How To Start??

Hi, I'm hoping to lose 14lb over the next 9 weeks. I'm taking in 1200 calories a day but my lifestyle is sedentary as I'm housebound. I know I should be exercising but I don't know how or where to start.
I actually HATE exercise with a vengeance so I was thinking maybe some indoor HIT would be good as it's fast (obviously) and, I'm hoping, will be something I feel more inclined to do. I used to quite enjoy running on the spot before so it would be good to incorporate that maybe?
I want to exercise to help with the weight but also to try to get some definition to my body as due to a lengthy illness (all better now) where I was unable to do any thing I'm very 'fluffy' as my BF calls it :blushing:
Can anyone advise on what might help please?

I'm not sure if this is relevant but I'm;
Female
5' 4"
46 yrs old
146.5lb

Replies

  • janeypoosandbob
    janeypoosandbob Posts: 85 Member
    Anyone??? :flowerforyou:
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Anyone??? :flowerforyou:

    14 pounds in 9 weeks is pretty aggressive. This close to goal, 1/2 pound a week would help you keep lean muscle mass more effectively. Losing fat + muscle leaves you a little "puffy"....google skinny-fat.

    MFP gives you a deficit BEFORE exercise, so either way plan on eating some calories back. Lots of protein & strength training help you keep as much lean muscle as possible.

    I'm trying to incorporate exercise as a lifestyle change (now) because I've always stopped exercise and the weight came back. I recommend anything that you picture yourself doing for a long time. That's the thing you will be consistent at.

    For cardio I use a rebounder. I keep it low impact (over 50). I can "bounce" or jog when a favorite TV program is on...no excuses.

    For strength training I like DVDs. Kelly Coffey Meyer is my favorite. I used Netflix by mail to test drive dozens of DVDs. I found that annoying instructors weren't going to last long. If you don't have weights yet, start with body weight exercises (planks, push ups, squats, etc.).

    On-line resources: BeFit TV, The Jessica Smith Channel, Hulu.com, and Fitnessblender.com

    Look for things that interest you.
  • janeypoosandbob
    janeypoosandbob Posts: 85 Member
    Thanks for that TeaBea. I was skinny fat during and after my illness and now after gaining weight I'm now just fat fat :sad:

    I will be eating some exercise calories back but not all as in the past I have found MFP seems to be a bit overly generous with exercise values. I used to under-log my exercise minutes to counteract this problem.

    While I'm stuck inside I think jogging on the spot is something I can see myself doing, it's just getting enough motivation to get my backside off the chair :frown:

    Do you think it would benefit me to just use household objects such as heavy cans and 2ltr water bottles as weights along with the jogging?

    I've never heard of a 'rebounder' but I will Google that along with the website you mentioned.

    Thanks again :drinker:
  • tiggsnanny
    tiggsnanny Posts: 366 Member
    I won't be much help because I hate excersise too lol but I have a hula hoop and I love that, i'm 53 so haven't done it in years, it took me a while to get the hang of it, but it's still excersise keep picking the darn thing up hahaa

    I also have a kettle bell but I think it's too heavy for me. I walk my dog so that's good excersise. I've had a stroke, so I can't fling myself about, my balance is not good lol. Just find something that you enjoy and can do indoors :smile:
  • janeypoosandbob
    janeypoosandbob Posts: 85 Member
    Tiggsnanny a hula hoop is an excellent idea, I hadn't thought of that and my waist is one of my problem areas so I presume a hoop would help there?
    Thanks for that :happy:
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Go for a walk...

    also, if you want to firm up and "tone"...you're going to have to do resistance training of some kind. You can't tighten things up and "tone" without muscle...to have muscle you have to work muscle.

    Personally, I ride my bike a lot and I hit the weight room a couple nights per week. I hit the weight room more in the winter when it's cold and I don't feel like riding so much...that's when I really work on my strength gains and building muscle. The rest of the year I just try to preserve what I have and I lift to assist my riding mostly.
  • tiggsnanny
    tiggsnanny Posts: 366 Member
    And hula hooping is fun, I just hula and watch the telly at the same time :smile: i'm going to buy a new one, my friend wants mine, it's a weighted one, just a cheap one I got off ebay. I want a dance hoop now i've got the hang of it :smile: look on ebay they are really cheap xx
  • tiggsnanny
    tiggsnanny Posts: 366 Member
    You can also look on youtube there are lots of hula hoops vids on there :happy:
  • janeypoosandbob
    janeypoosandbob Posts: 85 Member
    Go for a walk...

    also, if you want to firm up and "tone"...you're going to have to do resistance training of some kind. You can't tighten things up and "tone" without muscle...to have muscle you have to work muscle.

    Personally, I ride my bike a lot and I hit the weight room a couple nights per week. I hit the weight room more in the winter when it's cold and I don't feel like riding so much...that's when I really work on my strength gains and building muscle. The rest of the year I just try to preserve what I have and I lift to assist my riding mostly.

    I'm housebound, I can't get out at all unfortunately so walking, bicycle riding or going to a gym are impossible for me but thanks anyway :)
  • janeypoosandbob
    janeypoosandbob Posts: 85 Member
    You can also look on youtube there are lots of hula hoops vids on there :happy:

    :smile:
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    Have a look on youtube, all sorts of workouts on there, from HIIT like you mention, to bodyweight exercises, it's a start and you may be surprised where it takes you!