What is your go to workout/exercise?

ReadyforOctober
ReadyforOctober Posts: 13 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I recently started my weight loss journey. I am having a hard time finding the workout routine that will work for me. I have tried workout videos but haven't been able to finish because I get out of breath right away. Please share some of the things you did when you first started. I am home based but hope to join a gym when I feel a bit confident in myself.
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Replies

  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    When I first started I could barely manage 15min on my stationary bike. Just kept at it, adding a few minutes each time. I also started dancing around to my favorite tunes.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I started with just walking on a treadmill. Then added incline and speed intervals. I eventually did a couch25k program and bought Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I've tried so many other dvds and videos on youtube since then, incorporate running and walking (outside and on the treadmill) and lift weights. I swim laps in the summer. Just try many things and see what you like.
  • Zella_11
    Zella_11 Posts: 161 Member
    Walking, yoga, weights :) Just try a few things out and try to find something you enjoy. I started yoga about a month ago to focus on my performance and set small fitness goals--it is fun to switch it up if you don't like walking or fitness videos. Don't worry if you can't do all the "moves" or if you have to stop to catch your breath--takes time--you'll get there--it'll get easier. The important thing is that you are trying to move more for better health. Wishing you happy health! :)
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    Walking, cycling, and dancing are my top three favorites. When I dance, it doesn't even feel like exercise just because I enjoy it so much.
  • ReadyforOctober
    ReadyforOctober Posts: 13 Member
    Forty6and2 wrote: »
    Honestly, when I first started, I got out of breath using workout videos too. But I would pause the video, drink some water, and catch my breath and then continue on with the video. It may take you a little longer, but you'll be able to get through it in time!

    Also, if you're going to be joining a gym, I can't recommend group exercise classes enough! I began taking them about a year ago and I now teach them. They're a fantastic way to get motivation, especially when you're just beginning. They're a lot of fun too! And there are people of all different sizes in many of the classes too, so you will likely not be the only one there who is trying to lose weight.

    Thank you! Glad to know I'm not the only one starting like this.
  • ReadyforOctober
    ReadyforOctober Posts: 13 Member
    Zella_11 wrote: »
    Don't worry if you can't do all the "moves" or if you have to stop to catch your breath--takes time--you'll get there--it'll get easier. The important thing is that you are trying to move more for better health. Wishing you happy health! :)

    Thank You. You're right! What matters is that I keep moving!
  • lauraesh0384
    lauraesh0384 Posts: 463 Member
    I honestly just walk. I find exercise videos to be incredibly boring. I put on either music or a TV show and walk in my apartment. For me it's much more enjoyable that way. If it's not enjoyable, I'm going to get burnt out and not do it.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,615 Member
    What is your go to workout/exercise?

    1) Cycling
    2) Walking

    And then I'll throw in a bit of hiking, weight lifting, and some water sports.
  • CampLondon
    CampLondon Posts: 239 Member
    I started running around an elementary school track one time through then I would walk probably half-a-lap then run less than half-a-lap until I had made it 4 times around. I also did some weightlifting and sit ups back then.
    Since then I have replaced track for running up hill. I live near a mountain. I started doing Pop Pilates in December. Cassie puts a calendar out and I skip exercises like up up down downs, hip twists, etc. I like the challenge of Mountain climbers, Burpees, Plank Jacks, and football runs. I know I am better at football runs than plank jacks because I stop more than once doing jacks in 45 seconds. I believe I found my weight loss mojo for at least 11 more weeks.
  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
    i haaaaaaaate directed/organized exercise of every kind. video or in-person, it's all just rage and boredom for me in a horrible kind of combination.

    my most natural go-to is cycling. i have a car but use it maybe a few times a month :tongue: it's embarrassing when i do take it somewhere and then realise there's lichen on it.
  • Colt1835
    Colt1835 Posts: 447 Member
    I love to run. I should work on my strength training more, but running is where my heart is. It takes time to start enjoying a workout. Don't give up on one until you have stuck with it for a few weeks at least. As far as cardio goes, once you get your stamina and endurance up you should have way more fun working out.
  • emmylootwo
    emmylootwo Posts: 172 Member
    I do a lot of walking on the treadmill. I up the incline rather than the speed to keep my workouts intense but low impact. I know you said you didn't like the workout videos, but have you tried walk at home videos? You walk in place and do other comparable movements that are also really low impact. I used to like Jillian Michaels videos too. She shows you how to do the exercises as a beginner and slowly increase intensity, and the circuit training between cardio and strength helps when you really need to catch your breath! Lol. Best of luck!
  • ElizabethOakes2
    ElizabethOakes2 Posts: 1,038 Member
    Walk. Walk walk walk. Walk 20 minutes, then thirty, then forty. Just walk. :) Now I alternate my power-walk days (5-6 miles at 3.5-4.0 mph) with swim days, or, if I can't get to the pool for whatever reason, I have a glider-stepper at home so I can throw in some Game of Thrones and get my cardio that way.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    Walking is also my go-to. Barely any recovery needed so I can do it every day, in short bursts, in long bursts, on incline, varying speeds, leisure walk, a walk to the mall, walking around the house when talking on the phone or while waiting for the microwave, hiking a scenic route, walking the dog... and many more. It's such a versatile and low impact pleasant activity with intensities varying from strolling effortlessly to huffing and puffing up a hill.

    I also love running, but being fat I need extra recovery. Some day...
  • lseed87
    lseed87 Posts: 1,105 Member
    Walk, zumba, Jillian Michaels videos and other vids. Elliptical, stationary bike, hiking, biking, lifting weights, dumbbells, machines at the gym. Swimming. Anything is better than doing nothing. YOU WILL GET BETTER AT IT.
  • dutchandkiwi
    dutchandkiwi Posts: 1,389 Member
    When I started I decided to look at my life and have a look at where I could fit in some easy excersise as I was not fit but wanted to get fitter. I did not want to join a gym and felt no need until recently

    I started with simply walking. I extended my time walking, it helped I had a goal as my work is 4.5 km from home. I started with just once a week walking there and back. I also started walking to the store for small things I needed to buy. These days (3 years later) 15km I consider a nice afternoon stroll and I walk to work 4 days a week. Our preferred holidays now are long distance walkways. (Which we won't be able to do this year, but that is a different story)

    We cycle a lot here and I took that further and more often and further. Upping slowly over time. I love taking the bike on a nice day and do a 30-40km roundtrip, takes about 1.5 to 2 hours only.
    I already did yoga (once a week an hour) and started doing some moring stretches, both to wake up and to get the energy flowing. About a year go I added resistance training and found I loved working with free weights.
    I now have a gym membership and love it. I joined just 3 months ago and when I felt I needed to get further in my excersise. I now do the you tube videos as well and some are harder than others.

    If those home videos are your preferred way to do it make sure you watch them before you join in to see if they will fit you and stick intitially to the beginners. You will increase your strength over time and as you gain fitness you will be able to do many of them.
  • Stripeymitten
    Stripeymitten Posts: 74 Member
    I started with just walking outside for 30 mins to start with, building up to 60 mins. My go-to exercise though is rebounding (on the mini trampoline) so I began that as soon as I was within the weight limit for the rebounder. Paul Eugene's 30 min mini trampoline workout on YouTube is my first choice all the time (would be swimming but don't have my own pool!) and now I can do all the moves and will do the workout two or three times back to back. He has some others on his blog but the YouTube one is best.
  • 85Cardinals
    85Cardinals Posts: 733 Member
    Trampoline exercise has its ups and downs.
  • solway190
    solway190 Posts: 5 Member
    Run, swim & cycle. Run to the pool, cycle to the pool or cycle to the run. Start short, slow and easy, now I go the long way round to everything.
  • NovaDuck
    NovaDuck Posts: 63 Member
    I started with walking. Just walking a little, like 3km here and there. I ended up walking 10-12km several times a week. I then moved on to some basic home workouts from YouTube (like Jessica Smith) and running. I now can run 7-8km (still with a bit of walking) and can do higher intensity workouts like Insanity and other HIIT without any issues/modifying.

    Basically, over time you'll just gradually "get there". If you prefer the home workouts, follow the modifier and if you need a break, take one anytime! The benefit of home workouts is you can pause whenever you feel like it! Stick to a single workout for a couple of weeks and then decide whether it's working for you. The first week is usually the hardest.

    Good luck to you! :)

  • Alarae21
    Alarae21 Posts: 171 Member
    Initially I began C25k, got to week 4 and then my friend convinced me to go to a gym class with her (yoga). Basically I refused to join a gym to do classes before as I didn't want to be seen as the 'unfit' one that can't do any of the moves.

    After I stepped foot in the gym for that first class, I realised that no one honestly cares what you do in the class, as they are focusing on themselves.

    I signed up to a membership that day. Over the next few weeks I tried a load of different classes so I could figure out what I liked and didn't.

    Now, around three and a half months later, I go 5-6 days a week, completing 11 classes. I do a range; Body Conditioning (pump), Bokwa, Pilates, Spin, Upper Body/Abs, Cardio Aerobics and Barre.

    I don't really like HIIT or Bookcamp, so I don't go. You just need to find something you enjoy.

    I'm not a runner by nature, so finding the gym and ditching C25k was the best thing I ever did.
  • carmexaldewin87
    carmexaldewin87 Posts: 37 Member
    I love YouTube for fitness videos and absolutely love JessicaSmithTV. She has a large variety of exercise videos and in most of them, her dog, Peanut is there. I find I laugh doing them and it makes it more enjoyable. She's very encouraging and her moves are easily modified if need be.
  • st476
    st476 Posts: 357 Member
    I use an app called C25K (Couch to 5k). It's not something you can do at home unless you have a treadmill, but you don't need to go to the gym. It basically trains you for a 5k over the course of 8 weeks (3 days/week, and no longer than 40 minutes a day). I feel like it's a good starting point and motivated me to jog/walk :smile:
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    edited June 2016
    When I first started out all I could do is walk. 1/4 of a mile was a real challenge. But I kept going...

    Soon I was able to do 1 mile without stopping, then 2 miles etc., I then discovered Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home videos. Those workouts helped to build my endurance and stamina even more. Before I knew it I could do 5 miles in one shot and I wasn't sore or tired.

    Fast forward 4 years later I am now fast walking daily getting up to 8+ miles with ease and 2 - 3 miles of light walking on an active rest day.

    Now I am in excellent shape and can do more so I also love to lift, plyometrics and bodyweight exercises and I'm not into dancing or boot camp type workouts.

    Also I only workout at home or outside. I lost 80 pounds and have been maintaining my weight for over 3 years without a gym membership. I use a lot of Beachbody workouts and workouts on Youtube (Jessica Smith, Fitness Blender etc.)

    Take baby steps, build up to it and work for it. Everyday. It will be tough at first, but your body will adapt as you continue to challenge it!

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