hello everyone. I was wondering if some of you could give me some tips. I have a very small apartment and just did purchase a small old stationary bike... (not sure how much that can help me) and by the way, what is your opinion about this?) but was wondering can you please share some floor exercise ideas for the lower belly? Some really good ones? My belly has never been this big and I am concerned. It will be snowing soon, and I will be stuck inside. (currently I am without a car) so will not be able to go on walks... and videos are pretty much out of the question for now because my television cannot be seen from my kitchen. My kitchen is the large room of the house so I have a rug in there where I can exercise. Any ideas would be so appreciated. I might invest in a ball. thanks a lot. cutejeans
Resistance bands work well for me. They usually come with a workout routine, or I think you can probably find some good ones online. Prevention had a nice workout a couple months ago as well. I use the dvd that came with mine, but after a couple times through, I could just write down the order of the exercises and do them without the video if I wanted to.
cutejeans!
A stationary bike is good, crank up the tunes and ride along. Try intervals, get your heart rate way up there for like a minute and then take a break and ride slower for a minute until you get your breath back...lather rinse repeat. Floor exercise ideas? Jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups, jumping rope, wall sits, squats, lunges, mountain climbers (basically your feet run in place with your hands on the floor like a push up), a ball would be good for crunches and lots of other stuff.
The only way to really shrink a belly is to lose weight, but all the exercise will help you burn calories and the muscles you build will make you more toned as you lose.
I hate winter! December is OK, as Christmas makes it go fast, but January is insanely cold; moreover, it lasts for 7 weeks. It does. June is only 2 weeks long, and those weeks, plus one from September go into January.
I think it was the Oct. issue of Prevention that had the resistance band workout in it, and it motivated me to buy bands. Haven't figured out how to do the #$%!$%!% $@% workout, though!
It seems to me, the easiest, most doable workout using your own body for resistance is from You on a Diet. At least I can figure out what they are telling me to do, and that is never easy with those fancy workout videos, etc.
I seem to be in the minority here - but why can't you go on walks in the winter? I don't see why not unless there's some medical reason you've not mentioned. You could also try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing if you get enough snow where you are - both are great exercise. I used to live in the north where winter was from October to May, and would have gone insane stuck inside for all that time. I admit it's better now that I'm further south (just north of the US border) where it doesn't get cold for really long periods - but can't you bundle up and walk outside? I know I don't run when it's really cold (many folks do) but I do keep walking. I don't cycle either - but that's 'cos it's lethal on ice, not from the cold!
Others have given you some good floor exercise routines, so I've nothing to add there. I hope this helps,
I actually like running in the winter... it can be nice to have a bit of natural cooling when you're working up a good sweat I just find I can't go quite as fast or I get that shortness of breath that comes from freezing cold air (yes, I'm from the north). However, I definitely cut back on the outside running in the wintertime.
I belong to a gym, so most of my activities involve those kinds of machines. But I also do some things in my (teeny tiny) apartment. Minna Lessig's "Tank Top Arms, Bikini Belly, Boy Shorts Bottom" DVD is great for small spaces; I have floor space in my room of about 4 feet by 6 feet and I find that that's enough to follow the video. As for stomach exercises, check out "The Abs Diet" book, which has about a 20 page section on abs exercises. Some of them require gym machines, but most are basic things you can do with no equipment or simple to find things like light weights (use canned goods).
Good luck - apartment living definitely makes fitness difficult, but you can do it if you get creative!
you all are so awesome for replying also you gave excellent advice! how much are snowshoes? I guess I can look for some links myself and post them here as well for all of us for abs. Not sure if I want to invest in a book or DVD right now. I do want to invest in a ball. Now the walking in the snow, I might be willing if i have snowshoes and ear muffs - but I am not used to the cold! brrrrrr! Is it true that we can lose more weight working out in the cold, and snow, that it works up our metabolism more? I guess I'd like to devise a total routine, so I won't feel lost in doing just whatever. You know! I still have not gotten on that bike. (I confess!) it's a very old bike and feels a little awkward. Maybe today for sure I will get on it and try again. I will let you know how it goes. Keep it coming! I will print out this whole thread for the great tips and ideas. Thank you!
You can also check your local library for books/DVDs. I know mine has both The Abs Diet and also The Abs Diet for Women (even though they are pretty much the same thing). Once you learn the exercises, you don't need to own the book.
winter exercise - help!
cutejeans! 
Floor exercise ideas? Jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups, jumping rope, wall sits, squats, lunges, mountain climbers (basically your feet run in place with your hands on the floor like a push up), a ball would be good for crunches and lots of other stuff.
I just find I can't go quite as fast or I get that shortness of breath that comes from freezing cold air (yes, I'm from the north). However, I definitely cut back on the outside running in the wintertime.
you all are awesome - any links?
