Ways to excercise without equipment..

I just bought a weighted hula hoop ($35) and a jump rope ($6). Having so much fun. I don't have time to go to the gym (work full time, divorced with an 11 year old). I can hula hoop I side and jumprope outside and it's been great. I do need to add strength training, but wanted to share. I know you need use "use something" but both items are relatively inexpensive (jumprope at least) and can be done at home.

Good luck and welcome.

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

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

Both just use your body and a ton of effort!

Food wise if it doesn't grow or graze dont eat it.

I like that!

I started running when I joined MFP almost 2 years ago.
That is all I did from April until November when I decided to join a gym... While I do appreciate now the definition I am getting from using weights, I would say my biggest loss on the scale was from the cardio and all the running I did.

I think everyone else has listed alot of great ideas... you could also just get hand weights and do some home videos. I have done Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and felt it was good.

I think at the end of the day, doing anything is better than nothing...

If you feel like giving running a try, try couch to 5k.

You mentioned the weighted hula hoop. I bought one but the 1st time I used it i got a nasty bruise on my hip and i havent tried using it after that. Have you had this problem before??

I do a lot of stair climbing, it's not just cardio, it's also strength training... I also own two sets of dumbbells - 5 LB and 8 LB, perfect for toning up and you can buy them cheap at a second hand store. Lots of great strength training videos on Youtube

Exercise - walking as much as possible - my main exercise 'equipment' are my dogs - a walk whatever the weather!
I have a fitbit to count my steps and keep track of my exercise - any pedometer would be helpful to you.
I've downloaded the C25K podcasts on my phone and am moving from walking to jogging (slowly!).
I'm also using a Zumba dvd - great fun!
Once the snow goes I'll use my skipping rope!
There's loads you can do - I'm taking on some of the ideas you've already been given! They're really good ones!

Food - I love the idea of eating a rainbow a day - take in as many colours as you can - don't eat beige!
I feel so much healthier when I've eaten a variety of veg and fruit!

I wouldn't feel confident in a gym - much happier with my dogs as exercise buddies!

Fundamentally, all of the suggestions mentioned above are all beneficial ways to exercise without equipment - just know you aren't alone as I for one workout at home as well.

If you have just begun then any basic exercises will have a tremendous impact to your body such as building solid core muscles and shedding fat, but note if you want to progress even further during a later period, your going to have to invest in some solid dumb bells. I have a full multi gym but truth be told, i use it only for chest/back exercises - largely the rest are done with own bodyweight and dumb bells!

I fill up empty water bottles for weight and I do 30 day shred from youtube.

You mentioned the weighted hula hoop. I bought one but the 1st time I used it i got a nasty bruise on my hip and i havent tried using it after that. Have you had this problem before??

That's common for most of us who use a hoop. You just have to practice more. When you're new to it, the hoop bumps and jumps as you try to push it around. As you practice, you'll get the rhythm of making the hoops roll across your hips. I do a hoop workout a couple times amonth. I like to do 2 minutes of hoop, then 2 minutes with dumbbells (doing different exercises each time, and then coming back to repeat those things for another round). After 1/2 hour of that (plus the bending down to pick up the hoop each time) I've had a solid workout.

Bruises on the hips from the hula hoop - it's where it's squidging the fat!! Just keep going if it's not painful - it goes away!! I had them on both sides, but they weren't painful. The more you do it, the easier it gets!!

I hula hoop as well, but I made my own hoops with irrigation tubing.

Here's the body weight circuit I do at home http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/ We have a pair of 15-lb dumbbells which are what I use now for the rows, but I started out with a 5-lb bag of flour in a handled bag and then went to a 10-lb bag of sugar.

Food wise if it doesn't grow or graze dont eat it.

For someone just starting out, this kind of extreme change can lead to someone thinking this is a lot harder than it needs to be. Incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins is important yes, and I like the idea that MOST of what we eat should follow your philosophy... but I don't think it's fair to tell someone they need to stop eating everything else.

I just had a creamy chocolatey fudge pop. It was delicious. It fits into my caloric goals for the day at 100 calories and doesn't send my sugar/carbs skyrocketing... pretty sure at least some of the ingredients didn't grow or graze, and I have been doing great.

Trust me on this, yoga and pilates. And I agree with those that suggested lunges and squats. You can also get an exercise ball or a bosu ball - plenty of DVDs out there that would give you a great work out.

I do zwow's from you tube at home, or any hiit workout. They've worked better than anything else I've done and most workouts don't take more than 20 mns of my day.