LA Weight Loss - Exercise Yard

:strong: Thought we could come here to talk about our love-hate relationship with exercise. Hope we can help each other out and get some strong motivation going. What do they say "Use it or lose it"? :tread:

Star, great thread idea! Only when I first read "Exercise Yard," you know what I immediately thought of? Prison! :rofl:

Fiona

Star- Great topic! I'm up to about 4.5 miles per day at least five days a week, alternating between walking and jogging. I feel so much better when I do it, I often dread getting started but am so proud of myself when I'm done...no other feeling like it ;-)

I'm the same way about exercise. I dread it every minute until I actually get to the gym & start. Then I feel so good during & after. I lift 3x per week, mainly upper body because my legs are already so big & the cardio usually builds enough lean muscle in my legs. The cardio is 4x per week, & now I'm starting tai chi one night per week.

Soon I'll start softball, too!

Here are my exercises for the "Yard" today... :dancer: :barbell: :tread: :workout: :kickcan: :strong: :faint: Don't I wish.... :lol:

I do have to admit though, once I get my butt in gear and actually do something, I do feel better and have more energy. Sounds like a good reason to keep it up huh?

Amen RustyK!

By the way, my exercise so far this week: I went to yoga on Tuesday night and it kicked my butt. And I missed two weeks ago because of a schedule conflict, so I'm going again tonight! Except I'm "taking it easy" and going to the beginner-level class because it's the only one that fits my schedule. I told DH it's too bad we don't have a sitter or he could come, too. ;)

The SELF challenge calls for 3 days x 30 minutes of cardio and 2 days x 25 minutes of strength training per week, and since my only exercise right now is the yoga class (which I found out counts as a strength and not a cardio) I decided to look into the gym thing - I love my commercial-quality elliptical machines! Actually treadmills aren't too bad either, although I'm always afraid of pulling one of these: :tread: LOL!

Fiona

You guys Rock! :cp:
Jen - you have really been working it girl! I plan on starting to jog again when the weather gets nice. Years ago I jogged three miles a day, could eat anything that got in my way (that was then, this is now :( ). You keep it up and you will have one hot pair of legs ;)

Fiona - Well you know inmates have the best bodies :lol: They have all the time in the world to workout...... :strong: There is nothing like going to a good gym, you get motivation, learn new stuff and meet same minded people. Doing it with DH is another plus, more together time :love:

Travkitty - I lift 2 sometimes 3xper week all upper body. Like you I get plenty leg work on the cardio. My arms have made a huge improvement in the last year (I love to ride Sleeveless). Lifting to me is so inpowering, just love it :strong: I'm getting definitioin in my upper arms, back and chest.

Rusty - You have quite the 'icon' routine there, work it girl! :cheer: Like others have said, just get dressed to workout and start - you end up going furter everyday......

PLUS - daisy duke season is almost here, we need to get ready :tread: :strong: :workout: :coach: :grouphug: Let's do it :cp:

Star...Tell me if this is okay...Since I'm just starting out slow, here's what I'll be doing. Monday through Saturday- cardio-10 minutes. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday-ultra track- one set. I'm taking Sunday off... :lol: I'll do this for 2 weeks and then start adding more. I've also put a calendar up on the wall to keep track of what I'm doing..How's that.. ;)

Rusty -
For someone starting out that is great! I can offer a change up, if you like. This might just help ease you into your routine.
Monday-Wed-Friday - Cardio Only :tread:
Tues-Thrus-Sat - Ultra Track Only :strong:
Sunday - Day of Rest

Now for cardio, try and increase your time to 15 minutes. Work up to eventually 30 minutes (down the road)
Ultra Track, try to do two sets (How long does a set take?)

This way you will have one thing to do aday until you are use to it then you could possibly mix them both in again.

How does that sound to you?

The calendar will help you to stay on track and motivated. I keep track of my exercise program in my day planner. At the end of the month I can see a month full of big X's and I feel very strong and proud......

One set on the ultra track takes about 10-15 minutes, I think. I'll have to time myself on it in the morning and see how long it actually takes... :)

Rusty - How many different exercises do you do on the Ultra Track?

Here's a question for you exercise chicks - do you eat something before you work out? Or do you do it on an empty stomach?

I try to eat something light - toast or fruit, something like that - half an hour to an hour before. Exercising on either a totally empty stomach or a full one makes me feel sick.

Fiona

I have been going to the gym and walking 2 miles :tread: , but I only made it there 3 times this week. One of the days this week I did the Easy Steps. I also try to do my ab dvd, and once this week I did my arms too. I do Tamilee Webb's I Want That Body, very hard for me, but did the Abs tape in the past and had great results. Although honestly I haven't been able to make it through either program all the way :( . I am going to try and go the gym Mon-Fri and walk 2 to 3 miles each day and then I want to do my abs and arms :workout: at least 4 times a week.

Have a question for you exercise :queen: 's, do you think I need to also do leg and buns exercises, or should the walking be enough? Any info and/or advice is always much appreciated :) , you ladies are just the best :D !!

Star..One set on the ultra track only takes 7-8 minutes instead of 10-15. I guess it just felt longer.. :lol: There are 5 different exercises and 4 of them you have to do it for each leg and then I do the one for the stomach twice.
Julie...I don't eat anything before I do my little workout but I do it so early in the morning that I couldn't possibly eat before. :p

Julie: I normally go to the gym between 4:30pm and 5:00pm (after work). I go home and change, and have a fruit and/or starch. Save my 2 veggies and protein for dinner after exercising. My second LA Lite bar for the 7:00pm timeframe - sometimes with decafe tea. Then I'm good for the night.

Julie - I get up at 5 a.m. and so no I don't eat first. I do however drink water as I work out...
Athena - I would say since you are getting use to your routine and walking quite abit, no need for legs and buns (IMHO). But do remember to skip a day between any strength training, you muscles need to recover.
Rusty - So are you gonna add in another set on that Ultra Track? Your doing good - keep it up....
Sy - Did you get those new daisey dukes yet?

Question Star - I have no exercise equipment nor a gym to work out in around here other than my treadmill. WHen I do the WATP they use weights for about 15 minutes of the program. Other than that what other lifting weights or strength training could I do? What are pilates??? What tapes could you suggest? I need more variety - walked on the treadmill 45 min tonight. Thats getting easier to do so I know I need to do something different with that. :tread:

I would love to go sleeveless this summer - arms are good but I want that muscle to show. Thanks

GO GO GO :cb: :cb: :cb:

Beverley - go to www.self.com/challenge - there is a GREAT whole-body strength training routine that takes about 25 minutes. You need whatever size hand weights you are comfortable with, a towel and preferably an exercise ball ($15-20 at Target). (Okay, I'm realizing you need to sign up for the challenge to access the specific workout I'm talking about, but it's FREE to sign up and there's lots of good information in the "challenge" part of the site, so I'd go for it!) Also, if you just click on "Fitness" on the Self.com home page, it takes you to a whole page of links to different suggested workouts. :D

Fiona

Star, no daisy-dukes, or at least not this year. LOL! You and Julie would have been proud of me last night. I did an hour on the elliptical, every 5 minutes I would turn the tension up to 9 (the highest) and then down for the entire hour. Man, does make a difference and I was sweating (which always proves to me a good workout as I don't sweat that much in general). Then, I did the weights for the arms and that general area (where I needs lots of help), and a few floor exercises for the butt and legs. Slept like a baby last night and woke up so refreshed.

Bev - I'm so glad you found us! Sounds like you are working out and if I remember correctly, you have always done cardio (walking, treadmill).
The perfect refrence regarding light weight, toning and strength training for you is the 6WBMO. I know you have it, just look thru the exercise cards for the body parts you want to work on (amrs, back, etc). The cards show you what to do with the toning bands, remember? Plus, if you got light hand weights you can use those instead of the toning band.
About getting you arms in shape, with muscles showing. That actually takes awhile to accomplish, so start right now....lol That's exactly what I have been focused on for the last year, since I viewed my high school reunion tape of me in a sleeveless pantsuit!
I'm very-very proud to say, that I have made tremendous imrovement. But remember you need to do about 3 arm exercises, 3 sets with 12 reps each,like I said this takes effort and desire.....You go girl!!!

Sy - Aboutthe daisy-dukes, that's an inside joke of Rusty and mine...lol We talked about designing some that were capri daisy-dukes, just for us.......cute huh? Sounds like you are taking it up a notch and sometimes that is just what it takes. Did you mean squats and not swats, right? Squats are great for you thighs and buns, I do those also....But in my basement with no horny little jocks around....(in my case, they would be laughing)..lol
When I get alittle time I plan on posting some information here about your target heart rate. It is info that we learned from 6 week body makeover and Michael Thurman, very helpful info to make your cardio really work. He just says the you need to do cardio at 60 to 65%, which is your target heart rate for fat buring. I have the formula to find what your rate should be for your age. What I found is that I was working out too hard and burning blood sugars and not stored body fat. So I had to slow it down, which to me was alittle hard to do, but once there I loved it! Bev, Rusty you already know all this. But if anyone else wants to know the numbers for your age, you can PM me......
Fiona - Doesn't that gym have floor employees that can help clients with using the equipment and proper form? It has been my experience that most gyms do? Since you don't work out that much or on a regular basis, once you start with the basics on a schedule, your body will respond.
Later fit chicks.....

Hi Star: When you can Karen get done with the DD capri's I'll be the first to order. I have to admit, my ankles don't look bad at all! LOL! My legs wouldn't either if my knees were not sagging. And, yes - I meant squats! LOL! The owner at my gym did tell us about the heart rate being very important and has a portable heart rate monitor we can use to checkout things while we are working out. The treadmill can be setup for heart-rate which makes it easy to know where your at. I never knew this before joining the gym.

Sy - My recumbent bike shows where your heart rate is, I love that. My treadmill computer is out of order so I have to time it myself, I do the 10 second version. I think Rusty has her own monitor.
Recently I had stopped checking that out and remembered how important it is. I would much rather burn stored body fat than blood sugars! So now even though I might think I can guess-ta-mate I will do it the right way. Why waste even one workout, right?

I decided to continue with the bike for 10 minutes, Monday-Saturday with one set on the ultra track Tues, Thurs, Sat. Next Monday I'm going to do what Star suggested. MWF 15 minutes on the bike and TTS I might up the ultra track to two sets. I'll see when that day gets here. ;)

Karen, you are doing great..keep up the good work. You are gonna look hot on that boat this summer....

Oh Dear God, talk about practice what you preach. I just started timiming my heart rate when I do cardio again. I had to slow down quite abit and for me that's almost harder than speeding up......lol So now that I know I'm going at the wrong pace I have to keep a really close eye on that - which might mess up my tv viewing....lol

I love my easy days, those are the ab tape, bun and thigh roller, recumbent bike and treadmill days. I guess becuz that's all stuff I don't have to think about too hard. The weight days are alittle different, have to think about sets, reps, form (can't watch tv).......lol. I think I was really cut out to be a certified couch potato...

later chicks.....

Star...You could never be a "couch potato" you'd get too bored. You love working out way too much for that... :D

So, I went to my yoga class last night and my arms and legs still have their wet-noodle-ish qualities this afternoon. Wow! It made me think of the guy who gave us the tour of the gym last week - he commented that the club's "yoga" class is really a combo yoga-pilates class, "so that it's a little more active rather than just relaxing." I thought about saying something to him, but if I took the time to re-educate everyone I meet who thinks that yoga is just lying on the floor going "om," I'd never get anything else done. ;)

Fiona

Fiona - Don't you just love it when you workout and your body says "ouch"....lol
About the Lifetime employee that made the "comment," I'm surprised a trainer would in a round-about way diss any form of exercise. Shame on him! He's lucky you were in a reserved mood that particular day....lol

Sy - lol! :lol: Yeah, he was one of those giant no-neck guys that probably can't touch his toes to save his life, and has obviously never attended a REAL yoga class. I pretty much just mentally shake my head and forgive them their ignorance. :angel:

Fiona

I wanted to comment on the "I walk-should I do leg/bun exercises" thing a few posts back. :)

If you are doing regular walking-like treadmill or walking outdoors then YES by all means do lower body strength training. If you are doing Walk Away The Pounds or something similar-you may find that you are getting more all around leg and bun toning.

The reason is because regular walking tones and works mainly your quadriceps (front thighs) hamstrings (back of thighs) and calves (back of lower legs). Regular walking will get the buns some IF you are using the incline on your treadmill, or the outdoor path that you walk has some places where you are going up hills.
This is all well and good, but your inner and outer thighs aren't used all that much.
Walk Away The Pounds, Denise Austin Trimwalk, and other walking videos also incorporate knee lifts, side steps, and other things that involve a little more inner/outer thigh muscles and hips/buns. Leslie Sansone has designed the program that way on purpose.
I hope that helps. :)

Aphil, Good advice about the inner/outer thigs. I could use some toning on my inners,, I get alittle with my bun and thigh roller, but always room for improvement!
Maybe I will incorporate my toning bands in somewhere for inner thighs. (There just isn't enuf time in the day....lol)
Today I started out with weights, about 40minutes. Then when I went on my recumbent bike I really had to keep it s-l-o-w to keep maintain my target heart rate.

Hi ladies:

Well, have been adding exercise (with Julie, the workout-buddy from hell - LOL!) and Fiona - I'm right there with you. My body hurts in places that I didn't know I had. Especially the ABS/Stomach area and I'm loving it as I know that it's working! LOL!

I added an extra set on just the stomach on my ultra track. It kicked my butt up one side and down the other this morning. But I did it...Yippeeee :D

Hey...Does anyone else have the walking tape from LA. I have it but of course I haven't looked at it yet. I was just wondering if it was any good... :o

Hi Karen - I do have the walking tape - Easy Steps - it is really only 20 minutes, it's not difficult or hard to follow - I did breathe harder when I did it, but didn't sweat.

Does this help?
Julie

Hum.....Today was abs/buns and cardio day. Usually my favorite workout, but I did notice that I had to work harder to get and keep my heart rate on target. I guess when I lift weights, it is higher by the time I start the cardio and that's why I have to slow it down. Today I had to work to get it high enuf - oh well, just thought I'd share.....lol

Star, do you do some sort of cardio to warm up before the weights? The P:Y stuff suggests the cardio before the weight training portion.

Julie - I do the weights first and then cardio, it is a time thing.
Thanks....

Hi Star and Julie:

My workout buddy has a heart monitor, she purchased her's for $50 at Dick's (if you have that store in your area - it's a Clothing and Sporting Goods store). I'm thinking of getting one myself. She compares are rate on her monitor to the one on the machines at the gym and she said they are always both at the same rate. She has a strap of some sort that snaps around her torso in the area of the bra band (if you wear one) - she licks it, I guess it must have something that sticks to your body? The other piece looks like a watch. She can hang it on a machine or wear it. She loves it and says it's the basic model in case your looking before I do.

Sy

I have the same type of heart rate monitor. I bought mine at Walmart for 30.00 back in sporting goods. It sure makes a difference. You don't have to work as hard as you think you do... :lol:

By the way, I'm still working at the exercise...Woo Hoo... ;)

Karen - WTG - I'm so proud of your exercising - its a very healthy thing to do and when you get old as me you'll be so comfortable with it .

Reason I encourage you: I never had any blood pressure or cholestoral problems until I quit my period two years ago. The doc's tell me thats what brought my health problems on :( . With all my walking and exercising both are very much in control. If I didn't exercise I would be taking lots of meds to control this stuff - meds are no fun to take.

THe heart monitor that you folks have - does it do the blood pressure thing too> I think my sister has one that does both because she has to monitor her heart rate and blood pressure. I want to get one ASAP. I was trying to use the heart rate on the treadmill - goofy thing - one minute it says 78 and the next 183 -I think NOT.

My hubby is making popcorn - I had to leave the room. I got an apple and came in here to get away - it smells so good - some day - some day soon I'll have my popcorn and skinny jeans too.

Okay what Aphil said about Walk Away the Pounds - ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! My inner things- why they don't seem like mine anymore - I am amazed how tight they are getting. THe jigging is 1/2 gone at least and I'll keep on a going. THe funny part with WATP's is when you walk in place real fast but spread your legs a little apart- funny looking but it works on those inner thighs not to mention the knee lifts. whew-

Okay I'm gonna hit the showers - did my Treadmill tonight - feel good about that - actually for a Saturday - weekend - I did great - I am so glad to have control again. I guess I've made up my mind I'd rather be skinnier than have that food. RIGHT GIRLS!

Hugs to all -

Aphil,

I want to thank you for your comment about needing to work our inner thigh area. ;) Prior to that comment, I was having a blonde moment. Wondering what to do for my inner thighs. Then Friday something clicked in my head, I went to my (forgotten) vast collection of workout tapes. Oh my Gosh, there were so many, in a box in the closet. A really good set is the Beach Body Series, it has abs (which I use), thigs, stretch, buns, the whole body. So Saturday I did the thighs -just let me say "Outch" Then Sunday I did the stretch tape, really good and short so I can throw it in anywhere.
Ocourse on Sunday I could barely walk becuz of the thigh tape.... :lol:

So now my routine has to change up alittle. This is my new plan:
M-W-F Thigh Tape, Ab Tape, Bun/Thigh Roller, 20 recumbent Bike, 20 minute treadmill

T&T (maybe SorS) Stretch tape, weights and light cardio

I'll just do this for this week and see how it works out, I did it this morning and it wasn't bad, took 1 1/2 hours.

I did the first two tapes today of Project You. I am so out of shape. I SWEAT BUCKETS. I drank almost a whole liter of water. I feel every muscle in my legs.

Today was the foundation cardio and lower body sculpting.
Tomorrow is foundation again and upper body.

Hopefully by Friday I'll have the steps down on foundation . .
I have to remember that the first few times I do a tape I'm always tripping over my feet.

But I am so proud of myself that I DID IT!

I'm like the WalMart queen in my office as I go there several times a week during lunch. Hey, when they have such great prices - why shop anyplace else? Anyway, Karen/Rusty - thanks for the tip. I'll checkout WalMart this week for a HRM. Never thought they'd have them there? Happy exercising. Sy

Julie - Way to go girl! Glad your drinking your water as you work out......
I too started a couple new workout tapes this week - it does take afew times doing them to feel like comfortable. We have to start somewhere!
Geez, I'm gonna have to check out Walmart too for the HRM, seems like a much easier way to keep track of where the heck your heart rate is when your killing yourself...lol

Hi...
Has working out sped up your weight loss?
Chris

Chris -

Working out burns calories. As far as working out to lose weight, well if you eat more calories than your body normally burns, it won't make you lose weight. If you eat less calories and workout - I believe that is a winning combination.

GROAN.

I think it's the kickboxing moves in this cardio tape that just confuse me. Okay. I decided to get the legs right first.

And then arms. MORE GROAN. and abs. . .

But Good for me! I did at least TRY the moves. And I'll be able to see my progress when I can keep to tempo . ..

Julie

I wanted to add something to what Star posted - I think it's really hard to lose weight without dieting - just doing exercise - the changes are really SLOW. I've had friends that have done boot camps, etc, and didn't change their eating and then got discouraged because they expected major changes.

You can lose weight by changing your eating (which is what I've been doing for the past 4 months), but:

I think that if you challenge your body physically (and by that I mean bumping up the workout when it gets too easy) you get two benefits. The weight loss is more consistent (less plateaus) and you get better muscle defination - so you can actually weigh more and look smaller.

Does this make sense???

Julie

Julie - It is so good to have a smartie pants around. You always make such good sense (gee, you should be a writer).
About starting out with one pair of limbs; arms or legs. That is what most tapes, instructors tell you to do. Get one down first and then add on. You'll have it all put together in no time...
About working out without dieting. I have exercised til the cows come home without dieting.......result? No weight loss. My trainer once told me, to lose weight it's 90%what you eat.

Star, thank you - I don't feel like a complete doofus with two left legs and two right arms.. . I will work on getting the legs right since it is a cardio tape! According to the program the first tape is for the first week, and then there is a more intense (!) tape for the next four weeks, but I figure that if it takes me two weeks to get this down that's okay.

Also, thanks for the stats from your trainer -
(and for the compliment. .)

Julie- this has probably been mentioned in the program "Project You" But if you haven't done so yet, you should take your measurements since you are just starting to workout, that way you can chart your progress. Even if they do it at the center of doom, you should notice some increase in inches lost now with the workout.

Star it is in the 12 week journal - along with a place to put before and after pictures! I just need to find my tape measure!

Did the pilates and yoga tapes last night - had to really talk myself into it -

However, my abs doth protest! They've seen more action in 3 days than in months!
But the yogu tape was very relaxing - except for the ones where the calves get action - never knew they were so tight.

Did sleep like a baby last night. . .

I like the fact that these two tapes are mid week - just when you need a break from the cardio and strength. I am looking forward to the cardio tape again today. Hopefully I will feel the same tomorrow.

And, then Saturday is a choice cardio day - haven't figured out what to do for that yet - there is an audio tape, Steady Strides, which you can use on a treadmill, or for a walk - if I feel adventurous, I may try it on my stepper.

Hugs,
Julie

Julie - WOW - you jumped in head first.......sounds like a tough program.
I workout M-F for sure; cardio, tapes, strength. On S&S I play it by ear and do what I feel like, if I have time. Weekends can be very busy. Since I workout regular M-F if I miss a weekend it doesn't hurt my feelings. If I do workout on S and/or Sunday I just pick what I really want to do. Sometimes my S/S workouts are better becuz I can take my dear sweet time and enjoy it..... NOW, did I confuse you....lol ?

Star - no I understand - during the week you have it streamlined for what you have time for and what you want to accomplish, fitness wise, but on the weekends you can choose whatever you want and really enjoy it. You are my idol - I hope that I get to that point where I choose exercise for fun, and not soley for the results. I would like to get past the point where it is like brushing my teeth . ..

Julie

Julie - Thank you for explaining what I wanted to say so clearly.....lol
Sometimes when the weather is nice, on the weekends I go for really fun exercise like; walking at the park, roller blading or bike riding. To me that is just the cat's pajamas.
I hope you start to enjoy working out too, because when that happens - you will actually look forward to the workout and the results will just be a nice bonus.

Day 4 down!

Did concentrate mainly on the feet today, which really helped. It really does get easier every day. There are still sections of the lower body workout that I can only do one or two of . . I am so glad that I don't have one of those exercise balls; I'd be tempted to use it and that is for the advanced stuff!

I am still going through half a liter of water for both workouts . . .

I am noticing that I really need a snack about 30 minutes after the workout!

(Still haven't found that tape measure yet. . .)

Julie

Morning Fit Chicks -
As I was doing my (what use to be) my 'easy workout day', I thought now who was it that made me think I needed to add that Thigh Tape? So now my 'easy workout days' aren't that easy anymore.....lol! I do like the thigh tape and boy can I ever feel it. Oh Dear God - does it sting, I'm glad it is only like 10 minutes! Today is day three of the thigh tape and I've already noticed I'm more steady with it.....
Julie - as I was reading your post about the exercise ball, I pictured you rolling around the room, falling from side to side.......of maybe that was me....lol For now I think your new workout routine is quite full without the 'ball of torture'....
Hey find the tape measure becuz your losing inches as I type, and you want to be able to have that total number of 'inchels lost' It is really gonna surprise you how this exercise thing works........
hey Fit Chicks - we are gonna be so happy we are doing this prior to summer clothes, it does make a huge difference.....Let's go girls......

Star, I always giggle at your posts - That would be me draped over that ball-of-torture - I'm glad that I don't have one at this point.

I may just BUY a new tape measure, what do you think of that???

Speaking of thighs - has anyone ever experienced fatigue in the weight bearing leg while doing standing exercises for the other leg? Sometimes I'm not sure which is the leg getting the workout!!

And BTW, there is this killer hamstring exercise - you put your heels on the seat of a chair, while laying down, and lift your behind while digging your heels into the seat of your chair. GROAN. And then she wants us to PULSE it.

Luckily there is MUCH room for improvement in this tape (since I get to do it for 5 weeks. By that time I will hopefully be able to do every rep.

Julie

Julie -
Yes I know what you are talking about the fatigue of the weight bearing leg. This is normal - your muscles have to get stonger, it will improve with time. (like a fine wine).

About these exercise tapes. These instructors and their team, spend many many hours developing painful, tortureous moves, so that we will think we are even more out of shape than possible. You know that saying "no pain- no gain"? Well they want to make sure we feel alot of pain. It's all in their big plan of things. Then they make yet another tape, that is 'advanced' and ofcourse we will have to prove that we can handle that one. Let the torture continue......

Star - thank's for affirming what I was experiencing (fatigue) - and giving me a light at the end of the tunnel . . .

I was looking at the BB site - there is a yoga booty ballet series - I may pick that up in the summer - let's see if I can complete this first. . .

Julie - I too was checking out, with GREAT interest the yoga booty ballet series . Matter of fact, I talked to several workout friends about it. Does that look like a blast or what? Like you, I thought, how much can one chick fit into a day???? But if I see the infomercial again, I could be in the order mode before I realize it...that's what happened with the Bun & Thigh Roller infomercial. Thank goodness, I really do like that piece of equipment and tape.

Star - if you try it first, let me know . . . there will be an infomercial on tomorrow am (at 5:00!!!) which I may try to catch - maybe it's 6:30 --

BTW, what would you say is the difference between circuit training and weight training?

Julie- yeah I'll keep my eye open for the infomercial again. It actually looks like a ton of fun, almost like not working out.....

It has been years since I have done circuit training at the gym. When I do my weights I do them just like circuit training. Which is doing 3 sets of a body part with like 12 reps, then doing a different exercise for the same body part, 3 sets again 12 reps. That way it makes circuit training and weight training exactly the same thing. Understand? Circuit training is just doing a weight bearing exercise, then moving on to the next exercise, waiting maybe 3 minutes inbetween. It keeps your muscles pumped and your heart rate up at the same time. Hope I explained that okay.

Star - you REALLY need to watch out, or you're going to end up working out with every exercise video ever made, and then when will you find time to POST?!? :lol:

Fiona

Fiona - You got my number, it's exercise shopping I'm addicted to....lol The really good part is that at one point or another I use all of it.
Ofcourse no matter how much I workout I'll always have time to post. As long as I keep this JOB - LOL

Oh Jeez~
Thanks for the advice Star...I never thought of using the exercises from 6WBMO....now to find my little black book and the darned band....I can do that just about anywhere and need very little room.
As far as the WATP videos, I still do not have the space for those, but maybe once I get back to work and rent a storage space, I will be able to convince the MIL to let me use the basement as a mini-workout room.

Keri - Yeah there's afew of us on here that have done 6WBMO - that's a good workout plan to follow. Like I said, just fear the toning band ball, I got knocked in the head once at the gym - bong....lol
Basements were met to be gyms. We are downsizing and I'm losing my basement gym and that is the biggest lost of the whole move. I'll probably have to go back to the 'real' gym...and pack all that stuff; shower stuff, work clothes, etc.

Star - the reason I asked about the difference is because in the self challenge you can log your exercise - and it calculates calories burned based on your height/weight, minutes and exercise done - and there are different calculations for weight training and circuit training. It seems that these sculpting tapes are really circuit training. . .since we work the same muscle in different ways, and sometimes exercising a different muscle in between. (I don't think I explained this very well)

IMHO - that would be circuit training. I think when they talk of weight training they refer to heavier weights. Circuit Training is what you explained in your above post.

I'll be leaving in a minute here. I won't be here Monday or Tuesday, I get to watch David (the Oh Dear God GB). That will be considered weight lifting becuz he is one big baby.....and at 15 months still loves to be picked up....lol Talk to you Wed.

WOOO HOOOO!!! I JOINED THE GYM!!!!! :strong: :tread: :strong:

I don't know what took me so long to realize that, hello, since DH and I aren't doing a joint membership, I could go in whenever and do it, and put my charges on my credit card (to be paid off next week on payday, of course). So I went tonight!

I took DD with me and she was really looking forward to hanging out in the play room, which we ended up not doing cause it was so quick, so I promised her I'd take her tomorrow morning.

I'm excited!

Fiona

Star - sorry I missed this post yesterday - Have fun with DDavid,and whisper Grandma in his ear all the time. . .

I've been using circuit training, so I'm glad you think that's right.

Fiona - congrats on joining the gym!

Well I did it - I let the treadmill at the gym kick my butt for 20 minutes this morning. And speaking of my butt - it HURTS! :lol: Anyway, I'm so glad I get to actually contribute to the Yard from now on, rrather than just watching from the sidelines. :yes:

Fiona

Day 6 on the P:Y plan is a choice day - I did 30 min on the stepper using the walking tape provided with the program - it is a pretty fast clip - I was DRIPPING when I finished.

Today is a REST day, and I am ready for it!

Julie

Julie...You've really been working your butt off on this new program..Way to go.. :tread: :strong:
I wish I could say the same for me but I can't... :^:

Karen - I always tend to go whole hog into something new - plus I never had any real excuse to not exercise - I just had to be mentally ready to do it. So something really involved is good for my interest level (does that make sense :?: ) Plus, it is VERY challenging so I can see progress everyday, which is good for my spirit.

Julie

Well, I'm just burning a new mix CD and then off to the gym. :tread: Hopefully no falling on my face this time!

Fiona

This is kind of cool - apparently I'm not quite as out of shape as I thought. Saturday I did 20 minutes on the treadmill at speeds between 2.8-3.0 (out of 5.5), today I bumped it up to 3.3-3.5 - a brisk walk, not quite to jogging - and did 30 minutes, and I probably could have kept going. I'm looking forward to my real fitness assessment later this week.

Fiona

Here's a question for the exercise experts (Star??) -
For the circuit stuff on Project You - I'm starting off with 3 and 5 pound weights. When I start the exercise - it's not too difficult, but I'm really feeling at the end of the set (and then of course, we move to the opposing muscle, then back again, and again :dizzy: ). When do I know to move to the next higher weights? I do have a set of 8lbs - do I get rid of the 3's and move to 5's and 8's? And then to 8's and 10s?

Julie

Don't know if you all have ever heard about these, but there's a company
http://www.workoutmusicvideo.com/ that puts out tapes and cds of music all within a certain beat/speed range. . . I use these on the stepper and it keeps me going at a steady pace.

Julie

Julie - For my arms and shoulders I use 5,6's and 8's. Your muscle will start to burn at the middle or end of set.....I still feel the burn with the 8's. Actually, for arms I don't plan on going any higher than the 8's, that still works the muscle and for sure will tone.
The only place I use heavier weights is for lying down bench presses and lying down shoulder exercises and then I go to 10's and 12's.
The way you know to move up weights is when you can't feel any pressure, even at the end of your reps. Then it is time to move up. Be sure that you are really focusing on the muscle targeted in that exercise. For instance when doing a bicep curl, don't do all the work with your hands and wrist, make sure you feel the bicep muscle do the pulling up of the weight. Just really focus on the correct muscle. I'm sure they explain this in Project You.......With weight bearing exercises you don't have to keep going heavier and heavier,becuz you don't want to build bulk, you are losing weight and want to tone, right?
Hope this helps alittle.....you are doing great!

Star, that is a big help - I don't want big muscles, I just want efficient muscles (if that makes sense) I want them to help me burn more calories!
About using the muscles - I am still learning the routines, but have begun to pay attention to which one is supposed to do the work. Instead of just trying to get myself in some sort of position, and getting the weight to go where it is supposed to go, I am starting to say to myself - okay, I'm supposed to use that shoulder muscle to get that weight up there . . . does that make sense?

The tricep dips at the end of a chair are still killer - there is no way to reduce the weight since it is ME. But at least I'm moving my arms now, instead of just raising my shoulders.

Julie -
Yes, Yes - what you are doing is exactly what I was trying to explain to you. Some people exercise for years and never get it that you have to work "that" muscle. Good for you. The more you concentrate on the correct muscle, the faster you will see results. That's what they mean when they say feel the burn,becuz if you don't use the target muscle you may never feel the burn or see the result you want.
Glad to help Julie - ask me anything......

I will say this, Star, it's interesting that I can identify the particular muscle. I've never thought of that before. Also, doing them slow, so I don't let momentum carry that weight to where it should be. The cueing on the tapes help!

I like coming to this thread and reading the great exercising tips. Now, if I can just get with the program.. :p
I went to the Dr. yesterday and asked him about diet pills. He told me I needed to start excersing and that would take care of my appetite and give me more energy. I just let him go on and on. I didn't tell him that Star has been trying to pound that in my head for going on two years now.... :lol:

Julie - yes you don't ever want to get that momentum swing thing going on. Even if it means stopping at the starting point and starting over with the movement. You are a fast learner.....
Karen - I hope you listen to your 'smart' doctor. Besides I know you want to be as tough as the rest of us exercise chicks.......come on let's go........

I have to be honest - I am still trying to work out the best times to eat and exercise. If I wait too long, I get too hungry, and then I eat. And then I have to wait for a little digestion to happen . . .And I'm just not ready to face it first thing - although I used to do it first thing. . .

Karen, had to laugh at your reaction to your doctor- we keep on wanting for something magic to be put on the market - something that will take all our unwanted desires away. . .it would be nice if we could pick and choose when we want to be hungry, wouldn't it?

Julie - With my workout history of 35 years I have learned one thing. You have to schedule workout time for yourself. There is not always a perfect time, but you have to say I'm gonna do it. Once you develope the habit, all the little details will work themselves out (like working, eating, sleeping, etc). lol
With my moving, I will have to give up my "Star Gym" in the basement, which I have grown to love. Luckily our new place has a small gym with all the equipment my "Star Gym" had - go figure huh?

Carmen-Anything that gets you moving is good exercise, often times getting started is the hardest part. Most days I don’t look forward to exercise, but I tell myself “Just do 20 minutes, if you do 20 minutes then you can stop-guilt free” usually by that point I find I can finish my planned workout (though some days I don’t and just stop). Start with 5 minutes and work your way up. That’s how I started….5 minutes on the treadmill everyday for a week. When I felt better I moved it to 10, then 15. I didn’t push myself too hard in the beginning, even when I felt I could go longer I stayed on my planned time. Now I’m up to 4.5-4.7 miles a day at least 5 days a week (65-70 minutes). I can even jog for limited amounts of time…never imagined at 230+ lbs that I would jog, who knew???

Star-i agree 100% that you have to schedule exercise like any other appt and stick to it.

Julie-i exercise right after work, before I get too involved in anything else. I usually eat lunch around 11:30 and have a snack around 3 and exercise around 5pm. i usually can't exercise on a full stomach and if i'm really hungry after I have a piece of fruit while I'm making dinner. It's just what works for me.

Take care,
Jen

Julie - Becuz of work I get up at 4:45 a.m. and grab some coffee, water and go down to the "Star Gym" I drink water while I workout. Then at around 8:15 I eat breakfast at work.
I love working out that early becuz it's done and out of the way. It also makes me feel better all day. That way I have my nights free to do whatever. Ofcourse I have worked out after work too. When that was the case, I did the same as Jen - worked out and then ate dinner.
The only time I can't work out is late at night, it keeps me up and I can't go to sleep.

Yes, it seems that the best time for me is mid afternoon, but just doing it is part of the victory!

Julie

Thanks ladies, for all the input. There is a fitness center right here where I work, and I am a member, but I do not go in there because the skinny folk look at me like I am a leper whenever its time to change clothes, shower, etc. So for now, I will pick up a couple of tapes and workout in the mornings before I get the kids up for school.

Carmen - if you're unused to a certain instructor, try renting the tape first at the video rental place- I've done that for some and was REALLY glad I had a test run before purchasing. . .

Carmen...I would tell them to kiss your butt, you're there for the same reason as they are, to get in shape... :smug: Walk in like you own the place...

This is something that Fiona pointed me to - I lurk at the forum there, and saw this from this weeks expert. It fits in with what I was trying to say about cardio and strength. . .The expert is Jeff Rochford of Jeff's Gym in New York.
*****
Yes those last 5 to 10 are the hardest to get rid of. Weight training is key, but do not ignore cardio. This is about being healthy. I'll give you a quick break down of what they each do for you and what you can expect from them. If it sometimes seems I'm stating the obvious, it is because sometimes we ignore the most obvious simple rules when it comes to fitness.

Cardio works your heart and lungs, as they get stronger, you can comfortably work harder and longer. Translation, burn more calories. Don't fall into the trap, " I'm going to go easy and stay in my fat burning zone". It doesn't exist. The more calories burned help in weight loss. Calories in, calories out. The only draw back to cardio, when your session ends, so does your accelerated calorie burning. That's where weight training comes in. When you lift you burn calories. When your done, the body burns calories to help the muscle recover from the workout. The best part is. once you have muscle, the body burns calories on a consistent basis to sustain the muscle. So if you maintain your muscle tone you will permanently raise your metabolism.
****

It's always nice to get someone else's words. . (I didn't plagerize!)

Julie- Great point about weight training....I need to get started with that again...okay, here's my goal. I'm going to use hand weights at home for arm toning at least 3 days a week, starting tonight. Anyone know a good website to check out to make sure I'm doing it right? I was doing strength training for months (and aobut 30 mintues of cardio 3 days a week) before I decided to lose weight and I'm convinced it's the only thing that kept my weight somewhat stabilized while I was being such an oinker.

Anyone else have any exercise goals they would like to share?

Carmen - About going to the gym with the skinny snots, I have a secret for you. You should go becuz your results will show more and faster than the skinny people that go all the time. It will be very rewarding to workout in front of them, have them snub you and then when you consistantly show progress, who will have the smug look on her face then? lol Trust me it will happen, seen it many times. You will get that last chuckle......

Julie - Thanks for the article, I actually knew all of that....don't mean to sound like a know-it-all, but I have been around the gym afew years. The one part, I do not agree with is "Don't fall into the trap, " I'm going to go easy and stay in my fat burning zone". It doesn't exist." The target heart rate is explained in Michael Thurmans book, but I'm not gonna post that. To each her own. I think no matter how we may disagree about some things, the key is to do the work, both cardio and weight training.
Jen -you plan sounds great. My plan is to continue working out 6-7 days a week, alternating cardio, toning and weights. When the weather breaks (it's snowing right now) I plan on jogging again. Short of quitting my job, I can't do much more....lol

Star - PLEASE post what info you have on target heart rate - or a synopsis, anyway! I don't have the book you are referring to, and I'm curious. I know all the cardio machines at my gym are programmable and have the palm sensors to track your heart rate (which nobody uses anyway, but that's a different topic) - funny thing is, the treadmill says that if I choose the "fat burn" program, my THR is only 135, which is not that much over my resting, while the "cardio" program gives me a THR of 156, which actually feels like I'm working, but without killing myself. So I'm curious to know how the ones in the know decide what your THR should be???

Thanks, dear!

Fiona

According to Michael Thurmond...My target heart rate for my age is 97-115. The heart rate monitor I have is just a tiny bit higher.

Fiona - Well I do use the palm sensors on my recumbent bike, I want to know where my heart rate is and if I"m in my target heart rate or not. The funny thing is I usually have to slow down to be at the right pace. The sensors are a great tool.
Here is what I posted a few pages back on this thread:
When I get alittle time I plan on posting some information here about your target heart rate. It is info that we learned from 6 week body makeover and Michael Thurman, very helpful info to make your cardio really work. He just says the you need to do cardio at 60 to 65%, which is your target heart rate for fat buring. I have the formula to find what your rate should be for your age. What I found is that I was working out too hard and burning blood sugars and not stored body fat. So I had to slow it down, which to me was alittle hard to do, but once there I loved it! Bev, Rusty you already know all this. But if anyone else wants to know the numbers for your age, you can PM me......

I don't have the book with me here at work. But will bring it in on Monday, if you need to know what he says your target heart rate is.

Star, you never sound like a know-it-all - I was just posting something that put in better words what I had tried to post before. . . About the fat-burning range, etc, I remember hearing about that about 10 years ago, but sometimes theories change and I get behind. . .

It is still true that even if you are above the fat burning zone, you are still burning cals right? I mean something has to make these fat little legs go!

And if you bring the book to work on Monday you don't have to pack it. . .
Hugs,
Julie

Morning Workout Chicks.....

Julie- I'm so glad I don't come off as a "know-it-all" I really just feel lucky to have picked up some stuff along the way over the years of working out.....
Even if you work out above your target heart rate, yes you will still burn calories, you just won't burn stored body fat......But trust me, anything is far better than nothing!
Even with packing all weekend, I made it a point to workout before the packing started. LOL - funny becuz since DH worked this weekend I was the packing crew, so the hours were pretty much under my control...lol
This morning I did tapes and cardio, which use to be my favorte exercise days, but now that I have three tapes to do, recumbent bike and treadmill - I'm thinking it may not be my favorite anymore.......hum???
I'm pretty sad about losing my gym. I know the apartments we are moving to have a fine gym, but there hours are 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Which means I will have to start working out after work, which I don't care for. I guess I could always go back to the Weight Station where I went before I built up my home gym. They open at 6 a.m. which works out fine for me and lets me get it over and done before going to work.....decisions-decisions.....
Another feature of the new apartments- it is right across the street from a fitness path that covers probably 50 miles or more from park to park. You can walk, rollerblade, run, jog, bike or I guess skip if you want to, which is so cool! Several years ago I lived off a fitness path and I used it everyday, rode my bike or rollerbladed - it was fun exercise!

Later Chicks......

Star - I think that if you're happier exercising early, then you deserve to make it happen. You will be much more unhappy if you can't make the time to make it work the way you want it. You're going to be at this place for a while, right? Can you ask the apartment people to open the gym earlier? I'm sure you're not the only person who prefers early workouts.

You must have terrific balance to be able to do stuff like roller blading - I sprained my wrists many times trying to roller skate!

Got both my workouts in today - cardio and upper body - the cardio is more interval based - and it's a toughie. I did get the first set of tricep dips done today, and part of the second - PROGRESS!

Heart monitor question - does anybody have one that also calculates calories burned? I guess you'd have to be able to put in weight and other info . .

Julie

Julie -

Thanks for the vote of confindence and your right - I deserve to pick my own time of torture (just kidding). Your right, I'll be doing it for several more years here and may as well get it suited to fit me.
I already ask the Apartment Manger about opening early and she gave me some excuse. I think it was that they would have to make a new entrance to the gym from outside the pool facility??????? I will stir the pot again maybe when I move in. I kinda hate to cause too much trouble before I actually live there. But it worth several more trys........
About balance, we use to skate (4 wheels) back when we were kids, everyday and weekends at the rink, also ice skated evey winter. I use to having running races with my older brothers freinds daily too. I was kinda a tomboy. Then a cheerleader, so balance never came hard for me. Heck, I learned how to waterski at 40, our whole family did when we bought the boat.....I'm too dumb to be scared of anything....lol
Julie - you are hanging in there with your new workout program - way to go girl!
About the monitor - I don't have one but I know Rusty does. I'd love to get one, but don't want to spend over $30.........if you learn anything more let me know. Meanwhile I'll be counting outloud here with my fingers on my neck, while watching the clock.......lol

Star - you got my point exactly - this is something that gives you satisfaction, joy - you won't be happy if it's a hassel --

About the tapes - I feel quite accomplished that I haven't broken any bones or glassware yet with the jumping I've been doing -

Waterski - I have thought about doing that - If I can ever get those tricep dips down with my own weight, I may just be able to hang on to that rope. . .At least I don't think I'd have vertigo with that!

Hugs,
Julie

Julie- Keep it up with the exercise and you will get stronger and stronger, in every phase of your life......You are woman - you will roar......lol
Really - it does give you a sense of power - it's all good......

Hey - I don't think I ever shared about my first session with the personal trainer last week! We only did the basic fitness assessment tests, but I thought the results were pretty interesting.

First was BMI - she used waist, thigh and forearm measurements. The PT said that as my body fat %age goes down, the caliper test will be even more accurate than measurements, although as a female, I think measurements are what will matter to me cause it's all about the CLOTHES! :lol:. I won't even tell you what my BMI came out to, let's just say it was a big ugly number!

Next was the cardio test - hopped on the treadmill at 3.0 and 5% incline for five minutes, did a heart rate check and came up with a VO2 measurement of 20 - I guess this measures how well your body is utilizing oxygen? 20 is really, really bad, I found out, which explains why I can't climb stairs to save my life. I didn't feel winded at the end, but my calves were burning and my heart rate was way up.

Strength (biceps) test - stood on the scale platform and pulled up on a metal bar as hard as I could. That one actually went better than I expected, I ended up right in the middle of the "good" section of the spectrum.

And last, flexibility - the classic sit-and-reach. I scored right on the border between Good and Very Good there - thank you yoga classes! The PT said most new people barely make a blip on the chart for flexibility.

I feel like I'm forgetting something we did, but I don't have my little printouts with me to check. Anyway, I've got my next appointment tonight, we are focusing on developing a cardio program. Next session will be a full strength training assessment - yikes!

Fiona

Wow - Fiona - that is terrific to have such a great assessment - you'll be able to see exactly how you progress! Will they develop a program for you too? (my BMI is pretty ugly too)

LOL - You know who is gonna need some muscle? The movers when they go to pick up my cedar chest full to the brim with my life's treasures.....LOL

LOL, Star! :lol:

Julie - yes, they sure will. I guess every new member gets the basic fitness assessment as part of their membership, but I sprung for 5 sessions with a personal trainer on top of that, because I have no idea what to do with myself aside from climbing on the treadmill and hitting "GO." :tread: I'm trying not to set my expectations up too high, but believe me, if I don't think I'm getting my $$$ worth, they're going to hear about it! :rollpin:

And on a related note, one of the goals that I'm going to be working on is cardio endurance, because I've decided to do the MS Challenge Walk in September!! If you're not familiar with it, that's the MS Society's "3 days, 50 miles" fundraising walk. I did it two years ago and actually did pretty well the first day despite doing next to nothing in the way of training - unfortunately I had a back injury flare up at the end of the first day (probably due to lousy walking form) and only completed about half of the 50 miles (the on-site doc wouldn't let me walk AT ALL the second day). Anyway, September is 6 months away and my goal is to be so ready that these 50 miles feel like 5. :yes:

Fiona

Fiona - that is a terrific goal - I did the Avon 3 day a few years ago - I did walk every mile, but I limped the week afterwards - I did train, too, but think I probably had bad stretching form, and didn't take the time TO stretch. I'll be interested to hear what the MS leaders tell you about training and dieting - they told us not to go on a crazy diet, we needed to eat good foods, fuel ourselves, and get used to gatoraide. . .

Julie

BTW, total bummer- my vcr has swallowed a tape and won't spit it out! May get a combo VCR/DVD player today at Best Buy (and then figure out how to attach it . . .) I think I can still get in a cardio workout today, though, using the walking tape. . .

I can't complain - the VCR is at least 6 years old and is used ALOT to record old movies. . .

Julie

Julie - My VCR ate my Beach Body Ab Tape last year. Thank goodness I had copied it for family and friends prior to that. So I had to snatch back a copy from a non-user. That tape works so well - I can't figure out why everyone doesn't use it? I gave it to three people, none of them shared in my excitement over it....luckily I got a copy back with no fight....lol
Today was weight day for me, had a good workout, about 40 minutes weights and 20 minutes cardio. First warming up with the Beach Body Stretch Tape.....which is probably less than 10 minutes.....
I had to laugh at myself today, as I was doing the stretch tape I noticed I could really use some extra attention to my inner thighs. Just when we think we are looking good - BAM - we notice yet another 'needy' area. As long as I look great before DH drops me off at the retirement home - that's my goal........
later....

Sigh - got the new player. . . Now for the fun part! May call in my electronically minded brother. . .

Hiya!
I know it's "the ones you'll use"....but what do you ladies rank as the best of the best & why?
Thanks!
Chris

I like Gilad, he has a show on the Health Network, called Bodies in Motion. It's 30 minutes long, with warm up, cardio, toning and stretching...nice variety. he has several for purchase, but I usually just tape them from tv.

I like the Beach Body Series - it has three or four tapes and works all major muscle groups......They have one person do advanced and one do beginner......your choice.
Really - the choices are endless.

Hi Star...
Is that the exact name? I want to search it out.
Thanks.
Chris

Chris,
If you go on www.beachbody.com under fitness products it's sold as "Great Body Guaranted." But all of their tapes, Slim in 6, Power 90 are all similar. so that would be a good website to check some tapes out.
I want to check out Booty-Yoga-Ballet, it looks like real fun.......
I think some of them come with a money back guarantee too.

Chris - I am using the Kathy Smith Project:You which was developed by Kathy Smith, but produced by Beach Body. I really like it - it starts of easier (sort of) and then gets progressively more intense. However, I like Kathy Smith. And she has so many tapes I can do all sorts of combinations.

But, Beachbody has all sorts of programs - they have an extensive forum at www.beachbody.com - you can look at their different solutions - they even have infomercials, although I haven't seen one yet.

I have also heard good things about Gilad, although I don't think I get the Health Network. Also a woman who does shows on PBS. And the TaeBo tapes always seem to get good press.

But, truthfully, the options are endless - the first question would be - what's your fitness level? And then, what do you like to do? If you have access to a treadmill, maybe just getting music or a book on tape will be the answer for you. Actually, I think this would work for anytype of cardio machine . . . I tend to look at an old movie, although I usually can't hear the words since I'm listening to the music, but it keeps my head busy, and I don't notice how long I've been working out.

Julie

Yes, Star, I think they do have a 30 day money back guarantee - the YBB looks really fun - want to get through Project You first. . .

There is a questionaire at the site that asks you what your fitness goals are and then it matches you up to the best program - it gave me Slim in 6 and P90 - but no P:Y - I decided to wait and see how I did on this go around.

Okay - Just wanted to share this thought. Being around for awhile, seeing tapes, programs come and go. I have decided that these trainers all have similar products but just change it up alittle bit. If Beach Body sponsors them, the more the merrier, they all make a ton of money. At the same time, giving us more options and more ways to spend our money. Like Julie said, a treadmill (as basic as it is) is a wonderful tool. I like to get on and watch tv. But the way to make the time 'speed' by is if your at the gym and you can get the person on the next treadmill to talk - that makes the time fly by. Since I had two treadmills in my basement gym, all I really need to do is rent someone to talk and walk with me.....lol
Another way to exercise, that is too much fun to be real work is to ride a bike outside or rollerblade to and around the park........plus you can get some fresh air and sun at the same time......great way to meet people too.....

Julie - I didn't notice the questionnaire the last time I checked out the BB website - I just did it now and it recommended Yoga Booty Ballet :dancer: . And Slim in 6, of course. :)

I have three more classes in the current session at my yoga place, then I'm going to check out the "Fitness Yoga" class at the gym - considering it's free and all! I guess it's sort of a pilates-yoga-combo class. Should be interesting.

Fiona

Julie - Fiona - Okay you chicks got me thinking now, I'm gonna have to go and so the questionnaire - they could hold the answer as to how to get that perfect body.

Fiona -tell us more about your consult with the PT at the gym last night.
Lifetime Fitness has everything you need and more, or so my friend says......lucky you!

Fiona and Star - maybe we'll be here in the fall all doing YBB. . .

Star - you're right, the techniques come and go - 15 years ago, what was kick boxing??

I think that if you can find the enjoyment factor, which you seem to have done so well, Star, that you can be fit even when the hair is blue. .

Well for me, they suggested Slim-N-Six and Power 90....so Julie I'll meet you there. I was secretly hoping for YBB......lol

Me too - well what do they know, anyway?? I wonder what Fiona put in to get the YBB?

And, yes, Fiona, DEETS on the consult.

I think I missed the kick boxing, but I'm thinking 15 years ago would have been around the "step" phase.
I still want to call and see if I can locate a Jazzercise class around me, they are a hoot.
Fiona - Fitness Yoga sounds great and actually there is something similar to that advertised on tv right now.....it looks very effective.
Julie - you know my goal is to be the blue haired arobics instructor at the retirement home.....DH will run the juice bar....

Oh, right, the PT. Yesterday we did a more extended cardio fitness test to establish my (wait let me get out my cheat sheet) ah - anaerobic threshold. (Although I understand what this is and how it relates to my own workouts, I don't think I can explain it so I'm just going to assume you guys know already. ;) ) Aside from establishing target heart rate and all that jazz, the part I found most interesting was that I discovered that 1) I don't walk straight - I stride longer and strike harder with my right foot than my left, which I'm going to need to work on so that I don't end up injuring myself; and 2) I need to put a priority on interval/incline training. During the test we did the how hard are you working, scale of 1-10 test, and on a flat plane I was fine, but as soon as we started bumping the incline up my heart rate jumped and my legs started feeling fatigued really quickly. So, considering the MS Walk is all outdoors, it's really important that I get better at dealing with inclines (hills).

Then, based on the results of the cardio test, she generated a sample 30-minute treadmill workout for me to try before our next appointment on Thursday. It's all at 2% incline except for two intervals at 4 and 6(!!!)%. Yikes! I think I'm going to be feeling it on Friday. Of course, part of the exercise is to keep your heart rate within certain "zones" at the same time, so if I'm feeling fatigued or my heart rate goes out of whatever "zone," I'll need to remember to slow down so that I can complete the whole 30 minutes. I think I'm going to need a heart rate monitor! I don't like using the hand sensors - it throws off my stride to hang onto them all the time, and minute-by-minute monitoring is a must.

So anyway, that's what it was! My next appointment is on building core strength - I'm guessing that means sit-ups - blech. :lol:

Fiona

Oh, and I clicked: have been fit/out of shape; lose weight; 50-100 pounds; entire body; 3-5x/week, 30-60 min/day.

And wow, $40 + shipping isn't bad - although I think DH would kill me for spending $$$ on at-home workout stuff when we just joined a 24-hour gym. :^:

Fiona

Star - oh yes, Step and Jane Fonda. . .maybe 10 years ago for kick boxing??
Also, I am sure that workouts and the juice bar will be the most popular place in the retirement home.

Fiona - that sounds like a great assessment - very interesting on your stride!
Let me know what you find out about heart rate monitors. I'm looking for one that's not too expensive but also gives calorie burn . . .When you did the walk the last time did they give you any kind of walking plan, sort of like marathon training? BTW, my defination of core is changing to PILATES - but I'm thinking that with yoga you may already have a pretty good core. .

Fiona - I guess to understand target heart rate or zones you just have it explained correctly. Now you know why I'm timing and counting all the time, I need the heart monitor too.....With time the fatigue feeling will pass, and you'll find it easier to stay in your 'zone.'
I can't do incline becuz my foot doctor told me it was too much pressure on my bunions,but I know it is more trying than flat surface. Unfortunately I have to listen to my foot doctor until I have surgery.
Working on Core strength is far more than abs, it's a balancing act using the core muscles of your body. I believe it is similar to what you do in pilates. Your yoga should come in handy for you here and in other areas of your new program.
Keep us posted and remember no matter how sore you get - it's all good!

Julie - Your showing your age with Jane Fonda, her tape was out in the late 70's becuz I remember I just gave birth to my youngest......lol

Hey and now that FI gave us all the right answers - we can cheat and be directed to use the YBB......oh goodie.....lol

There is a suggested 18-week training plan included with the registration materials - the first week you walk 3-4 miles x 4 days (13 miles total), and it steadily increases from there so that the last weeks before the event you are doing 30+ miles a week. If you follow the plan exactly, starting 18 weeks before the event, you'll walk about 425 training miles!

Okay, I'm still obsessing over YBB - some of those before and after pics are impressive!

Fiona

Fi - YBB looks like so much fun and I'm gonna go look at the before and afters.
Prior to this 'want' of YBB I was really liking the looks of the Urban Rebounder, but it passed......
Do you have good walking shoes?

New shoes are on my list of things I'm going to have to get in the near future - two pairs (Ka-ching!). There is a specialty ski-bike-run store on the way out to my parents' house, so I'm going to stop in there one of these days to get some expert advice on shoes, and maybe some help with my walking issues, too! I think my off-balance stride is probably part of the reason I hurt myself the last time I did the Walk, and we don't want to go there again.

Fiona

Fi - That is exactly where you need to go to get professional help with the correct shoe for you and your issue......sometimes it's a small thing that can make all the difference. With bunions I'm pretty anal about my workout shoes. I replace them real regular becuz I wear the inner heel area out, causing it to rub that area and possibly blister. Geez, so many issues to keep in check to try and stay fit.....lol

Fiona - also, listen to all the advice about shoes - I wear 7 1/2's and once I got up to 5 miles, my toes were going numb - I went up to 8's and was very happy. . . Will you be able to find a group of people to train with? Much easier to do those really long training walks with other people.

Star - I heard about Jane in the 70's, but didn't try her step tapes until the early 90's. .

Thanks for all of the wonderful & useful info, everyone!!

Chris - You are so welcome, for one, I am full of hot air that has to be expelled somehow.....lol But did you decide your plan of attack?
Had a good workout this a.m. It was tape/cardio day. When I get on the recumbent bike it is 6 a.m. and I watch Texas Ranger. It is a very physical show and entertains me for an hour.....Prior to 6, I watch Animal Rescue, sometimes QVC or HSN. That early in the morning I'm not too fussy about whats on.
Plan on going to the Power House gym near my new place this weekend. Want to check it out and see what time they open. Possibly I could get up, go there and come back home to get ready for work. My other option is too go back to the little gym I belong to near work. That means I would have to pack my gym bag to get ready for work there, like I use to. Decisions-Decisions.
I think I will lose my basement gym this Friday, DH is taking a truck load of "up north" stuff then and my gym is part of that load......I'm very sad.....boo-hoo
Later Fit Chicks.....

Morning Star!

Well, I was lazy last night and missed my yoga class :( . So instead I went to Target to look over there selection of heart rate monitors - HA! They had exactly ONE on the shelf, and it was a cheapo $25 one that you have to press your finger on the sensor to read your HR - not much better than using the palm sensors on the machine, I think. I did find an MP3 player I really liked (need something other than the clunky CD walkman that I keep tripping over!), but it was still $80 even on sale so passed for now.

For HRMs, I think I'm going to try my luck with ebay (big surprise). I did some research and I think I know what brand and model I want, so I'm just going to wait until one pops up on ebay in my price range. :D

Fiona

Fiona -
Tell us more about the model monitor you want, what all does it do and the price range, please...........................thx....

Well gals, I still haven't worked with hand weights for arm toning even though i said I would last week. I'm keeping up with cardio and plan to work arms tonight! I will report back tomorrow. DH had to get up early for work (3:30am) and woke me, I gave up around 4am and got up and hit the treadmill...now I'm halfway through my planned workout...will finish the other 30-35 minutes this afternoon.

Jen

Jen- Go get those arms! Summer is coming - sleeveless tops.....yoo-whoo...
Hey Chicks - Rate this thread - up at the top.......
Later

Star-this is going to sound really petty, but I have a flat mole on my right arm about the size a pencil eraser and have never been comfortable in sleeveless anything because of it. I don't mind when I'm in a bathing suit, but have just never worn anything else without sleeves...odd, I know!

Star - I added my rating, now we're 5 *****!

Jen - I have this thing with my legs. . .which is why no bathing suits for decades. . This year I have to get one, since I have a friend taking me snorkling (another new experience) this summer. . .What have you decided to do for an arm routine?

Jen - Have you ever looked into having it removed? With your new body - you should be thinking about all the ways you can change the styles you wore in the past. I mean at a size 12 you must be looking pretty dang good.....
Don't get me started on my body flaws. Okay just a funny one, I have really big ears. When I was a young teenager I always said I was gonna get them fixed when I was 21. Then other things became more important and they didn't bother me anymore. Today I love my ears, I do feel kinda sorry for my DS that got them too though......Thank God the GB's missed the gene......lol
You go chick!

Julie - Your legs are gonna see some big changes......and soon....

Note - I hope this dumb post about my 'ears' won't hurt our rating......

Star - from your lips to God's ears (and I hope they are BIG ones) about the legs. . .

Yeah Star, I'm going to rate this thread a ONE STAR just cause I had to read about your ears! ROFL!!!! :rofl: It's okay, I've NEVER liked my nose, but I'll probably never have a nose job - I'm way too indecisive and I'd never be able to pick a new one! :dizzy:

About the HRMs: Polar and Ekho are the two brands sold by my local bike/run store, which is a pretty good endorsement, I think. Polar is probably the best known - they are also the ones that LTF sells. But I found a GREAT deal on an Ekho that I just don't think I can pass up: go HERE (http://www.greenfishsports.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=390) to check it out. $40!!! Plus about $6-7 for shipping via UPS. (Even better than e-bay!) It has the chest strap for constant monitoring, the programmable "target zone" with the audio/visual alarm that goes off when you go out of your programmed zone, and a calorie counter, which is not something I really care about, but is a neat perk nonetheless. Oh, and for $20 more you can get the next model up which has FIVE programmable target zones plus five "activity mode programs" whatever they are.

Whew.

Fiona

FI - Oh no I'm tempted too...I really could use one. Plus I could save the extra 20$ becuz I could never figure out FIVE programmable target zones plus five "activity mode programs." I still haven't programmed my Health-o-Meter scale.....lol
Thanks for doing the research!
I'm so glad you had a giggle over my ears.....lol

Star - I never use the "save" settings on my scale, either. I should - that's why I bought it, after all...maybe if I can figure out how to CLEAR all the memory and start over from scratch.

I think I'm definitely getting that HRM as soon as I have $50 to spare. I also think that it's the coolest because it's red. :lol:

Fiona

FI - the HRM is very cute...and so red...I think I have to have it........
Julie - Did you check it out?

Let's consider changing this to:
"Happiness is not found in Having....or Being..... it is in SHOPPING!"

Shopping is a type of doing, isn't it??? :devil:

Fiona

Well, ofcourse it is......... :hyper:

Yes, I did take a look - I like that it counts calories, but not sure how you put your weight in so it gets that right. . . Maybe I'll take a look at them this week in brick and morter stores. . .

I totally agree that shopping is doing - plus it keeps the world going. . .

Me again - thought I'd post the sample treadmill workout my PT gave me and see if you guys had any insights, before I try and tackle it tonight. Here's some background:

My "AT" is 163, my "Zones" that I'm supposed to try and stay within are 1: 97-114 BPM, 2: 114-146, 3: 146-163. I know that at 0% incline, walking at 3.2, my HR is fairly steady at 160.

The program I'm supposed to follow looks like this:

5 minutes: incline 2%, Zone 1 (97-114 BPM) - warm up
5 minutes: 2%, Z2 (114-130) - warm up
2 minutes: 2%, Z3 (146-163)
1 minute: 2%, AT (163)
4 minutes: 2%, Z2 (114-130)
2 minutes: 4%, Z3 (146-163)
1 minute: 6%, AT (163)
5 minutes: 2%, Z2 (114-130) - cool down
5 minutes, 2%, Z1 (97-114) - cool down

I guess I'm concerned that I'm going to be fumbling with the speed buttons trying to guess how fast or slow I need to cause the appropriate change in HR, and not be moving my HR up or down (mostly down) quickly enough to match the intervals? Thoughts?

Fiona

Fiona - could you pick one to get straight first - are you most concerned with heart or doing the program as written?

Fiona - Order the HRM yesterday.....lol
My guess is that your heart rate will be up and you will have to relax and concentrate on staying at the correct rate. This doesn't happen right away either - so just look at it as a learning period...
It sounds like a great program.......you go chick!
My report today is - I DIDN'T workout this morning.......BUT I have a reason. My DH is home packing a truck to take up north and so I slept in with him, danrk coffee and got ready for work. It felt really strange....lol
Plus, I just found out that I don't have to work tomorrow. This is wonderful news becuz he was taking the truck up north tomorrow, now I can go and maybe drive the car hauler with the 57 Chevy in it. I was kinda worried about not being able to atleast supervise......lol

Star - so you went ahead and ordered the HRM? You are so brave to drive the car hauler ---is it a long trip?

Fiona - I agree with the learning period/curve. . .It took me two weeks to learn the foundation moves on these tapes - and by the time I had the rhythm down my heart rate had settle down (by perceived exertion rate). .

My brother called last night at 9:00 to say he'd be here before noon

Julie - No I was telling Fiona with her new treadmill program she needed the HRM yesterday.......
Glad your brother is helping you out...with the VCR/CD thingy.....males are so handy....

Julie - the trip up north is 3 hours, well 2/5 - 3. About hauling the car, like I've told you before, I'm too blonde to be scared of anything......lol

Star -I wish I had that blonde trait. . . will it work if it comes out of a bottle? (Although I truly don't think I have the coloring for blonde. . .)

Yes, males are so handy - and I'm really lucky that my DB does this kind of stuff so well, since otherwise I'd be out of luck! The only problem is that his internal clock/schedule is so different than anyone elses. . .

Morning fellow getting-fit chicks. :)

Well, that that workout sucks! :( I was thinking the day we did the threshold test that my top number - the 163 - didn't seem high enough, and based on trying that program last night, I think I'm right. My resting HR is pretty high anyway - in the 70s, gotta get that down too - so trying to keep it under 130 for a third of the workout meant I had to go so slow I was practically walking backwards. And then to get my HR up rapidly, I practically had to start jogging, then it was too much - all in all, kind of a mess. And I could REALLY have used a proper HRM - the hand grips take 10 full seconds to register, and when you're doing 1-2 minute intervals, there's just not enough time to adjust the speed up/down to correct it.

I think it would have made more sense, for me, to find a comfortable walking speed and work my HR by changing the incline, rather than vice versa. And of course, these are all things I plan to go over with the PT when I meet with her this afternoon.

Definitely getting that HRM as soon as there's money in the bank.

Fiona

Fiona - I think you should talk with the personal T and tell them that you want to get use to the treadmill and how your HR ranges before trying such a varied routine....
I know you'll stand your ground......
Remember - it's all good!
I want the HRM too, I'm tempted to order it today....

Julie - I get all my blonde moments out of the bottle.....lol

Star - I just ordered mine! :dancer: Too bad you live like, 800 miles away or something, we could be workout buddies with matching HRMs. LOL!

Fiona

Okay miss smarty pants - I'm right behind you with the ordering. We could meet in the middle? Where would that put us? Julie will know, she's the traveler.....? So if we all three meet in the middle, where are we Julie?

Our little bride, Diane, is somewhere on the eastern end of Wisconsin - we could meet at her house. Wouldn't that be a fun wedding/honeymoon surprise? :lol:

Edit - scratch that, I can't read today. :dizzy:

Fiona

Just give me a couple of days to get there- from the east coast??? Actually, geography is NOT my good point - I'm getting pretty good with road maps, though..

PT said to try the routine at least one more time - I think I'll wait til next week when my HRM gets here - and if it's just not working, do whatever cardio I'm comfortable with until our next appointment (she's going on vacation so I have a week to work out on my own), then if it still seems awkward we'll do the threshold test again when she gets back.

Did that core stuff today - no actual sit ups, but plenty of modified pushups and squats. Boy did I feel it! Supposed to do 30 minutes of cardio and a whole list of core exercises 3x each over the next week. I'm going to be a tired gal!

Fiona

Fiona - just a thought, since I went through this learning curve thing on the exercise series I'm doing now - pick the complicated thing first and get it down, and then add in the easier part (or the other way around) - it doesn't have to be perfectly right the first few times.

I'm with you on the core stuff - pilates (and only 30 min once a week) kicks my b*tt. well, my abs. And the strength training - I am doing more reps each time.

Hi, All -

I know that some of us who have started to add exercise to our lives, regardless of what LAWL says, have been concerned about muscle weighing more, maybe not seeing an immediate loss from adding exercise, etc. I came across this in Bob Green's new book, Ultimate Weightloss Makeover (I think) - anyway, I'm going to include this as a quote, make us feel a little better:

"In the beginning, as you start exercising and ramping up your workouts and as you change your eating habits, the water you body holds on to (or lets go of) will largely dictate your losses - or even gains. As you become more active and drink more water, your muscles will retain water. The primary culprit here is glycogen, a form of carbohydrate that's stored in your muscles and is the main fuel for exercise. The more active you are, the more glycogen your muscles will retain and thus the more water you'll hold on to: Each gram of glycogen stores an addtional 2.5 grams of water. What's more, the fitter you become, the more glycogen you store.

This initial water weight gain can be disheartening, but hang in there. Water-weight gain will cover up the body fat losses that you will be experiencing. After a few weeks, you will begin to see fat loss. And the reality is, this is a part of charging up your metoabolism, which will ultimately lead to an increase in your fat-burning power."

Even though I'm committed to LAWL because of the $$ I've invested, I still borrow all the new diet/exercise books from the library to see what the hype is.

Anyway, I've heard this explanation before - especially at the Firm Forum (for the firm videos - which I've had for too long to remember and used to do faithfully, now the most exercise I get from then is running the duster over them - but that's another story.) So, for years, over at the Firm boards, some people noted that when they started working out and using dumbbells, (the firm is Aerobic Weight Training combining cardio and weights) that they seemed to get bigger rather than smaller in the first couple of weeks or so, and then suddenly the weight seemed to drop off all at once.

The Firm also preaches that you have to feed your body more if you are working out, and are proponents of clean eating and I feel LAWL is pretty consistent - except for the LA Bars which to me have a lot of sugar and even some partially hydrogenated oils - with the lean proteins, fruits and veggies, etc.

I'm not saying that any of this will work or apply to everyone, but I do feel that as we get closer to our goals, we have to change things up and tweak as our bodies change. Our bodies are going to react differently to getting and being in shape, than it's reaction to our being sedentary and eating food with no nutritional value which it just stored as fat.

That's why I think, and maybe Star said this too, that LAWL needs to rethink their views of exercise. Many of the people who are featured in Thin for Life, and in that weightloss study that I can't remember the name of, all do at least an hour of exercise a day to maintain their weight.

Enough from me for now. I am home today trying to clean and as you can see, I am easily distracted!

Melissa

Melissa, thanks for adding in the expert speak! I've seen that alot in various forums - that when we first ramp up the exercise, the scale weight doesn't drop - but then will starting 3-4 weeks afterward. . . I do wish that LAWL was a little more supportive of this!

Running the duster, hmmm? Well, I cleaned my sliding glass door windows yesterday, does that count?

So soon you say!?! I do thing's backwards, I was so anxious to post what I read in Bob Green's book, I didn't read the rest of the thread first.

Fiona - Thanks for the link for that Ekho, it is really cute and the price is right. Hopefully my tax refund will be here soon and I might make the purchase.

If I may add one thing about Polar, you must send your HRM back to them to get the battery changed and that usually costs about $50-60. I had one years ago when I was seriously working out and that was the one draw back, while the battery lasted a year, to pack everything up, yep chest strap too, mail it out, when a watch battery is like five dollars was a pain in the butt.

I've heard good things about an hrm called Sigma Fit or something like that, I know a guy sells them on ebay, and you can change the battery yourself. I think it sells for about $50-60, but it is not as cute as that Ekho. Also, CardioSport hrms allow you to change the battery yourself.

If you're wondering why I am such a font of information (HA!) - my old BF was/is a fairly accomplished runner and first introduced me years ago to using an HRM because he felt I wasn't working in the zone, etc, etc, more like I zoned out. He had all those extras on his, I think it was Polar that was like $300! His last time, time in zone, out of zone, beeping, lights - danger Will Robinson!

Let me tell you when I first got one, I wore it all the time because I wanted to know my hr for everything, it can be addictive.

Well, the dust bunnies are calling me.
Melissa

Melissa - thanks for the info on the HRM. I keep on thinking that there should be one that attaches to you shoes, so it knows how much you weigh, and then can calculate the calories? Now, that would probably really be Star Trekkie...

Okay, these are my exercise goals for the week. . . My VCR is up and running. I did get in workouts on Friday and Saturday - I'm going to use Sunday as my rest day. .

These tapes are based on the ProjectYou system - so the schedule is already set - I just have to DO them.

Monday/Thursday - 30 minutes cardio tape, 30 min Lower Body Workout
Tuesday/Friday - 30 minutes cardio tape, 30 min Upper Body Workout
Wednesday - 20 minutes pilates, 20 min yoga
Saturday - 30 min cardio - I've been doing a walking tape on my stepper. It also comes with ProjectYou - The tape also continues onto the second side with an interval workout, which I haven't even listened to yet. I'd love to get through that portion by the end of April.

Since I missed several days last week, I'm considering myself at week 3, still, so I still have at three more weeks at this schedule. Then there is a 'rest week', then the program shifts again for weeks 7 through 12. . .

Also, I haven't taken my measurements yet. Not sure if this is a good day to do it after a week of steroids, but have to start somewhere, right?

I may just get that HRM as a reward for following the program this week!

Julie - WOW - you are one bad chick! As of this newly posted workout schedule - you kick butt! Very impressive, is this as instructed by Project You? If so, it doesn't look like they are messing around.
As of last Thrusday, I have closed the "Star Gym" - It is a very sad time for me.
I still have afew tapes I'm doing at home, but right now I am inbetween deciding on when and which gym to go to.
I am glad to report that with all the weekend moving I was the one that complained the least and suffered no injuries or soreness......GO-Trina Go-Trina!
This coming Saturday is move day to the apartment - I'm rather excited now and anxious to be so near the fitness trail.
Melissa - Thanks for the info on weight training and so why is this all so complicated anyhow? It's just not fair.

Star - yes it is the projected plan via project you - I'm just hoping I can keep up with it. I did the lower body today, and I still can't do all the reps in each of the exercises - but I can do at least two . . Oh well - I've got three more weeks to see if I can complete the whole tape. If I can't I can always tack on another week!

So sorry that the Star gym is closed for a while. I can't believe that you are able to actually move in two weeks.

BTW - It doesn't surprise me in the least that you complained the least over the weekend. And are the strongest.

And you'll be moving on daylight savings weekend - so you'll have more light at night to enjoy your new fitness trail.

Hey chickies -

My HRM is supposed to be here tomorrow - can't wait! Also, DH and I were trying to count how many times I've been to the gym so far since I joined - need to get in 8 times a month to get the rebate from my health insurance - and realized I had been in 7 times already, and it wasn't even a full month. The counting was pretty funny, though, sounded like this: "Okay, I got a freebie the day I signed up, then the day after because I had promised DD she could go in the playroom (child care center), then there was the two times that I fell off the treadmill, and the one time I DIDN'T, and the two personal trainer sessions. Wow, seven!" :rofl:

What's great is all they monitor is your check-in, so I get attendance "credits" even if all I do is sit in the hot tub for an hour or do a session in the tanning bed or get a massage. :D

Fiona

Julie -
About your exercise program, I can't tell you anything anymore - you are one fast study! Like you said, just do as many reps as you can, you'll be at the head of the class in no time.....or head of the tape.....lol Your moving at such a fast rate I'm almost glad you aren't my workout buddy....lol Go-Julie Go-Julie!
I'll keep you posted on what my new workout routine brings, always something new with me.....sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I will say this about this program - it doesn't take much thought - it just takes DOING. And that's really what I needed right now. I needed an integrated program that worked me all over and I could just put my legs and arms in the right place. (I had higher expectations of my strength though. . .)

Once I get the basics down (and I can finish the entire tape without my supporting limbs trembling) then I can mix it up with other stuff.

Star - cannot wait to see how you construct a new program. I confess, this is still so new to me that I really had to convince myself to restart again last week when I got my new VCR.

Fiona - Wow - 7 times already, and that's not counting any massages! Will they report to your insurance company about your attendance? How do you get it refunded?

Jen, how are you doing on your arm exercises?

Julie - when I registered they took down my insurance number, then I guess they report to the insurer at the end of the month whether I was in 8 times, and then the insurer pays them, then the credit shows up on my bill the next month. Something like that. They are always two months behind in crediting, due to "getting you in the system," but if/when I ever cancel my membership, they will cut me a check for the two months' credit. Kinda neat.

Fiona

Julie - Well I'm really glad you got back to it after your DB hooked up the VCR. All it takes is something like 2 weeks (?) to form a habit......
You know about just watching the tape and DOING is why so many people love exercise classes, it doesn't take much thinking.....lol
Fiona - That is cool that your insurance pays part of your membership fees. BUT here's hoping you won't ever cancel your membership.....lol Sounds like your enjoying it so far and once that HRM gets to you - watch out!

Getting back to fashion - Oh that was on the other thread. Anyhow, I was wondering if you girls have cute workout clothes that motivate you to get going? I only ask becuz I truly think it makes a difference; if I look good - I feel better. :lol: What do you think?

Star - you're right, sometimes it's much easier to let an expert tell you what to do than to try to be creative and come up with something. . . I'm hoping that it'll eventually be like cooking - learn the basics, then can learn what to combine to make the best dish (me!)

About clothes - I'm not very inventive since I do it at home . . . Maybe that'll be another carrot I hold out in front of me??

Fiona - it is so cool that they'll do that for you -

I'm hoping that the upper body won't KILL me today -- those tricep dips. . .

Julie & Fiona....Hi Fit Chicks....

Well, I got back with the program today, broke down and went to my old gym....The Weight Station. It's a coed place real close to my work, I have gone there for about 5 maybe 6 years. So to do this, I packed my gym bag with all my stuff last night, then got up at 4:30am. Got some coffee, went down to the 'Star Gym' and did the bunn and thigh roller and some stretching, then got in the car and zoomed off in the dark, coffee in hand.....
Well to my surprise, several of my old friends are still pluggin away there. The women only section got all new Lady Apex weight machines and two recumbent bikes. That means the only thing I need to go to the coed side for is if I want to do the treadmill, which I will (have to keep an eye out for new hot males...lol) Anyhow the recumbent bikes have a built in HRM, which is totally cool! Today I wanted to slide in without too much notice so I choose to do cardio; 30 treadmill and 20 recumbent bike. It was just like riding a bike, once you learn you never forget. For me I'm talking more about just going to the gym, not the exercises. It's almost like I never stopped going, some things never change. For now I will be going back there M-F, cardio 3 days and weights 2 days, with hopfully doing my tapes at home prior to my 5:30am departure time. I'll keep you posted on how this all goes and if anything changes.
I am really geeked about all the new equipment and the girls there tell me they just got it yesterday....perfect timing.
Julie - your right - once you get this "Project You" plan down, you'll be tweeking it to meet all your needs and likes. At the rate your going, you might be doing this by next week.....lol
Okay chicks - have to go and do some work, check you later....

Star - you are my fitness roll model. I am still at the point where I have to say - okay, just PUT the tape in the machine. . .

It's interesting that I really thought I'd be able to zoom through these tapes and do all the reps - and I'm still not able to do all the abs reps, or the tricep dips. . . but I still follow along and do them as much as I can. Also have to remember that I'm working muscles that have only lifted a fork for a while (not exactly, but sort of). . .

And for the cardio - I can definately feel that I'm losing speed about 20 minutes into the tape. I'm thinking I need to eat sooner before I start. . . I'm eating a lite about two hours after I wake up, and then I sometimes don't eat before I work out, which can also be another couple of hours after the lite. . Still need to tweak this, I think!

Hi everyone,
My name is Nisha. I have never posted anything in before, this is my first time. I'm 27 and stay home mother of 2 wonderful boys. I live in Norway and life is good except when i think about my weight. I've started excercising in a fittness center and i'm hoping to lose around 20lbs before Sept. Is it possible? Can anyone give me ideas, advice or suggestions on how to loose thoes pounds. :)

Hi Nisha - welcome. Are you changing anything in your diet (that needs to be changed, that is) along with the exercise? The non-scientific advice I've heard from the smart, fit-chick ladies on this board is that it's hard to accomplish weight loss with exercise alone - you have to pair it with eating right, as well.

As for your goal of losing 20 pounds in 5 months, that's 4 pounds a month or about 1 pound a week - very doable if you make a plan and stick to it.

Again, welcome!

Fiona

Julie - I think it is very flattering to be anyone's 'fitness roll model'.....I am snickering as I type......But I don't feel like a roll model, I'm just very lucky to love exercise (fat or thin).......Doing it for so many years, I have learned alot (despite being blonde&old).

Julie you said: "I really thought I'd be able to zoom through these tapes and do all the reps - and I'm still not able to do all the abs reps, or the tricep dips. . . but I still follow along and do them as much as I can. Also have to remember that I'm working muscles that have only lifted a fork for a while (not exactly, but sort of). . ."
Julie about that statement, You HAVE made huge strides, I'm impressed with your total spirit of 'just do it'... First of all, you are using muscles that haven't been stressed in awhile. Second you are building muscle, this doesn't happen overnight, BUT once you have built muscle you never lose it, it might go unused for awhile but it has memory. Therefore, you are in the process of a very important and time consuming phase, building a foundation. So with all that in mind, just remember what's happening right now and maybe you can think of the light at the end of the tunnel.........

Hi Fi
And Welcome Nisha! Fiona has given you some very good advice....

Okay gals, I'm looking at the suggested training schedule for the MS Walk I'm doing in September, and I'm trying to figure out how I am going to come up with time every weekend starting in about June to walk 12-18 miles a day! Just for your amusement, here is the suggested 18-week schedule (I've separated the weeks with "----", the # is how many miles per day):

0-3-0-3-0-3-4-----0-3-0-4-0-4-5-----0-4-0-4-0-3-6---
0-4-0-4-0-3-8-----0-4-0-4-0-4-10----0-4-4-0-3-4-8---
0-4-0-4-0-4-12----0-4-4-0-3-4-10----0-4-0-4-0-4-14---
0-4-4-0-3-4-12----0-4-0-4-0-4-16----0-4-5-0-4-5-12---
0-4-0-5-0-4-18----0-4-5-0-5-6-12----0-4-0-5-0-4-20---
0-4-5-0-5-6-12----0-4-0-4-0-8-10----

0-3-3-0-0-20-20-10 (The big weekend itself!)

It's insane! Just to meet the miles for the first week, I'm going to have to increase my cardio from 30 minutes to an hour-plus. (Not that that's a bad thing, it's just kind of a scary thought.) And I know I will need to switch to training outdoors at some point, but I think I'm going to stick with the treadmill for the first several weeks until I figure out how to pace myself for those longer distances. Hmmm.

Fiona

Star, thank you for your words of encouragement. I do agree with you about the muscle memory - there are certain moves that I recognize from other tapes (LONG AGO) that I can follow much easier. And, I have to be honest, just doing something that is a challenge is carrying over to OTHER areas of my life. And thanks for reminding me that even though it is not easy and certainly not 'fluid', it still counts (now that is also a good lesson!)

Fiona - the training program for these things are a killer. That's why I asked if there were local groups that you could train with. One thing I did when I was training for the Avon was to find a 3 mile circuit and did it most mornings before work. And then on weekends I'd do it 3 times to get the mileage up. And truthfully, I wasn't ready. I should have done many more long walks before the actual event, mainly because I was so sore after I was done. BUT, I did finish the walk. I walked every mile. So you don't actually have to follow the exact program. The other thing is, is that you don't have to go for speed - go for endurance . . if that makes it any easier. They kept on telling us that it wasn't a race.

Also, you can do the treadmill, but I found that it really helped me to do the streets around my house - I got used to hills, uneven pavements, the whole thing.

Julie

Hi Nisha!

If you're already going to a health center, you're already ahead of the game! You're beginning to change your habits (as long as you GO - I haven't always taken advantage of all the exercise options available to me).

Maybe your health center has some help on how to modify your diet? There are several ways to track things, but it all seems to come down to calories in and calories out.

I think you've got the big thing straight, though, life is good! Starting from there, with that type of positive outlook, just by modifying your activity and your foods, you should make your goal of 20 pounds by September. That sounds really doable!

Julie

FI - More power to you girl! I have never done such a long walk or jog. Back in the day when I jogged 3 miles a day, on weekends I could double that with no trouble. I would suggest that you just get your miles up there, not meaning up to 20 but just start with like 3 a day and maybe more on the weekends if you can. Let me ask you this, why did you commit to do this? lol

Star - ha! Actually I'm doing it because I attempted it 3 years ago (2002 - interestingly, one of my dearest friends was diagnosed with MS two months AFTER I signed up to do the Walk that year) but DIDN'T train properly and ended up hurt and didn't finish. And it's always bugged me, but the last couple years it has always been on the weekend that DH and I celebrate our anniversary so I've used that as an excuse - not anymore!

Oooh, my new HRM is here! It's so RED and SHINY!!! :lol: The directions are clear but definitely translated from another language. Oh, this is hilarious - I ordered it from some place in New York, and the brand's distribution center is in Minneapolis. I don't know why, but I find that funny. :lol:

Ah, thank you website - it figures calories burned based on the stats of a 25 year old, 150 pound male. Take it or leave it, I guess! :rolleys: If you get the slightly more expensive one, it allows you to input your height, weight and age to get a more accurate calorie count.

Okay, quickly doing some work, back in a few...

Fiona

Fiona - I think your next HRM must be so cute! Now, will you get workout clothes to match???

I had a look at my April budget, and I think the HRM will have to wait until May.

ARe you going to show the training schedule to the trainer? And when are you planning to start training? In June?

Of course I'll have to get workout clothes to match! :D Red/black/white/silver. Maybe some navy blue. Yah, I can see DH's reaction when I tell him I need all new workout gear to coordinate with my watch! :lol:

I'm starting "training" now - assuming that 8 weeks from now, around the beginning of June, is when the weekend training routines really start getting up there in miles.

Anybody know what is an average minutes-per-mile for a fit chick workout? I fee like I need a goal, or something...

Fiona

Okay, answered my own question. Apparently, the average person out for a stroll walks at about 16 minutes per mile, a moderately fit person who walks for exercise would be at around an 11-minute mile, and a very fit "race walker" probably averages a 9.5-minute mile.

Now my mind is wandering, and I'm wondering, from a purely philisophical point of view, how my being on the short side will affect my training - because since my stride is shorter, it takes me more effort (more steps) to walk a mile than, say, my DH who is 6 inches taller than me. It's more work for me to walk a 15-minute mile than for him. Interesting.... :chin: :lol:

Fiona

Fiona - Ofcourse you need color matching workout clothes. Okay you and Julie laugh at me, but honest when you have some nice workout clothes you will want to workout even more. (And Fiona in your case with training - you'll need all the time you can get).
As for your speed for walking a mile - I never checked that...and I did when I jogged but that was sooooooooooooo long ago......Besides since you are taking all this on so fast, just get walking, remember you have to stay at your target heart rate and that will dictate how far you can go in how many minutes......right?????? You two are taking this way too seriously.......lol
I did put the treadmill on incline 3 this morning, even though my foot doctor said not too (don't tell) and it seems that I was going at 3.8 and my THR was correct there. I know all machines are different and so that might not seem right to you.

Star - you are definitely in better shape than me (plus you're taller, I think?). I can't even GO 3.8 without almost doing a :tread: :lol: That speed is about where I need to switch from walking to jogging, and since the thought of trying to RUN on a treadmill scares the crap outta me, I don't go there if I can help it. :D

I know, I'm thinking too hard - I tend to do that. :yes: It would help if I knew what the heck I was talking about, too. :p

Fiona

FI - You are too funny! I am 5'7" so yes taller than you.
My advice - the benifits from exercise come rather you over-think it or not. The great part is - you don't have to think at all, all you have to do is get on the treadmill and start walking. It's really pretty simple.

You and Rusty would make a scary pair - she thinks way too much too.....lol

Fiona and Star - about cals and walking, etc. . . It seems to me that taller people burn more cals than short people doing anything -however, to cover the same distance a short person would have to work harder, therefore they would burn probably about the same amount of calories as the tall person . . .(this is probably how they come up with the rate of about 100 cals burned per mile)

Fiona - I never really got that much faster than a 20 minute mile when I was doing my training - don't worry about the speed, you need the MILES. However, you can increase your speed if you start to shift your legs from your core - I found that it really didn't work that well to increase my strides by moving my feet further, but to move them faster from the hips. I actually tried to watch the walkers to see how they did it. You may already be a pretty quick walker. . .I'd have to see you!

Anyway - I'd also keep up the strength and yoga training, since it helps if your back is stronger, too.

Anyway - got to go - see you all tomorrow!

Hi ladies: Haven't visited here much. I did read about Fiona and the speed of the treadmill. What I was told at my gym is it's not the speed that you should worry about, it's your heart rate. And, I was told that the guys who get on the TM and run their hearts out are not getting the full benefits as sweat does not equal calorie burning. The TM at my gym if I choose the Heart Rate option, it asked for age, weight, time and speed. Machine tells me my heart rate should be at 120. There there is a chart also on the TM that shows the fat burning guidelines.

Hi Sy - Welcome over here to the yard! I agree with you about being at Target Heart Rate and that's also what I do.....If I walk too fast my heartrate jumps past my burning range and then I just have to slow back down, so why bother? lol......
Julie -Your right - you really do study something before you start and sounds like you really think things out. What a great trait.....I just get on and go........I know it's a fault!
Hi FI - you other 'over-thinker' lol
Hey, went to the gym again this morning. Did weights on the new Lady Apex machines, they are so awesome.. they have about 15 of them and they are numbered as to what order to work them. I made an appointment to meet with the trainer next Thrusday at 5:30 to go over my program on them. I have worked with him before, his name is Richard and he looks exactly like Mario Lopez, that guy that used to be on Saved By The Bell and is now host on some animal show, know who I mean? Anyhow he is really cute and a fun trainer to boot. (Life's not all bad at the gym). Actually now I'm thinking it's a good thing I was forced to go back.

Hey star - glad you're pumped about getting back into the gym routine. :D Ah, I remember Mario - I was addicted to Saved By the Bell! Can't remember what his name was on the show, though! :lol: But I digress...

I wore my HRM when I took DD to the park last night. We walked (well I walked and she rode her bike) so I got to play around a little bit with walking faster or slower and checking my HR. It's a great little toy! But anyway, at one point DD got ahead of me and I tried jogging three or four strides to catch up with her - OMG, am I not ready for running yet (if ever, but that's another topic)! My HR jumped about 30 points in four seconds and even more importantly...just between us...it totally grossed me out the way my fat (specifically my butt) bounced around. :o :rofl: So, yeah - gonna stick with the walking for a while longer. :D

That's my :o moment for the day.

Fiona

Good morning, chicks -
Today I'm scheduled for pilates and yoga - I'm looking forward to a more gentle workout today. There's a section on the cardio tape where you do glute squeezes, and I could really feel my glutes last night!

On the plus side, I still haven't taken my measurements, but I put on a freshly washed pair of pants yesterday and they were definately LOOSE in the waist! And the last time I put them on, I could see my socks (if you know what I mean) this time, they broke over the shoe! So this is a good, non-scale, sign of progress.

Star - the new gym sounds fantastic. I think this will be great for you and your new gym - you'll have a whole new insight to being a trainer. . . My crystal ball shows this in your future. .

Fiona - quite interesting about your little toy. Now, have you started a spreadsheet showing each day and exercise and heart rate? I think it would be quite interesting to see how your heart rate improves as you go along - start off each day with your resting rate (this means strapping it on first thing in the morning!)

About heart rate, etc. . From stuff that I've been reading, it also seems that one should add interval training (short bursts of speed) into cardio - makes the heart stronger? boosts metabolism? shakes things up?

About heart rate - for me right now, it's all about doing the work - that's my first obsession, not the rate. . I expect that the heart will get stronger as I go forward. .

FI - About the junk in the trunk - it will only get smaller now. Like I said before there is really now advantage to jogging. Actually there is more stress on your joints and the injury level rises. It is just a personal choice. Your HR will improve with time and continured exercise. Unless we get in the shape of a professional workout model/athelet, there will always be 'alittle' jiggle to our wiggle. But now all you'll see is improvement and that feeling of progress/pride.
Julie, I just made an appointment with Richard for Friday at lunchtime. About interval training - yes it is suppose to be very effective. When I trained with Richard before he had me do it. The way I view it, is if you can either do it and make your heart stronger or have a heart attack while attemping it...No, really it is good, but hard at the same time.
Well at the nursing home I did have hopes of being the aerobics instructor, do you think there will be a need for a personal trainer there too? I would still have time to get my certification.....

Fiona - From what I've read on various forums, etc, to get rid of all that jiggle, you got to eat really clean. . . It's more effort and thought than I want to put in it -

Star- I think I'm doing too much reading about this stuff. .
I think you should be a personal trainer! I think you'd be great - esp since you treat this as a lifestyle not an end product (does that make sense)?

Julie - to get rid of the jiggle you have to have a BMI of like 20. I think you have to be at the real low range of the weight chart. That's not really something I can talk to Richard about....lol And Julie, you can never read to much on how to get healthy. Plus you share it so well with all of us! Thanks.
I should be a personal trainer, I love the gym. It would be a joy to go to work everyday. Actually I have been thinking about making a stretch tape for fun.....I have this really cute outfit I could wear.

Star - thanks- I'll keep on reading and posting. . .Right now, I'm shooting for a BMI of under 30 ;(

Now, about the stretch tape - what a terrific idea. Now, we just need to do the Clint and Stacy thing to get the right workout clothes - I think you should talk to your local PBS people, set it up . ..

MyBMI is 26.3, I'd love to be 24..and at my goal of 150 it would be 23.3
Oh no, my tape would just be for friends and family.......

Now girls, I'm not talking about having a rock-hard tooshie or anything! It's just that the fact is,I have a LOT of fat to lose, and I don't like the way it jiggles around when I attempt to jog - it's actually a distraction! :lol:

Fiona

Fiona - We know you want to jog in Daisey Dukes with a trail of male joggers 'behind' you and DD.... :lol:

I'm leaving now to go and tan. Have to have some color for my trip to CA on the 14th becuz milk white burns easy... ;)

:rofl:

Fiona

Morning you fit chicks!
Wanted to post here early becuz our closing is at 11:30 and I'll be leaving and need to get some stuff done here before that.
Ok - you chicks are gonna be so proud of me. I actually paid attention to the numbers and facts on the Polar Life Fitness treadmill while on it this morning. It was my cardio day - gotta love cardio day. Anyhow the incline was at 3.5, the speed to maintain my THR was 3.8 it took me 15.49 minutes to go one mile and I burned 130 calories........So I don't know that this means anything to anyone, but I just wanted to be alittle more like you 'stat' chicks.
Fiona - in the post above your icon has been doing bicycling all night - she/he must be tired by now......lol

Star - now, do you keep an exercise log, or do you just keep all these stats in your head?

Julie - I keep everything in my day planner. Each day I workout I put a big aqua blue X on that day......use to use pink, it is very colorful.....I also keep my weight in there. The other stuff like which day is cardio, weights, my target heart rate - I just know all that stuff......I only do the big colorful X's so I can see how much I work out everytime I have to use my day planner......it's like a motivation/reward feeling thing. ;)
For my stats today, I just made a mental note....

Where are my fit chicks?
I didn't work out this morning. I'm meeting the PT at the gym today at 12:30. He's gonna go over the new Lady Apex machines with me; order, weights, etc. It will be nice to see him since the last time I saw him was about 7 months ago. Want to see if he makes any comments on my progress or lack of....lol
Tomorrow will be working out with the movers....here's hoping they are big, strong and good looking.....

Star-I'm here....still no arm exercises....keep after me so I get started!!! I have been walking about 4.75 miles a day/at least days a week, so I feel great about that. Let us know how it goes with the PT.

Jen

Jen - How many days a week do you walk? That is quite the distance - you go girl!
Get on those dang arm exercises! I have found the under the arm (wings) are the hardest place to lose the fat, jiggle, cellulite, etc. I have been working them for a year now, have made BIG improvement BUT still not happy with the look.......
On a brighter note, arm exercises are hard to do just time consumming.....

Star-I'm walking 5 or 6 days a week. I plan at least one off day, sometimes 2 if my body is telling me I need a rest. Thanks for the push on the arms, will need to get busy. Hopefully tonight. I'm planning 30 minutes on elliptical at the gym and then 3 miles when I get home.

I think it is a good thing that I was forced to return to the gym. They have elipticals too and I do that for part of my cardio. Also find that I work hard on that than the treadmill.
I think we need atleast one day off,mine usually comes on a weekend- IF not both days. That is one real plus of 'regular' exercise, a day off here and there is no harm.
Even if I plan or want to work out seven days a week, things just come up. Therefore the regularity really comes in handy for those days....

Hi - I'm here -
Just did my cardio and lower body - I sweat the water I drank.. .

About rest days - all that I'm reading is that we should take at least one day a week of complete rest - our body uses the rest time to repair so it can get stronger. This is also supposed to be true with using weights - the muscles actually tear during the exercises, and it takes 48 hours for them to repair. (except for abs, they seem to only take 24 hours. .) of course, all my info is gleaned from various forums, but this info seems to be consistent.

Jen - that's quite a lot of miles! How long does it take you to do it? About the arms - are you going to try to do it with a tape, or at the gym?

Julie, Your right about the rest between same muscle group exercise (weights). You can do cardio everyday, same with abs. And who wouldn't want atleast one day off a week? Oh maybe Jack Lalane.....lol
hey, do you like my new ticker?

Star-I noticed your new ticker has you at goal...that's great!!!!

Jen - Did you also notice that it's "April Fools Day?".......lol I thought for one day I could see what my ticker will look like when - you know.....lol

Hey ladies,
I just read this thread and now I really want to start exercising. I need some tips! I have a 2 1/2 year old son and I can't afford a gym membership right now (Husband just went back to college). So I need some tips for a stay at home Mom with no gym membership. I think I know what I should be doing, but I like to have everything planned out before I start. It's easier to stick to a plan that way. I can either do exercise tapes or go walking/jogging. Probably walking for me right now. I also have some 5 pounds dumbells. I know how importand resistance training is. So any tips would be helpful. Also any motivation would be great!! :)

Mandy

About my meeting with Richard, the PT that looks like Slater from Saved By the Bell. Well chicks, we met - we did the circuit machines - he corrected my form - he kept on adding stuff on my plan. I ask him if he thought I lived at the gym now or something?
Anyhow, he fixed afew form issues I apparently have, BUT didn't really know about....lol From what I gathered from him this time is that to do everything correctly all of the time we just need to have a PT with us 24/7.....????? I guess I tend to use my shoulders too much and have to correct that. Also have to sit straight up when I do some moves and push my butt more into the seat for others.
Then I told him I do cardio, abs,bunn roller on M-W-F and weights on T-T.
Well he said he would rather me do weights on M-W-F and cardio, abs, bunnroller on T-T. His reasoning is that this circuit machine set up is strength and cardio. I have heard this on and off for along time. The only way I would believe anyone right now is if it were Wonder Woman herself telling me........(what a cute workout outfit tha would be).

Mandy,
We must of posted at the same time. Anyhow, what type of exercise stuff do you have at home besides the hand weights? Did you say on the other thread that you are doing a pilates tape?

Star - I do think a challenging weight workout is like cardio if it's anything like what I did today . ..

Anyway, since you're blonde, I'd go with Super girl, not Wonder Woman.

Mandy, I just started working out about 4 weeks ago. And since I spend too much time on the computer - this is what I've found out (at least part of it)

cardio to burn calories to create that daily deficit we need to lose weight, and to make our hearts and lungs stronger.
Strength/resistance training to make our muscle stronger so they burn more calories while we are at rest - (so eventually, we get to eat more to stay the same size - now, how cool is that?)

It seems that most people recommend doing cardio at least 3x a week and doing strength training on each part of the body at least once a week.

And I only have 3's, 5's and 8 pound weights, so it's not a lot of investment (I'm not up to the 8's yet)

Starlynn- I just have some tapes. Tae-bo and pilates and some 5 pounds dumbells. I also have one of those thighmasters. :) I've used it once about 4 years ago, but maybe it's worth taking out again. :)
There is a trail a few miles from my house that I can go walking on also. Although it's no always easy to get the kid out and go walking. I just want to make a plan that I can and will stick to. I'm pretty good at making excuses for why I can't exercise and I don't want to do that anymore. So I guess I need a back up plan. So if I can't get out and go walking one day it's ok because I can just pop a tape in.... Sorry I'm just thinking outloud here....

Textjewel- Thanks for the info. Also, are you noticing any difference in the 4 weeks? I've had a PT before and lost weight and gained muscle, so I know cario and weights work, but I suppose I need to know (or realize) that I can also do that without a PT. Maybe that is my hold up. Anyway, any at home weight lifting tips would be great also. If you have them. Maybe I'll write up a exercise plan today and start it on Monday. This will be fun.

Talk to you later,

Mandy

Good morning, Mandy

You really can do it all in the privacy of your own home. I did not take my measurements at home when I started working out, but I have noticed subtle differences in the ways my clothes fit. I'm a definate pear, and I can feel that my pants are looser in the waist and in the hip area. I'm following the Kathy Smith Project You system (there's another thread on this in the main 3FC exercise forum) - which is really supposed to be a 6day a week exercise system (1 hour most days) -I've been managing about 4 days a week with various life happens stuff, and I'm still seeing results.

If you're interested in working out with your weights, why don't you try the library or VCR rental place and check out some weight lifting tapes? There's also Denise Austin hit the spot tapes - I think those are only 10 minute for each target areas.

Julie

Thanks for the tips Julie. I didn't even know weight lifting tapes existed! I'm going to go get one this week. I woke up this morning and did my denise austin pilates tape. It felt good to get it done first thing and it jump started my day. I think I will start getting up earlier and doing that at least 5 times a week. I'm going to head over to the main exercise forum and check out that Kathy Smith thing right now. Thanks a bunch!

Mandy

I'm also motivated by you feeling a difference in the way your clothes fit. I'm close to goal, but would like things to fit better and need to tone up.

Here's another article from ediets.com offering some thoughts for an April goal. (Sorry, in the other post I forgot to delete all the ediets stuff.):

Fitness Extra: 30 Days To Fat Loss!

By Raphael Calzadilla, BA, CPT, ACE
eDiets Chief Fitness Pro


"If you want to know your past, look into your present conditions. If you want to know your future, look into your present actions."
-- Buddhist Saying

Spring has sprung! Are you ready?

This is the time when people take a close look at their bodies.

I call it the "the awakening from winter," or for you very honest souls out there, the "I'd rather eat Jell-O then look like Jell-O syndrome."

This is the time when people tend to panic and come to the realization that the extra weight they’ve gained over the winter just isn’t going to cut it. The weight has got to go bye-bye.

I’m going to make things simple for you. I’ve constructed a spring "to do" and "not to do list." If you follow these simple guidelines, you’ll lose fat within 30 days and be on your way to an empowering summer.

Spring into fitness "to do" list:

* Set one 30-day goal to kick-start your progress. For example, "I will lose six pounds in the month of April." One goal, that’s all I want you to focus on.
* Perform cardiovascular exercise three days per week for 20-30 minutes. Nothing fancy, just something you enjoy or can at least tolerate every other day.
* Weight train two days per week for 20-25 minutes. This will help stimulate the metabolism, increase strength and make muscles tighter. You can do it the same day as your cardio if you wish.

* Focus on the type of physical activity that you find enjoyable. Most people stop exercising because they get bored. So decide if your exercise consistency will best happen with the use of video tapes, spinning classes, cardio classes that are instructor-led, dance classes, etc.
* Winter is over so get outdoors. Power walk, jog, hike and take advantage of longer days, sunshine and warmer weather. This will alleviate the boredom factor for those who hate to exercise.

Spring into fitness "not to do" list:

* Going home after work before going to the gym. Take your gym clothes with you and go straight to the gym after work.
* Making excuses such as "I’ll start tomorrow," "I don’t feel like working out today," and "I just can’t get into it yet." Stop already with the excuses!

* Even though you know you’ll be working late and only have the morning to work out, deciding to stay in bed longer and miss the opportunity to get even a little exercise time in.
* Postponing physicals and other important doctor appointments. This is the time to get a check-up.
* Going to a fast food restaurant at lunchtime when you can easily pack a healthy lunch, eat at your desk and then go for a brisk walk with co-workers.

This stuff isn’t brain science and there’s no magic workout or magic bullet that will improve your fitness level and reduce fat.

Until the magic pill is developed, the guidelines I’ve provided are the best we have. So, re-commit to your eDiets nutrition plan and follow my realistic guidelines. I’m not suggesting it’s easy, but this is the perfect time to start taking control of your life, your health and your self-esteem.

A competitive bodybuilder and 2004 winner of the prestigious WNBF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation) Masters Pro Card, Raphael Calzadilla is a veteran of the health and fitness industry. He specializes in a holistic approach to body transformation, nutrition programs and personal training. He earned his B.A. in Communications from Southern Connecticut State University and is certified as a personal trainer with ACE and APEX. In addition, he successfully completed the RTS1 program based on biomechanics.

Melissa - thanks for posting this!

Do you have an April goal? (Hm, maybe a new thread is required here . .)

Morning workout buddies!

I went to the gym at 9:00 last night (I'd much rather go in the middle of the night than at the crack of dawn! NOT a morning person - lol!) and did what I think of as my first "real" training workout for the MS Walk. I did 2.2 miles in about 40 minutes and then quit...I had wanted to go an hour, but I decided to challenge myself by playing with the incline instead of just chugging along. I told DH last night, I could probably treadmill walk from here to Zimbabwe, but put me outside on a little hill and I'll just cave in, so gotta work on that! I used the "hill" setting on the treadmill which was actually kind of cool...it does a 5-minute flat warm up then starts this interval-incline thing...it goes up to 2.5% for two minutes, then back down to 0.0 for two minutes, then up to 3.0, and back down, 3.5 and back down, 4.0 and back down, and then it starts over again at 2.5. It was cool, and I managed to do it for 40 minutes! :dancer: And the neatest part of all is that my HRM somehow magically interfaces with the machine, so my actual HR showed up on the treadmill screen. What with the different inclines and working to keep my HR under control (160-170), I ended up varying the speed a bit, between 3.0 and 3.4. HRMs are the best toys ever. :D

Fiona

Thank you for giving me the advice and courage to work more harder. It just helps that there are people who cares about others. Thank you so much. I keep up to date. again thank you! :)

I knew I'd find you ladies here. LOL!

Fiona: Good for you for continuing your workouts, and that you went at 9:pm. I don't think I could go that late in the day, but I hear you when you talk about not being a morning person. Me either!

I just signed up for the CNY 2005 MS150 Bike Tour being held August 20 & 21st. I can't wait. I won't be riding 150 miles, but have choosen 85 miles the first day, and 30 miles the second day. 2 years ago, I rode 70 miles on the first day and 50 miles the second day, well - my butt was so darn sore on day 2, I felt like crying all 50 miles. I have two sister's with MS, so I didn't think it would be fair for me to bail on my committment - just kept thinking how lucky I was to have the ability to ride for them, it's the only thing that kept me going. I'm in better shape so hopefully I can do the 85 miles (I have the same bike, it's a hybyrd, I think I could go faster on a racing bike, but don't think I have the funds to support the investment for once a year).

Later, Sy

Hi Fit Chicks....
Wow sounds like everyone is pumped to get those bods in shape......alright!
Mandy - Well it sounds like you have enuf stuff to get started....it doesn't take a full gym or anything. Also, even though the Thigmaster is old, don't discredit it...that kind of stuff does work! I have the bun and thigh roller and I know it has worked on my butt!
Walking is great exercise, so is bike riding. The main thing is to find something you like and just do it. The best part is that if you have not been working out- you will see results faster than someone who has been. (Not fair, but true).
Well I went to the gym on Friday and worked with Richard, as I posted. Since then all I did was move and I did the Bun & Thigh roller on Sunday morning becuz I was alittle sore (ouch). Then we moved some more and worked ourselves silly......Maybe tomorrow I will go back to the gym (it's easier than moving)......Plus the weather is nice here today and that trail is calling my name.......
Later Fit Chicks.........

Hi fit chicks!

Got in both my cardio and upper body today - tried a different Kathy Smith tape for arms - slightly different exercises, which is good for both mental and physical boredom I think!

About the cardio - it seems that the better I know the tape, the more I sweat? Now why is that?

Star, I'm glad that less fit people will see results faster - I'm a little greedy that way - the trick is to just see the results.

Sy - I didn't realize that you had two sisters with MS :( I think it's such a great thing that you're doing that bike ride.

Fiona - WTG with the treadmill and the HRM. Did you find it harder to go to sleep?

Julie

Julie - About sweating more. I think once you get the basic 'nuts and bolts' down of a tape,routine,etc. you can actually work those muscles better/harder becuz you don't have to concentrate on what goes where. Does that make sense? You always seem to know what I mean and say it better......lol
It's true about 'newbies' or 'born agains' seeing results faster.....lol Matter of fact, once your body gets use to a certain level of fitness you have to do more to continue to improve. Now that's the part that I'm not so thrilled about..
hey - it's 63 degrees here - whoo-hoo..........

Julie - I was thinking about the sleep thing when I got home a little after 10:00, but I watched about an hour of TV with DH and then konked right out. In fact, DH was trying to talk to me after we turned out the light and I'd only catch about half of what he'd say because I kept drifting off into Happy Sleepy Land. :cloud9: :lol:

Fiona

64 Degrees - As I type.....I'm counting the bikes out on my way home. And crying in my Beer.... :devil:

Star - I think you're right - I concentrate more on form and speed now, and I'm actually moving more than when I started the tape - is that what you meant.

I am sure that when you get back up north, the weather will be terrific for that bike!

BEER??

Julie - Yes little miss smarty pants - that is exactly what I was trying to say. I guess I mean you get more cordinated and workout harder......you know silly....lol
Beer? Figure of speech - I never liked beer, it makes me feel bloated (even one)....I'm a vodka/cranberry, margarita chick.....yum

Star - to be honest, there is really no form of alcohol that I spit out - esp if it's mixed with something I like - like diet coke .. .

About the workout today - it was tougher today. Maybe because TOM is this week? Do you think a drop in performance and coordination around then is normal?

Still lots of sweat. ..

Fiona, what's your gym schedule like?

Sy - what's your training like for the bike thing?
Julie

Julie - I'm sure TOM effects exercise, but since he doesn't visit me anymore - I'm at a loss. I can tell you that TOM or no TOM exercise difficulty will vary. I have never looked for the scientific reasons (it's a blonde thing). 95% of the time I love working out but maybe 5% it's just not as good or harder. I just do it and go back the next day, I figure it can't be 'great' 100% of the time right? Actually I've never really thought of it like that before you brought it up......lol

Star, you are right - it is all just part of being consistent. And eventually, I'll notice the peaks and valleys. Some days it just flows better than others.

One thing I was wondering about weights. I'm doing these upper body and lower body tapes. I usually run out of steam about halfway through the second side of the body - you know, start on the right, then on to the left. Since i'm supposed to do them twice a week, should I switch the start side? Or could it be that I'm just that much stronger on my right side. Or am I thinking too much? (it's a brunette thing -Fiona will understand)

Julie - Very good point, if I were you I would alternate start sides, I do that also.....
Becuz at the start you are naturally stronger........
Thinking too much can be a very good thing........

Thanks - I'll do that for the second set of workouts - that means I have to be conscious that it's the LEFT side to start off with for the second set of the series. . .