I want to get fit! How did you do it?

I started with Jillian Michaels videos like 30 day shred and body revolution as well as Fitnessblender.com is an amazing free resource full of videos of all different types/lengths/difficulties I learned the basics of so many different types of exercise from them and attribute not only my fitness but most of my weight loss on finding them.

Camarose79 wrote: »

I've started working out again this year. I've decided that you really have to just go and do it, think of it like work: you HAVE to go to work 5 days a week for the next 40 or so years, you can only miss a day now and then. So same as with working out: not necessarily 5 days a week, maybe 2 or 3 and you can ONLY miss a day once in a while and for a good reason! And as for what keeps me motivated? It's seeing the results, the tiny changes in the measurements or weight numbers or even ability to do something that I couldn't do before. The time of the next 40 plus years will pass anyway. So as the time goes by I choose to get better. Good luck

This is a wonderful way to put it! I think I have to copy and save it for inspiration and to use when people ask about commitment to fitness. Seriously awesome!

Hi! For me getting fit happened gradually.

I was tired of small things like being tired of walking up one flight of stairs, but my final straw came when I was teaching myself how to ice skate and realized after 10 minutes I was sweating profusely and gasping for air. Felt like I wasn't living.

I started off walking around my neighbourhood. I didn't go fast or long at first, but hey it was a start!

After that I added Leslie Sansone videos. When I first started I could barely do a 1/2 mile. I kept with it and was able to move up to one mile workout, then a 2 mile workout, then 3 miles etc. Slowly I started noticing NSV's like lower blood pressure and heart rate, an increase of my stamina and endurance and my clothes were getting too big. That motivated me to keep going.

Then I added in weight-training, body weight exercises, Pilates and other workout videos and really started to see my body change.

I've been maintaining for 2 years now and it's awesome to be able to say I'm in the best shape of my life. Now I can power walk very fast for very long and I don't get sore or tired. Also I can briskly ice skate for 50 non-stop minutes, don't sweat much and can keep going after the ice is cleaned!

Personal fitness goals to keep me on track. Currently I'm trying up my number of consecutive pull ups.

You do not have to kill yourself with exercise. I have done no high intensity/high impact and haven't stepped one foot in a gym and I've gotten great results.

Start off slowly and make adjustments as you get fitter/stronger. Stay consistent and mix up your workouts so you don't get bored, but take breaks when needed.

Good luck!

You should not be embarassed to step foot in the gym, it's a step in the right direction so you should be proud. When I lost my weight I found that the free consultation with a trainer when I signed up was very helpful. They showed me how to use the machines and after that I was good on my own. As far as finding the time, I always work out first thing in the morning before life gets in the way. I really hope this helps.

For cardio do some high intensity but do a majority of LONGER sessions at level 10-12 on a Keiser Spin bike

Good for you!!! We all have different habits and routines. I also have a stupidly busy life. My approach to "being fit" is to do at least 30 minutes of SOMETHING every day (the post above suggesting a real target goal is VERY valid). I would rather roll out of bed and do something at home every morning than plan for an intense 90 min workout 3-4X per week. By the time you start feeling your body getting fitter, it will have become a habit. Also, it is important to not be intimidated with the concept of EVERY day. Sometimes I do 30 min of really hard circuit training (HIIT-style) and I am wobbly at the end. But the next day, I might go for an hour long hike in the woods with my big dog, which is what I consider a "rest" day. I think that with your son + stroller and your hiking place, you will find lots of opportunities to do fitness at home.

I understand that going to the gym might indeed be intimidating for you. I recently had a personal trainer and I didn't like him. He was super handsome and young, but I think that he was intimated by me!!! He never weighed me or assessed body fat, I think because so many women get freaked by it all. You certainly can get started at home and when you feel more confident, you can start to shop around for a gym (with or without trainer) if you want. I am not at the gym anymore because we have a nice space in our house and that it great for me.

Like others above, I recommend Jillian Michaels (I have Ripped in 30, which I appreciate) because her exercises are compound, sculpting muscles while getting in cardio. They are also very short, about 30 min. Personally, I don't follow the plan on how many times you do "week 1" or whatever, because I keep increasing my weights (and add ankle weights sometimes) to keep them challenging. When I get bored with "week 1" (which might be 4 weeks later), then I move on to to one of her other routines (say, "week 2"). Jillian is not the only good instructor, but she is a good place to start. Note: She also has kickboxing-type DVDs (lots of her stuff is on YouTube, too), which add some cardio, but the 30 Day Shred and Ripped in 30 are the ones to start with. Do not be discouraged as they are tough. Do what you can without injury, which is likely 3x per week.

Something that I personally enjoy are the "7-minute workouts". Google "New York Times Scientific 7-Minute Workout" and you should get several sites to show you the workout. Basically, it is a series of 30 sec exercises with very short 10 rests. The total time to do the series is just under 8 min. HOWEVER, I do the series 3x through, for a nearly half-hour workout. I have been doing this for about 4 months, adding weights, changing the movements to work out multiple parts of my body at once (e.g. adding a biceps curl to the lunge). Along with Jillian's workout, I have really noticed an improvement in my strength and physical appearance (I should point out that I count calories very carefully, too, which is essential to getting to where I suspect you want to be in terms of fitness).

I started running when I had a 40-year old mid-life crisis (10 years ago). I thought that working up to jogging for 20 min without stopping was the toughest part (this might be a good short-term fitness goal for you). After that, progress seemed faster. I think MFP has a "Couch to 5k" program that is popular and has helped piles of people. Otherwise, just try alternating walking several minutes with jogging for 60 sec until you can manage without walking. It might take a while, but don't give up. You will need good shoes - do not cut costs, especially if you are heavier. I also recommend some fabulous tunes. NEVER feel embarrassed in public, because other runners think: Good on you for getting out! No runner would ever think poorly of an overweight beginner.

Working out regularly will be an excellent example for your son, too.

chunkyandunhappy wrote: »

I am very over weight and unfit I started by doing 20 minutes on a treadmill at 2.8 MPh now I do 20 min at 3 MPh i walk 2 min and I run 4.5 for 1 minute then I try to do some weights I suck on the elliptical I can only do a minute or two but you gotta start somewhere I go to a all ladies gym helps me feel more comfortable

Chunkyandunhappy: Don't be discouraged! It sounds like you are doing great! Soon you will have to change your "name".

I agree that an all-ladies gym is fun. I used to go to one and I really enjoyed it. I left because they started pushing a bunch of meal plans and supplements, and I don't believe that is a good life-strategy. But working out with a bunch of women was fabulous!!!

Your attitdue is really good. When I started the gym I joined was small, more a community gym where everyone was nice and it wasnt intimidating. Visit a few gyms to find one you like. Thing to remember is that people dont care, they are there for the same reason you are. Once you create a habit, then you get used to going and its not intimidating at all. If you can afford a PT, then they are a good way to get started for support and advice, but you cna manage without one. For weight loss then home workouts or just walking cna be a good start, so the gym isnt a must do. Good luck.