Help me find my exercise?

saadler
saadler Posts: 116
edited October 1 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone,

I've been doing MFP for about 9 months now and have only lost 15 lbs. I know that a lot of this is because I gained a good amount back around December/January when I went home for winter break, and luckily I lost it all again, but it's depressing me. So many people on here have lost my entire goal in three or four months, and I am getting discouraged. I feel like I need to start exercising for real instead of just relying on my daily activities (which to be fair, sometimes do involve a lot of walking).

These are my issues with exercise:

1) My body hates to run. Like it rejects it. My endurance has gotten a little better since I've moved to the city and had to start chasing down buses, so endurance isn't really the problem anymore. I have low blood pressure that gets worse with physical activity, so unless I drink an obscene amount of water (I'm talking over five liters) and eat a lot of salty foods beforehand, my vision gets blurry and I get dizzy. My skeleton also just does not feel happy with all of that impact. And when I played tennis in high school, I actually had some weird emotional rejection to running once; during a really intense run I started feeling like I was going to faint and then I just sort of broke down crying for absolutely no reason. So yeah, I don't think running is for me.

2) I would love to ride a bike, but I haven't done that since I was probably 10. Also I live in Washington, DC. Considering I grew up in a rural area and wasn't even allowed to ride in the street back then, I feel absolutely unprepared to safely ride my bike in the city. There are bike trails, but they are somewhat unsafe to ride alone. Plus, my height apparently puts me at a 24" bike, which is between a girl's and women's... it's pretty hard to find a cheap bike in my size.

3) My school has a gym, but the only time I ever stepped inside was to post a flyer on the wall. The only thing I think I'd want to use there would be cardio machines, and I've heard from other people that there is always a wait to use them. Plus, there's the whole atmosphere of a college gym where half the people are athletes and the other people just aren't fat.

4) I don't have the money to spend on a class, so I can't do zumba or anything fun like that.

5) I do love walking. But I feel like walking takes a really long time to accomplish anything. Sure, I could walk 2 miles to school each day, but that's only about 20 minutes of walking and I'd arrive at school feeling gross. Sitting in class for eight hours all sticky from dried sweat? Ew.

Anyway, these probably all sound like excuses. If you think there is a way around any of them, let me know! Or if you have a new idea, let me know that too! I just want to find something I really enjoy doing that will also burn calories. I want to start losing the weight I meant to lose months ago.

Thanks!

Replies

  • routerguy666
    routerguy666 Posts: 188
    Pushups, situps, jumping jacks, buy a used set of dumbells for cheap, buy a used bike for cheap, etc - lots of free/low-cost options. You could get a decent workout without spending a dollar or leaving the safety of your home really. Good luck!
  • juleseybaby
    juleseybaby Posts: 712 Member
    Do you have (or can you get together) $60? That is how much I paid for my Zumba DVDs. I work out quite a bit in my very own living room.
  • DakotaCowboyMom
    DakotaCowboyMom Posts: 35
    Does your school have a pool? I love water aerobics and am having great success with it. It is also super easy on your joints!!
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I also hate running. What about fast walking? Better than nothing. What about hills? Really push yourself to walk as fast as possible. Maybe add in some quick short jogs just to get your heart rate up there.

    Don't be intimidated by the school gym! Go early in the morning (college students don't like to wake up). Start with 30 min on a piece of cardio equipment (stair climbers are my favorite but elliptical are good to). As you get more comfortable, try adding some weights. It's not scary and will help you with your health goals. I'm a grad student. Yeah, working out with 20 year old football players is a little weird but **** 'em. Who cares what they think? This is about you. About your health. They are just there. They have no effect on you.

    I also really like Turbo Fire but it is expensive. It is a great workout and you can do it in your own home. There are some cheaper videos out there as well.

    Good luck! And by the way, it's taken me over a year to lose the weight shown in my ticker. You aren't the only slow looser! The important part is just sticking with it, and starting again immediately after set backs.
  • audram420
    audram420 Posts: 838 Member
    You have a lot of "buts" in your sentences...you are going to have to figures something out that you can stick to. If running is out of the question, then don't do it and don't consider it...if you want to bike then find someone to go with you if it's unsafe and get a cheap bike until you can afford a better one.
    Go to the gym and ask someone that works there to show how the equipment works and find something you like. I love the elliptical...it's easy on the knees and very easy to use.
    Get a DVD that you like and work out at home...I like the 30 Day shred because it's a 20 minute workout....saves me time when Im in a hurry.
    You've really got to want to do if for yourself...NO MORE 'BUTS' YOU CAN DO IT!
  • rukariou
    rukariou Posts: 2
    I can't run either. Well, more like I don't like to suffer through the pain of bad hips to run on the tredmill with my husband. I can barely do the stationary bikes in the gym because the seats just don't have enough support. So I quit the gym.

    I've instead looked up yoga and pilates on Netflix/On Demand. They really help me with pain management and help me feel like I am healing my body through yoga. I've even gotten to the point where I can go play tennis with the hubby for an hour and feel minimal pain in my legs.

    tl;dr: Try yoga. You'll be surprised how much it helps your body, and is super fun to do!
  • Elle_Jamaicangirl81
    Elle_Jamaicangirl81 Posts: 418 Member
    it really sounds like a bunch of "i would... BUT"

    -- look on Ebay or something and get the Zumba (or any other exercise) DVDs... tis an investment that will pay for itself soon. You could also find someone who has it and rip it to your computer. I also find that Target/Ross/TJMaxx tends to have cheap dvds at their store u could try.

    -- go swimming...

    -- Do some research at the gym and see when its not SO busy... then go to the gym, slap your headphones on and if you have to, wait for a machinel. They probably have 20-30 minute use times on them during busy times... Try the elliptical or stationary bike.. low impact and burns quite a bit. Who cares about who else is at that gym? you do u

    -- dont knock the walking... as long as u're keeping active, its good. Perhaps after a while, u can pick up the pace and do a lil jog, even for a couple minutes, then walk again.


    Be like Nike... Just do it!
  • Kelblue1
    Kelblue1 Posts: 139 Member
    Look up Jillian Michaels 30 day shred on MFP. There are several people that have had great results! I just started today. I did it for about 15 days last time and saw a difference already. Each session is about 26 min long and you can do them right in your own home all you need are a small pair of hand weights. Also the best part!! You can get that at Walmart or Target, etc. for only about $10. You should definately check it out. She also has some other videos.. all of them run about $10 each.
  • teachermegan
    teachermegan Posts: 68 Member
    Walk hills or steps and bring a JUMP ROPE with you. That burns tons of calories. Jump one minute as fast as you can and jump two minutes moderate/easy and do that a few times.
  • amymoore728
    amymoore728 Posts: 72
    As someone said above, mix weights in with your cardio. Women burn fat and build muscle best with a mix of cardio and strength training.
  • SUgrad04
    SUgrad04 Posts: 59
    I have similar issues with exercise -- so I'd like to see what people have to say who have been able successfully to find ways around them! Have you taken any of the tips?
  • Shani262
    Shani262 Posts: 68 Member
    I do home videos and kinect games. Keeps me from getting bored at a gym.
  • SUgrad04
    SUgrad04 Posts: 59
    What home videos have you liked? What activities do you do on Kinect?
This discussion has been closed.

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