Exercise

[YellowRoseTex]

What's your favorite exercise?

I am having a hard time getting in exercise. I bought my husband an exercise machine for christmas and we both vowed to use it, but I have begun my procrastination routine and have not used it as I hoped I would.

We are thinking of buying some bikes, but again, I don't know if we would really use them. How do you make the time?

I'm interested in hearing what others are doing.

[pattyaks]

:hello:Kim
I know what you mean by procrastination. I have a tredmill and have not used it in 2yrs. I have always come up with excuses:headscrat One day I will push the challange button on this site to get moving,(exercise)! Know that when I take the challange I must start and see it through:walk:

As far as for getting bicycles. I would suggest that you & your dh really think and talk about this. You do not want two bicycles just siting around and collecting dust! This way if you are not sure the money that the both of you would spend on bicycles can be put aside for something you know you really want & will enjoy:thumbsup:

[QuiltAngel]

I have the same problem. In fact I signed up for the 30 min/3 day challenge. In the past, I have either done walking or stationary bike. I think I am going to combine the two this time and see how that works.

What kind of exercise machine do you have? Have you tried it yet?

Do anything to get going. Why not vary what you do also?

Now to go take my own advice.

[Kathy]

I'm not crazy about exercising but have signed up for a gym after a few years at Curves (which I love! Its just not convenient to where I live).

The problem is accountability because no one there cares if I show up or not! :roflol:

Sooo....I think creating your own accountability is key. Tell someone. Write it down. Pair up with another gal to hold each other accountable to just do it.

One thing I've found that helps me to do it...is to go with a book on tape to listen to. I put in 30 minutes of walking and listening at the same time.

[blondgrl]

I'm not really crazy about exercising either...but, I love the feeling of satisfaction after it's over. lol I haven't had much luck with personal gyms, stationary bikes, etc. I've found the only thing that really works for me and makes me happy is walking. Pure & simple! I can walk my dog forever and it makes her happy too! I can vary where I go and I can also vary the pace, intensity, etc. I also use small handweights for upper body (when I think of it, lol). DH & I have also talked about buying bikes, but haven't done it yet b/c we are afraid they won't be used and will just end up sitting around.

[Votelady]

I take and sometimes teach a sports fitness class. i'm not disciplined enough to do it on my own. Also I have a competitive nature and it helps being in a group.

I also like to get out and walk.

I recently joined the local Y so I could use their fitness equipment but I have yet to go.

[OrahDeb]

I'm a walker too for the most part. I was a runner until an illness back in November sidelined me for the past 3 months. I will get back to that but for now, walking it is. I have also successfully done video tapes such as The FIRM and I loved those. I will work back up to those but not yet. Truly, walking is a good thing and something we have the equipment for. ;) If the water were only warmer, I could get into swimming but how many pools around are heated to bath water temperature? LOL. :D

[Canadian Girl]

I love the outdoors!!! I love :bicycle:ing and :walk:ing. I bike to work all summer and can't wait for Spting to get here so I can hop on my bike again. Walking is great too, but, right now, it's too hard on my knees and I hate the winter months, where there is always the risk of falling :(

I also love Curves and, fortunately, there's one just a few blocks from my work and another one just a few blocks from my place.

I think that the most important thing about exercising is to find something you enjoy, so you'll stick to it. I personally was never able to use those indoor bikes.

Where the bikes are concerned, do you have bicycle rental places around where you live? That would be one great way to try it out and to also test which type of bikes is best for you. I have an hybrid and just love it.

[TRaz]

I just signed up for a walking challenge at work yesterday.

With the challenge, we have to start out taking 15,000 steps a week for the first 3 weeks, and then increase by 2 thousand each week, until 16 weeks. They provided each of us with a pedometer so we can track our steps.

I hope I can stick with this, I also belong to a gym but I haven't been able to go regulary.

Is anyone else walking and tracking their steps?

[jasper]

I am a Curves devotee of just on a year now, I've also been doing Aqua aerobics 3X a week for over 2 years now. I was the original couch potato but finding excercise that I enjoyed , I'm now reformed

[Marian Paroo]

I race walk three-four times a week. less these days, because I am in the middle of selling my apt and buying a new one.

I also go to the gym twice a week (ditto, not keeping on schedule these days).

My favorite thing is the Smith Machine. I don't bench press a lot of weight (yet!), but it sure makes me feel powerful!

[Aussie Friend]

I started walking about three weeks ago to get myself both fitter and thinner. At first I was walking about 15-20 mins after two weeks I increased it to 40 mins.

I've been procastinating about this for months always finding an excuse, the hot weather being mine. Well now so as I do walk, as soon as I wake up in the morning be it 5.30am whatever I just get up put some clothes on, grab some water and head out the door.

If I'm not awake when I start out I sure am quickly with the birds screeching overhead and the cattle running along behind me. They tend to make me move quicker as there is also a bull with them. Yep I've even used that as an excuse but no more.

[MaggieSt]

I hate exercise, absolutely hate it. But, I started Nutri-System 3 weeks ago and began riding my stationary bike 3X a week - already I lost 9 pounds overall and one inch from my thighs.

But I still hate to exercise!

~Maggie

[Kyleigh]

I'm a Curves member and I find that knowing I'm paying a monthly fee to be there keeps me going, plus I truly enjoy the new friendships I've developed, not to mention the muscle tone and fitness!

In addition to Curves, I walk several times a week. In the summer I throw in some swimming and biking, and roller blading if I'm feeling really adventurous! ;)

I think variety is a good thing. Start with something you enjoy doing and make it a new habit by setting some realistic goals. :)

[gemsab]

:lol: Jasper, I thought I was the ultimate couch potato! Exercise to me was a four letter word. but Curves changed that for me. I also love to walk...outside........not on a treadmill, too boring. I gave mine away to my son.

Emily

[Doodles]

This is what my daughter says as we bounce on the mini-trampoling together...

I bought it for 2 reasons...for her to get out some of that toddler energy during the yucky too cold to play days...and for me to get some low impact exercise in...

I have heard of some videos that use a mini-tramp, but I've just been bouncing and jogging on it for now..

anyone have any good suggestions...

I hope I don't have to add this to the stuff in the basement...the elliptical, the weightbench, remember the ab-roller, the lateral trainer and the ball, which is used much more by the kids than by me...

Oh, someone inspire me!!!

Debbi

[txgurl]

I have been faithfully exercising for many years about 3x a week, and what works for me is the exercise has to be varied and got to have music. I go to 24 hr. fitness and love that it takes 5 mins. to get there.
I can take a step class or use different machines and watch tv or listen to my i pod with my choice of music. When I get done with that, I go to the weight machines all the time listening to" makes you want to dance" music from the 70's and 80's greatest hits.

What is fun about going there is there is a lot of things to look at as you are working out. It is fun to people watch or talk to others who you see there . When I am on the treadmill I can catch up on the news as CNN or Fox news is usually on.

I like doing exercise inside because the weather here in Texas is either too hot, cold , or windy. I have allergies, so indoors is a must. :walk:

:hug:s

[babsRN]

I bore easily so I prefer manual labor or some sort of sports for excercise. This is why I bought a pushmower instead of a riding mower for my 2-acre yard. It is hard work, great to get the heart rate up, excellent lower body workout and a tan to boot. Then there's tennis, which is good for running and s-s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g to hit that ball...great family activity, my kids love it....biking is good - only issue I have around here is traffic...either there's a lot of it and there's a risk there, or there's very little so the ones who do come by are flying and might hit ya...so if you have a good safe bike path then enjoy!
Maybe some dancing classes...I got a great workout from kickboxing classes until I kicked too high and broke my arm...but it was a fantastic education (I worked in a max/supermax security men's prison at the time and it was needed, and one of the bigger badder inmates had it in his head that I was a blackbelt so ....I neither confirmed nor denied, just smiled) and a fabulous workout, plus a great place to vent anger (hitting a punching bag...terrific therapy when you're going through a divorce).....and if you have a good martial arts instructor then you will also be taken out for a "formation run" with the group prior to getting started on your class. Not to mention the incredible stretches.

Beyond that when I do actual workouts I change it up a lot - for two reasons...one, I get SO bored, and two, it helps stave off that plateau that develops. Cross-training is always wisest for utmost fitness. Abs are an endurance muscle so they need extra work anyway. The new ball workouts are harder than they look and give you support (and are a good laugh when you roll off of 'em by accident)....The Firm is a solid long-standing set of videos and they have them broken down so much now that you can pick and choose but it is very medically sound (I recommend their "Twenty Questions about Fitness" as an eye-opener) and I recommend the original volumes 1-6 - they are total body workouts and you adjust your resistance weights as you progress so you never "outgrow" the workouts.

Yoga's great if you can clear your mind and focus on breathing. Pilates is medically sound as long as you stick with the original principles and dont' go off too far on some of these so-called "pilates-based" workouts. It was originally developed as physical therapy and has been used in its purest form by professional dancers for decades.

Best thing you can do is just try stuff and see if you like it. Make sure to learn it correctly and with proper form so you don't injure yourself; never work a cold, unstretched muscle; always stretch to elongate the muscles afterward; and work into it gradually so you don't make yourself so sore that stop as soon as you start. And even if you decide you don't like something, guess what? You've gotten exercise while finding that out! And you've broadened your horizons just a little bit in the process....:)

[jcme]

I find once I get into the routine of going to the gym if I stop I feel like something is missing. As much as I hate to exercise, the feeling afterwards can be so rewarding.

I find if I make an appointment for exercising, swimming or playing volleyball it is easier.

[LadyG]

I go to a ladies only gym with a co-worker. It works really well to have someone to go with. We really depend on each other for motivation. I have several videos/DVD for the days I don't have time to go to the gym. My favorites are the Leslie Sansone walking ones. Once exercising gets into your system you will not want to go one day without some form of it. Good luck.