tips for beginners that no one told you.
Replies
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Doing something, no matter how little, is better than doing nothing. If you struggle at the beginning, do what you can and gradually build up to more.8
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notreallychris wrote: »You aren't going to burn off that candy (or whatever treat) by getting on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Fit that candy (or whatever treat) into your daily, or weekly, allowance.
Something you could have told me BEFORE Tuesday.
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The notion that running has to be competitive is, with all due respect, misguided. So is the idea that one should avoid running because it can lead to injury.jamesnewberrysr wrote: »Jogging is the best weight loss exercise for me. I am not talking running or racing. Those are competitive and lead to injury and disappointment.
In our lives, there will almost certainly be situations in which we HAVE to run. It's far better to be prepared for such situations. Failing to do be ready could lead to more serious injury or other consequences, especially in an emergency.
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Learn good form, whatever activity you do. Get some coaching, whether it's running, lifting, swimming... the cost of a few coaching sessions may prevent a lot higher coast in pain, surgery, rehab, etc. plus you'll enjoy just about anything more if you do it well.
Also, sleep is way underrated and so needed!9 -
not every muscle that's nagging you needs to be stretched.2
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In our lives, there will almost certainly be situations in which we HAVE to run. It's far better to be prepared for such situations. Failing to do be ready could lead to more serious injury or other consequences, especially in an emergency.jamesnewberrysr wrote: »Jogging is the best weight loss exercise for me. I am not talking running or racing. Those are competitive and lead to injury and disappointment.
I took up selling crack because running from the police is good motivation.8 -
NorthCascades wrote: »
In our lives, there will almost certainly be situations in which we HAVE to run. It's far better to be prepared for such situations. Failing to do be ready could lead to more serious injury or other consequences, especially in an emergency.jamesnewberrysr wrote: »Jogging is the best weight loss exercise for me. I am not talking running or racing. Those are competitive and lead to injury and disappointment.
I took up selling crack because running from the police is good motivation.
I took up using crack because running from crack dealers is even better motivation.11 -
Unique, inspiring, and insightful exercise ideas in here!1
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Be patient. Weight fluctuations are a thing even if you eat at deficit consistently (yes, that means every single day!). No one at all is looking at you at the gym. No one cares about you and that's a good thing. Focusing only on calories and hitting protein is okay. You can throw out every excuse in the book but in the end, your progress is entirely up to you. You don't have to workout every single day you possibly can.2
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Lifting heavy means lifting what is heavy for you.
If your first step is learning to touch your toes and lifting your arms over head- it's a win.
Not everyone can, wants, or needs, to move a 45lbs bar.
Cheers, h.6 -
And on the lighter side.
Don't go to Zumba over hydrated and under fed (electrolytes waaay off) after Christmas shopping.
Passing out in a cold white sweat can leave a bump on your head.
Cheers, h.7 -
kidrauhldrew wrote: »I learned to not skip out on the exercises I don't like. I never enjoyed running and would always go with another alternative for cardio that was easier for me. I realized that I only never enjoyed it because I was never good at it, not for any other reasons. So I need to get off my behind and run, improve myself to the point that I can say I don't suck at it anymore and actually find the fun in going out for a run.Work on running, even though you don't currently like it.
Everyone doesn't need to run to get fit.
I hate running because I'm no good at it, never enjoyed doing it and have no desire to get better at it or to learn to like it. Same for swimming
I lift, walk/hike and do other things to stay fit, which work well for me. I assume this applies to others.
Nothing wrong w/skipping out on things that you don't like to do as long as you're doing something else that's equally beneficial.
That's what free choice is all about.5 -
LiveLoveFitFab wrote: »If you can't take eating a deficit any more, mentally that is - move up to maintenance for a week or however long and just concentrate on fitness. Dieting for months on end can be exhausting and instead of giving up it's okay to take a break from eating to lose as long as you keep logging and keep your work up at the gym. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
Great tip!
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Learn good form, whatever activity you do. Get some coaching, whether it's running, lifting, swimming... the cost of a few coaching sessions may prevent a lot higher coast in pain, surgery, rehab, etc. plus you'll enjoy just about anything more if you do it well.
Also, sleep is way underrated and so needed!
This! Yes!0 -
NorthCascades wrote: »Slow, clip out, stop. Not slow, stop, fall.
I'm clearly enough of a beginner to not understand this. Can someone please explain? Thanks!
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You actually don't have to do intense workouts to lose weight.3
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NorthCascades wrote: »Slow, clip out, stop. Not slow, stop, fall.
I'm clearly enough of a beginner to not understand this. Can someone please explain? Thanks!
@NorthCascades loves cycling. He is referencing what happens if he doesn't slow down before unclipping his cycling shoes- he falls off his bike and gets a boo-boo.
Cheers, h.7 -
NorthCascades wrote: »Slow, clip out, stop. Not slow, stop, fall.
I'm clearly enough of a beginner to not understand this. Can someone please explain? Thanks!
A lot of cyclists use shoes with cleats that "clip in" to their pedals, like ski bindings. Our feet are attached and there's a special way to move them to detach. It's very easy, but, like any new skill, it takes some practice to get down.
So, the first time I used this style of gear, guess what happened? Everything was great until I stopped and couldn't get my foot off the pedal. Without momentum to keep the bike upright, it toppled over, with me still on it.
Everybody who starts using "clipless" pedals makes the same mistake - once. Always with an audience. Nothing is ever hurt except pride.10 -
Knowledge is power and discipline is freedom and plenty of self love .....all of these things will get you where you put your mind and your heart....all the best!1
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One more thing. This one is important. The last one was just to make people laugh.
Effort = Results
It doesn't matter so much what you do. Showing up is half the battle. The details don't matter so much for most people - and that includes intensity. It can be all out, balls to the wall, but it doesn't have to be. Just doing it at all is good for you.8 -
NorthCascades wrote: »Slow, clip out, stop. Not slow, stop, fall.
I'm clearly enough of a beginner to not understand this. Can someone please explain? Thanks!
I think it's a reference to foot clips on bikes.1 -
There is no end. You can't return to your old ways and expect to keep the weight off.
Start with little changes and make them a habit. Then make another new habit.. don't do it all at once.
Eat your vegetables. Experiment with them, and try new ones and eat a rainbow of colors. If you don't like it, try a new way of cooking them.. this does not mean eat a salad every day (unless you truly like them).
One 'bad' / high calorie meal will not make you fat, nor will one low calorie meal make you thin. You're in it for the long haul.
An hour of exercise is great..but what you do with the other 23 hours really matters.
Get some sleep!
Stay positive..whether you think you can or think you can't - you're right.
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As a beginner exerciser, don't fall for the trendy "best fat burner" B.S. of the moment (which currently seems to be HIIT, but it'll be something different soon
enough).
Instead, find something you really enjoy doing, and do it often enough and long enough to build base fitness. It will take at least a few months, maybe more.
Once you have reasonable base fitness (and your doctor's approval
), don't let anyone tell you what you can do exertion-wise, or how hard you should or shouldn't go. IME, when it comes to exertion level, when my body can't, it simply won't. Keep an open mind, be sensible, but try things, and see what you can do.
If and only if you want to, go for it sometimes. You'll surprise yourself.
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You don't have to go for the high-intensity exercises right out of the gate. I did...and ended up injuring my foot early on into my weight loss. I'm happiest now doing challenging but low-impact exercises, and will add more intensity as my weight drops further and my body can handle more.1
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NorthCascades wrote: »Nothing is ever hurt except pride.
i feel privileged to have been the person a clipless-pedal newbie fell INTO during bike-to-work week this year. neither of us was hurt and i felt special knowing i'd saved someone from getting road rash.
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oh . . . this one came back to me.
if you're gonna exercise . . . eat.10 -
There is always time to exercise. For most people, they have to schedule the time and perhaps choose to skip something else in order to work on their own health. I call BS on anyone who claims they don't have time to workout.10
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Don't be afraid to try things outside your comfort zone. Maybe you'll try weightlifting, try ballet, try running, try things you never thought you would like or be able to do if you get the opportunity. The worst that can happen is you'll make a fool of yourself, and honestly, learning how to cope with making a fool of yourself is a valuable life skill.7
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group exercise classes are a great way to get started and to learn how much harder you actually can be pushing yourself
it's amazing what they can get me to do when left to my own devices I would have quit halfway through the set for sure!
It's also a fun way to get your exercise in, and a way to be around other positive healthy people. For me my first goaround losing weight was an isolating experience... doesn't have to be!!3 -
A couple things I would have done differently if I knew back then what I know now:
-Don’t need to do cardio a zillion times a week.
-Don’t neglect legs & rely solely on cardio to “work” my legs.
-Diet is as important as what you do in the gym, meaning-track your calories AND macros religiously.1
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