encouragement to keep it up.
You know, you are an angel. You get that some people just aren't the same. It helps so much when there is compassion and empathy to others struggles. A TRUE godsend. ❤
My son is a ballet dancer who trained with a Chinese dancer and choreographer. He had many pillows that he distributed to the students. He also had a big pile of torn up white T-shirts to put down on the floor to slide on. I think that Stuart McGill also has good ideas on training. He says "Don't pick the scab." Yes. Don't hobby-horse painful movements. And..."virtual surgery"...Pretend you've had an operation and go easy.
Good points. I've found that if I allow myself a little extra help in my exercises, I get better at the movements and gradually don't need as much help.
Get really hydrated so you have better bloodflow during your workout because being out of shape and having bad bloodflow are hand in hand in my case.
Thank you!…. I’ve been sitting, working from home for 4 years now. I have not stretched, walked or done any exercise in these 4 years…. I had frozen shoulder for 1 1/2 years from “reaching for my mouse” and lower back pain from my dining chair…. Then I gained 35 lbs from boredom munching. I finally went on a plant based anti-inflammatory diet, lost 35 lbs but my body is stiff as hell. I’m 52, 129 lbs and horribly out of shape…. Sometimes, hearing common sense from someone really helps. Thank you again.
Thanks Mike, great advice to remove resistance from starting exercise again.
This is the best exercise advice I've literally ever seen.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when I was about 21. It's been half a decade but it's been so hard and frustrating living with chronic pain when I want to do physical activities like I used to.
Mike - this was really great. As a 70-year old weak guy almost nothing addresses my needs. This does. Thanks.
This is great for people who are recovering from longish illnesses where they've been sick for weeks. I hurt my knee badly and couldn't do much for weeks. I lost so much muscle tone! And people who are bedridden with the flu for 3 weeks or more can be very weak when they finally get well. It can be very discouraging.
Thank you! So positive 🙌🫶🏻😍😍🧘🏼♂️🧘♀️
This is actually such fantastic advice. Comfort is so important in this case! I became disabled around when COVID went down and this is how I did exercises. I couldn't really move and I could barely walk a metre forward without getting severely winded due to my condition (it would take so long to walk a few steps), and doing "baby yoga" would get me in a sweat. Putting pillows and blankets around me, and moving minimal amounts really helped me. Not everyone needs to or should be doing insane workouts. Building on your exercises really helps and for me it took years and years to get more mobility. I hear that hydrotherapy or just being in a pool when exercising helps so much if you're very heavy or end up with disabilities. Four years on and I'm obviously still disabled, but people can't really tell because I have regained so much muscle and movement again. I would do exercises on a mattress in bed too and that helped as well. Just whatever you can manage! One thing to be careful of: don't trust everything a dr tells you. I had one of my drs tell me to do very short, vigorous exercises for my disability at the time (they were concerned about my core because it was getting much too weak as I had severe muscle atrophy in my whole body), but those workouts wrecked my body much more than needed to the point I still have pain today. So be kind to your body and just build up on the exercises super super super slowly.
Due to Myasthenia Gravis I can’t exercise much, but I need to do something. In school I could squat 370 lbs. Now I can barely walk from one end of the house to the other. Not falling is a plus.
Practical advice. Love it.
Luckily I don't think I need these tips anymore, but I'll upvote to spread to someone who needs it
THANK YOU! I'm getting up in years and need to get some of my MOJO back. I am totally going to try this.
Thank you I woke from 10 year coma and basically no muscles. Tendons all short and tight. Stretch hurt, tire so easily. And soft fluid diet never be able to eat solid again am focusing in tiny bits of meat p. Can’t do meals have to swallow tiny food and fluid hourly. Thank you for video on weakness and sore tender body.
I cannot thank you enough!
It’s such a crushing blow, to realize how out of shape you’ve become! And it’s incredibly disheartening!
Thank You!
Thank you for caring about my out of shape self. This is logical and I can certainly do it. I’ve started making sure I stand up more at my desk job. I do leg lifts at my desk and knee bends. I walk briskly around the large office before I head back to my desk during a break. I do range of motion so I don’t stiffen up. I have Lymphedema and if I don’t keep moving I keep too much of the toxins in apparently. Now that I have hit menopause fully my condition worsened suddenly and that’s how I discovered I have it. Reading the symptoms it’s clear I have had it my whole life. Doctors tested me for lymphoma and lupus, anemia who knows what else, but the tests were obviously negative. I don’t think there is a definitive test for Lymphedema, but I certainly have every single symptom. I make sure I do a massage all over daily to keep the toxins from building up. I can tell when I have a trouble spot because the area becomes stiff and sore. Exercise and ROM is extremely helpful. Thanks again for all the tips.
This guy just literally gave THE BEST advice in realistically finding a way for people to get back on track or get started on a fitness journey. The hard way, isn't always the right way. While it works for some, it may be demotivating or a risk of injury for others. Always start at a pace that's healthy for you. 🙌
I love you. I don't know you but I love you because you're you're not doing this for views. You're doing this because you actually care. God bless you sir 🙏🏻✝️🙌🏻
This advice really covers wide range of issues preventing people to fix themselves. Breaking it down and explaining it so short and well helps a lot!
Hey Mike, I would not have thought to use pillows or a comforter to help me with exercising! I’ve been avoiding it for a long time and now I won’t have to!
Thank you so much! I’m subscribed ❤
This is the kindest and most encouraging thing a fit person has ever said ❤
So kind and straightforward. Thank you so much.
Excellent advice! Sometimes I feel like I want to push myself to another level, and sometimes I don't. I try to listen to what my body is telling me, and I feel no shame in ramping it back if I'm not ready for that push. Always remember, doing something is better than doing nothing.
I’ve been wondering about this for quite awhile now. Thank you so much!💙😇
Oh my goodness, thank you! You have no idea how much I needed this! In 10 years of living with MS, I have been admonished many times to exercise, and have attended many an exercise class, but no one ever explained this to me! I think it could be life-changing.
Well thank you so much. Definitely will try that
This is excellent for disabled people like myself. These tips help several demographics. Disabled, elderly, obese, beginner, and people who just want to make working out more bearable
Thank you for this, I’m sending it to my Mamma…💯
I needed to hear this. As I get older, my hypermobility has caused me pain every day, 24/7. I feel better when I move, but it all hurts. Having you give permission to make accommodations has flicked a switch in my head. 🙏
Thanks Mike :) Really appreciate the motivation and willingness to help everyone wherever they're at. Man.. few years back I felt like I was in the best shape of my life. Pandemic hit, and my extrovert self changed a lot, more introvert now. Family driven, trying to self motivate always, and really appreciate your positivity and what you share. Much love!
True true. I started by doing excercises in my bed & off the side of my bed b4 I got up. Now I'm doing them out of bed and I've kept up. You are a lifesaver. Keep the helpful hints coming, I still struggle sometimes so I need them. 😉 Thank you
I needed this one 🙏
I’m currently recovering from an injury and have been feeling really shitty about my reduced range of motion. Hearing this really helped. Thanks.
You inspire me! So THANK YOU! For taking the time and energy to educate and teach and help us. I watch your videos and save them in my “ health & fitness” category on my RUclips so I can always go back. This one is a good one and I love them all. If you taught classes and I was anywhere around you, I’d take them in a minute!! ❤️
I just got this recommended. I haven't seen Mike Chang in literally over 10 years.
I had almost forgotten how much I used to watch his videos back when I was a teenager.
Great video and great message. Hope many people see this. When you're not fit a little goes a long way with exercise, making it comfy is absolutely the way.
What a to-the-point and compassionate video! I don’t know why I’m feeling like crying right now but you actually made me well up. Thank you so much for this
Right Mike, that's why i train abs in my bed...
Blessings.
After several health issues over the years I've learned to bring exercise to the couch or bed, while I'm standing in the kitchen cooking, etc. Lost over 100 lbs eating healthier and simply making my body move every 15 to 20 minutes if I'm still. Great advice! Good luck to all 👏🏽
Really helpful, thank you 👍
Thank you. You just erased the crippling fear of failure and gave so many of us a point of access.