Exercise for beginners

Hello all!

I'm sure this has been posted a billion times, but I couldn't find anything on the topic recently...

I am currently not working out... at all.... I know its horrible!

But A) I'm finding it SO hard to get back into an exercise routine, once I start getting into it, I'll be fine, but the first 2 weeks are the hardest for me.

and B) I dont know what exercise to do... Theres so much out there its overwhelming, and I feel like I am not strong enough to do much of the awesome things out there.

I have a gym membership but often when I used to go I'd do the treadmill and some crunches but thats about it.

So what I'm wondering is how to get started - how to I increase my strength with out dying of muscle soreness everyday (I know it may be impossible, but ya cant blame me for asking) How to I transition into working out 3-5 times per week from nothing?

I'm just having a hard time getting started.... any advice?

Replies

  • EjaneK11
    EjaneK11 Posts: 209 Member
    I had a hard time getting started in the past before too. What I found that helped me was the 30 Day Shred. I just kept coming back to it and now I am almost done with the 30 days.
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    Walk. Walk. Walk. Walk. Then walk some more. Just do it everyday and increase distance, speed and vary terrain.
  • AuntieMC
    AuntieMC Posts: 346 Member
    bump. I would like to know, too!
  • vegas711
    vegas711 Posts: 92 Member
    I didn't work out for 20 years lol. Did P90X first month was brutal. That was July 2012. About to start Round 3!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/12771-steve-s-team-fit-vegas
  • Spartan_Maker
    Spartan_Maker Posts: 683 Member
    Hi. Try performing exercises that incorporate the 7 primal movements: pull, push, lunge, squat, gait, twist, and bend. You'll be especially fit by becoming proficient in these movements.

    A few obvious examples are pull-ups, push-ups, walking lunges, air squats, walking/running/sprinting, wide-stance alternating toe touches. You can spend a lot of time getting good at these basic exercises.

    At some point, you may want to incorporate barbell exercises, like deadlifts, squats, bench press, and overhead press.

    You could sit on Youtube all day long watching videos of this stuff.
  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
    Try different classes your gym has and see what you like. If they don't have classes, see if a PT can show you the weights and teach you proper form and add in some weights. The key is to find something you enjoy and those first 2 weeks won't be hard. Open your mind, take some risks and you'll be on your way!
  • jackieomara
    jackieomara Posts: 119 Member
    c25k running plan! :)
  • Carmetta3
    Carmetta3 Posts: 6 Member
    Hi Hilary,

    I was just like you, a beginner trying to find a good workout that I could do and that I enjoy without killing myself and that I could complete. So, a friend of mine suggested walking, I thought BORING!!!! So, a co-worker suggested Leslie Sansone walking dvd's. I bought one from Walmart for about $10.00 and let me tell you, I LOVE her workouts, they are simple, I really sweat and they are fun. You can also find a few of her walks on youtube for free. I have about 5 of her dvd's now. Start out with just one mile then keep going. I hope this helps... Ohh, I also found some of my old Richard Simmons dvd's which are great for beginners and super fun.

    Happy Sweating :)

    Carmetta
  • TArnold2012
    TArnold2012 Posts: 929 Member
    Picking something you like to do helps you stick with it.
  • ParkerH47
    ParkerH47 Posts: 463 Member
    Hi. Try performing exercises that incorporate the 7 primal movements: pull, push, lunge, squat, gait, twist, and bend. You'll be especially fit by becoming proficient in these movements.


    Thanks!!
  • Lovemydounts
    Lovemydounts Posts: 199 Member
    Zumba is great the gyms are offering it and wii has it to
  • take a zumba class in your area, its very inexpensive $6 a class.
  • ParkerH47
    ParkerH47 Posts: 463 Member
    Thanks everyone! some really great replies! I agree that I should do something I enjoy, I love walking in the forest by my house, but it is still to cold/muddy/icy for that yet.

    I've looked into a personal trainer, but they are way too expensive for me. I checked at my gym over 7000$$ for a year long pt. That is just not doable for me, though it would be my preferred method...

    My boss is also a fitness lover, and he is trying to get me to do beachbody stuff, but I feel like it would be too intense for a beginner...
  • GrammyNanner
    GrammyNanner Posts: 88 Member
    I stated out using EA Sports Active 2 in our Wii. It's also available for other systems. Walking is great exercise and time to think or review the day. Gradually increase your distance, grades & speed.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    first start by devoting 30 minutes a day 6 days a week to do something. strength train 3 days a week (compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, pull ups, push ups, over head press, bench press, rows), cardio the other 3 days a week.

    once you get into the habit you can start creating some fitness goals which will help you stay committed to working out. once you get used to 30 minutes a day add another 15.

    eta : muscle soreness at first is to be expected, but it'll go away after a week or so
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    When I first started I couldn't even walk, standing for more than 30 seconds was in itself hard enough.. So I had my doctor write me a script for aquatic therapy and used water displacement to be able to stand long enough to begin exercising.. I literally walked from one side of the pool to the other.. and everyday I went back I would add just alittle bit more... babysteps but over time those steps kept adding up until I am where I am today.... So any activity even walking to start is a good thing and just keep at it and like you said once you are in the groove then you will be just fine.... Best of Luck....
  • caroleannlight
    caroleannlight Posts: 173 Member
    Hi I have walked in your shoes and it gets easier.

    For me

    I got a personal trainer to work with once per week (this is pricy but gives accountability) often a trial lesson for free might be available at your gym at least try to get programme drawn up for you.
    Try to progress gradually and increase your daily activity /brisk walking
    Consider youtube workouts at home.
    wii fit and other fitness wii or similar can be good starting out too

    Plan plan plan so you have no excuses -schedule your workouts
    Aim for 3 workouts that you do rather than 4 or 5 that you skip.
    Work out what you enjoy and what your goals are.

    Force yourself to go - I told my self I would go to the gym and if once I warmed up I still didn't feel like it I could leave (of course once I warmed up I always continued). It takes a while to build a habit.
    Remember it gets easier as your fitness improves especially recovery time.

    Good luck you can do this
  • acbabbitt
    acbabbitt Posts: 50
    Oh, I don't know that you want an entire year with a personal trainer.

    I would find some one (with a professional certification) and ask if you would be able to pay-as-you-go.

    One to three sessions might be all you need for the first weeks/months.

    Ask if they can help you with an exercise plan (cardio + strength training) and just go from there.

    Good luck!
  • ParkerH47
    ParkerH47 Posts: 463 Member
    I want to reply to everyone but I dont have the time right now, but THANKS and congratulations on all your individual successes:) they are as motivating as anything else out there :)
  • ParkerH47
    ParkerH47 Posts: 463 Member
    take a zumba class in your area, its very inexpensive $6 a class.

    What if I have ZERO rhythm/dance ability...sure people say that...but seriously i have no coordination at all.... still doable?
  • Ultragirl2374
    Ultragirl2374 Posts: 390 Member
    Zumba is good. You can also pick up some DVDs. Your library might even have some.
  • mammacoty
    mammacoty Posts: 45 Member
    I'm on a medical restriction for heavy exercising, due to pelvic wall issues. I'm doing walks and yoga/stretching to get calorie burns each day, and to help strengthen my core. I have just begun incorporating wall pushups, and other arm strengthening exercises like lifting light weights. Remember, any movement is better than eating on the couch!
  • sally_jeffswife
    sally_jeffswife Posts: 766 Member
    Kettlenetics is a great one to start cuz it will build a little strength and help tone and it also combines the lightweight kettlebell with aerobic type excercise. And the DVD comes with the starter kettlebell so its a really good deal and when you get stronger you can always get a heavier kettlebell to build more strength. Otherwise a really fun one to do is the Billy Blanks Jr Cardio Dance Party bootcamp. They aren't that hard to catch onto like some of the other dance workouts because he clearly explains everything and goes over it several times till you get it really well. And he's very upbeat energetic personality and funny also. That one is just really fun. Or simple things that are good just jump roping or hula hoop, doesn't take alot of time but gets in some excercise. The key is just find one that you like cuz once you like it then its easier to stick with. I think Kettlenetics is a great one though cuz it gives you the little bit of added strength and it gives you some aerobic too.
  • workinprogress37
    workinprogress37 Posts: 24 Member
    I've had trouble with exercise in the past too. Then I found a book called "Never Say Diet" by Chantel Hobbs. It has been inspirational and sensible. For the first 30 days she says to cardio for 30 minutes 5 days a week. More is added later on. You can do whatever cardio you want. This program has really worked for me and I highly recommend it. As far as sticking to it, you have to find the desire within you to really change and lose this weight. One thing that I had to accept was that I need to eat right (most of the time) and exercise regularly for the rest of my life to lose the weight and keep it off. That sounds obvious, but I had to be told that.
  • xilka
    xilka Posts: 308 Member
    WALK!

    For a few weeks.

    Then try videos and such.

    But walk first - it will get you fitter without having to push too hard,
    and then, when you're ready, look for something more intense.

    Try out different things until you find something that works for you,
    do that for a while, and then move on to something else.
  • Madaly320
    Madaly320 Posts: 112 Member
    I used to always go to the gym and just go on the treadmill and thats it.

    This time, I joined a new gym and spent the money on a personal trainer for 6 weeks. I couldn't afford more, lol. But she really helped show me a routine that incorporated weights and strength, which I never thought was important but now I know!! She showed me how to do everything safely, and how many reps and how heavy to go, etc..

    I also started going to classes because I never did before. I discovered that I am IN LOVE with Spinning class. I go 3x a week!!
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    30 Day Shred is good.

    I tried working out before and failed miserably.. frustrated with the lack of results. 30DS gave me the self confidence to keep going, it gave me results for only working out 20 minutes a day.. All I had to do was eat right, drink water and stay committed.

    As someone who usually would give in at 2 weeks in the past, I highly recommend it.
  • seeled
    seeled Posts: 93
    Hi. Try performing exercises that incorporate the 7 primal movements: pull, push, lunge, squat, gait, twist, and bend. You'll be especially fit by becoming proficient in these movements.

    A few obvious examples are pull-ups, push-ups, walking lunges, air squats, walking/running/sprinting, wide-stance alternating toe touches. You can spend a lot of time getting good at these basic exercises.

    At some point, you may want to incorporate barbell exercises, like deadlifts, squats, bench press, and overhead press.

    You could sit on Youtube all day long watching videos of this stuff.

    This is basically what I do in addition to jumping jacks, running, walking and/or biking. I can really tell my muscles are being more defined and I am losing inches. What I am doing now is better than what they made us do in the military! What I like about this is I can do it when I feel like it, where ever I feel like. It doesn't take a lot of time if I do not want to do it all in one setting. I have some small hand weights that I do a few exercises for my arms such as flys, curls, and french curls.