[love114]

I am in no way new to this and have attempted weight-loss before but always end up falling off the wagon because life catches up with me. Need to work on my time management skills but that's not what this post is about...

What are some of your suggestions for working out...to start out I mean? I don't want to start with such high intensity obviously because my body needs to work itself up to that and I don't want to tire myself out so fast. We have a stationary bike, an elliptical and one of those all in one weights at home, and I have some 5 pound and 10 pound dumbells as well..and I own 30 day shred!

So that's what I have to work with right now.. and you guys on here are so awesome and your stories are so encouraging and inspiring that I can't think of anyone better to ask about this!

Any and all suggestions are welcome!!

ps. just in case someone brings this up...i'm working on the diet part and will be watching what I eat but just need help starting out with the exercise part...

[Em123]

Just give yourself a goal, 15 minutes of ANY exercise per day.

I don't agree that you have to start out a weight loss journey with an epic/intense work out. Just commit yourself to an exercise goal and do it. You can of course do more than 15 minutes a day if you want, but the main thing is you do 15 minutes no matter what. That's your lowest limit and you should be happy with yourself when you achieve it. Anyone can fit 15 minutes into their day. If you can give yourself 15 minutes to eat food, you can give yourself 15 minutes to exercise.

I personally do that, and I take 1 rest day a week. I also watch my calories and make sure I'm always in deficit to how much I actually need to maintain. At my weight and my height I need to eat around 1800 calories for maintenance. So I make sure I never go over 1800 no matter what, that's my upper limit. And I always make sure I'm in deficit every day, so that at least I'm losing something.

You also need to mentally remind yourself that weight loss is going to take a long time. I'm not expecting myself to lose 2-3lb a week. I'm happy with even a 0.5lb weight loss a week or even maintenance. I think it's important to remind yourself that it's a long journey and that even if you fall off the wagon the one day, you get back on the next day. If you fail the next day, you try again the day after.

And of course... stay on 3FC because the help and support here is awesome.

Good luck!

P.S. I'm so jealous you have an elliptical at home! That was my favourite machine when I used to gym a few years back. I always got awesome results on that. For a start, you can just do elliptical for 15 minutes a day and watch your calories so that you're in deficit. If you get bored of that routine, just switch it up with the stationary bike, or even do some sprint walking around the block.

[love114]

Thanks so much for your response!

I like the idea of starting out with 15 minutes at first...I'm definitely going to try that out! I want to start incorporating weights early into my journey and not afterwards to get toned. And I don't plan on losing weight fast anyway I want to take it slow and that way I won't be disappointed. I don't expect to lose 2-3 pounds a week for sure, I know it won't always happen!

My brother actually found the elliptical online on craigslist for like $90! it's not one of those high tech ones or anything..just a simple one but it gets the job done!

[shapedself]

Start out with whatever you enjoy the most and are most likely to keep doing. Continue to keep the diet in check. You'll be good to go.

[sontaikle]

Originally Posted by love114

Thanks so much for your response!

I like the idea of starting out with 15 minutes at first...I'm definitely going to try that out! I want to start incorporating weights early into my journey and not afterwards to get toned. And I don't plan on losing weight fast anyway I want to take it slow and that way I won't be disappointed. I don't expect to lose 2-3 pounds a week for sure, I know it won't always happen!

My brother actually found the elliptical online on craigslist for like $90! it's not one of those high tech ones or anything..just a simple one but it gets the job done!

Starting out slow is a great way to get going when it comes to exercise and I'm glad you're looking into incorporating weights NOW. You will look very awesome as you shrink as that happens. I have a nice, muscular arms because of that.

When you're heavy your body has built its own muscle to carry you around (especially in your legs). If you lose weight slowly and weight train you can keep some of that muscle that you've already built. You won't keep all of it (you just won't need all of it when you're smaller), but your goal should be to keep as much as possible.

You don't even need machines to get started so if you don't want to plunk down the $$$ for an elliptical you don't have to. You can walk, lift weights, run, do jumping jacks, etc. The only equipment I own is some free weights--I have a pair of 12s, a pair of 15s and a 20. If you do have the money/want an elliptical (or any kind of exercise machine) looking on craigslist is great! Especially at this time of year when a lot of people are probably realizing that their New Years Resolutions are just not happening, haha.

Good luck

[love114]

Thanks for the input sontaikle! I just checked out your goal story and I'm so impressed (and inspired!) you did an amazing job and you look wonderful!

what kind of weight lifting did you do?

[liliesinmycereal]

I think I started with exercise videos at a young age so when I jumped onto losing weight that's where I started again. Then I moved to using the elliptical and recumbent bike. Then I moved to free weights with the elliptical. After that, I did zumba and weights. Then just zumba. Now I'm going back for just weights until my knees heal from too much zumba so I can go back to doing Zumba...