Question: I am curious. I am morbidly obese, 350+, and in bad, bad shape. Is this “over my head?” – Ricky

The short answer: it’s only over your head if you think it is.

The fact that you’re wondering means you have some self-confidence lurking inside of you, and you’re curious about your potential. That’s a great start.

The truth is natural movement is available to everyone. Whether you’re male or female, young or old, morbidly obese or fit as a fiddle, your body was designed to move naturally, and to thrive when you do. In fact, natural movement is one of the safest ways to exercise because it’s in line with how your body was designed. And that definitely counts for something when you’re carrying extra weight around, which predisposes you to injury.

We’ve found that people from all walks of life, and with all kinds of different body types begin to transform themselves physically and mentally the minute they commit to MovNat and follow that up with some actual movement.

So, how do you get started with natural movement training if you’re overweight?

The same way anyone else would get started. You simply begin. You do what you can. You experiment. You adapt. You fail and you keep going.

The underlying process is no different if your weight falls outside of a healthy range. Common sense and good programming dictates your approach.

So, if you’re morbidly obese, you probably shouldn’t begin practicing MovNat by attempting some of the advanced climbing and vaulting movements high above the ground. Nobody should! Instead, you should begin where most people should and usually do – with the basics. Things like groundwork, crawling, get ups, walking, and balancing. These are lower risk movements that aren’t as dynamic and are generally safer for the joints. You can spend a lot of time focusing on just these areas (up to a lifetime) and benefit greatly. And as your skill and self-confidence grows, you can incorporate some of the other skills like running, jumping, and climbing, just to name a few.

But maybe, right now, even walking is a challenge. If so, that’s good to know because you can use something as simple as walking to learn more about yourself and grow. Or it could be crawling. Or get ups. The point is: the more you practice, the better you’ll get and the more movement freedom you’ll discover.

So, instead of asking yourself “is this over my head?” Focus on what you can do, practicing whatever movements you can perform with proper technique (i.e. with good position, breathing, tension, relaxation, sequence, and timing).

Now, for most beginners, we recommend starting with our MovNat Beginner’s Guide. That’s a good general reference with some tips, sample workouts, and a full program. Of course, you may find some of the movements are too challenging for you. Everyone struggles with certain movements, even experienced movers. So, don’t let that defeat you. Expect it, and again, focus on doing what you can.

From there, the best thing you can do is find a MovNat Certified Trainer or a MovNat Gym in your area who can work with you, personally, and address your unique needs and goals. The next best thing would be to sign up for a MovNat certification or workshop near you.

But the key is that you make a decision – a commitment – to get started. Even if it’s only 5 minutes a day or practicing one new skill per week, commit to yourself that you’ll make it happen. And while you’re at it, you just might notice your weight creeping in the right direction, which tends to happen whenever you train naturally.

Long story short: you can do this. We believe in you, in your potential, and in your ability to rise above any challenges that come your way. We’ve seen it over and over again. You’ve got this. And we’re here to support you in any way we can, every step of the way.

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Want Some Help with Natural Movement Training?

If you’d like to learn more about natural movement fitness and the lifestyle behind it, consider attending the MovNat Level 1 Certification or a MovNat Workshop. We hold events all around the world.

Most people know that they should be more physically active. Some even recognize the incredible value in a system like MovNat. But they struggle with actually implementing natural movement into their daily lives.

That’s why we work closely with people from all walks of life to help them move better, get healthier and stronger, and discover their true potential with natural movement fitness.

It’s also why we work extensively with health and fitness professionals who understand the value of this new paradigm and are eager to start implementing it with their clients.

So, if you’re ready to take your movement practice to the next level, this is your chance. Please join our community and check out an event near you soon.

Click Here to Learn More About the
MovNat Certification Program