Getting the most out of exercise...

OregonShell

I was talking to my oldest son this morning who is 25 while I was getting ready for work and he made a comment that really burns... The discussion was about what my ideas and plans were for incorporating exercise into my life and weight loss... I have been tossing around either getting an X-Box with Knex's or joining the gym. My Daughter nad her boyfriend want to join a gym and my youngest who is 17 also wants to workout. My oldest though puts in his 2 cents and says "joining a gym is a waste of money and time." That hurt and burns because I am doing this to get healthy, I am currently (according to medical charts) 70 pounds over weight, the medical charts say I should be 165# or less but for me I am happy and look good at 175-180# which is my goal weight. I know that if I do not incorporate exercise into my weight loss that I will stall fast and get frustrated sooner with the lack of results causing me to give up altogether.
My problem with the XBox is that there are to many distractions at home and I am concerned I will not get in the quality of exercise I should. So the gym makes more sense as long as I can keep myself from feeling guilty for "taking away time from my husband and family". I know the argument that I will in the long run be adding time for them by extending my life. but the here and now is the hard part. My husband is not the type to work out at the gym or at home. I'd be lucky if I could get him to go for a walk or a bike ride with me once in a while. so there is the time away from him in the evenings.

"if" I join the gym by my house my plan would be to work out at least 5 days a week, example: Monday thru Friday, taking the weekend off or occasionally throwing in a weekend workout. I was thinking that on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday doing Cardio for 30-60 minutes, changing up between the treadmill, elliptical, rowing machine and bikes maybe even the stair climber. and then on Tuesday and Thursdays focusing on weights machines and sit ups/ crunches. I figure I would be spending about 1-2 hours at he gym at least 5 days a week.

I would like to get input from others how do you manage you time in the gym and balancing family and self especially when you work full time?

Thank you...

PS: Also I know there are a few Fitness professionals on MFP.. if any of you would mind adding me as a "friend" maybe checking in on me from time to time and giving advise I would greatly appreciate it. I can't afford to hire a trainer/ nutritionist, unfortunately. Thank again.

EvanKeel

I think I'd switch the weights to MWF and then cardio on T/TH. And you'd want to be a little particular about when you work which muscle groups for recovery reasons.

I am NOT a strength/conditioning coach, but it seems like 2 days/week might not give you enough opportunity to lift enough, unless you spend several hours in the gym. And doing Tuesday/ Thursday may not give you enough recovery time, depending on which muscle groups you work on those days.

dmpizza

A year or two ago, we bought several of the exercise programs for XBOX that utilize the Kinect feature.
You need quite a bit of room in front of the TV, and they include floor exercises and sometimes it doesn't see you when you are down on the floor.
We found the XBOX Adventure to be more strenuous than the actual exercise programs. Although it was horrible on my knees.

Personally, I prefer a gym and have had much success at a NY Sports Club.

If you are concerned about money, you might try your local "Y". Many are nicely renovated now and services are usually available on a sliding scale based on income.

Many gyms include baby sitting services at a discount, if that helps.



Good Luck.

dfranch

I hate to disagree with EvanKeel, but I'd stick with the cardio to get started. It will speed up the weight loss. Lifting weight adds muscle which adds weight, which gives the impression of slower weight loss. Once you've lost some weight you can always increase the weight training and decrease the cardio.

LishieFruit89

I think I'd switch the weights to MWF and then cardio on T/TH. And you'd want to be a little particular about when you work which muscle groups for recovery reasons.

I am NOT a strength/conditioning coach, but it seems like 2 days/week might not give you enough opportunity to lift enough, unless you spend several hours in the gym. And doing Tuesday/ Thursday may not give you enough recovery time, depending on which muscle groups you work on those days.

Agreeing on the MWF weights and TTh cardio.

If going to the gym and working out there will get you motivated to continue, then do that.
Don't listen to your oldest son.

However, when you are doing weights, try to use free weights (dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells) over the weight machines. Your results will be much quicker and your strength will increase better with free weights. Machines do the stabilizing for you so you aren't getting all of the benefit from the program.

Look into Stronglifts 5x5 and New Rules of Lifting for Women.
Both are good reads and good programs.
Both also have groups here on MFP for support and questions.

In my personal opinion, Stronglifts is a better program due to it's simplicity.
But NROLFW is a good book with great info and that author isn't as obnoxious as the Stronglifts guy.

Most gyms will offer a free session with a trainer when you join unless it's Planet Fitness.

But youtube and bodybuilding.com are both resources for form videos.

ETA: used "arguing" instead of 'agreeing" fixed

LishieFruit89

I hate to disagree with EvanKeel, but I'd stick with the cardio to get started. It will speed up the weight loss. Lifting weight adds muscle which adds weight, which gives the impression of slower weight loss. Once you've lost some weight you can always increase the weight training and decrease the cardio.

Don't listen to this.

While you are losing weight you want to retain as much lean body mass as possible.
And by incorporating weights, you can do this.
More lean body mass (LBM) means that you burn more calories at rest.
And it means you get to eat more.
And who doesn't want to eat more?!

Plus by retaining LBM, you won't be 'skinny fat' (not a huge fan of the term tbh).
Meaning, at your goal weight, you'll have a lower body fat % and be firmer and tighter.


So at 5'7" and 150lbs, I'm a size 4.
I lift weights often.

When I was 17, I was 5'7" and 128lbs. Also a size 4.
20lbs different. Same pants.

thatATLgirl

Join a gym. You can't beat that level of exercise. Don't let your family make you feel guilty. After all, it's not like you'll be there 6 hours a day, only about an hour or so. ALSO, I don't have children or a husband, but I have heard from people who do, that early mornings are best so there's less to get in the way of going. DO IT!

JTick

I hate to disagree with EvanKeel, but I'd stick with the cardio to get started. It will speed up the weight loss. Lifting weight adds muscle which adds weight, which gives the impression of slower weight loss. Once you've lost some weight you can always increase the weight training and decrease the cardio.

False. She will not add any significant muscle while in a deficit...even as a newbie who is lifting as heavy as possible, the gains will be minimal.

JTick

Double post. :grumble:

tr66

Don't make things too complicated on yourself. I started simply by walking everyday during my lunch hour. Get a pedometer for a few bucks and set a goal to walk between 8-10k steps per day. Kick the nicotine habit before spending any money on a membership or toys or gadgets.

EvanKeel

And..On the topic of starting a weight lifting routine:

I'd suggest either working with a trainer who can help you with your form, or obsessively watch videos and use lighter weights to start. Once your muscles get used to the proper movements, you can add weights. Stronglifts 5x5 kind of works that way, where you start light and gradually add weight, but I'd still try to be very picky about form early on to avoid injury later.

Jady777

My opinion on the xbox or gym is none, I feel like xbox is a bit dumb and gym is a waist of my money and time, I use fitnessblender.com, and have the 30 day shred video, as well as any other workouts on youtube. I get the same results as a gym or xbox. As for lifting obviously the gym has more choices, but you can buy weights too.

indigo827

Personally, I need to actually go to the gym to motivate myself to work harder. Not everyone needs that motivation. You need to know what works for you.

OregonShell

Thanks all your input is helpful... I'll have to check out the reading material to build my weight part of my work out.
I think Starting with cardio 3 times a week and Weight 2-3 times a week for now is the way I need to start then switching it in a few months... OR I could just change it up and one week m,w,f cardio and T,Th Weights and the next week M,W,F Weights and T,TH Cardio... that may also help keep my body guessing so it doesn't get to used to a regular routine...

I think I am going to talk to my husband tonight about the gym idea though. Heck with the money I am saving by quitting smoking I should be able to budget it.

Lots to research

Stage14

I don't get why you are personally hurt by your son not thinking a gym membership is a good investment. Perhaps for him, it wouldn't be a good way to motivate working out but for you it would. That's perfectly fine.

As far as your workout plans go, here's my .02.
a. Personally, I love the gym. It allows me to mix up my workouts with different routines and equipment when I'm bored, and my progression isn't hindered by my bank account because everything I need to move up to the next level of liftingc is all right there for one monthly payment.
b. Slow down and temper your expectations. Planning 5-6 days a week starting out is insanely aggressive, and can cause burnout or even injury. Start with something like 3 days a week and then once that is established, add in more.
b. As for weights vs cardio, if you're doing a good beginner routine, you can absolutely get good results lifting only two days a week because your routine will be full of compound lifts that work the whole body rather than isolated movements that don't do much for you anyway at this stage. How much cardio you add to that is your call. Just remember more cardio=faster weight loss but also more cardio = faster muscle loss. You have to find a balance that works for you.

tr66

Some insurance plans now offer discounts to fitness clubs. Through my insurance, I pay $26/month and can use ANY of the health clubs they are affiliated with. Best of all, there are no membership fees or contracts. Its worth asking your employer.

OregonShell

That makes sense TR66... My only concern is the demands my kids and husband put on me and the way I feel guilty when I don't "do for them" or "take care of them" I think getting away from the house is what would work for me best, working out at home is well and good as long as you don't have to many distractions and are not having to worry about who you are "disturbing" while they are sleeping or relaxing after their day...

OregonShell

Stage 14: the reason my sons comments burn me is because he was telling me I shouldn't join a gym because it is a waste of money. and why should he discourage me if I am quitting smoking and want to spend $40 a month on me for a gym membership to be healthier then why not... no he wants me to buy the XBox so he can play video games .. that is not what this is for.. .not why I am doing it... It hurt that instead of being encouraging he turned it around to be how it would benefit him ... at least that is how I felt

xcazax

Personally I think that the gym would be a better option. Realistically when you think about it, how many people have so much exercise stuff in the house that they dont use whereas if you go to the gym then it is all there for you. Plus you have pointed out that your son would like the xbox to play games on so how often would you even get the time to spend on it

LishieFruit89

That makes sense TR66... My only concern is the demands my kids and husband put on me and the way I feel guilty when I don't "do for them" or "take care of them" I think getting away from the house is what would work for me best, working out at home is well and good as long as you don't have to many distractions and are not having to worry about who you are "disturbing" while they are sleeping or relaxing after their day...

All of your kids are 17 and up according to your profile.
They can do crap for themselves so you can have some me time

DoriLuke

Join a gym. You can't beat that level of exercise. Don't let your family make you feel guilty. After all, it's not like you'll be there 6 hours a day, only about an hour or so. ALSO, I don't have children or a husband, but I have heard from people who do, that early mornings are best so there's less to get in the way of going. DO IT!

Totally agree with this!