what do you do ???????????????????????????

truddy6647

so I have a question...what do you do when you can't get to the gym............I know that there are some that would say that not going to the gym is just making excuses however there are sometimes lig. reasons to why a person can not make. For me I can't get to the gym till monday afternoon. My husband is a disabled vet and when things are going bad for him it sometimes requires that I am home with him. Leaving him home alone long enough to go to the gym is not an option, so I need other options. Usually these time periods don't last long but this one has been going on since thurs. night (which resulted in me canceling my physical therapy appointment for both friday and this coming monday). I stated monday afternoon because I called family and they are coming down then because I have a number of doctor appointments next week that I can't miss including a sleep study.

I have been doing some deep cleaning of my house since I can't go anywhere, which does work up a sweat and I'm sure burns some calories but I don't think it is the same as going to the gym

chelle_fri

I have a list I do when I don't feel like doing a workout dvd.

Stretch and warm up first

30 Jumping Jacks
20 Squats
30 Bicycle Crunches
10 Push Ups
60 second Arm Circles
30 Second Plank
20 Walking Lunges
30 Windmills
30 Hip Thrusts
10 Dumbbell Rows (chair w/lbs)
15 second Plank
60 second Flutter kicks (pulses)
30 squat & arm extensions
60 second mountain climber
10 Push Ups
60 Tricep extensions (30 each)
60 second Wall Sit with bicep curls

Repeat 2-3 times and go longer on each exercise if you can

Stretch and cool down

cue_chik

you could purchase a piece or two of equipment like a treadmill or elliptical machine so that you can still work out without having to leave him home alone. but you can find second hand equipment on places like Craigslist and local garage sales, that way you'd save on out of pocket expenses and still keep the gym membership if you wanted.

ZeeShay

i would say look up workouts on youtube there are tons.. i usually do the strength stuff at home... weights sit-up push ups. some times i do exercises i remember from dvds i used to have anything to work up a sweat. http://youtu.be/LYHJskJaHDc here is a work out that always makes me sweat... this is only the first part but im sure you can find the rest. hope this helps some.

chooriyah

Youtube 30 Day Shred - Do Level 1. Problem solved!

I have a similar workout to the one above, but maybe a bit shorter, more beginner level:

20 squats
10 push-ups
20 lunges
15 dumbbell rows each side
15 second plank
30 jumping jacks

Repeat 3 times. Copyright Nerd Fitness (:

taekwonkenpo

I have a list I do when I don't feel like doing a workout dvd.

Stretch and warm up first

30 Jumping Jacks
20 Squats
30 Bicycle Crunches
10 Push Ups
60 second Arm Circles
30 Second Plank
20 Walking Lunges
30 Windmills
30 Hip Thrusts
10 Dumbbell Rows (chair w/lbs)
15 second Plank
60 second Flutter kicks (pulses)
30 squat & arm extensions
60 second mountain climber
10 Push Ups
60 Tricep extensions (30 each)
60 second Wall Sit with bicep curls

Repeat 2-3 times and go longer on each exercise if you can

Stretch and cool down

truddy6647

you could purchase a piece or two of equipment like a treadmill or elliptical machine so that you can still work out without having to leave him home alone. but you can find second hand equipment on places like Craigslist and local garage sales, that way you'd save on out of pocket expenses and still keep the gym membership if you wanted.

I would love to be able to do this however two issues, one don't have much room for something like this and two the ones that will hold my weight as I am morbidly obese cost more than what I can afford

libland

Eat healthy and just keep moving. As long as you are eating the right portions and quality food, the weight will come off. Do what you can to stay active - yes deep cleaning of the house counts - and get to the gym when you can. It is all about a lifestyle change and we can't always get to the gym.

jellybeanmusic

I second 30 day shred. Great work out and only 20 mins, so there's no excuse! )

tamba01

I don't have a membership to a gym. I workout every day though. Try some video tapes of something you like to do. Like dancing, zumba, hot hula, anything that keeps you moving. Try walking if the weather permits, if not you can do alot of walking, including lunges, etc. in your home. I know that it's hard to get motivated if you don't go to the gym, but you can do alot of exercises at home.

lts42uk

I agree about 30 day shred .... and would add that any Jillian Micheals DVD or Jackie Warner DVD is good. I never go to the gym, I only do workout DVDs from home and cycle to work. It works for me. I'm working myself up to doing Insanity.

zombilishious

Heavy cleaning burns calories, and you can even log it. Since you say you are morbidly obese, perhaps taking 3-4 short, fast walks outside each day, maybe 10 minutes each, are an option? That way, you aren't away from your husband for long, but get in some exercise and feel a sense of accomplishment to help you stay on track.

KatyE213

I have a few workout DVDs, mainly Jillian Michaels. Anything from 20 minutes to a one hour workout, so easy to fit in to whatever time you have available.

tommygirl15

I have a few workout DVDs, mainly Jillian Michaels. Anything from 20 minutes to a one hour workout, so easy to fit in to whatever time you have available.

^^ This. I haven't been to the gym in 2 years, the world is my gym now. So many options for at-home workout videos. Go outside for a run, or walk to your destinations instead of driving. Run up and down the stairs in your house. Invest in some dumbbells/free weights and use them at home.

truddy6647

I have a few dvd workouts, however, they are so hard that I often can't get through them. I need to find some beginner ones. I was looking at one that you can do all while sitting in a chair or on a balance ball. Thought about that and using a balance ball instead of a chair for when times are like this

Vailara

I have a book called You Are Your Own Gym, by Mark Lauren. It has lists of exercises that you can do without gym equipment (things like press-ups), and workouts for different levels of fitness. I also bought the app that goes along with it, and I love it! The workouts are fairly short, so are easy to fit in if I can't get to the gym.

If you don't want to buy a book or app, there is lots of free information online about body weight exercises. Try googling Nerd Fitness or have a look at the Convict Conditioning channel on Youtube. Scooby's Workshop also has some information that I've found useful.

dorothytd

If you are a beginner, Leslie Sansone programs are great. Low impact and you can get DVDs, or find them on line. Her site is walkathome.com or I believe thee are some on YouTube.

Rocbola

Jog or ride a bike. Jogging can always be done, no matter where you are.

axialmeow

I do videos on You tube or the On Demand feature on cable has some fun workouts too

swimbikerun2006

Chiming in on the home workout/video/YouTube stuff.....don't worry if you can't do it all- just do what you can. Modify the workout until you get strong enough to do the whole thing. Using the balance ball is a great idea! I totally get your situation as we cared for my MIL in our home for 7 years & were plenty of times that we could not leave the house.

Mostly, take care of yourself. Physically & mentally. Being a caregiver in and of itself brings a level of stress that can't be described.

Soloflyergirl2

Stretch for 10 minutes..
March in Place to John Phillips Sousa marches.... on dvd..... Keep marching.
Lilft arms up and down during the March.
Watch tv show. " Sit and Be Fit." You are seated, and she directs you through exercises. You'd be surprised how lifting your arms up , crossing legs, turning, etc. while seated, over a period of time can be a work out.
Buy a DVD and walk with Lesllie Sansone.... In 20 minute workout , you warm up.... walk in place, kick, raise arms at the elbow... etc.... and you are burning calories.
Use two soup cans, Progresso, for weights and lift , repeat.
Breathe in... breathe out.... Repeat. Best wishes.

brainfreeze72

We have a Wii and I have Wii Fit and some dance games that I use when I need to move but can't get out of the house. I realize that's not in everyone's budget. I also like to put on music and just move around. My kids laugh at me looking like a fool but I don't care. I know it can be tough. I like the idea of calistenics (sp) jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups, etc. I also got a jump rope and a hula hoop.

Also, it's calories IN vs calories OUT, you don't necessarily NEED to go to the gym to lose weight, just be more diligent with what you're eating on the days you can't get in a workout.

I sent a friend request, my husband is also a Disabled Veteran. He doesn't necessarily require me to be here as much as you need to be for your husband but we can still support each other.

chez_b

Try your local library as well - depending on their collection, they may have lots of DVDs that you can "test drive" before you buy. Also lots of books with exercise and health tips.

I would also recommend some yoga for flexibility, strength and stress relief. This too you can find videos on YouTube, at the library, etc.

Good luck!

pixietoes

Let me say first, that you should be congratulated for keeping your mind on getting healthy while you are caring for someone else's needs. Also, you are married to a hero and the idea that you are committed to him while he is dealing with the physical costs of his willingness to serve speaks highly of both of you.

I know a little bit about what it is to be so sick and bed bound that if I didn't have someone at my side taking care of me I'd be lost. There is no underestimating the work that you're doing and I'm sure at times it combines with the physical challenges of your exercise goals and it makes it hard to imagine what you can do.

I know how hard it is to be a fat housewife who needs to learn to exercise. I promise you, you can do it. Be determined to do everything you can every day. Try hard to resist the urge to be negative. People you have chosen to reply to here are those things you could say didn't work, but the first person who replied to you had the very list of exercises that could help you a lot. Even if you can't do one push-up at your current strength TRY. Even if 20 jumping jacks feel like they're going to destroy your knees or wreck your house there are ways to modify it and make it possible for you.

You are right. You need to come at this as a beginner. But you're only that at the beginning and I promise you if you commit to doing everything you can every day even if it takes you three times through the day to get through the list you CAN do it. After a surprisingly short time I promise you you'll be able to do the whole list three times a day.

You may find this video encouraging. I'm not big on "inspiration videos" generally speaking but this one has been very powerful for me. I get that you are not a veteran and not dealing with what this man dealt with, but then neither am I, we all have our limits. We all have reasons for why we haven't taken care of ourselves, sometimes it's because we're taking care of other things. Invest five minutes in yourself and watch this and then decide that you'll do what you can every day right there in your own home. I promise you, the changes and victories start coming faster than you can imagine if you treat yourself well and see your goals worth fighting for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

lindabee77

Leslie Sansone has a free workout on the web you could try. http://totallyfreeworkouts.blogspot.com/2012/01/free-online-walking-workout-in-2-parts.html

supplemama

Leslie Sansone walking DVDs. I really like her 5 mile fat burner DVD.

truddy6647

thanks everyone

jennydant

I am in a different situation, but can't make it to the gym the same. (New baby) One of my girlfriends lost a lot of weight doing Turbo Fire for 90days. As I started to research the program a little, I got excited about it. I started it 4 weeks ago, and since have lost 3lbs & 1 inch off my waist. Super excited, which makes me even more motivated. And its awesome because I can do it from home. :-) Good Luck-

MsDover

If I depended on a gym to be at the proper weight I'd be in big trouble! You don't need a gym to be fit and healthy! If you have access to one and the time and money to join, awesome, but if you don't there are a thousand other ways to work your body!

mmancini73

30 Day Shred
Go on YouTube and find the p90x AB ripper video, excellent when done together!