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!!
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.
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.
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.
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! 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.
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!
Fiona: Good for you for continuing your workouts, and that you went at 9m. 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).
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.........
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?
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. 
thanx a lot guys
m. 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 think it's such a great thing that you're doing that bike ride.
