Excercise Anyone?

[huntersgirl]

So with sping and summer seasons upon us it is time to get ready for bathingsuit season. I'm also not getting any younger and really need to get back into shape. Haven't done much of anything since my 2 year old was born and it is wayyyy overdue. I have gone through serious bouts of excercise at different times in my life. Danced ballet for 13 years, then got into biking and hiking. Last time I was in great shape was in my mid 20's when I discovered yoga, pilates and weights. Going slow this time around and trying to resurrect the yoga/pilates thing. Looking forward to the benefits of a more flexible body ;)


So what do you do for excercise? At home? In a gym? Do you have any good suggestions for jumpstarting that new physical fitness routine and how to stick to it? Inquiring minds and bodies want to know:)

[lakritze]

Now what was the question? Sorry,I got side tracked by your incredibly SEXY photos.

[axe31]

First I go to a gym on the treadmill I work of the displays that measure the distance & kcal I run for about 500kcal/3km
Then a cycle around the weight machines12 reps on each
Putting more weight on over the weeks as it gets easy
This works for me as iam going for stamina and strength
So first you need to work out what you're goal is
Kcal burning running is good
Stuff like yoga/pilates help with tone, health balance and a good
All rounder the big thing to remember don't set out to lose weight set out to get fitter also if you fine something you enjoy doing you
Are more likely to stick at it

[Irish]

huntersgirl---For women,I would suggest,among other equipment,
a Bowflex.My wife & daughters love mine.I have had MANY machines & the Bowflex is the best.It is great for women,because
you can set the resistance,that you want.It also has a "sliding"
seat,that is great for areobic exercise.I have an older model & have bought many accessories,but the newer ones have most of
the things incorporated.You need other things,but it is a good staple.The MOST important thing is dedication.When you don't feel
like exercising,force yourself to exercise.I turned my oldest daughters,old bedroom,into an exercise room.To many exercise
machines,turn into an expensive coat rack.As in Diabetes,consistency,is VERY important! Irish
P.S.I hope this helps!

[flutelady]

Walking, briskly and alone with my walkman for company. Clears the mind and is without a doubt what makes my body hum (exercise-wise, that is)

[Loulabelle]

Just recently it has been gardening for me.

[LixyChick]

I was considering joining one of those new "girlie" gym's that have moved in locally (withing 5 miles is local to me). But hey...what fun is that? No male bums to look at and inspire me? Naaaaaaaaa! I do walk the hills and dales around here. There's a road close to me called Lone Pine Rd., and it winds down to a creek and then up again to a dairy farm. It's a less traveled road and I feel safe on it, but there are no street lights around here so I have to be off it before dark or I'll get hit by a deer! LMAO!

[BigBear57]

Five years ago I lifted weights and did Stairmaster 4 days a week. I was benching 365 lbs. and doing 45 minutes on the stair climber. Lately I carry coffee cups and walk back and forth from the computer to the kitchen. I must get back in that gym. I'm so far from the guy I was.

[Irish]

huntersgirl---As flutelady said,walking is a great exercise.I was
speaking of MY case.I have diabetic neuropothy & was told by a
foot Dr., to stay off my feet as much as possible.I bought Cardio-
Glide,before my Bowflex,because I wasn't supposed to use my
wifes treadmill. Irish
P.S.It was the only way,that I could get areobic exercise!

[Nice Guy]

Lets see, I throw on about 20 pounds of foam and hard plastic. Line up across from a guy wearing the same stuff and run into him as hard and as fast as I can. Then I get up and do it again far anywhere between 2 and 4 hours.

[huntersgirl]

Thanks guys for the responses so far. lakritze~Now what was the question? Sorry,I got side tracked by your incredibly SEXY photos. Thanks hun, for the compliment!

axe31~big thing to remember don't set out to lose weight set out to get fitter also if you fine something you enjoy doing you are more likely to stick to it I agree, I am not at all trying to lose weight, as a matter of fact I don't even own a scale! Just looking for all around health benefits. I think I will be able to stick to things this time around.

Irish~ thanks for the suggestions.

flutelady~don't you just love that hum? Exercise or whatever induces it, it is definitely a good thing!:)

Loulabelle~Amazing how much exercise gardening can be. Once things dry out a bit around here I'll be aching from all the yardwork I have to do.

Lixy~Not much fun going to a one sex gym, unless of course they make an exception and let me join the mens;) I love to walk too, very similar topography in this neck of the woods. Watch out for those deer!

BigBear57~ I hear you loud and clear! Been there. But now it's time for a change.

Nice Guy~ hope you are enjoying the football! Must hurt!

[jay-t]

I do a lot of walking as i dont have the time for a gym and i swing a 4lb. hammer on a regular basis thats all the exersize i want

[Gilly]

First, I do some sit-ups.


You know, I sit up in bed, then lay back down, then sit up, then lay back down, then finally sit up, and stumble from the bed.


Next, I do some lifting- I lift my 2 year old from bed. I lift her into her high chair, I lift my 8 year old up from the bed or she won't wake up.


Then, I do some running- I run after the bus when we almost miss it, I run after the 2 year old when she tries to escape, I run after the bathroom door when we forget to close it, and the 2 year old found it.


Then I go back to some lifting, and some sit ups.

It's hard to imagine why I don't have a 6-pack yet.

[huntersgirl]

LMAO! So true Gilly! I don't have a six pack yet either, except for the one I drink at night after both kids are in bed;) jk

[PashkinThePanther]

I'm allergic to strenuous exercise, it makes me sweat and I find I turn into the "heavy breather".... :)

[olive-eyes]

I don't exercise at all except run after my kid...LOL...

[skyler_m]

About a month before I turned 30, I realized that I was out of shape and overweight by about 35 pounds. I set myself a pretty high goal. I gave myself 13 months to get in shape to run the Cleveland Marathon. My first time out I ran a mile in about 15 minutes and thought I would die... lol

Over a 13 month period, I got myself ready for the marathon. Having never been very athletic, I never figured I would be able to run 26.2 miles... but I did it. Here's me at the finish. No, my feet weren't getting very high off the ground at the end. lol

[Romial]

I'm in shape, but I can't run for the life of me. Never have been able to run well. Sucks.

[OzKristin]

i've been a firm believer and fan of yoga for years, and happy to say the benefits of a more flexible body (which was already flexible in the first place)is well worth it..i also do some weight lifting and walking/running in any free time i can find
*cough cough* sex is a good calorie burner too ;)

[maddy]

I actually belong to one of the 'girlie' gyms mentioned above. For me it's great... in for 30 minutes 3 times a week and out... and I get my cardio and strength training as well as stretching for increased flexibility in that time. Others have mentioned finding something you like and sticking to it. For me, this is it.

[PantyFanatic]

The "Daily Dozen" works.

[littlelass]

Walking is a lovely exercise. End up walking to and from work from the train station (30 min each way) everyday at a brisk pace, always with my minidisc in hand. :)

I used to swim a lot but since moving a few months ago, I have not had an opportunity to. Need to find out where the recreation centers in the area are...

But, yes, like others have mentioned, find something that you're comfortable in doing and keep doing it. Soetimes you definately have to force yourself.

[osuche]

I try to get to the gym 5 times per week...mostly I vary between 3-5 times. I try to get in at least 2 "high intensity" 2-hour sessions per week...at least an hour of weights and a full hour of cardio. My other sessions are likely 40-60 minutes total.

Whatdo I do?

Full weight circuit - 7 machines arms, 8 legs...3 sets of 12 reps each, and I step the weights down after each set by 5 lbs).

Then I do cardio -- typically 45 min of elliptical running, then either 15 minutes of bike or 15 minutes of skiing, or 15 minutes of Stairmaster. I used to do 60 min of stairmaster, but I find it gets to my knees if I do it too often.

Then I do between 100-150 situps/crunches and some stretching, and I'm done.

Now...I *was* a bit more svelte last summer when I did 3-4 long sesions per week and added three Step classes to this routine. I've been slipping recently -- gained 10 lbs and eliminated the Step class, etc -- thanks to a job with lots of travel and stress. <sigh>

It's a never-ending battle and I need to get re-engaged. Thanks for reminding me!


Oh, and good luck!! :D :D :D

[campingboy]

Skylar_m - congrads on completing the marathon.

Huntersgirl. I found it easier to stick to getting in shape when I had a partner that would join me. We started off by walking, then we started to jog. We now run, bike ride, cross country skiing, and hiking. There is now a few of us that get together.

[huntersgirl]

Skylar_m~ good for you! I think it is so great when people challenge themselves. Inspirational!

campingboy~ I agree w/ the partner thing, it is nice to have someone to workout with.