What do you do for exercise?

PaleSpectrum

I try to do AT-LEAST 30 minutes of exercise a day, normally I leave Sundays as a relax and "free day". Mind you I still watch what I eat but I am more relaxed and don’t count my calories.

In the mornings I like to do some kind of circuit training- like 30 Day shred, or I go to the gym. At the gym I can do a similar routine with cardio and lifting. I start off by warming up with 5-10mins of cardio on the treadmill or elliptical, then I start lifting. From what I’ve read its best to stretch AFTER exercising because the chances of over stretching on cold muscles are pretty high. Also when lifting its best to work one muscle group at a time, and leave a 24hr period for that muscle group to rest. So for example: Mon/Wed/Fri I do upper body, and Tues/Thurs/Sat lower body. The only muscle that you can work every day is your abs, your abs have a lot faster recovery time than the rest of the muscle groups.

In the evening I try to end my day with cardio- Like Zumba!!!, biking, jogging, or a fast paced walk.

My understanding of weight loss is that it’s best to constantly switch up your exercise routine, so everyday I’m doing something different. Currently I am doing Couch to 5k, so I do that in the evening 3x a week, and then Tues/Thurs I like to do Zumba at the gym, or ride my bike.

How about you guys? What is your routine?

Florawanda

Wow, Lulu, you're really working hard at this - and puts me in the shade! And you're finding time to do all this even with your little boy to look after - I am so impressed!
I have been doing 20 minutes of leg exercises every morning lying on my bed some since I had the fall, some since recommendation from a podiatrist. Most of the rest of the day I am fairly sedentary, but at the moment because I am standing for re-election as a local councillor I am out and about a lot knocking on doors and delivering leaflets! So I am logging some of that time as walking - not all, as it is not like a straightforward walk!
My gym membership (which I confess I was very irregular at attending) was suspended until I was cleared to drive, and re-started at the beginning of this month... up till the elections in the beginning of May I am going to go twice a week, and once they're over, shall up it to 3 times a week.
I do 13 mins, including cool-down, on the treadmill, then about 40 mins on the 5 weight machines - leg press, seated row, chest press, hip abduction and hip adduction. Then I swim 320 metres (20 mins) and do 10 mins of aquaerobics. Reward myself with jacuzzi, and if time steam and sauna rooms. I am adding weights to the machines, and speeding up in the swimming.
Again once the elections are over, I hope to do more walking - initially on the flat, but as I lose weight, more in the hills... I don't really see myself cycling or running, but may try zumba or Scottish dancing - again, I will really need to lose some weight and wait for my ankle to get stronger! I take your point about varying exercise routines, and will think about what else I can do...
Thanks for the ideas!

PLV27

Wow Palespectrum and Florawanda, you're both doing really awesome!

I'm currently going to the gym 3-5 times a week and usually start off with 40-45 minutes running on the treadmill. My speed is around 5.4/5.5 on a 1% incline to give some resistence. Then I do either an upper body workout or a lower body workout. I alternate each day so each muscle group gets a good rest. I usually try for some cross training at least 2 times a week, this is most often in the form of either biking or swimming. I've been struggling with nutrition lately so I've been having fuelling issues, some days where I just havent had enough energy. But I saw a nutritionist this week so I think I'm back on track! My next plan is to start consistently running out of doors.

Keep up the great work everyone!

Florawanda

With the better (well slightly!) weather, and the spur of having our newest granddaughter's christening down here in 12 days time, I am frantically trying to get the garden looking reasonable, and also childproof! Because of being active in politics (sadly not a councillor any more after the elections 10 days ago), we have almost no time in March and April each year to do anything, so weeds, brambles etc grow and grow...
So the last week have been chopping back bramble stems almost an inch in diameter, cutting back the shrubs which have become almost trees, and weeding the gravel drive of docks and dandelions and lots else... now I have to start on the 'flower' beds - digging out the weeds, planting the bedding plants...
But it is all brilliant exercise, and my muscles in arms and legs are really aching! And it doesn't cost a penny!
If you haven't got a large garden, most communities have woodland or common land which could all do with helping hands, so find out if there is one near you, and use it as your 'green gym'!

ridofthegoodies

I aim for a 45 minute cycling class or 60 minutes on the elliptical machine (both "hard" i.e. can't read magazines or carry on conversation during exercise) 5 times a week. I should do more if I have been eating a lot or the wrong type of food [usually both :blushing: ]. In the warmer months I like long bike rides on dirt/gravel trails, my usual route is 60 miles, but I have to wait for the right weather conditions and have to clear my schedule in advance to get enough time to work it in. I'm lucky If I get to ride once every 1-2 weeks.

I would like to start running since EVERYONE (and now even their kids) seems to be running these days. I ran 3.75 miles a few years ago after a really bad day at work and have never been able to replicate it - even after training all summer for an unattempted 5K.

Also, I would like to start swimming again, but don't want to wear a suit in public. Not even if it is only 5 a.m. laps at the local YMCA.