Q: "I've been feeling quite down lately while stuck at home, so I tried to begin exercise but due to my large size chest, it's been painful whenever I've tried to tune into high intensity online YouTube workouts. My bra size is 42DDD, so I get pain from my breast movement and bounce. How do I exercise without pain during and after?"
A: Happy to see that you're aware of the benefits of exercise for your mental health; it's scientifically proven as one of the best things you can do to improve your mood and energy.
1. Invest in a few good sports bras. They'll protect you from the discomfort of bouncing and help prevent nipple chafing.
2. Consider a personal trainer over strictly following pre-recorded HIIT workout videos. Pre-recorded workouts might not be the safest as they don't know your fitness levels; this is especially true if you have a really large bust or anything that might make standard workouts less comfortable. An experienced trainer can tailor a workout to your needs, set reasonable goals, monitor your progress, hold you accountable, and make sure you're getting a proper warm up, cool down, and post-workout stretch. If you really enjoy HIIT and want to stick with that, just make sure you've got low-impact modifications. 3. Try yoga, pilates, or barre as a safer option for your back if you've got large breasts. Weight training is good too, but it's definitely something you'll want to ramp up slowly and make sure you're doing the exercises with good form. Many people who begin weightlifting too hard and too fast without adequate rest get injured.
4. Another option you could consider is talking to your doctor about breast reduction. There's no shame in breasts of any size (they're all valid and beautiful), but learning about options will help you make the best educated decision for your body. If you're not currently active, always talk to your doctor if you have any injuries or concerns before beginning a new exercise plan.
Take care and keep up the good initiative!
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In our Q&A series, I'll be answering some questions I get emailed to me. The most effective solution is a 1on1 session, but for those who can't afford it, I'll be happy to try to answer more questions on my blog! Feel free to reach out: irene@baywellnesscoaching.com