Gym routine?

firstloveyourself

I know this may seem silly, but whenever I go to the gym I feel a little overwhelmed by all of the machines and such. I don't really know where to start! I tend to do about 15 minutes on the bike for a warmup (about 2 miles) and 30 minutes on the elliptical.

My long-term goals are to lower my body fat percentage to 20-25%, get down to between 130-145 pounds, and be able to run a 5K (I have a bad knee so running is really difficult for me).
Short(er) term goal: to be under 200 lbs by my birthday at the end of November.

So, what routine works for you?

Also, can you recommend a good home exercise program? I can't get to the gym as much as I'd like for various reasons.

ameliaannakin

Hi,

I know exactly how you feel. I was totally overwhelmed to start with!

With regards to running a 5K, I would recommend a C25K programme. You don't need to go to the gym to do it (I much prefer running outside) and it really helped me to get into running. Before starting the programme, I couldn't run for 3 minutes without hyperventilating and now, less than a year later, I regularly run 30-40 miles a week including a 30-40 mile long run on weekends! I was also on a plateaux with my weight loss before starting running and since then I have lost another stone and a good deal of body fat so it does really help

Ax

zaftiggirl

I felt exactly the way you do the first time I stepped in a gym! Learning the different exercises you can do and the names of all the machines is kind of like learning a language - there are a lot of technical terms (goblet squat, wide-grip lat pulldown, etc.) BUT if you take a while to learn them, you'll be confident!

I follow a weight lifting program on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - I'm usually in and out of the gym in 45 minutes... but very sweaty on the way out. LOL.

If you focus on strengthening that knee with weightlifting exercises, you'll find that you're able to run better when the time comes to train for a 5k - you can do it!

One of the best resources I have found is niashanks.com. She has a great perspective and tons of great workout ideas. Second best resource is The New Rules of Lifting for Women - that book has diagrams of exercises and explanations of how to do them correctly, minimizing injury.

This is the workout that I have been doing every other workout day: http://zaftiggirl.us/2013/05/full-body-workout-for-women-1/

chris_in_cal

I know that resistance-based exercise is a nice easy piece for me to add in for better health and fitness. I just don't ever do it. It's in my head that that is not me, I don't know how, other things are better for me and make me happy. All of my stories.

No answers from me, just that I can relate, and I think it is important. Write back with some of your "next steps" please.