What exercise should I be doing?

angelinhell

I HATE exercise. Have never liked it even in school I'd always avoid PE. I have lost over 50lbs so far using diet alone but I want a nice, toned body and not a flabby one! Should I be doing weights alone or mix it up with cardio too and what do I do, how much do I lift, HOW do I lift? I'm actually clueless.

rabblescum

I am a bit of a beginner myself but what I have learned is that if you don't enjoy it you won't do it. My bike has really been key to any success I have had. So find something that you at least hate less. I do know that it was recommended to me by a really good trainer that my body needs both. But to always do my lifting first. Muscle can't build as well on stored calories as food calories. So you lift for the first half of your routine and do cardio for the last 30 minutes of gym time. There is a good thread on begining lifting in the top post of this board.

47Jacqueline

Whatever you choose, make sure you like what you do. Otherwise you'll still hate it and won't stick with it.

neogramps

I would recommend trying the Beginner Routine from Reddit's bodyweightfitness: there's a cheatsheet here, and a more detailed walkthrough with videos here.

Why this? Because to start with you don't need any equipment and you can do it in the house. You start off with a few exercises and build it up to more; the only thing you need to buy once you progress is a pullup bar of some kind, which are £20 for a decent on, or less if you get it used.

If the exercise bug bites and you want to start lifting weights, Google stronglifts 5x5 for a good starter routine, which has videos etc, but you may want to see if you can get a trainer at your gym when you start to help you get your form correct.

Also, check out Yoga, which can build strength as well as flexibiity - this channel has a lot of good videos to follow.

As for cardio, I hate it, and I just go for long brisk walks, but if you can tolerate it, it is great for your heart and your endurance, so walk, run, jog, cycle or row a couple of times a week.