Does the type of exercise matter?

Charlenelindsay5

When exercising, and when new to it/restarting, is there one way that works better than another?

I'm 5'3", about 174lbs, and quite out of shape. I'm wondering if I'm better to do a video (think 21 day fix/30 day shred type deal) or am I better to use my dumbbells/kettle bells and the zillion little cheat sheet workouts found online combined with time on the treadmill/elliptical/bike? Does it make a difference at this point? Do benefits of 1 outweigh the other?

SonyaCele

do something you will stick with and enjoy, that is what matters most. Until you have some specific fitness goals, it doesn't matter what kinda exercise you do, as long as you do it.

CranstonJ2016

I thought I had to lift weights, i did the P90X videos and yoga videos and kept up...what I find works for me right now is cardio and a simple 30 day HIIT challenge. I've lost 10lbs as of today, and I'm liking it.

It may not be for you, so do various things until you find something you like to do

lorrpb

A combination of cardio & strength is best, so you get the benefits of both types of exercise. Strength training will help minimize muscle loss, plus it makes you stronger so you can "do" things in life more easily. Cardio helps your overall endurance and energy level.

DancingMoosie

I find workout videos to be more fun and keep me going better than the "cheat sheets". The cheat sheets are good to fill in gaps in your workout, though. A combination of cardio, strength, and fun! Find what you like and what you feel comfortable with. I love The Firm, Jillian Michaels, Denise Austin, Cathe, Turbo Jam, and Shaun T. I started with 30 Day Shred and trying to do 100 pushups a day. Then I was invited to come try out the weight room with the power lifters. I felt strong going into the weight room for the first time!

spiriteagle99

Find exercise you enjoy doing. I love to hike, so walking and running are easy and fun for me when I can't get to the mountains. For rainy days, I do some videos, but have a hard time finding ones where the leader doesn't drive me crazy talking all the time. I like ones where I can do the exercises with just music and turn off the obnoxious cheerleading. Alternately, I just turn on the radio and do an hour of dance and aerobic movement.

Since you are out of shape, you want to be careful to start out slowly. Don't do too much too soon. In the past, I've had a lot of good intentions killed by a pulled back or other sore muscle. Walking is generally safe to do every day. Other exercises need to be spaced out in the beginning.

Fitgirllife72

Charlenelindsay5 wrote: »

When exercising, and when new to it/restarting, is there one way that works better than another?

I'm 5'3", about 174lbs, and quite out of shape. I'm wondering if I'm better to do a video (think 21 day fix/30 day shred type deal) or am I better to use my dumbbells/kettle bells and the zillion little cheat sheet workouts found online combined with time on the treadmill/elliptical/bike? Does it make a difference at this point? Do benefits of 1 outweigh the other?

Start slow. You need to develop a relationship with working out. Find something you can fall in love with. If you start off too hard and fast you may find yourself burning out quickly. I started at 155 lbs this summer and I am 5'6". I had done weight training for about 20 years before this year and own every single video from The Firm back to Volume 1. Yes. I own over 100 videos from the Firm lol. but the last 3 years got the best of me. I started back early this year with Leslie sansone and her walking videos. I moved onto Jillian Michaels beginner shred this summer and have advanced through many of her videos since. I am currently doing Jilian's killer series 6 days per week and run 3. Don't rush it. I wouldn't recommend 30 day shred as a day one workout video for anyone who is just starting out.

LivingtheLeanDream

You have to find something you enjoy doing, that way you'll be more inclined to stick with it.

Jellybewbie

I agree with the above - you need to enjoy it to be able to continue with it - as after the 30 days or whatever the course length is, you wont stop and do nothing! you keep going!