Fitness Options
sheepingly
Posts: 237 Member
So I'm in a dilemma. I've gained 60-80lbs over the past few years by over eating and volume eating and I have a desk job, and then 2 hours commute total every day.
Anyway, I'd like to get back into working out but I have limited options right now in terms of fitness. I can't get a gym membership just yet and when i do I don't really have someone to go with (everyone i know is lazy or not the gym kind of people) so I'm not sure what I can do in terms of working out.
I can't do DVD's for home workouts because neighbors will complain about the noise.
I can go for a walk outside but i can only do that on weekends so what can i do to get my fitness on during the week. it would have to be something i can do on a week night before or after dinnertime.
Any ideas of what i can do until i can attend an actual gym?
Anyway, I'd like to get back into working out but I have limited options right now in terms of fitness. I can't get a gym membership just yet and when i do I don't really have someone to go with (everyone i know is lazy or not the gym kind of people) so I'm not sure what I can do in terms of working out.
I can't do DVD's for home workouts because neighbors will complain about the noise.
I can go for a walk outside but i can only do that on weekends so what can i do to get my fitness on during the week. it would have to be something i can do on a week night before or after dinnertime.
Any ideas of what i can do until i can attend an actual gym?
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Replies
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Why can you only walk on weekends? That is typically an anytime anyplace kind of activity. You can't walk on your lunch break or before or after work?
Can you wear wireless headphones and do a DVD or is it the stomping about that upsets your neighbors?
Many parks where I live have fitness courses where you can walk or run and do various body weight exercises at each station.
You don't need someone to go to the gym with you. I've found it more of a time waster than a motivator.0 -
jennybearlv wrote: »Why can you only walk on weekends? That is typically an anytime anyplace kind of activity. You can't walk on your lunch break or before or after work?
Can you wear wireless headphones and do a DVD or is it the stomping about that upsets your neighbors?
Many parks where I live have fitness courses where you can walk or run and do various body weight exercises at each station.
You don't need someone to go to the gym with you. I've found it more of a time waster than a motivator.
Agree that you don't need someone to go with you. It's nice to have a spotter at times but it can be more trouble than it's worth.
There are some good bodyweight programs you can do with minimum space. Some would annoy people downstairs. An app I tried that was pretty good was Sworkit but there are a ton of options besides this. Going to a gym is nice but not needed.
Oh and if your goal is to lose weight your diet has much more of an impact. If it's to get fit, than yes exercise is needed.0 -
jennybearlv wrote: »Why can you only walk on weekends? That is typically an anytime anyplace kind of activity. You can't walk on your lunch break or before or after work?
Can you wear wireless headphones and do a DVD or is it the stomping about that upsets your neighbors?
Many parks where I live have fitness courses where you can walk or run and do various body weight exercises at each station.
You don't need someone to go to the gym with you. I've found it more of a time waster than a motivator.
I don't want to walk at week nights because it's scary at night and i'm female LOL, I could go early in the morning before work but it'll still be dark out.
Re: working out at home, i'm on the 2nd floor and the walls/floors are thin so they hear everything. Landlord is strict with these kinds of complaints.
I can walk before work or during lunch but I live in Cali and it's hot even at 7am and even if it wasn't I'd sweat and that's kinda gross. I'd still feel gross even after cleaning up.
Sounds like excuses I know and I'd do it if absolutely necessary but I'm hoping there's something besides using dumbells/kettle bells at home that will help with weightloss that doesn't require me stomping around.0 -
If you can walk 3-5 days per week, that would be a fantastic start. Walk whenever you can on the weekends, then maybe a combination of before work or right after you get home (I live in CA too, and it's light outside between like 6am and 8:30 pm right now; surely there's 30 minutes of daylight you can use?). You could walk one day on your lunch break, or you could mall-walk. Think creatively; I'm sure you can find a way around your restrictions.2
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If you can walk 3-5 days per week, that would be a fantastic start. Walk whenever you can on the weekends, then maybe a combination of before work or right after you get home (I live in CA too, and it's light outside between like 6am and 8:30 pm right now; surely there's 30 minutes of daylight you can use?). You could walk one day on your lunch break, or you could mall-walk. Think creatively; I'm sure you can find a way around your restrictions.
Great idea on mall walks! Safer than outside and environmental controls.0 -
Where do you work? In an office? Do they have stairs where you work? You can walk some stairs in the air conditioning on your breaks. Bottom line if you want to get moving more you will find a way.
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I found some exercises that you do sitting in a chair. How about yoga?0
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You can lose weight without exercise.
How about steps in your building? I live in a condo complex with 45 units. We have 8 stairwells with 23 steps in each stairwell. I have many times walked up and down all of them. I start at one end and work through all of them and then back to the beginning. Nothing like 400 steps and some walking in between to get the heart moving. Alternately, are there steps where you work, or in any building near your work? No reason you can't walk up and down them a bunch of times.1 -
You dont need a buddy to go to the gym with.
If you want to exercise then do it...1 -
Resistance tubes and bands are an inexpensive way to get into strength training. I started with those.0
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Where do you work? In an office? Do they have stairs where you work? You can walk some stairs in the air conditioning on your breaks. Bottom line if you want to get moving more you will find a way.
Yes I work in an office and the a/c is on all the time. It's just 2 levels and stairs only. No elevator and even though I have a desk job and its sitting 90% of the time sometimes I have to go up and down the stairs which either because I'm not used to moving around a lot or this overweightness or both...just going up 1 1/2 flight of stairs i'm prespiring, out of breath and hot (Despite a/c).
Sure I move about 5K steps worth while at work between 8-5pm, i don't know if i'd consider that really "moving around".0 -
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cmriverside wrote: »You can lose weight without exercise.
How about steps in your building? I live in a condo complex with 45 units. We have 8 stairwells with 23 steps in each stairwell. I have many times walked up and down all of them. I start at one end and work through all of them and then back to the beginning. Nothing like 400 steps and some walking in between to get the heart moving. Alternately, are there steps where you work, or in any building near your work? No reason you can't walk up and down them a bunch of times.
I live in a 200 unit complex with individual stairs (1 flight) for every 4 units. There is no "walk way" or "cat walk" for them though. Going up the stairs though because of the thin walls vibrates all 4 units and you hear everything even when one of your 3 neighbors open/closes their doors.
The one bright side about the complex is that the mailbox and big garbage bins are at least 200+ feet away including the carport. So I try to use that to get my steps in daily besides the walking around at work (that's usually around 5K steps).0 -
estherdragonbat wrote: »Resistance tubes and bands are an inexpensive way to get into strength training. I started with those.
At home all i have is a set of 10lb dumbells and that's about it.0 -
sheepingly wrote: »cmriverside wrote: »You can lose weight without exercise.
How about steps in your building? I live in a condo complex with 45 units. We have 8 stairwells with 23 steps in each stairwell. I have many times walked up and down all of them. I start at one end and work through all of them and then back to the beginning. Nothing like 400 steps and some walking in between to get the heart moving. Alternately, are there steps where you work, or in any building near your work? No reason you can't walk up and down them a bunch of times.
I live in a 200 unit complex with individual stairs (1 flight) for every 4 units. There is no "walk way" or "cat walk" for them though. Going up the stairs though because of the thin walls vibrates all 4 units and you hear everything even when one of your 3 neighbors open/closes their doors.
The one bright side about the complex is that the mailbox and big garbage bins are at least 200+ feet away including the carport. So I try to use that to get my steps in daily besides the walking around at work (that's usually around 5K steps).
Who cares if it vibrates the units? That's one of the things you deal with when living in communal housing. I also hear people on steps and opening and closing doors. That's no reason not to find ways to exercise. Find a way. Walk back and forth to the mailbox 20 times. Tomorrow do it 21.
Why can't you join a gym? Many cities have senior centers with cheap treadmills/elipticals/light weights in their centers. Anyone can join and you don't have to be old. Planet Fitness has extremely inexpensive memberships. You can't continue to poo poo every suggestion. If you have a car, park further away. If you take a bus, get off a couple stops early. Be creative. Every little bit helps.0 -
So, here's an alternate idea: don't worry about exercising right now. You can lose weight purely through your caloric intake. I know you said in your post that you want to exercise, but it seems like that's not really the case, because you have a lot of reasons why nearly every suggestion won't work. While some are probably completely valid, I'm not sure there's absolutely no way you can walk for 15 minutes without it being a huge hassle.
If you take exercise off the table for yourself right now, how does that feel emotionally? Does it make you REALLY want to exercise, or does it seem like kind of a relief?3 -
I love doing Darebee.com workouts. Most are bodyweight only, and while some require jumping many do not. If you look at the individual workouts, you can filter for "Strength / Tone" and "no equipment", etc. Quite a few of the Strength / Toning Workouts should be ok without disturbing the neighbors.0
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I like doing yoga when i can. YOu might also want to check out Convict Conditioning.0
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My PCP worked with me when I was in a similar spot. She explained the the sweat from going up and down stairs at work was A. not any more noticable than my weight, and B. something that would improve /reduce over time. When I explained that my knees hurt from walking/taking the stairs she told me to invest in four freezable gel packs and to ice my knees after exercise, that the damage I was doing to my knees was less than the damage to my heart. When I told her Yoga hurt, same thing, use ice packs afterwards, learn to tolerate the pain it will help you grow emotionally.
I'd start with the steps at work, walk down then back up two "extra" times a day for a week, then three extra then four... At your apt I'd do the same thing, walk the steps but here you can let yourself get a little more sweaty so do an extra flight each time. walk the halway or around your building. It stays light late now, so adding steps from the train or bus stop, or if you drive to work walking around your parking garage or lot three times before and after work...
YOU CAN DO THIS!1 -
Jillian Michaels 30 day shred doesn't have a lot of jumping, and you can modify with different movements. If you're working out during waking hours, maybe just put a note on your neighbours door saying "hey! I'm working out! The noise won't be forever, if I'm bothering you, please let me know. Ps: I'm looking for a walking buddy if you're up for it!" You might need some like minded people who cheer you on and who want to join you!1
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Or, if you want to walk outside, get a dog?0
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cmriverside wrote: »sheepingly wrote: »cmriverside wrote: »You can lose weight without exercise.
How about steps in your building? I live in a condo complex with 45 units. We have 8 stairwells with 23 steps in each stairwell. I have many times walked up and down all of them. I start at one end and work through all of them and then back to the beginning. Nothing like 400 steps and some walking in between to get the heart moving. Alternately, are there steps where you work, or in any building near your work? No reason you can't walk up and down them a bunch of times.
I live in a 200 unit complex with individual stairs (1 flight) for every 4 units. There is no "walk way" or "cat walk" for them though. Going up the stairs though because of the thin walls vibrates all 4 units and you hear everything even when one of your 3 neighbors open/closes their doors.
The one bright side about the complex is that the mailbox and big garbage bins are at least 200+ feet away including the carport. So I try to use that to get my steps in daily besides the walking around at work (that's usually around 5K steps).
Who cares if it vibrates the units? That's one of the things you deal with when living in communal housing. I also hear people on steps and opening and closing doors. That's no reason not to find ways to exercise. Find a way. Walk back and forth to the mailbox 20 times. Tomorrow do it 21.
Why can't you join a gym? Many cities have senior centers with cheap treadmills/elipticals/light weights in their centers. Anyone can join and you don't have to be old. Planet Fitness has extremely inexpensive memberships. You can't continue to poo poo every suggestion. If you have a car, park further away. If you take a bus, get off a couple stops early. Be creative. Every little bit helps.
I've explained that in previous posts:
People complain and cause drama in this complex.
I can't join a gym right now because of fixing financial situation. I can't add on anything at the moment (even little stuff) and I'm not poo pooing every suggestion.
And i'm doing those "little things" you point in your last statement but i was looking for more things becuase i feel like its not enough.0 -
So, here's an alternate idea: don't worry about exercising right now. You can lose weight purely through your caloric intake. I know you said in your post that you want to exercise, but it seems like that's not really the case, because you have a lot of reasons why nearly every suggestion won't work. While some are probably completely valid, I'm not sure there's absolutely no way you can walk for 15 minutes without it being a huge hassle.
If you take exercise off the table for yourself right now, how does that feel emotionally? Does it make you REALLY want to exercise, or does it seem like kind of a relief?
I want to exercise and like do things like go walking before work but i sweat easily (due to the weight) but add in cali weather i get to work after walking before work sweating and sure I have like wipes and deoderant etc. but i just feel gross anyway and i get paranoid because i'm new at work.
If traffic isnt too bad (it's an hour commute home) and not doing OT then i can do the walking when i get home cause if i get sweaty who cares i'm at home and can shower.
But i want to do more than just walk. I have this urge to expend energy but with my overweightness and my body used to not doing much for a period of time (severe couch potato) from January - June doesn't want to handle very much cause its not used to it and rather than quit becuase i'm cold turkeying it i'm trying to build up to it.0 -
mindywilsford wrote: »I love doing Darebee.com workouts. Most are bodyweight only, and while some require jumping many do not. If you look at the individual workouts, you can filter for "Strength / Tone" and "no equipment", etc. Quite a few of the Strength / Toning Workouts should be ok without disturbing the neighbors.
Thanks! Never heard of it. I'll look for stuff that doesn't require like "jumping" due to noise complaints from neighbors. Body weight stuff should work.
Does stretching kind of activities burn calories?0 -
I suggest you ask your employer to get you a standing desk. Using a standing desk to do office work burns 0.5<calories<1.0 per minute. This does add up in a day.
Look into doing isometric strength exercises. You can do quite a lot at your desk with no-one noticing.0 -
HonestOmnivore wrote: »My PCP worked with me when I was in a similar spot. She explained the the sweat from going up and down stairs at work was A. not any more noticable than my weight, and B. something that would improve /reduce over time. When I explained that my knees hurt from walking/taking the stairs she told me to invest in four freezable gel packs and to ice my knees after exercise, that the damage I was doing to my knees was less than the damage to my heart. When I told her Yoga hurt, same thing, use ice packs afterwards, learn to tolerate the pain it will help you grow emotionally.
I'd start with the steps at work, walk down then back up two "extra" times a day for a week, then three extra then four... At your apt I'd do the same thing, walk the steps but here you can let yourself get a little more sweaty so do an extra flight each time. walk the halway or around your building. It stays light late now, so adding steps from the train or bus stop, or if you drive to work walking around your parking garage or lot three times before and after work...
YOU CAN DO THIS!
What I think I will do is:
- Walk before work (pending heat conditions)
- Move around more during work and at lunch time and also look into exercises can do while sitting at my desk
- Go walking after work + body weight stuff plus dumbell stuff (i have dumbells at home)
and when that gets alot easier and i can afford to -- start jogging after work + enroll in gym or things of that nature.0 -
Ultimately, you can't keep doing the same things you've been doing that got you where you are and expect a different outcome. You also can't out-exercise poor nutrition, though with proper nutrition, you can lose weight without exercise. It may not be easy, it will be a change, and it most certainly can be done. Fix your diet to get you moving in the right direction and then maybe you can add in a exercise/fitness component when it's more feasible or palatable for you. A number of other posters have made what seem like very reasonable suggestions, pick one... or several. If you really think you need a workout buddy, find one. Maybe someone else in your complex is facing the same dilemma about working out at home, maybe it's a coworker, maybe another one of your friends wants to get in shape too but hasn't outwardly expressed that desire because they think you're also not a "gym person". You could also try to find a gym and make a new friend who you know is a "gym person" since they're already there. Depending on where you work, talk to someone in HR, many companies are putting an emphasis on employee health for insurance reasons and may be amenable to subsidizing memberships to a nearby gym and/or allowing time during the day for fitness.
Think about the fitness community at large; there are a myriad of different opinions of what the best nutrition and fitness strategies are, the constant is that the people that find success make a commitment to do so. Part of that commitment also frequently involves identifying and removing obstacles, however difficult, drastic, or initially disruptive as that may be. That's going to look different to everyone, maybe it's finding a new job closer to home, or a new apartment closer to work or at least one that allows you to exercise at home, and/or bringing your friends along on your fitness journey or finding friends that will join and support you.1 -
sheepingly wrote: »HonestOmnivore wrote: »My PCP worked with me when I was in a similar spot. She explained the the sweat from going up and down stairs at work was A. not any more noticable than my weight, and B. something that would improve /reduce over time. When I explained that my knees hurt from walking/taking the stairs she told me to invest in four freezable gel packs and to ice my knees after exercise, that the damage I was doing to my knees was less than the damage to my heart. When I told her Yoga hurt, same thing, use ice packs afterwards, learn to tolerate the pain it will help you grow emotionally.
I'd start with the steps at work, walk down then back up two "extra" times a day for a week, then three extra then four... At your apt I'd do the same thing, walk the steps but here you can let yourself get a little more sweaty so do an extra flight each time. walk the halway or around your building. It stays light late now, so adding steps from the train or bus stop, or if you drive to work walking around your parking garage or lot three times before and after work...
YOU CAN DO THIS!
What I think I will do is:
- Walk before work (pending heat conditions)
- Move around more during work and at lunch time and also look into exercises can do while sitting at my desk
- Go walking after work + body weight stuff plus dumbell stuff (i have dumbells at home)
and when that gets alot easier and i can afford to -- start jogging after work + enroll in gym or things of that nature.
That sounds like a great plan. Another idea you may not have thought of...every apartment complex I've ever seen has some kind of outdoor common areas that are usually relatively safe. Take your dumbbells outside with you and do your bodyweight/dumbbell workout there. (Maybe not at noon, but before/after work should be relatively cool unless you live in Death Valley.) Don't worry about what the neighbors think; you have just as much right to use the common areas as they do. Bring your phone or iPod or whatever you use to listen to music, and just do your thing.0 -
sheepingly wrote: »HonestOmnivore wrote: »My PCP worked with me when I was in a similar spot. She explained the the sweat from going up and down stairs at work was A. not any more noticable than my weight, and B. something that would improve /reduce over time. When I explained that my knees hurt from walking/taking the stairs she told me to invest in four freezable gel packs and to ice my knees after exercise, that the damage I was doing to my knees was less than the damage to my heart. When I told her Yoga hurt, same thing, use ice packs afterwards, learn to tolerate the pain it will help you grow emotionally.
I'd start with the steps at work, walk down then back up two "extra" times a day for a week, then three extra then four... At your apt I'd do the same thing, walk the steps but here you can let yourself get a little more sweaty so do an extra flight each time. walk the halway or around your building. It stays light late now, so adding steps from the train or bus stop, or if you drive to work walking around your parking garage or lot three times before and after work...
YOU CAN DO THIS!
What I think I will do is:
- Walk before work (pending heat conditions)
- Move around more during work and at lunch time and also look into exercises can do while sitting at my desk
- Go walking after work + body weight stuff plus dumbell stuff (i have dumbells at home)
and when that gets alot easier and i can afford to -- start jogging after work + enroll in gym or things of that nature.
That sounds like a great plan. Another idea you may not have thought of...every apartment complex I've ever seen has some kind of outdoor common areas that are usually relatively safe. Take your dumbbells outside with you and do your bodyweight/dumbbell workout there. (Maybe not at noon, but before/after work should be relatively cool unless you live in Death Valley.) Don't worry about what the neighbors think; you have just as much right to use the common areas as they do. Bring your phone or iPod or whatever you use to listen to music, and just do your thing.
Thats a good idea. The carport is really wide and my spot is near the back of the carport area and the back as a big wide open space (kind of how like cul de sacs are). I think what i can do is buy a jump rope and do that too.
I also have a skateboard, I'm such a newbie and still trying to balance but the effort at trying to balance and ride it does expend energy I think?0 -
sheepingly wrote: »So I'm in a dilemma. I've gained 60-80lbs over the past few years by over eating and volume eating and I have a desk job, and then 2 hours commute total every day.
Anyway, I'd like to get back into working out but I have limited options right now in terms of fitness. I can't get a gym membership just yet and when i do I don't really have someone to go with (everyone i know is lazy or not the gym kind of people) so I'm not sure what I can do in terms of working out.
I can't do DVD's for home workouts because neighbors will complain about the noise.
I can go for a walk outside but i can only do that on weekends so what can i do to get my fitness on during the week. it would have to be something i can do on a week night before or after dinnertime.
Any ideas of what i can do until i can attend an actual gym?
Low impact workouts won't upset your neighbors.
Yoga - not a noisy endeavor at all, a yoga mat will help muffle any noise even more.
Strength training - start with bodyweight exercise. Push ups, planks, squats.....not noisy. Pilates is a form of resistance training....not noisy.
Walking DVDs / walking style videos are low impact. You aren't jumping up and down. If it's the TV that annoys your neighbors, these are cardio workouts with zero choreography. Because there is no choreography - I can mute the TV and use earbuds......I can play my favorite music.
Videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/walkathomemedia0
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