Building up to the build I want

susan_mcconnell

My work out system is currently just a brisk pace on the elliptical with warm ups and cool downs on the treadmill. I sometimes use the work out bicycle and I bike to get around too. I have a bit of a sedentary life when not working out or not going somewhere. But my question is, how should I build up to other exercises, or, should I not try to go so slow? I keep telling myself to wait till I have made some progress and formed the workout habit to move up to things like weight lifting and running, and other things. But I think I could get a warm up regimen more ambitious than the treadmill. I do not want to go easy on myself, but I want to pace myself too.

AsISmile

So what is it that you want?
Is there a fitness goal, sports goal or body goal that you have.

ninerbuff

There are so many options on how to do this out there. The important thing is that you do something you're capable of doing, doing it right and trying to be consistent with it for life. Many times, you do it by trial an error. I thought I would like bike riding...................hated it.
Good luck.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

susan_mcconnell

AsISmile wrote: »

So what is it that you want?
Is there a fitness goal, sports goal or body goal that you have.

I work out 5 days a week at 30 minute blocks. I am trying to watch portion sizes the most and count calories. I want to be down 127 pounds by May 2017.

AsISmile

Only a weight goal?
As often repeated here on MFP, exercise is for cardiovascular health. Diet is for weightloss.
As long as your diet is on point, you will lose weight regardless of exercise. Just do whatever you want.

Do you want to do other exercises? If yes, what kind of exercises?

susan_mcconnell

AsISmile wrote: »

Only a weight goal?
As often repeated here on MFP, exercise is for cardiovascular health. Diet is for weightloss.
As long as your diet is on point, you will lose weight regardless of exercise. Just do whatever you want.

Do you want to do other exercises? If yes, what kind of exercises?

I want to use more machines. Things to strengthen my abdomen, arms (my left arm especially, much weaker than my right), legs, and improve my breathing. I hate being out of breath walking up steps. I want to eventually be able to rock climb like I used to and keep up with my future kids. I want exercise to be a habit not a duty.

AsISmile

@ninerbuff is probably more qualified to answer this than me, but I'll give it a try.

To not get out of breath, continuing cardio is your best choice. It is all a matter of building up endurance.
Try to go a little faster or a little further each time. You could also consider doing HIIT for cardio as it reduces time.

As for strength, you could do machines or follow free weights program.
For both it is just a matter of doing it. There is no minimum requirement. Even if you start with the 1 lbs dumbbell weights.
Most gym's have fitness instructors that can help you with the machines and make you a plan.
Or pick a good beginner lifting program, watch youtube vids on form and just do it.

Also, I think that for most people the left arm is weaker than the right arm.
Dumbbell exercises will probably work for that, but I'm not sure.

fi_b

susan_mcconnell wrote: »

But my question is, how should I build up to other exercises, or, should I not try to go so slow? I keep telling myself to wait till I have made some progress and formed the workout habit to move up to things like weight lifting and running, and other things.

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great"

Why wait? What would you consider to be enough progress to start hitting the machines? It's a difficult question to answer because the answer probably always be "soon", "when I lose 3 more pounds" or similar. There is never a "right time" to start, so just start! And like AsISmaile said, even starting with 1lbs dumbbells is a beginning!
If you need a cheerleader, feel free to send me a message or add me as a friend because at first it can be pretty daunting and scary but you can absolutely do it!