Overwhelmed with exercise DVD choices!

Frappleberry
Frappleberry Posts: 251 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi
I'm looking to exercise at home 3 - 4 times a week, I'm quite out of shape at the mo. I have exercised with a personal trainer before ( many moons ago) but can't afford that now, I do enjoy exercise once I get started.

What do you recommend, I'm wanting to get toned but not bulk up, I'm 5ft 8" and 218 lbs. I carry most weight in my tummy area and am quite flabby!

Is cardio the best way to go? Does hip hop abs work - I'm useless at doing crunches!

Any advice appreciated,

Replies

  • GibbsGirl13072
    GibbsGirl13072 Posts: 156 Member
    We are about the same size :bigsmile:

    Lifting weights won't make you bulky in general, unless that is something you're aiming for and work towards. I have 10lb dumb bells that I use for a few different arm exercises. I check dumbbell-exercises.com and do several of those exercises daily. There is one called "good mornings" that are good for abs. It's like doing sit ups while standing up, lol.

    I also do vinyasa yoga (not sure if it's power yoga, or flow, or whatever) with DVD set called Ultimate Yogi. It's toned up my legs and butt, and it just makes me feel good in general. Youtube has all kinds of videos of yoga or other exercises too, check some out and if you find something you like, Amazon may have it.
  • blf20
    blf20 Posts: 97 Member
    Leslie Sansone has a lot of videos for every fitness (and non-fitness) level so that you can work your way up to the fitness level you desire. Some examples are on YouTube:
    Start walking
    1 mile walk
    2 mile walk

    etc.

    Good luck!
  • kimmieedwards
    kimmieedwards Posts: 2
    I really like Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I can't stand the sound of her voice though so I mute the television and play my own music. :smile: It is easy to follow and I burn about 300 calories in 25 minutes.
  • Frappleberry
    Frappleberry Posts: 251 Member
    Thanks for replies, I've not heard of Leslie sansone but will look for her DVDs on Amazon, I dud a Jessica Smith walking DVD and that seemed a good match, I'm not sure I'm ready for Jillian Michaels yet, she scares me!

    I've never tried yoga but there's a class fir beginners starting at after work so will give it a try!
  • VelveteenArabian
    VelveteenArabian Posts: 758 Member
    Pick the DVD that makes you go "hey I can do that it looks fun". If you're not having fun you won't stick with it. Sticking with an exercise routine helps lead to success - doesnt matter which program you're doing. It's better to do something you enjoy and keep doing it than get something just based on hopeful results and be bored after the first time and give up.
  • rejectuf
    rejectuf Posts: 487 Member
    While I prefer lifting weights and crossfit for my exercise, my wife has really enjoyed (and seen some great results from) P90X3. And reviewing some of the exercises, I have to say it's definitely a legit exercise program.
  • jessa271
    jessa271 Posts: 67
    I have just about every fitness dvd you can shake a stick at! I like a lot of the "The Firm" videos - they almost always have a low impact modifier in them, there are varying degrees of difficulty, and they can be done with or without weights.

    Another *huge* favorite is the 10 Minute Solution dvds. I usually do the whole 50 minute disc rather than the 10 minute sections, but I really liked them when I was just starting to workout because they have a warm up and cool down (albeit short) in each 10 minute piece so you get a break while you're recovering.

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