Home workout enthusiasts-week of Dec 1

[Valerie226]

I'll get this going this week... I had a good weekend. treadmill and core on saturday. not a full workout but had a busy day otherwise and were planning to hike sunday. but sunday came and it was still raining out and very mild. so we decided to do a bike ride. did our usual 33 miler. It was warm and sunny, over 60 degrees. actually wore shorts and a jersey, no jacket or pants required. It was delightful outside and felt like spring.
I wore my HRM for the heck of it. when pedaling on a relatively flat trail at a reasonably taxing speed my heart rate is about 130. the highest 139. ranged from 120-139. It takes us a little over 2 hours to do the trail with a 10 minute break in the middle, so that's a decently long cardio workout. I never wore the monitor biking before.

this morning, before the holiday thing gets going I decided to get on the scale. OMG. I have been very very good, exercising and eating carefully but, no matter, I've gained several pounds. geez. I just cannot catch a break. I've tried reducing my evening meal so that I wake up hungry almost every night, and cut out the piece of whole wheat toast I was having in the morning, but it's not helping. It's so frustrating, I have the metabolism of a hibernating bear.

[testkitchen45]

Well, this is a first. I'm posting on an "exercise" thread as someone who will actually exercise. DH and I joined a local gym this weekend. DH is in fabulous shape, but hasn't had a workout buddy ever since he cancelled his trainer when the prices rose. So DH has been wanting to work out, and I'm not capable of being a spotter for him but the local gym has excellent machines for DH, and machines, classes, ellipticals for me. I have a date to meet DH there at 5, right after I drop DD off for a class in the same shopping center. So no skipping!

I am IN NO WAY an exerciser, but am looking forward to the end results. Post-40, I've seen my body doing shape-shifting that's really scary. I'm tall enough to still look OK, but between you & me I'm several pounds heavier than I was when I married, & would like to get back there! Also, my mom is in pretty flabby, weak shape from a lifetime of being sedentary; I live in my two-story dream home and want to be able to chase my grandkids up the stairs someday, so it's time to get moving.

Valerie, congrats on your great bike ride! I envy your stamina; maybe I'll get there sometime.

[avariell]

Consider me a lurker who considered herself invited to this thread after reading Canice's

I work out at a gym... I have been with a personal trainer since the beginning of April. However, in the past month or so I decided to kick up my routine a few notches, so I have been going much more frequently on my own. Get this - my personal trainer and I became really good friends and she moved in with me this weekend! I am going to have to sneak to my parents' house to eat bad food

So here is an idea of what I do right now (I am hoping that writing it out helps me stick to it )
Mondays - legs with trainer and cardio
Tuesdays- ballet and tap dance classes
Wednesdays - chest and back with trainer and cardio
Thursdays - easy cardio on my own
Fridays- full body lift with cardio on my own
Saturday- arms with cardio on my own
Sunday- rest

I also started a fairly strict diet about 30 days ago. My skinniest skinny jeans fit me!! woo!! They are even comfortable!! I cheated all Thanksgiving break, but I am back on the straight and narrow today.

I am looking forward to having a place to report my progress... good luck to all the newbie exercisers. It is hard work but totally worth it.

[Canice]

Well after everyone was so nice and welcoming, I wanted to at least stop by and say hello!
My first inclination was to apologize for having such a wimpy "workout" but I decided to skip that: if I feel I should be doing more I'll ask for advice on how to increase or round out my routine, but I don't want to get in the mindset of "it's not very much" etc. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, right?

I've been going (Curves) Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with the intention of adding an additional day once I've hit my stride. They were closed on Friday and are always closed on Sundays, PLUS are open only a few hours Saturday, in the morning, so I took a hit for the holiday weekend: went today for the first time since Wednesday. But it's not like I was flaking out on it, and I did get in a few good walks over the weekend. I literally cannot walk farther than the mom 'n' pop a block away without having to hoof it up some hill to get home, so a walk is always an easy way to at least stretch my legs and get the ol' heart pumping. I've always prided myself on being tireless in cross-city walking but that really is a "use it or lose it" type thing, and I definitely don't want to lose it!

Thanks for inviting me here!

[testkitchen45]

I had a good workout tonight with my DH. At the fitness place, that is; what did you think I meant? By working out together, he's acquired a workout buddy and I've acquired a personal trainer--not a bad deal! He worked with a trainer for a long time before the prices got to be too much, so he knows what to do, proper form, etc. and is very encouraging to a beginner like me. Canice, tonight was my "single step," unless you count Sunday, when DH and I signed up with the fitness club. Today we did arms/chest/back.

Anyone else think I'm crazy for choosing the holiday (baking) season to really watch what I'm eating? It's probably the best time, I guess, so that I don't get further behind--and a bigger behind--by January. I don't have a huge amount to lose, but after childbearing plus aging, I have some work to do.

Next up: legs!

[Canice]

Lol, you are on a roll with the zingers tonight!

Sounds like a great deal you've got with your DH. I'm paranoid about doing something that's going to cause more harm than good, so it's great that he has good experience to help you and maximize the experience and ensure you don't injure yourself. Plus, I would just be terrified to walk into a gym by myself. Maybe eventually I will do that and be OK with it, but for now I would not fare well.

[avariell]

Canice- you did way better than I did over Thanksgiving! I didn't hit the gym for about 6 days. Does power-shopping count as exercise??

TestKitchen- it is amazing what a difference a trainer makes! Even if it is your DH. I have learned so much from having a personal trainer. I will never regret the money that has been spent on it!

Funny story time - my schedule is a little off this week so I had to switch my trainer appointments to Tuesday and Thursday. So last night I decided to hit the gym to get back in the swing of things after my long Thanksgiving break... I changed into my workout clothes, looked in my bag for my shoes and found a pair of crocs! WTF?! I totally forgot my gym shoes I ended up doing an ellipitical in my crocs - I looked like such a dork!!

[Valerie226]

Welcome everyone...good to have some new voices. DH and I used to belong to a gym. where we live now it's not convenient, and once you have the exercise habit, it's easier to do at home. I'm not trying to talk anyone out of anything that works for them though. We currently own a treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike,small weight machine plus assorted free weights, bands and mats. we use everything on a rotation along with exercise DVD's. I'm a big Cathe fan. we also hike, ski , bike and snowshoe regularly depending on season.

The worst time of year for me is fall to winter. somehow I don't move as much and eat a little more so by Dec I'm in tight jeans and whining about how it's all not fair.... so it's time to tighten up the diet and boot up the exercise.

Yesterday the diet was good but I came up a little short on exercise with just 35 min on the treadmill and a few minutes on the elliptical. Got a couple phone calls I had to take ( a downside of home exercise) and by the time I was done it was too late to start up again. but today will be better...

[LakeMartinGal]

Well, the water aerobics instructor has a cold today, and didn't want to have class... Never thought I'd be sad to miss exercise, but I was really looking forward to it! So, I got out the wii fit, and did 30 minutes! 2 Yoga, 3 aerobic (2 hula hoop, 1 w/revolutions to the left, 1 to the right: 1 short run), and all the rest were balance exercises -- slalom, tightrope, and putting the balls into the holes. I can actually feel that I exercised!

I'd rather exercise with people... but in the pool, where no one sees the jiggle! I admire all of you who work out at home, though.

Good workouts, everyone!

[Valerie226]

Did the plan stacy and I were talking about last week, and did Muscle Max with slightly lighter weights and got thru. 25 lbs on squats, 15 on lunges. My right leg is getting better at lunges but the left side I'm still tippy but I can get them all, not gracefully, but they are done!. also 30 min on the treadmill.

The lesson here is to not use too much weight but go with your strength level so you don't get too sore and discouraged. and repeat at least twice a week.

[cniles]

Hey!!! Welcome everyone!

Well can we use the word "gluttony" for my Thanksgiving vacation???!!! I was out of control.... oreo cookie truffles did me in!!!

So... anyway. Yesterday I did the FIRM's Cardio Overdrive - good sweaty workout. Can't do anything today - I have a Relay for Life meeting... Tomorrow's plan is cardio and weights.

Gotta run to the meeting - will have more time for personals tomorrow. BUT I am so glad to see everyone here!!

[Canice]

Anyone else think I'm crazy for choosing the holiday (baking) season to really watch what I'm eating? It's probably the best time, I guess, so that I don't get further behind--and a bigger behind--by January. ....

'zackly! You've got to be better off aiming high over the holiday season rather than just thinking "Screw it; I'll fix everything in January".

Kay, I take it the water aerobics is a good routine for you? That's one of the few things I also ever considered, though I vowed at age 21 (I believe that would also be "at 120#") never to put on a bathing suit again as long as I live. Can you do it in sweats?

Today is the first time I've actually felt sort of whooped after my routine, so I must be doing something right! I'm trying to get on track to maximize the benefits of my workout, use the equipment properly, and maintain my target heart rate. Today I felt I had that all in balance, and will try to move up to 4 days/week.

There's a woman who goes in regularly (50? early 50s?) with her two daughters who seem to be about 12/13 and 14/15. Man, those girls RUN to the equipment and really hit it. I think it's so nice they do that together, and I think it's nice for the girls to see women of varying ages/races/body types all just trying to look after themselves and be nice and supportive of one another

[LakeMartinGal]

'
Kay, I take it the water aerobics is a good routine for you? That's one of the few things I also ever considered, though I vowed at age 21 (I believe that would also be "at 120#") never to put on a bathing suit again as long as I live. Can you do it in sweats?

Today is the first time I've actually felt sort of whooped after my routine, so I must be doing something right! I'm trying to get on track to maximize the benefits of my workout, use the equipment properly, and maintain my target heart rate. Today I felt I had that all in balance, and will try to move up to 4 days/week.

Well, maybe not in sweats! The great thing is that, except for some of your upper body, you're totally under water. No one is watching the jiggle, thighs don't make sparks when they rub together, etc. I find it very freeing! Some of the ladies who are self-conscious at first, keep the towel around them until they are ready to get into the pool, then drop it at the water's edge. That usually happens only once!

As for being whooped after the exercise... try eating a small amount of banana right after. I've tried it for a couple of weeks now, and it really helps! And I feel more mentally alert later in the day, as well! I have also eaten 3 or 4 Snyder's peanut butter pretzel sandwiches after exercising, and that has an immediate effect, too.

Just found out that water aerobics was canceled again today, so I think I'll hit the wii fit, again.

[Valerie226]

I go into maximum eating control during the holidays. Alot of what's offered is not even very good, and it's easy to nosh away with everyone else and take in a bunch of extra calories on junk. It is very hard for me to lose weight, and very easy to gain. I don't want to face January with an extra 10!
It gets worse as you get older, trust me on this. :mad: I wish it weren't so, but I can't afford desserts, cookies, etc anymore. I don't want to sound DISMAL but my family is "metabolically challenged" with bad fat genes. Everyone is fat. ( I've always had to eat less and work more than anyone I knew just to maintain, so this is not something new) my idea of a luxurious dessert is a small piece of dark chocolate. I had two pieces of pumpkin pie over thanksgiving, but that's once a year.

Anyway, yesterday was not a strong day, I only got in a quick 10 on the stationary bike and 20 on the treadmill. DH needed my help on some home projects. and now I'm feeling crummy like I'm coming down with a headcold. Bummer!

[cniles]

I did the FIRM's new DVD yesterday - Dangerous Curves Ahead - silly title but it really works your core/obliques while doing cardio. I like it.

Today I need to chaperone our school's skating party so I'm not sure what I can squeeze in....

Canice - what machines are you doing at the gym? I think it is a good thing to "feel" whooped. Can you feel specific muscles?

Kay - I know a lot of women who do water aerobics and really like it. How is the Wii Fit? My kids want to get it!

Valerie - I so hope you are not getting sick! Didn't you just get over something recently?

I find with holiday food - that if I'm at my house I'm so much better at controlling my eating. If I'm at Bunco or a holiday party at friends I have a more difficult time.... JUST need to say NO!!

[Valerie226]

Just checking in to report that I took yesterday totally off and went to bed early. I feel much better today and maybe I can dodge this illness. I HATE getting sick when all the social agenda really picks up. I feel like a leper going to to parties and spreading my virus all around, but I don't like to miss all the fun either!

Charisse, I agree it's easier to control holiday food at home. I control the ingredients and can serve things I like that are controllable, and have a supply of low cal things so I don't go overboard on cheese, my great nemesis.

Congrats on feeling 'whooped" Canice. It can be addictive!

Kay, I used to take a water aerobics class and felt it was a excellent workout and easy on the joints. Nobody looked that good but nobody cared much either. It was at a "Y" and we could swim some laps afterward too. for some reason though, swimming always makes me very very hungry...ravenous actually. "Dry land" exercise usually doesn't do that to me.
Josie.. that sounds like a well balanced overall program, and you're right, writing it down does help to stick to the program. congrats on the skinny jeans. I wish I could say the same.

[testkitchen45]

Valerie, I hope you're feeling better!

Canice, you're right about feeling like "I'll fix everything in January." Problem is, I've been saying that every winter since my first kids were born. Time to get moving!

DH (aka trainer with benefits ) and I did legs, triceps, & abs on Wednesday. We're moving today's workout to tomorrow, b/c this afternoon we all go see Santa. DH is a taskmaster, which is a good thing for ol' Jell-O Legs here!

Good luck over the weekend, everyone!

[JenniferJJ]

Hi

Well, I don't mind exercising, in fact I like it if it is in the form of something I WANT to do - riding my bike, going for a walk in the forest. But right now it is really hard for me to find things I WANT to do - the forest closes at 6p.m. and I am never out of work in time to make it over there. Okay, that sounds weird to say that the forest closes - it's part of the University and is not open to the public from 6p.m. - 6a.m. I sometimes like just walking around neighborhoods, which are "open", but rather cold in the dark. I used to go up and down my stairs or do my own little version of step aerobics, but my right knee has started cracking when I go up the stairs (I fell skiing about 10 years ago - only recently started bothering me). Anyway, two things I can do is walk at Home Depot or at the mall.

To tell the truth, I really don't want to go do my mall-walking tonight: I'm kind of depressed today. I found out yesterday I will lose my job at the end of January and since the situation in Michigan is very dire, for every job, too many applicants. So, the prospects are very grim. But the flip is that if I have more exercise I will feel and look better. And if I look better and can fit in more clothes, I'll feel even better.

I was lamenting on the additional money I'll need to spend on heat in February 'cuz I'll be home all day. My co-worker said I can just go to the mall all day and walk - save money on heat and get exercise. So, the bright spot is that in February I'll have time to cook/shop/eat right and exercise.

I'm sure I'll be better tomorrow regardless...I had cramps last night so didn't sleep.

So, plan for this evening is to go home, turn on the heat (I keep it cold all day while I'm at work), go to the mall and walk around the entire mall twice. Tomorrow morning let's see if I can do a walk outside in the morning.

[Canice]

Oh, Jennifer - I'm so sorry!! Things are grim all over, but you're right - Michigan is more in the "dire" category. Can you look outside the state for your next opportunity?

Charisse, I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know what equipment I'm using . Since this is a circuit routine they're all "next station" to me .
Nothing is sore but I seem to feel some...not tension, but awareness? in my biceps, pecs, hamstrings, traps. I guess the bigger muscles? Haha, not that I would apply "big pecs" to me, but you know. Maybe "major" muscles is more appropriate.
I went four times this week, and that will be my new goal. I'm trying to constantly remind myself that I have to work HARD on the machines to get maximum benefit, since you can kind of sleep walk through it if you don't pay attention. And if I have to go there and put in the time and tomato face, why not push a little harder?

Maybe I'll eventually look at the Y/water aerobics, but not for a couple of months anyhow. The sad thing, Kay, is that I'm a lot less self-conscious of others looking at me than ME looking at me. That should make it easier, I guess, since most pools don't have mirrors .

Valerie, 25 pounds on squats sounds absolutely punishing to me! I'm impressed. Ditto the 30 minutes on the treadmill: are you jogging the whole time? My favorite piece of equipment is the stairmaster-esque one, and I'd like to slip in a little extra time on it if I could without messing anyone up or being scandalously out of protocol. BTW, back when I used to swim (and I was a LOUSY swimmer, so didn't work that hard) I was insanely ravenous afterward - nothing could compare to how hungry swimming made me. I would definitely have to have some healthy snacks waiting for me in the car or I'd end up stopping at In-and-Out Burger