Active and Rest Days Advise Needed

Chezzie84

Hi Guys and Girls,

Athough I am not new to MFP, I am new to exercising.
I have never been a very active person and actually used to hate exercise of any kind, mainly because I was embarrased and I used to get tired and out of breath quickly.
Anyway after losing 23lb, I am finding I have more energy and a new found confidence and motivation.

I want to start building up my fitness now and I since cant really afford to go to a gym to I need to use what I have around me.
I have decided to start walking (eventually building up to jogging) in the country lanes that surround my home.

My plan is:
Walk for 5,000 steps or more on days that I am at work. (I leave the house at 7:30 and dont get home until 6:30 so long walks are not always possible. Walk for 10,000 steps or more in days that I am not at work (Weekends/Bank Holidays etc)
Take 2 rest days a week (Monday and Friday on a normal week but this will change dependant if the Monday or Friday are a bank holiday to Tuesday or Thursday).

I know that rest days are as important as active days for muscle recuperation.
Any advise welcome :-)

JenMc14

I think that is fine. As far as days on. And off, but I'd make sure to add in some sort of resistance training, even if it's bodyweight only.

Chezzie84

Like Sit Ups, Push Ups, Squats?

JenMc14

Yeah, but I'd ditch sit-ups. Squats, lunges, push-ups (at whatever level you're able) planks, maybe dips and crunches. Check out nerdfitness.com for a beginner bodyweight program, and just Google "beginner bodyweight program" for ideas.

Chezzie84

Thank you I will do that

lisa1913

I was a little like you too as far as exercise and I have to be careful with my back. I now have 6 months though to loose some weight or I'm on the verge of being put on cholesterol medication which I don't want to do because I already take a few other medications. Anyway, I'm feeling better this time around abut MFP. I am also doing a ab & squat challenge that I found on Pinterest. There are a lot of ideas via Pinterest. I'm also going to try the crunch challenge next month. Oh and by the way, I can't actually do sit-ups due to my back, but can manage to make them more like crunches. The squats are great too. I'm half way through the 30 days. Began it on April 1 so it's easy to remember. I'm also doing them no matter what I feel like (tired, etc). So far so good. I'm quit proud of myself. I also treadmill and walk the neighborhood when it's nice outside. I can't afford the gym either. I have done Zumba in the past but that gets pricey also. We can do this!!!!!