I can't exercise for more than 6 minutes at a time

Ilovepeppers

I don't belong to a gym and I'm a stay at home mom so I can only exercise at home after 9pm. I live right in the middle of downtown, so going out to exercise at night isnt too safe and taking all three kids out during the day for a walk only happens 2 times aa week (theyre all under 4).

What I do have to my advantage, though, is the fact that I live on the 22nd floor. I take the elevator to the first floor, walkup to 22nd floor and do it all over again two or three more times. When I began it took 13 minutes to make it up, now it takes 6... In total I exercise for only 18 - 24 minutes a night/6 nights a week.

Is this enough? It is exhausting so I can't go more than those 4 times... Does the fact that its so intense kind of make up for the fact that I'm not doing it for very long?

gazz777

Well, you are getting heaps of cardio and you must have awesome legs too lol.

Seeing as you have been successful at weight loss, you just may need to work your upper. Resistance bands and small weights ... If that is boring spice it up either music or a Workout dvd.

You got this ... I AM cheering you on !

ingies2011

Wow, you walk up 21 flights of stairs 4 times a day, that's amazing, I bet that really gets your heart rate up and you must be getting a lot fitter, as your improvement in times show, keep it up. Maybe you can get an exercise DVD to do whem you are at home with the children.

SergeantSunshine_reused

That is awesome!! I used to take the stairs up to the 6th floor to get to my dorm and I thought I was a boss xD

crisnis

You could add some wall pushups or crunches in your house to target areas the stairs are not, and these are quiet excersizes...

janeinspain

you're probably burning around 300-400 cals - I just did that yesterday with a heart rate monitor on and I burned almost 200 cals in a little over 15 minutes. done daily, yes, it helps a lot. you can round it to 10 cals/min, just to be on the safe side. just for you to get and idea, I'm 1.72 m and 65 kg.

BobbyClerici

It might be enough.

Question: are you reaching your goals? Results matter, so if you are, then don't sweat it too much.

Here is how I'd handle it, because I like variety.
Dance!
If you're stuck inside your place, get some preferred music going, and just dance - even if you're going about your tasks.
Or run in place or something like that. I was in prison some years back, and we were stuck inside too - lol
I know what I am talking about.

And yes, intensity matters, so you need to try something that will keep your heart elevated for 45 minutes or so - maybe dance around for 20 minutes, do your stair climb both down and up, then finish it with a walk around the flat cool down.
Also, I'd find a way to incorporate some calisthenics for resistance. Make it all fun!

And one final point. Make sure you've talked with your doctor about your goals and have had a complete physical.
Good luck!

cmille3

I sneak exercise in by walking in place. While making dinner, while waiting for the kids to brush their teeth, during commercials, just anywhere I can see an opportunity.

rileysowner

Doing stairs is an amazing workout. Have you considered instead of taking the elevator down, taking the stairs?

As to other options, have you considered bodyweight training in your apartment? It requires little space, and you get get a really good workout from it. Try something like this http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/rileysowner/view/beginner-focused-bodyweight-workout-102072

stylistchik

That's awesome! If you're seeing results it's working! And you're tired at the end which means it's working. I've read articles that recommend a 15 minute workout where you max out and physically can't do anymore by the end over an hour long light or moderate workout. Fitness is not one-size-fits-all so do what works for you!

I do agree you might benefit from some upper body strengthening and pushups are great for that, even wall pushups or "girly" pushups. There are tons of basic weight training how-to's on you tube and you can do them in your living room with canned food (I'm serious!) If you don't have weights. When we were in college my friend and I used ketchup bottles and gallons of water. :laugh: It doesn't have to be time consuming or expensive, just baby steps every day as long as you see improvements! Way to go!

gazz777

Great ideas !

MelKut

bodyrock.tv has a ton of mixed cardio/strength workouts that are less than 20 minutes that you can do in your bedroom if you want some change they have a LOT of workouts