what is the best workout for beginners?
babyjtwizt
Posts: 5
Hello. I am a new member here and I am very new to exercising. The last time I took exercising half way serious was my teens. I am soon to be 29 and I spend most of my time working a desk job, raising my toddler and my teen step daughter, and eating pretty much whatever seems appetizing lol. I repeat ... I know nothing about exercising or dieting. I know nothing about counting calories... what my weight should be.. etc. I recently last month decided to start thinking about my health more. I am anemic... have exercise induced asthma... and I consider my problem area to be my stomach. I used to have a nice flat stomach and after having my toddler... eh not so much. I would also like to work on my arms which used to be my pride and joy lol. I never thought about dieting because I dont really want to lose weight. I really just want to tone up and get my stomach back where it used to be. Im 5'3" 130 lbs and not flexible at all lol. It is physically impossible for me to touch my toes. My knees is the furthest I can go... (been that way since birth). I guess all of this leads to me asking... what is the best workout for me as a beginner? Should I diet? I am thinking about 3 workout videos and cant decide on which is best for someone like me. Shaun T's T25, a jillian micheals workout, or richard simmons project hope. If you know anything better... let me know. Right now... all I do currently is try to drink plenty of water and I walk 1 mile every other day if time allows. Anybody able to lead me in the right direction?
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Replies
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The best program is the one you do.
1) Identify your objectives. I can't tell if it's weight loss or fitness or touching your toes.
2) Choose any program that will vaguely point you in that direction
3) do it
4) do it again
5) do it a third time
5b) are you enjoying this?
6) if you aren't getting any enjoyment, you aren't going to stick to it - figure out how to enjoy it or improve it to change it
7) go back to 3)
Most programs are just as good as other programs.
Choose one. Do it.
Persistence drives results.0 -
I am still losing weight not on maintenance yet I am 5'2" I am 151lbs wish I was 130lbs there is no fast fix just exercise regularly maybe walk everyday start small then work your way to larger walks until you find it easier to breathe0
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for now, i would just wake up earlier and go for a 30-60 minute walk in the morning. its important to be on an empty stomach when you do this so no eating. I think its important to start really small such that you first build the virtue of uh taking action first. once this walk becomes habitual (as in, you dont have to fight yourself in the morning to start anymore) then i would look into an actual exercise program
I think that if someone start with a program right out the gates (esp when they haven done anything for a really long time) that's going to be fatiguing to you, itll make it a lot more likely for someone to drop it within like a couple of weeks.0 -
At this point from being completely inactive any of those will give you gains in the areas you seek as long as you stick to it. Pick the one you like best and then you will notice improvements. I did anything and everything that came my way willy nilly to start out and all the areas I was interested in have improved, my belly is flatter, my stamina is up, my weight is down, and etc. Good luck, just pick on and run with it. :flowerforyou:0
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1. Get a health assessment, body fat (most gyms will do this for you or a doctor), and measurements. 130lbs is pretty good depending on what makes it up. Most women shoot for 20% body fat, being the low end of athletic.
2. 80% is eating right and 20% is working out. Get the eating piece right.
3. Do cardio AND muscle training!! Building muscle is so important to how your body looks
4. Follow me if you want some food examples or send me a message.
5. Eat 5 small meals instead of just 3. Log your food and see how much protein, carbs, fat, etc...
6. I just started checking my macros, take it one step at a time. Find a macros calculator so you know what you need for your goals.
side note i'm 4'11'' and 125. I've nearly met my goal I have about 5% more body fat to lose and I'm a size 2 or 4. TRUST ME weight does NOT matter. It's what your made of
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1. Get a health assessment, body fat (most gyms will do this for you or a doctor), and measurements. 130lbs is pretty good depending on what makes it up. Most women shoot for 20% body fat, being the low end of athletic.
2. 80% is eating right and 20% is working out. Get the eating piece right.
3. Do cardio AND muscle training!! Building muscle is so important to how your body looks
4. Follow me if you want some food examples or send me a message.
5. Eat 5 small meals instead of just 3. Log your food and see how much protein, carbs, fat, etc...
6. I just started checking my macros, take it one step at a time. Find a macros calculator so you know what you need for your goals.
side note i'm 4'11'' and 125. I've nearly met my goal I have about 5% more body fat to lose and I'm a size 2 or 4. TRUST ME weight does NOT matter. It's what your made of
There is absolutely no need to eat 5 meals instead of three. That's just a personal preference.0 -
for now, i would just wake up earlier and go for a 30-60 minute walk in the morning. its important to be on an empty stomach when you do this so no eating. I think its important to start really small such that you first build the virtue of uh taking action first. once this walk becomes habitual (as in, you dont have to fight yourself in the morning to start anymore) then i would look into an actual exercise program
I think that if someone start with a program right out the gates (esp when they haven done anything for a really long time) that's going to be fatiguing to you, itll make it a lot more likely for someone to drop it within like a couple of weeks.
... And there is no need to do exercise on an empty stomach. The idea that it has a great "fat burning" potential has been debunked.
She already walks and is asking about adding an exercise programs but you are suggesting she just walk?0 -
Look up Cassey Ho's Blogilates! She has a exercise program for beginners that I used and it will really tone you up since it is Pilates. She also has meal programs that focus on clean eating that are fabulous! Good luck and welcome!0
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I would recommend walking daily plus light weights for a start. Pick up some dumbbells at a local sporting goods store. There are lots of videos on lifting. Walking will take off the fat if you stick with it. Start out easy so you don't injure yourself. Stretch before lifting. Good luck.0
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If you have a gym membership, then I suggest trying one of every class available to you. The key to fitness is finding what you like. If you like the T25 or P90X videos, then do that. But don't limit it to that. Try the aqua aerobics classes or the Yoga classes, try Zumba. If you have always wanted to run then try C25K.
The best workout is going the be the one you enjoy the most.0 -
I happen to love, love, LOVE Blogilates. If you go to her site (www.blogilates.com) you can print out the Beginners Workout Calendar and start with her beginners YouTube videos. She is so upbeat and motivating and I have found that her workouts are challenging and rewarding. You feel awesome when you are done. I also really liked classes like gentle yoga & Zumba when I first started working out. They were disguised as fun activities and kept me going once I started this journey. Good luck on your brand new fitness journey! I wish you the best of luck.0
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See, everyone is throwing out their own recommendation of something they like.
No best option. You are going to get a dozen more choices.
Identify your objectives and do something, anything, you enjoy.
Start yesterday.0 -
The best program is the one you do.
1) Identify your objectives. I can't tell if it's weight loss or fitness or touching your toes.
2) Choose any program that will vaguely point you in that direction
3) do it
4) do it again
5) do it a third time
5b) are you enjoying this?
6) if you aren't getting any enjoyment, you aren't going to stick to it - figure out how to enjoy it or improve it to change it
7) go back to 3)
Most programs are just as good as other programs.
Choose one. Do it.
Persistence drives results.
^^^ This Particularly #6 try and find something you enjoy because exercise should be an ongoing thing. Exercise should be ongoing not just done once or twice. Don't give up, you will find your way!0 -
Im new too, so i dono all there is to know,, and can just offer a suggestion... Please find out why your anemic... And if you can correct that condition,, eating raisins will help add iron to your body... but its best to get a full medical clearance before doing in intense dieting, ask your Dr., or more than one Dr. to get an idea.. OK ..0
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1. Get a health assessment, body fat (most gyms will do this for you or a doctor), and measurements. 130lbs is pretty good depending on what makes it up. Most women shoot for 20% body fat, being the low end of athletic.
2. 80% is eating right and 20% is working out. Get the eating piece right.
3. Do cardio AND muscle training!! Building muscle is so important to how your body looks
4. Follow me if you want some food examples or send me a message.
5. Eat 5 small meals instead of just 3. Log your food and see how much protein, carbs, fat, etc...
6. I just started checking my macros, take it one step at a time. Find a macros calculator so you know what you need for your goals.
side note i'm 4'11'' and 125. I've nearly met my goal I have about 5% more body fat to lose and I'm a size 2 or 4. TRUST ME weight does NOT matter. It's what your made of
There is absolutely no need to eat 5 meals instead of three. That's just a personal preference.
QFT. There is no general reason to eat a certain number of meals. I personally eat six meals a day because I get headaches otherwise but I am prone to migraines and have to manage them carefully. I would NEVER tell other people "eating six meals a day is the way to go! it works for me!" It's a PITA and I resent having to do it for myself. For the general person regular meals are fine. Don't overcomplicate things. You will get tired of your weight loss or fitness plan faster the more unnecessary hoops you are forcing yourself to jump through. That could lead to giving up.0 -
for now, i would just wake up earlier and go for a 30-60 minute walk in the morning. its important to be on an empty stomach when you do this so no eating. I think its important to start really small such that you first build the virtue of uh taking action first. once this walk becomes habitual (as in, you dont have to fight yourself in the morning to start anymore) then i would look into an actual exercise program
I think that if someone start with a program right out the gates (esp when they haven done anything for a really long time) that's going to be fatiguing to you, itll make it a lot more likely for someone to drop it within like a couple of weeks.
... And there is no need to do exercise on an empty stomach. The idea that it has a great "fat burning" potential has been debunked.
She already walks and is asking about adding an exercise programs but you are suggesting she just walk?
Also if I exercise on an empty stomach it's more likely I will get a headache at worst, dizzy at best. Since dizzy can lead to falling or injury, I choose not to go this route.0 -
See, everyone is throwing out their own recommendation of something they like.
No best option. You are going to get a dozen more choices.
Identify your objectives and do something, anything, you enjoy.
Start yesterday.
This is the guy to listen to.0 -
Hi! I am new to this also. I dont have any advice for you, just offering support as you are NOT alone. I have a 7month old and now kicking myself for being so irresponsible with my diet and exercise during my pregnacy. I lost 60 a few years prior to pregnancy and my weight doubled during pregnancy and after birth I was shocked at how my body has changed. I look back at old pictures of how "fat" I thought I was until looking at myself now and determined to get as close to that (or better) as possible. Finding the time to work out to be the biggest challenge as my son is too small for the kiddie area at the gym and I have to coordinate having him looked after while im working out. Some days I dont have any alternatives and struggle with working out at home. I walk weather permitting, before work and during breaks. I also Like Zumba Fitness and Circut training. I work out three days a week. Ideally, 5-6 days would be best for me, but the time factor creeps in...
I really enjoy the food logs on here it really keeps me on track of what I put in my mouth daily. I even plug a meal into the counter prior to eating it, to see if the meal will put me over or goes against my daily goals for fat, carbs, etc. So far I have lost 16lbs.
One member mentioned Macros, what is that? I heard my zumba intructor mention it just yesterday...
So I have rambbled on...
Thanks for reading. 0 -
The best program is the one you do.
1) Identify your objectives. I can't tell if it's weight loss or fitness or touching your toes.
2) Choose any program that will vaguely point you in that direction
3) do it
4) do it again
5) do it a third time
5b) are you enjoying this?
6) if you aren't getting any enjoyment, you aren't going to stick to it - figure out how to enjoy it or improve it to change it
7) go back to 3)
Most programs are just as good as other programs.
Choose one. Do it.
Persistence drives results.
#6 Definitely!! I change it up from dance, to the ab/burpee crunch I'm doing this month, yoga, and walking.. Whatever you love to do, do it!0 -
I agree on finding something you like. If you can, you check out youtube for variety. There's some Leslie Sansone on there, plus I've done some of the Biggest Loser workouts. www.fitnessblender.com has great variety. They have low impact, HIIT (high intensity interval training), some pilates, weights, and there's a ton to choose from. When the weather's nice you can try biking, hiking and see if that appeals.
You might be able to get some workout tapes at the Library and try those out too.0 -
My only recommendation is that if you decide to try yoga or pilates, find a real class to start with. You really need an instruct on deck to help you alter your poses to fit your ability and make sure you're lined up right.0
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yepSee, everyone is throwing out their own recommendation of something they like.
No best option. You are going to get a dozen more choices.
Identify your objectives and do something, anything, you enjoy.
Start yesterday.
This is the guy to listen to.0 -
http://www.bodybuilding.com has awesome workouts. You can pick a plan based on your goals. I've gotten the best overall fitness results with weight training and HIIT cardio (high intensity interval training). Make sure your nutrition is on point to maximize results and that you're eating enough to fuel your workouts (google TDEE scooby to determine how much you should be eating) Good luck : )0
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The best program is the one you do.
1) Identify your objectives. I can't tell if it's weight loss or fitness or touching your toes.
2) Choose any program that will vaguely point you in that direction
3) do it
4) do it again
5) do it a third time
5b) are you enjoying this?
6) if you aren't getting any enjoyment, you aren't going to stick to it - figure out how to enjoy it or improve it to change it
7) go back to 3)
Most programs are just as good as other programs.
Choose one. Do it.
Persistence drives results.
^ This. I will say that if your goals include body recomp, and it sounds like they do, then you need to include strength training. It doesn't need to be weight lifting but that is a very effective approach. Books such as Starting Strength, Stronglifts, and The New Rules of Lifting are a good start. If you don't have access to a gym, there are also a myriad number of body weight programs out there. As the above poster said, find something that you enjoy and stick with it.0 -
You have to find what works for you.
There are so many ways to achieve what you want to achieve but it has to fit your lifestyle and you willingness to do things.
My way may work for me but not work for you. There are several doors you can enter to get your results, you just have to pick the right one for you. Good luck on your journey.0 -
Hey guys! So I have a question. I am not overweight, but I have a belly and its so hard to get rid of it! I like to run and I try to do it multiple times in a week: The problem is that I feel that I'm just "loosing a couple of pounds" and not actually loosing the belly fat...which is my goal.
I tried Google-ing and there are just soooo many things..I don't know which one to go to...
Can someone give me some advice...it would be much appreciated 0 -
I think you can do any workout you want as long as you start with lower options. I do group classes , including Insanity, there are options for every level sounds like flexibility is a big issue take a yoga class to loosen you up!! No matter what you choose just keep on moving !!!! Don't be afraid to do your own thing!! Good Luck0
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Pilates , work your core muscles0
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I found that the Couch to 5k program was perfect for getting started. Once I completed it, I was ready to really get going on the fitness train and began to assess my goals. (which actually led me to doing cardio only once a week and strength training 3-4 days/week)0
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The best program is the one you do.
1) Identify your objectives. I can't tell if it's weight loss or fitness or touching your toes.
2) Choose any program that will vaguely point you in that direction
3) do it
4) do it again
5) do it a third time
5b) are you enjoying this?
6) if you aren't getting any enjoyment, you aren't going to stick to it - figure out how to enjoy it or improve it to change it
7) go back to 3)
Most programs are just as good as other programs.
Choose one. Do it.
Persistence drives results.
This.
For me, it started with the elliptical and an aerobic DVD, then I tried Spin classes, and kettlebells, I prefered kettlebells... then I read "the new rules of lifting for wome", and soon it became lifting as well. Additionally, I taught my 6 year old to bike ride and got a bike and soon it became bike riding. Now, 10 months into this journey, it's CrossFit.
Everyone is going to have their own ideas of what is "BEST" whats best is something that you do. Don't be afraid to try new things, until you find what you like.
I recommend a mix of cardio and strength training for overall fitness goals0
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