How do I start working out?

Hellokittiegal
Hellokittiegal Posts: 4
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
I am Amanda. I am 21 years old . Over the years , I've made a lot of progress with weight loss . Total , I've lost 40 pounds . I weigh 115 at 4 foot 11 . I would like to start exercising again . Right now , I student teach at a school , and work 4 days a week part time at a library doing physical work such as shelving books , pulling carts , and emptying outdoor book bins . I am on my feet all day . I want to have a workout schedule where I am running , and gaining muscle . My main problem area is my stomach. But , I feel as though my whole body could use a bit of fat loss . I only want to lose about 8 pounds , but I want to have much less stomach fat , and be much more in shape , so I can keep up with my boyfriend when running on the weekends . Where should I start ? I have a treadmill and weights . I like running outside . I want to work out about 3 times a week . What do you recommend ? I would like some sort of results by the new year .

Replies

  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    For your goals you should focus on lifting weights more than cardio. You can find books for lifting like "The New Rules of Lifting," "Starting Strength," or others. You can also utilize All Pro's routine at bodybuilding.com....or maybe youtube. 3 times a week is fine for a full body weight routine.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited October 2014
    You can't put on much (if any) muscle while eating at a deficit. Look into body recomposition.

    Running is for cardio....heart health, burning calories and stamina.

    Strength (resistance) training is for keeping lean muscle while eating at a deficit. Is great for bone health and so many other things. Strength training will shape your body.

    Since you won't be able to target (or spot reduce) your problem areas, just look for overall fitness. I use videos.....Kelly Coffey Meyer is my favorite

    http://www.collagevideo.com/collections/kelly-coffey-meyer/toning-total-body

    See if your library has videos. Use the website above to check fitness level (or equipment requirements) so you can start there.
  • efischer90
    efischer90 Posts: 8 Member
    bump
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    You need to do some strength training less on the cardio.
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    Do what you enjoy. If you don't know if you'll enjoy something, give it a try for a few weeks, and then see.
  • SarahLynne22
    SarahLynne22 Posts: 9 Member
    Congratulations on your weight loss so far. Definitely look more into lifting than cardio You sound like you get a good amount of cardio already with being on your feet and moving all day and running with your boyfriend. Plus if you are only going to be able to hit the gym three days a week, weights are the way to go.
    I also have problems with stomach fat, luckily since you are still young, it is usually easier to melt that off (I am 40, and it is a b*!ch trying to lose mine). The muscles you gain are going to burn ore fat than just cardio, so good luck.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    try this beginner body weight workout> http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    you choose a program to fall in love with and make it your own personal revolutionary ritual. You own it and you keep records and you get a crush on watching your own evolution.
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    yoovie wrote: »
    you choose a program to fall in love with and make it your own personal revolutionary ritual. You own it and you keep records and you get a crush on watching your own evolution.

    I LOVE THIS!!! You just perfectly described the past year and a half of my life.

  • bikergirlalex
    bikergirlalex Posts: 34
    Pairing up strength training with cardio. Don't stop cardio, it's great for agility! :)
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    branflakes1980 wrote: »
    yoovie wrote: »
    you choose a program to fall in love with and make it your own personal revolutionary ritual. You own it and you keep records and you get a crush on watching your own evolution.

    I LOVE THIS!!! You just perfectly described the past year and a half of my life.

    it's been almost 4 years for me, it's made me unbelievably happy.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    yoovie wrote: »
    you choose a program to fall in love with and make it your own personal revolutionary ritual. You own it and you keep records and you get a crush on watching your own evolution.

    This is so perfect!

    I was doing body pump for about a year and really loved it, but I changed gyms and the new one doesn't offer it. I like any group class, so I started going to any other.

    But I recently discovered aqua bootcamp and it is fantastic. Cardio and strength training and you don't know how hard you are working until you are done.
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    yoovie wrote: »
    branflakes1980 wrote: »
    yoovie wrote: »
    you choose a program to fall in love with and make it your own personal revolutionary ritual. You own it and you keep records and you get a crush on watching your own evolution.

    I LOVE THIS!!! You just perfectly described the past year and a half of my life.

    it's been almost 4 years for me, it's made me unbelievably happy.

    When people ask me why I work out and why I lift weights I struggle finding the right words to explain it sometimes so thank you for this because it is simply perfect!

  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Start with the weights.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    start by being balanced, so you don't have to fix it later ;)
  • ShodanPrime
    ShodanPrime Posts: 226 Member
    Wow, this is on page two? Odd bug.
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