Workout schedule that worked for you?

ninarose16

Hello everyone I've been on MFP for about a month now, and I've lost 10 pounds( which is GREAT!), but i definitely still have a ways to go. I mostly just started to eat right, and exercise here and there, but I'm thinking that random exercise does not match up to a real plan, you know? I just have no idea where to start I've looked into a getting a personal trainer, but I just don't have the money, however i don't want that to be a reason for me to give up. I was just curious what kind of routines, or weekly schedules you guys had. Right now, I plan on riding my bike for around 45 minutes, at least, everyday, until I feel like i can start going for runs without HATING it lol. So, I'm mostly interested in at-home strength training work outs. I have 15 pound weights, a yoga mat, 3 pound weights, and an 8 pound medicine ball to work with, but I'm also getting a membership to Golds Gym in the very near future, but i'd like to have some idea what I'm doing when i get there Thanks!

M8R5on8ym

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pc-NizMgg8

Doesn't cost a thing and everybody round here seems to like it.

ameliaannakin

Running was great for my weight loss. If you haven't run before C25K is a great programme to get started. I know it's worked for loads of people on here and was the way I got into running. I am a major advocate for it . Any questions, just add me/send me a message

cwolfman13

Keep in mind that your diet has a calorie goal with a built in deficit if you're doing MFP...you actually don't have to do any exercise whatsoever to lose weight..in fact, with MFP and other NEAT method calculators you're supposed to eat back exercise calories because they are extra activity.

The point I'm trying to make is diet for weight control; exercise for fitness. Sit down and think about some fitness specific goals you would like to achieve...then look into various programs to help you achieve those goals.

TheArmadillo

I cycle 90 minutes a day 5 days a week commuting.
Then walking and backpacking on the weekend.
Plus 3x weight lifting per week
Am trying to add pilates a couple of times a week.

I do the lifting and pilates at home. Buying weights worked out at about equivalent to 3 months months gym membership. I use the new rules of lifting for women. I prefer working out at home and I couldn't afford a gym membership every month. Pilates is a set I bought cheap (mat, ball, book, dvd). I build up my equipment over time when I spot stuff cheap.

Cycling, walking, backpacking I try to fit into my everyday life. I don't have a car and public transport is expensive, slow and unreliable. Walking or cycling is my default for getting about. My local decent supermarkets are a couple of miles away. I can fit most of our weekly food shop for a family of four into a hiking backpack and a couple of sturdy bags, so that's what I do. The backpack weighs approx 70lb when full so it is a great workout.

Make exercise a priority and fit it into everyday activities. It makes it more likely that you will do it regularly.

lowpro1983

Try searching for workouts online or even on Pinterest...I love the HIIT workouts ...mostly because they tend to be shorter time, but higher intensity. I took a class at my local gym...learned about the correct form and different exercises but now I do them at home.

maryannelk

I love a program! The structure really helps me stay motivated.

I also recommend Couch to 5K if you want to start running. It's do-able and challenging. If you are going to join a gym, you will probably get a free "set-up" orientation with a trainer who can help you establish a program. I love weightlifting! A trainer can help you establish the correct form, which is important. If you want to read something, try New Rules of Weightlifting for Women. It has a basic program in it too, but also helps you understand why lifting is important.

pkinblue

I do Jillian Michaels Body Revolution every morning at 5am and supplement with dog walks, playing with kids and any other physical activity I can--e.g. gardening.

I don't have time to go to the gym (work 50-60 hours/week and am a mom) so having a set time that I commit to every day helps me stay consistent. I have worked out 6 days a week for 7 weeks now and haven't missed once.

jacksonpt

Anything I've been able to stick to has worked better than anything I've gotten bored with, regardless of the "quality" of the routine.

I've had success with cardio heavy routines, I've also had success with 5x5 and Wendler's 5/3/1 strength training programs, as well as my own lifting program I put together last year.

Anything you can kick *kitten* doing will give better results than anything you half-*kitten* your way through. Results are about your intensity, not about the method/program.

princessnik7

BUMP FOR LATER

1duffwf

I lift weights 3 times a week at the gym for about 35-40 minutes. I also walk every day for at least an hour (I have two very active dogs!), and run 2 times a week for 25 minutes. On the weekends I try to fit in walks with friends or ride my bike.

lambchristie

I'm liking some of the ideas here so 'bump' for future reference.

TeaBea

Some ideas

No weights
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/blnoweightwkout.htm

Weights

Upper: http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/blupperbody.htm
Lower: http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/bllowerbody2.htm

Circuit (combines cardio & weights): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm0C8awjNIQ

Cardio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjduJjO1pLg&feature=related

Leslie1124

I'm really liking the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. It only takes 20 minutes and it kicks your butt. I think all three levels might be available on youtube but are 10 dollars on amazon

bcattoes

Running was great for my weight loss. If you haven't run before C25K is a great programme to get started. I know it's worked for loads of people on here and was the way I got into running. I am a major advocate for it . Any questions, just add me/send me a message

Agree! C25k is a great program.

Over the years I've used many different exercises on many different schedules and you know what? They all work. I've gotten up before dawn to run. I've done DVDs at all times of the day. I've walked on my lunch hour. Did step aerobics while watching TV. I've biked, hiked, stepped, swam, Tae Bo'd, put my Body In Motion, Jane Fonda'd (yes, I'm old), jumped rope, lifted weights, rowed, stretched resistance bands, done calisthenics ... and many other things.

ALL of them work if you do them.

staceypunk

Jillian Michaels Body Revolution would be a good fit, except that it costs about $120. Otherwise give 30 day shred a go, or No More Trouble Zones, or extreme shed & Shred. All good workouts that incorporate strength and get results! I personally have never doen Ripped in 30, butit is highly esteemed by jillian peeps here on MFP.

Mmmmona

I walk my dogs three times a day for an hour (3 miles) each time.

In the morning I do a 30 minute cardio video from youtube.

In the evening I do a strength training video from youtube.

contingencyplan

For strength training, 3 days a week M-W-F, full body. For cardio, I carry a jump rope with me and whenever I find I feel like it and have more than 10 minutes to kill I just throw on the earbuds and go to it.

ellen_kay

I fortunately have a gym membership and go 6 times a week. I bring my clothes to work with me and go right after work. On Saturday I go right after I get up. I have the hardest time motivating myself to workout at home, so the gym is ideal for me. I justify the membership cost by using it. I was going to cancel it earlier this year, but decided to really use it and make it worth what I pay. I alternate my workouts between strength training and cardio, every other day.

I hope you can find a routine that works for you. Exercise has been the best life altering drug that I have found to date. When I really started to put hard work into it, I can't tell you how much better my life has become.

asp415

I walk about 1½ miles during my lunch hour, during the day in the restroom I do squats & lunges & as soon as I get home I jump on my treadmill @ do the C25K app. If I don’t have time to get on my treadmill then I walk to my appointed destination, which is usually about a mile away so 2miles round trip. I average about 3½ -4 miles a day. On weekends the first thing I do is get on my treadmill, I might take it easy on the strength part on the weekends, but I don't skip the cardio.

kymkan

I do Jillian Michaels Body Revolution every morning at 5am and supplement with dog walks, playing with kids and any other physical activity I can--e.g. gardening.

I don't have time to go to the gym (work 50-60 hours/week and am a mom) so having a set time that I commit to every day helps me stay consistent. I have worked out 6 days a week for 7 weeks now and haven't missed once.

I second this!!! Jillian Michaels is a 1/2 hour a day and if you want to or have time to do more, you can always do an extra cardio. The plan makes it easy to stick to! It's a 90 day program and well worth the money spent!

artsycella

My advice is a little different from what other people on here are suggesting, so please take it with a grain of salt and realize that motivation works differently for everyone.

Last year I decided I wanted to lose weight and get in shape. I was very serious and dedicated. I bought a cheap elliptical, got workout gear, clothes, all that stuff. I decided I would exercise 45 minutes a day at least 5-6 days a week.

And I did, for about three weeks. But here's the thing... I was a total couch potato before I started doing that, and it was really hard to go from nothing to that. I was exhausted. My body hurt a lot. So then I went on a work trip, and I had every intention of using the hotel gym, but I forgot my exercise shoes and my sports bra, and then the gym actually cost $20 per day to use, and I fell off the exercise wagon.

I didn't get back on it, either. Once I hadn't been exercising for a few days, I felt so much better. That sounds silly and counter-intuitive, I know, but it was true. And so of course then I didn't want to go back to killing myself. I felt guilty, so I stopped counting calories and, before you know it, a year had passed and I was back up to my starting weight.

This time around, I've been using MFP for about twice as long and being very dedicated. But I read up a lot on the psychology of exercise and weight loss and I heard over and over again that making big drastic changes is hard to sustain. So this time I've started much more simply. A calorie deficit set to lose .5 lb/week. I did that for a few weeks by itself. Then, in order to care for myself on the fitness side of things, I decided to start taking walks as often as I could. Just walks. And no set time limit or number of times per week--just as often as I could. It usually ended up being about 1.5 miles 2-3 times per week. On the days when I don't walk, I try to do some sit-up and push-ups. No set number--just as many as I find the time and have the strength to do.

After doing that for a while, I added in going to the gym during my lunch break one day a week. It's a pretty simple routine, and if I miss a week, I'm still doing everything else and I don't feel like my entire plan for fitness has failed.

I'm usually a Plan and Schedule kind of person, but this time around I'm trying to make a long term change that is easy enough for me that I don't want to stop doing it. This may not be useful to you, but just wanted to share my story and progress so far.

JLHNU212

BUMP!!

norrisski

Bodybuilding.com Jamie Eason Livefit program. I am on my second round and love the muscles that I have found. Started with 5 pound dumbbells and can now lift 15. Goal is 25 pounds.

proudmommy1003

When my baby was a few months old I used to go running for 1-1/2 hrs.
Now that he's bigger (19 months) he doesn't stay calmed so running outside is not a good option for me. I also tried joining a gym but he would not stay in the kids club

I can't afford a personal trainer either so exercising at home on my own is the only option I have. My takes a nap of 2 hrs so I make sure I eat 1 hr before he naps so by the time he's down I'm ready to start exercising.

I have done jillian Michael 30ds, I'm currently doing p90x, and I plant to do a second round of p90x or maybe give insanity a try.

bluebuggy1970

I work full time, am a mother of busy teenagers, go to school part-time. Needless to say I have very little free time. I use Jillian DVD's. My favourites are 30 Day Shred and Ripped in 30. I TRY to squeeze the half hour work outs in at least 4-5 times a week and then I add in bike rides or walks using my digifit app on my phone. In the last 5 months I have lost 17 lbs and many inches.

elmr34

I either like to exercise or change into my workout clothes right after work so that I have nothing standing between me and exercise. Lately I have been doing 30 DS videos (before that it was all running or walking) or run or just walk Monday - Thursday. Friday is my day off and I don't do a thing. Saturday and Sunday I try to do something a little bigger like a ton of yardwork and cleaning the house, doing a long few hour long hike or walk, or maybe doing a 30 DS *or* early morning run too.

Above all I try to keep it realistic. For me, working out 7 days a week, running 5 days in a row, not taking a rest day, etc. is going to burn me out. Putting on my workout clothes and just turning on some music actually makes me really *want* to work out. Plus I like to go on long walks and talk with my DH- makes it a lot easier to walk for an hour when you have a buddy. Lastly, I have a very active dog who loves long walks, runs, or any hiking so he really motivates me to get outside.

melindasuefritz

60 minutes of cardio a nd 100 crunches daily

Cina04

I started out doing Insanity (i was very overweight and so out of shape) and ever since than I have been doing mainly any of Shaun T's intense workout programs. H eha s anew one coming out next month called Focus T25 - 50 day program, 25 mins a day, and it's for any fitness level. It looks like a very condensed version of Insanity!

The lbs just melted off with his program and I just love him, He keeps me motivated. lol

China170

Zumba,Power walking,Step class, Barr body, Bike riding and weight training 3x a week. Whatever u do have fun, its a lifestyle.!!!!