What do you do for exercise?

[Garbanzo Bean]

I'm just curious to know what you all do for exercise, how long and how much you exercise and how you all got motivated to exersise.

I only walk for exercise. Lots and lots of walking. I walk 4.4 km (2.75 miles) in just under 37 minutes 5 days a week so I'm walking at a very brisk pace.

What do the rest of you do? For those of you who never exercised before, what motivated you and what keeps you going? I want to start to do more than walk. I think Rupertsmom was telling me about how to start jogging at one point last year but I don't think that is going to happen. Is walking a good enough form of exercise as long as it is done at a brisk enough pace.

Garbanzo

[This message has been edited by Garbanzo Bean (edited 02-12-2001).]

[Kelly_S]

Nothing..........at least in the way of formal excericse....I do dance on Friday and Saturday nights for 3-4 hours (barely sitting down but I do drink my bear during that time). I also do a massive house cleaning every Saturday...includes moving furniture.

[MILLIEB]

I'm an exercise junkie - can't say it's done much for weight loss, but I do think it helps keep my weight down to where I'm overweight and not obese (ain't that a sad statement!). Anyway, I do a brisk walk/jog with my dog for 30 to 45 minutes every day (she'd never let me not!), and ride my bike back and forth to work most work days when the weather permits (40 minute round trip). During the work week, I take two hour long step aerobics classes, two hour long low impact aerobics class, two hour long weight training classes, and one hour long interval training class. On the weekends, I do a longer dog walk and usually break out an aerobics tape or jump on the dreaded ski machine.
I love the commradiery of my classes - some of us have been working out together for 5 or 6 years, everyone know everyone's name, and it's my one to two hours of personal time a day. It isn't so much what it does for me physically that keeps me coming back year after year (16 years plus), but what it does for me mentally.
Oops - almost forgot! Walking is a great form of exercise - whether it's "enough" all depends on your goals.

[This message has been edited by MILLIEB (edited 02-12-2001).]

[Lauren H]

I've been a long-time couch potato. I did some walking last summer, which I enjoyed, but when the weather got bad I stopped. About a month and a half ago, I started doing the FIRM basics workout tapes 3-4 times a week. I get a minimum of 140 minutes of exercise a week right now and plan to build up. The videos aren't fascinating; I find the instructors very plastic. But it's actually a very good workout for beginners; it combines aerobics with strength training. I'm finding the aerobics section pretty easy already, while the strength training is still about right for me.

What's motivating me? The results I'm experiencing already. I've got more strength, more mobility, and more stamina already. Haven't seen much weight loss yet, though.

--Lauren

[Rupertsmom]

I agree with Millie that whether walking is enough depends on your goals. You are walking at a very brisk pace, and if it's getting your heartrate up sufficiently, then it sounds like a great form of cardio for you. I migrated to slow jogging simply to get my heartrate up more-walking just wasn't doing it for me any more.

As for my routine, I jog 3-4 days a week (sometimes a walk in place of a run) and do strength training twice a week. I have started using the recumbent bicycle at the gym that I go to on occasion, just for variety. My goals are to run a 5K this spring, which obviously my running supports. For toning and developing my upper body, I definitely need to lift the weights.

[gsc4]

Walking can be great on its own as you have found. But since you are asking about other types of exercise, it sounds like you are getting bored. And boredom is the best way to kill a regular exercise habit.

Don't be afraid to try something new. In the summer months I end up doing a different type of exercies each day of the week. I am the queen of cross-training. Here are my favorites - various indoor-gym cardio machines (elliptical trainer, treadmill, stationary bike, stair machine), outdoor running, roller blading, bicycling, kick-boxing class, aerobics class, hiking and even swimming when I broke my foot.

Pick something you might like to try and decide substitite this new activity for 2 of your walks each week for a few weeks. I find it takes a few weeks to get used to a new form of exercise before it all falls into place.

You mentioned you were thinking of running but decided against it. Since you are walking as a quick pace right now, I think running is the most logical progression for you. Check out www.runnersworld.com (http://www.runnersworld.com) for advice on beginning a running program. But remember, you do not have to run every day. Simply take their advice and do it only 2 times per week in the beginning. Many running resources are so gung ho about their sport that they assume you also want to run 5-6 times per week. Take their advice and make it work for you and your goals.

Good Luck!





[This message has been edited by gsc4 (edited 02-13-2001).]

[Incredible]

I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, for about 90 minutes per session. My typical routine is 10-20 minutes on the treadmill, followed by about an hour of strength training and then some stretching/cooldown time.

When i first started exercising, i had a personal trainer set up a realistic program for me. I went 3x/week for maybe about an hour per session, "slow" cardio warmup and light weights... so it was never particularly strenuous/exhausting, and for 3 hours a week it wasn't even much of an "inconvenience" to add it to my lifestyle. And it was sufficient to dramatically alter my fitness and appearance.

I work out more and longer now because i like to, not because i have to. And that's what motivates me. Find something you enjoy, and it makes it much easier to stick to it!

Deb
195/139 www.picturetrail.com/Incredible (http://www.picturetrail.com/Incredible)

[Helen B]

I teach Jazzercise 5 nights a week (it's a blast - includes aerobic work and weight training) and try to fit in 2-3 jogging sessions a week at lunch time. I'm a lifetime WW - always working at keeping the weight off - and the exercise helps so much.

Helen

[mpinkham]

I do a variety of different types of exercise classes at the gym -- step, aerobics, interval, kickboxing, yoga, spinning. I love the socialization plus it helps me to have classes that I can schedule into my day. If I just stay I'll take a walk sometime today I will never do it. But find what works best for you. If it is a chore, you won't keep up with it. I truly enjoy the exercise I do.

Myra

[biggyrl]

Since you are looking for suggestions, This is what I do. At least 5 times a week, I walk on the treadmill at the gym. I do 45 minutes of walking at a 6 or 8 incline (including warm up) and the monitor on the treadmill says that i burn 325 calories each session. When i'm done i usually have alot of energy and can do all of the chores i put off at home. Some times I even go at this pace twice a day- before work and after work.I dont recommend working out until you are exhausted because you wont want to feel tired for 5 days out of the week. I started walking about 1 week ago and i feel great. (Havent gone on the scale because i can get a bit obsessive about it) But so far my very critical 13 year old says that she has noticed a difference in my weight. Does anyone else do this???

[Lenore]

I mix my exercise up; especially in the winter and during the week, I can get stuck in a rut. So I do a yoga tape about twice a week (not high intensity but builds endurance and muscle balance), walk 20 minutes on the level at work 1-2 times a week, hit an elliptical trainer at the gym 1-2 times a week, and at least once on the weekend get out to walk up the steep hill to a nice lookout over the city. And from time to time the tendonitis in my ankles flares up and I swim for a while until it gets better.

I also try to get out to ski or hike from time to time, but it's hard to put the time together to get out of town. During the summer, I tend to hike a lot more, even if it's just into the foothills outside of town.

[jelly_beans]

Hi everyone,

Garbanzon bean - it's nice to see another type of bean ... I opted for the sweet variety (lol).

I think that your walking sounds like a great way to get exercise!! :) And, if you're enjoying it then all the better. I have had a hard time motivating myself to go to the gym in the past. This is my second time around with WW and I believe that the first time the weight didn't stay off because I didn't incorporate exercise into my life. So that has been partly the motivating factor.

I also keep track in a journal of what I do and I give myself a sticker every day that I go to the gym in my agenda. This is sort of a reinforcement strategey - with a big pay off at the end of the month based on the number of stickers I accumulate (something I really want like a new pair of jeans).

You can also try to find a buddy to pair up with to exercise. If you don't belong to a gym, you could try recruiting a neighbour or friend to walk with you around the neighbourhood.

I typically go to the gym 3 times a week and I'm really into the interval training right now - raising my heart rate up and down. So I do twenty minutes of light exercise on a cross-trainer followed by 20 min run on the tread mill, and than about 25 minutes on the bike of strength training hills. I tend to stand up when I'm going up the hills. I try to fit in circuit weights a few times a week and I always do stretching and sit-ups. It gives me tonnes more energy compared to what I used to have. You could always hire a trainer to help develop something for you!

JB

[Mare]

Depends on stuff like how much time I have, where I am or when I am doing it. I do Tae Bo Basic Live (30 mins. high intensity), Moving with Susan Powter which combines aerobics and strength training (depending on what I want to do with it depends on the intensity of the workout), I power walk, I'll jump rope, I'll march in place, do jumping jacks, I'll combine part of Tae Bo with part of Moving with Susan Powter, I'll do hydrants to work those gluts, I'll do leg raises and crunches and leg scissors.
I now am also trying (read KLUTZ) some yoga too.

------------------
If it is to be, it is up to me! One second,
one minute, one hour, one meal, one day at a time!

[bankerkg]

Garbanzo.....here is a great link to check out if your "thinking" about starting to jog. If you follow the program you can run a 5K in about 2 months...The training is very easy to start and there is much good information along with a bulletin board for encouragement. It's the best I've found. http://kicksports.com/ Enjoy....

[REC]

Walking outdoors--at least 4 miles. I try to do that every day, but sometimes miss one day per week. If I can, I'll do two walks per day, depending on weather and work schedule.

ST--3 times per week.

Yoga--2-3 times per week, but would like to increase that

[Itryharder]

Seems like I'm always on the verge of "thinking" about exercising. Last week I walked on a treadmill 5x for 1/2 an hour. I really liked it so I'm not quite sure why I don't MAKE myself fit it into my day. This is a good topic.

[MelissaL]

I walk--like REC I try to get at least one good walk in a day and depending on my schedule and weather I sometimes can get a walk in before work. This has been a good form of exercise for me and has been a great way to maintain my weight loss.

Melissa
161/142/142

[Jill]

I do workout videos. My favorite are the FIRM videos!
Jill

[Lauren H]

Jill, what FIRM video do you recommend for someone who has been doing the FIRM basics and is ready for the next step aerobically -- but definitely isn't ready for the really tough stuff yet? Are there any "intermediate" FIRM videos? I've been very impressed with the results I'm getting from the beginner level ones.

Thanks,

Lauren

[Jilly's Mom]

I'm with Helen B.
I love Jazzercise. Been doing it on and off for 8 years. It is such a motivator. The music gets you pumped up to where you have much more energy than before class.
It works too!! I can see results within 3 weeks of going 3X per week. I am on WW but since started Jazzercise I haven't seen a weight loss even gained 1/2 lb. I figure it is PURE MUSCLE!!!

[Juliarh]

Hi -- great thread -- I think that if yoiu really want to keep the weight off, then you have to incorporate some sort of exercise! :)

I jog 3 -4 times a week between 3.5 to 4 miles each time and then for 3 days aweek, I do an hour long high intensity aerobics class. :)

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Julie (in Guatemala)
265/179/155ish

[This message has been edited by Juliarh (edited 02-16-2001).]

[Diamonda]

Hi to all my buds! I knew I'd see you guys come out for a thread about exercise.

Running rules, as far as I am concerned. Nothing else gives me a better workout. You've gotta work up to it slowly, and go at your own pace, but many people who never thought they could run actually CAN. Take me, for instance. A year and a half ago I weighed 266 pounds and could barely walk up one flight of stairs. Now I weigh 146 and am planning to run the Chicago marathon this fall.

I also lift weights regularly and incorporate other cardio activities as time permits. After awhile, you start needing a hard workout the same way you need dinner or sleep.

And I'm sorry ... there is no substitute for rigorous exercise that I'm aware of. Parking at the end of the parking lot just isn't going to cut it, for most people.

--Diamonda
266/146/135

[Helen B]

Jilly's Mom - yes, you're right - go for that PURE MUSCLE! Doesn't it feel great?

And I don't know what I'd do without the fun music to move to - you really do forget that you're working out.

Helen

[Lenore]

Ah, how I wish I could run, or even jog! But my ankles won't let me; I've messed them up so badly with all the abuse I gave them in my 20's that I feel fortunate to be able to even hike at all; even that will make them blow up if I overdo it. I spent about 4 months and $180 dollars in copays for physical therapy, with no real improvement. Now I can go for brisk walks with a little pain (icing and advil are my best friends :D). I also work in whatever I can: swimming, elliptical trainers, yoga, anything that doesn't involve impact on my ankles.

Diamonda, I agree that to be really fit you need some intense workouts, but the fact is that for many people, parking on the far end of the parking lot and taking the stairs is a lot more activity than they've ever done. And not all of us want or need to be really fit. I got to goal on the first WW 123 program and never did more than walk--2-3 times a week for 20 minutes at work, and 2-3 times a week for an hour up and down hills in my neighborhood. The key was doing something every day.

Medical findings support this. I can't quote you one right now, but in general just getting out of your car and moving on foot is a lot more than most Americans do, and is enough to improve most people's cardiovascular health and increase their metabolism.

I'd hate to see someone get discouraged from their moderate exercise plan because they might think they could never do it "right"! As a 41 year old lawyer and former athlete, I've come to terms with the fact that I'm basically a sedentary person who works exercise in whenever I can. If that means a walk instead of a Pilates class, so be it.

[Diamonda]

I figured someone would call me on that comment. You're right, of course. It's much better to do something than nothing, and not everyone wants to become super-fit. As for me, I marvel every single day at the amazing resilience of the human body. Mine had a pretty bad 30 years before I finally started treating it right.

--D

[This message has been edited by Diamonda (edited 02-17-2001).]

[Rupertsmom]

And don't underestimate the physical challenge of some of those "everyday" chores that go beyond cleaning the house. Mowing the grass, heavy gardening, shoveling snow, and playing with the kids or dog can be very aerobic if you do them at a brisk enough pace...I, too, lost most of my weight without a "formal" exercise plan. But I was really active doing many of the things previously listed and I think it helped. Now that I'm at goal, I'm finding it fun to go the extra step and have a more formal exercise routine and try new and different sports.

[HospitalWriter]

Does anybody here have kids and/or work? No matter how hard I try, I simply can't find time to go anywhere to work out and I just can't get the enthusiasm up to start walking again when it's so cold out. Even walking with the dog is useless, he constantly wants to stop to smell something or the other and slows me down.

One thing I have tried that has worked pretty well is wearing a pedometer all day. I try to get up to 10,000 steps per day (not that easy). It's almost like journaling in reverse -- when you know you're accountable for how many steps you take each day, you try to add steps any way you can. The people in my office know that if anything has to be taken anywhere around the hospital, I'll run it around. That helps. Also parking furthest in the lot, running upstairs to fetch things at home instead of asking the kids, etc. etc.

Wish I could get my lazy busy butt to a class, though, you guys make it sound like a great idea.

[This message has been edited by HospitalWriter (edited 02-17-2001).]

[Sis]

Although we should do it more, my hubby, my 8 yr old daughter and I walk 2 miles 2 to 3 times a week. At times its hard to even get in that much and there are times when we don't but we try. Also I just got a Tae Bo tape that I am going to give a try. It looks like fun. :D Take care everyone....Sis :)

[Phlash]

I really enjoy walking. And since I adopted a retired racing greyhound this past summer, I have had no choice but to walk! Whether it's nice or freezing out, we still walk. We walk 2 miles per day, every day. Additionally, I walk a 3.5 mile loop at my place of work 2x per week (this gives me a chance to really sweat and get a good workout without having to worry about the hound stopping and doing his business.) And when I have the time, I try to incorporate a class or two of Jazzercise into my schedule.

[NayNay]

If the only way I can exercise is mopping, doing windows or raking the grass I will be the reigning "Ms Couch Potato"!:lol

I walk on the treadmill and at the neighborhood track, I do TAEBO Live basic (I have 9 tapes), I have recently begun using the FIRM series (thanks to Jill and Audrey) and I play around with my family of athletic men.

There is no substitute for exercise in my life. I have just rebounded from a horrible case of bronchitis accompanied by a lymph infection. I was out of work for 5 days and couldn't exercise properly for about 12 days. Talk about miserable. It wasn't until I could work up to a dripping sweat that I began to feel better!

Give me exercise or give me death!

Naylene

[Diamonda]

Whoo hoo Naylene! I'm with you, my friend! I am getting ready to hit the road right now, for my long run. Have a good workout today, everyone!

--Diamonda

[Jill]

Lauren-I would recommend the FIRM Basics (they are beginner/intermediate). You can always make them harder by adding more weight. My favorite intermediates are Not so tough aerobics (don’t believe the title it packs a punch), Lower Body Shaping, Fat Blaster and Tough Cardio Mix. My absolute favorite is Maximum Body Shaping (Tracie Long is the instructor). Check out their site www.firmdirect.com (http://www.firmdirect.com) for more info. Go to the FIRM Store section and there is detailed info on the tapes. Hope this helps

[lolo]

I am ordering the AB-Doer today. Looks like it will help around the middle. Hope it works. Has anyone tried this. Also did anyone get good results using Body Flex.
Lo

[jasmine10]

How many activity points do you count for 1 hour of Jazzercise?