Exercise for a wimp?

2Bdecided · January 2013

Hello everyone

I've been using MyFitnessPal for awhile now but this is the first time I've posted anything, so I'm not really sure how the forums work. heehee

But anyways, I wanted to ask about ideas for exercise for completely inactive and out of shape people like me. Right now I am actually about 5-10 pounds underweight, but I have a lot of body fat for my weight and VERY LITTLE MUSCLE. In the past, I've tried running, and I could only do about a mile and a half at a time. (this was after building up to that for over a month!) I stretched and everything, but I got injured very easily anyway. It's been months since I've attempted any form of exercise, and although I eat healthy, (for the most part) I feel like crap for most of the day. Even just climbing up the stairs leaves me tired and makes the muscles in my legs feel sore, and I feel like a weakling. (which, I guess I am.)

Right now I am trying to gain some weight, but I want to do so without it all just becoming fat on my stomach (I'm an apple, so this is where most of my extra pounds would go). In other words, I want to strengthen and build up my muscles without gaining much fat or becoming 'buff'. Particularly, I want to strengthen my stomach area.

Again sorry if I'm coming across as really rambly xD Any tips or suggestions would be helpful

quirkytizzy · January 2013

I've been using Pilates and am feeling amazing results. (It's not really visible results yet, but that's because I've still got 20 pounds before you can see my abs, lol.) You can find lots of beginner workouts on Youtube. I use Cassey Ho's POP Pilates. (Just search for POP Pilates "Beginners" and it should pop right up.) Pilates is great for strength and toning core muscle groups.

bearwith · January 2013

Walking is great for building bulk in your legs and not too bad on joints. 1 hour a day

Crankstr · January 2013

Walking is great for building bulk in your legs and not too bad on joints. 1 hour a day

no

walking doesnt build muscle

this is a great beginner program for strength training.
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/The_Starting_Strength_Novice/Beginner_Programs

dad106 · January 2013

Well unfortunately, you can't dictate where the fat will go... so if genetics say it's going to go to your stomach, thats where it's going to go.

If you like to run, look into C25K... it will help you build up to a 5k.

You also should lift some weights.. but start out slow, and with light weights and build up to the heavy ones.

janeite1990 · January 2013

You might try some exercise videos, aerobic dance of something that sounds fun. Get a few of them so you can rotate and not get bored. Commit to 45 minutes a day minimum. If you can't keep up with the video, jog in place or touch-step until you catch your breath and can jump back in. After a week or so, you will see that you can keep up better.

Pixi_Rex · January 2013

Walking is great for building bulk in your legs and not too bad on joints. 1 hour a day

no

walking doesnt build muscle

this is a great beginner program for strength training.
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/The_Starting_Strength_Novice/Beginner_Programs

Thank you!!! Walking is great for heart and lungs... not so much for the muscle..

Basically OP just start working out, start slow and build.. the link Crank included is fantastic!

trinette47 · January 2013

I to struggle with excersice. I suggest you see a dr. You may have an underlaying condition. At least you would know for sure. You may also lack certain vitamins. Hope this helps.

LorinaLynn · January 2013

There's nothing at all wrong with being able to "only" run a mile and a half after a month. That's pretty darn good for a newb! It took me about a month to run one mile, and a month later, I was able to run three.

I'm a reformed wimp. The only way to become unwimpy is to push yourself beyond what you think you're capable of. It doesn't matter where you start. As long as you keep going, you'll keep improving.

If you want to be able to run, try Couch to 5k or Zombies Run 5k training (I feel like that's all I've been talking about today, but it's great!). Add some strength training of some sort* in between running days, and give yourself a day or two of rest during the week, too. Make sure you're eating enough and getting more protein than MFP suggests. You have to fuel properly to get stronger.

*Personally, I'm a big fan of weight lifting NOW, but when I started, I did EA Sports Active 2 on the Playstation, which is about the same as any Jillian Michaels DVD. I would have been intimidated as hell if someone suggested I pick up a barbell when I was still in wimp-mode, but I love it now. Being strong rocks!!!

2Bdecided · January 2013

Thanks, I'm kind of glad that I'm not the only person.

To be honest that does sound pretty intimidating but I'll give it a try. The hard thing for me is sticking to any routine... also it's kind of embarrassing to exercise in front of people, being a wimp and all.

2Bdecided · January 2013

Thanks everyone for the tips and suggestions, I'll try to stop being lazy long enough to do some of these!

funkycamper · January 2013

Just start where you are and push yourself to do a little more or do it a little more intensely (faster, farther, heavier weight, whatever) every week or so. In August 2011, I could barely ride my bike on the flats for 5 miles. July 2012, I did a 200-mile weekend ride. Even after all that cycling, in Sept 2012, I could barely run a mile. I did my first 5k race in December.

You can do it. You just have to want it. At first, exercise felt like punishment. Now I crave it and it's one of the funnest parts of my day. Get hungry for fitness!

Exercise for a wimp?

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