[StephanieM]

So I've been trying to be a fit and more healthier person for a few months now, and I'm finding myself curious about new things to try. I started out using the wii fit, and gradually got to doing Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I enjoy it but I found it a lot of work compressed into 20 minutes, and prefer working out at the gym for an hour.

What I've been doing lately is I work out for 30 minutes doing some form of cardio, ie the bike, the elliptical, or the treadmill. After that I do a weight machine circuit and that usually takes about half an hour with all the different machines they have.

I'm really enjoying how toned I am getting with my weight loss, but I'm looking for new ideas. I now have Tuesday Wednesday off and I find myself too lazy to leave the house. I've been browsing threads on here all day looking at what others do and trying to come up with some alternatives I can do at home. When it rains it's worse, and it's always raining in the lower mainland! On sunny days I can force myself outside.

I saw in the rubber bands thread, there was a site listed for bodytrends.com and that has a yoga kit that looks like it would be fun. They also had mini steppers, but I'm not sure how effective those would be.

What do you guys recommend for a at home work out? What are some new and different things I could try? I'm looking to spice things up so I can alternate different excercises throughout the week.

Thanks in advance!

[3fcuser1058250]

I love my Bosu ball ...

Rubber bands, regular balls are excellent for home workouts...

Stumptous.com has some great workout ideas...

Just google home workouts and your set.....

[ddc]

How many days are you working out? If you're too lazy to leave the house, maybe you need some rest days - ???

I work out at home with dvds, dumbbells, tubing, medicine ball, bodyweight (squats, lunges, pushups).

Or just put on some music and dance for 30 minutes.

[StephanieM]

I normally work out 4 days a week, usually taking my weekend days off and a day in the middle. I haven't worked out in 4 days because I've been sick so it's got me looking for ways I can do it without leaving the house.

I really like the gym because on a nice day it's a beautiful 18 block walk there, but when it's miserable out and I don't have a car it's hard to get motivated.

I've been looking at doing resistance band work outs and the such, but I really don't know where to start. I like my Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD, but sometimes she scares me haha. And the wii fit isn't enough of a work out anymore, though I find doing the step aerobics and yoga get me pumped enough to actually leave the house.

I actually just found I have enough points at work to get an elliptical for free, so I may just get another one as I love them. It's a body break one though, and the reviews I've seen so far aren't so great.



Edit: I have to come back and say something, ddc, you have amazing arms! I hope to have that kind of definition some day I've really enjoyed weight and strength training lately so I hope that can be me one day too!
Thanks for the ideas I've been working on weights and strength training as well to help define my body with the weight I've already lost and resistance bands look like they would help with that if working out at home.

[ddc]

Thanks, Stephanie.

I do follow along dvds like Jillian's No More Trouble Zones, Jari Love's Slim and Lean (did that today), Gilad's Quick Fit system.
I rarely go over 5 lbs dumbbells. I have some 8 lbers, but I tend to get elbow tendonitis when I use them.
When I don't follow a dvd, I just do basic moves with the dumbbells: bicep curls, triceps kickbacks, military press, back rows, chest press.
I do higher reps cause I use lower weight--maybe 20 reps per set for 3 sets.


I haven't really found a resistance band dvd that I like. But I do use them sometimes (the above dumbbell moves).

Good luck

[StephanieM]

Thanks

Today I walked myself to the gym and had a great workout, after my cardio I concentrated most of my strength training on my arms. I don't ever use more than 5 pounds either, I'm not sure if that's because I'm weak or that's just what I'm comfortable with. But I do the same amount of reps that you do.

Maybe I'll just leave my work out dvd's for those lazy rainy days and on the nice ones kick my butt to the gym.