New, never exercised before, what to start with

Cherlynn25

Hi! Im a mom to 4 great kids (12,10,6 & 4)! I have finally decided that I am tired of the extra weight and eating unhealthy. My husband and I both started logging our food and doing some light cardio.We just finished week 2! whoo hoo. I have lost 4 lbs so far. I have never exercised a day in my life, lol, ok a few here and there but nothing consistant. The past 2 weeks i have been jogging/walking about 1.5 miles 3 times a week.
What should i be doing? any good starter videos?
Thank you!!!!!!

Trista87Marie

I haven't really ever used videos but walking is def a great way to get the weight off. My sister lost 100lbs just walking in about 6 months. And she didnt really do much to change her eating habits, so if your doing both you should have great results.

denise980

Do you have Comcast OnDemand? There are a lot of free workout videos on the Sports and Fitness page. There are a lot there that you can pick and chose what works for you and what doesn't. I personally like the following:

Standing Abs, Buns and Thighs, Leslie Sansone 1 mile walk, and Cardio Fat Blaster. Those are the ones that I have repeatedly been doing. I just orderd the 30-Day Shred by Jillian Michaels and it's in the mail as we speak. That is something that is a little more intense, from what I have been told. But I've also seen that it has a lot of positive results.

rockabillydarlin

I think you should do whatever works for you! If walking together has already given you results, I say keep at it. Though it is good to switch it up so your body doesn't get used to the routine and stops shedding the poundage. If you have access to a gym, I recommend the elliptical -- it works your lower body and is a good stand in for running on a treadmill, especially if you have knee problems. I might also suggest investing in some weights from a sporting goods store -- just the simple dumbbells you see all the time -- to do lunges and work your arms. Lunges are also great for your butt. I've just been trying to go off what we would lift when I played soccer (I used to live, sleep, and breathe that sport from 1st grade through high school). Nothing too "advanced" but some simple lifting to tone your muscles.

Swimming and bicycling are good options too, especially as the weather continues to warm up. Hope that helps!

bovbjerg

30 Day Shred (Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser) - the DVD is really inexpensive (about $10) and has 3 levels - each only about 20 minutes and gets harder at each step up. You start at level 1 and when you're ready, you move on to level 2, etc. The idea is you do it 30 days in a row and should see some amazing results. I've only done a couple of days worth but it's a good workout in 20 minutes!!! I'm leaving next week on holidays so my plan was to get a few days here and there in (to get used to it) and then try to go hard when I'm back! Having children, I know time is a hot commodity!

david081

If you never really exercised, walking is probably best, don't rush into jogging though. A heart-rate monitor is a good idea too, and try to set a pace that keeps you at about 65-70% of your max heart rate for your age

soniams

I say continue with the walking and work on increasing your distance and pace. The approach I am taking to my weight loss is to make permanent changes to my lifestyle that I will continue for the remainder of my life. I don't like to exercise but I really like walking. I know I should do some weight lifting but I am not ready yet to commit to doing so on a permanent basis. So walking is what I do. I am up to 3 miles per day 6-7 days per week. My dogs are enjoying this new me very much!

scgma

First, I would set some goal..this way you can see your results...small victories !! My 1st on is to get heathy and move more...and then to lose weight!!
Measure..with a tape measure..biceps, bust, waist, hips, and thigh( maybe even neck, if you are like me LOL)
then weigh..weight is not the only place to focus..you will have weeks when the scales lie!!! no weight lost but inches will change( small victories)
I began by walking my dog..yes, my little hero that would not "go" at our new house...sooo no matter the weather or how I feel, we walk every day!!
DVDs are pretty cheap at Walmart and TJMaxx..Leslie Sammons walkings are pretty good
Wii is awesome !!!! I LOVE my Wii Active !!!!
Challenges keep you focused...there are several here and I use some on Buddyslim!! I even started a Wii Challenge.
Just do something every day that you didn't do before!!

Dietwise - WATCH your portions !!!!! I was eating the right stuff, just way too much !!! and I start every morning with breakfast..it might be later than most people but it gets my motor going !!!
Good luck !!
You can do it !!

bayles1

Keep walking,it will help you meet your goals and you will have a great time too,so much more
healthier in the fresh air and sunshine than working out indoors.Keep going your doing just fine..

momofcami

I was kind of in the same situation as you when I first started about 5 weeks ago...I hadn't exercised in years and I was very out of shape. I also needed something easy to follow - I'm not very coordinated and any kind of danse or aerobics is too frustrating to follow, This is what worked well for me:

Leslie Sansone, 4 mile walk (for one full week). This totally kicked my but in terms of cardio - but I managed my way through it at a fast and steady pace. I did this for one week and then moved onto...


Billy Blanks Tae Bo Cardio . After day one I was so sore I had a hard time walking (especially up and down stairs) for two days. (But I still managed to get one 4 mile walk in while recuperating). I got back into Tae Bo after two days and did it straight (Sunday's off) for the last four weeks. It's a short 30 minute workout - but it has already worked wonders.

Today I started my first day of the 30 day shred, level 1. I am shocked by how easy it was for me.

So....this is what worked for me. It was really important to find something that I could somewhat do without TOO much frustration - because I really wanted to keep on track without getting discouraged by my physical limitations.

Good luck to you!

mazomama

first off, good for you!!!!!

secondly, i love my library card when it comes to trying out dvd's. and youtube will have clips here and there as well.

as a mama of 4 as well i personally love short work outs because i find it to difficult to stick with my self for more then 20 min. and some one needing this or that and mama has to push pause for the 80th time

when im really in need of me time i take my kids to the YMCA, all four of 'em and do my thing while they do theirs.
I looked for a long time into health clubs and love the Y because its all about family and kids!!! Plus were we are ( WI) we were able to apply for scholarship that helps pay for our monthly membership.

And last but not least, walking is awesome!! its free and the weather is getting nicer