Looking for exercise tips!

sngnyrslp

Hi there! I'm brand new to MFP, but I've been reading some of the message boards and everyone here seems so friendly and helpful, so I'm already so happy I've joined!
I'm starting a diet in a week or so (waiting until I get back to school) and I have a few goals besides general weight loss. I really want to get my stomach in better shape, tone up my butt, and get rid of that nasty cellulite on my thighs. Are there any diet or exercise tricks that I should know about to make this whole thing a little bit easier? I know there's no shortcuts (I wish!), but are there any machines or cardio routines that have worked really well for anyone? Any tips would be very helpful. thanks in advance! :happy:

frogtoestoo

Welcome! I'm relatively new to the site so there are probably others who can give you better advice, but for me Pilates has been very helpful. I also do strength training and cardio. I noticed my abs getting toned really fast after starting the Pilates - actually had muscle tone I could see BENEATH THE FAT! Good luck with journey. :flowerforyou:


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firefly13

Welcome!

Be sure to get plenty of cardio in to blast the fat (I'm a big elliptical machine fan) and strength training for me is every other day to let my muscles recover. I usually do cardio and abs every other day and upper body or lower body the other days. Find something that works for you! I start my job today (whooo, finally my degree is being put to use!!!) and I'm looking forward to joining a place for boxing classes and maybe a place up the street for yoga. I love yoga but find myself being a total wuss if I'm not in a class setting and feel super motivated to hold the poses so long. I used to kid myself all the time and make outlandish goals with my diet and exercise, but I know myself and I know what I'll commit to. And I know my weaknesses so I don't even allow bagels or cream cheese to get in my grocery cart! It's rough at campus, I just graduated in May (again, whooo! hehe) but become a friend of salads, beans, and water. I'm a vegetarian so I always got to request a veggie burger or another option when there were really unhealthy options in the cafeteria. Anyway, it's almost 7am and I have to get ready for work (whooo! hehe) but if you want any school advice or whatever, hit me up. I'm trying to make sure I stick with MFP to keep accountable so I'll be on here everyday :-)

And good luck!

Casi23

Quick tip.

On the elliptical - if you put your weight on your toes/balls of your feet you will work your calves/quads (the front of your thighs). If you put the weight on your heels you will work the muscles in your hamstrings(back of your thighs) and glutes (*kitten*). : )

When I want to work off some thigh cottage cheese, I set the elliptical for a high stride and put most of the weight on my heels. It will give you very nicely defined hamstrings in a pretty short amount of time.

It's no short cut - but if you work it in a few times a week, it should help. : )

RecliningFigure

Change up your exercises so your body doesn't get used to it.

While doing machine strength training, best to get a trainer to help you with position (no good to either waste your time, or hurt yourself (so you have to wait to start working out)).

When you do strength training, you should at least during the last set, be barely able to finish the last rep. If it's too easy, either add reps or weight.

I do ab work outs first, then the rest of the strength training, and then cardio (I usually don't have enough strength to do the workout after cardio).

In order to do the full cardio workout, personally, I need great, energetic and loud music (from my shuffle).

When ever doing strength training, use your core by exhaling and contracting your stomach(during the exertion part), and breathe in (during the relaxation part). The more you try to engage your core while strength training, the more you will get out of it (even if you're just working out your arms).

My current favorite strength training exercise: Hanging V lifts (this is a powerful abs workout).

Here's how you do it:
Hang from a bar, while trying to keep from swinging, lift your legs (keeping legs straight as you can) in front of you into a V (if you can't do a V, then do an L). Do 15 reps, 3 sets (I can only do 10 right now). So work up to this.

If you can't do it from a hanging position (hanging position looks like a Y), there is a machine where you can lean on your forearms with a cushion to your back, you can do the same lift. It's still hard, but not as hard as the hanging one. Start easy. Don't hurt yourself.