Advice for a couch potato?

serenarae
serenarae Posts: 9
edited October 4 in Introduce Yourself
Hello! I'm Serena, and I'm hoping to be sticking around MFP for more than a few weeks as I try to change my life!

At the moment, I am working mostly on changing my eating habits. I did calorie counting before, which helped rein in my appetite and retrain my body/brain, but undid all my hard work in the 2 weeks since my wedding when I decided to throw caution to the wind. Needless to say, I hate calorie counting and I don't want to do it forever! But I need to stick with it long enough to made good habits.

Anyway - I lead a pretty sedentary lifestyle, and have not had much success in incorporating large workouts into my weekly routines. Rather than ignore exercise completely, I'm looking for some quick (10 min?) workouts I can start doing daily (or at least more than 4xweek, is my goal), small stuff to get my body used to moving again. I live in Minnesota, so while just going for a short walk every day would be sufficient for me right now, its going to be too cold for that very soon! :ohwell:

Replies

  • Moronar
    Moronar Posts: 7 Member
    If only weight loss could be as simple as taking a pill that turned excess fat into little blob monsters, but alas it is not.

    Maybe you could try some beginner workout videos off of youtube, they generally only last about 10 minutes and there are a lot of videos to choose from so you could watch some first and decide if they seem like something you could do easily.
  • ennaejay
    ennaejay Posts: 575
    it's never too cold to walk outside. If it is............. then RUN ;)

    I used to have a "10 minute Pilates" DVD that was quick little blurbs of different places to strengthen and tone your body, all you needed was some space in front of your TV. You could do 10 minutes or 30 minutes, it was "easy", but ultimately, the hardest part was getting into the workout clothes and turning the TV on.

    ::edit:: 10 Minute Solution http://www.amazon.com/10-Minute-Solution-Lara-Hudson/dp/B0002J58ME I think it was very similar to this, maybe an older version. My father in law took it from me and never returned it, LOL
  • Ant_M76
    Ant_M76 Posts: 534 Member
    Get a cheap bike and start cycling? Much more fun than running or walking and can be used as viable local transport, for commuting etc. :)
  • amckenny
    amckenny Posts: 22 Member
    Lovin' the Dr. Who profile pic!
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    I assume you watch alot of TV?

    At each commerical break. Pick an exercise. ie... pushups, lunges, sit ups, burpees, planks, pulls ups you have a bar, stretching etc. etc etc.
  • SZewski
    SZewski Posts: 14 Member
    I vigorously clean my house when I can't fit in a walk and it's dirty. An hour of dusting, bending over to pick toys up and vacuuming can burn up some calories.
  • aprillynn4676
    aprillynn4676 Posts: 1
    I live in Minnesota too, so I know there are days when it is really TOO COLD to go outside for more than a few minutes. Even just walking to the end of your block and back will help. Otherwise, invest in a treadmill. I found one for a fair price off of Craigslist and use that on days when it's cold or raining. Want a MN friend who is basically in the same boat as you. My weight right now is hovering a bit above 200... I am aiming for 135 because I am only 5'2". This website has been tremendous help!
  • ariel3561
    ariel3561 Posts: 27 Member
    If you are watching Dr Who then it is worth sitting on the couch a little bit. Just not 8 hours at a time like I tend to do. My easiest things to get off my butt are just to clean or walk. I'm also in school and my job is active so my workouts are sometime built in. You will figure out what works for you if you give it some time.
  • Mandy1780
    Mandy1780 Posts: 1
    I just started as well. You sound alot like me! Much to young to feel this old!! I would say if you have a wii to get a program for it....I have a wii and a program and dont use it like I should. So my advice to you is tuck in the tummy and clean the house! LOL. Good luck!
  • rbryntes
    rbryntes Posts: 710 Member
    Nice TARDIS.
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    Nice TARDIS.

    I agree. Get a treadmill and when the Doctor runs, you run.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I have the opposite issue as I live in the desert Southwest. When it's 110° outside, even walking is too much. I bought a stationary bike a few years ago so I have a low-impact indoor exercise I can do at any time I want.
  • serenarae
    serenarae Posts: 9
    Woah! I seriously did not expect so much feedback... this is awesome! :happy:

    I would actually really love to be able to own and use a bike, but the logistics are just mental in the Twin Cities suburbs!

    And oddly enough I don't watch all that much TV, but I do work at a desk job, and the husband and I are homebodies so I sure *feel* like a couch potato!

    I love the cleaning idea, and the youtube one too... no excuse to not fit those into my day! I'm hoping to work myself up to the energy level where I just *want* to go outside and run, regardless of how blizzardy it is!
  • serenarae
    serenarae Posts: 9
    Nice TARDIS.

    I agree. Get a treadmill and when the Doctor runs, you run.

    "Love the running!"
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    Nice TARDIS.

    I agree. Get a treadmill and when the Doctor runs, you run.

    "Love the running!"

    but seriously, it helps. He's always running. I have, on multiple occasions, when running thought, "I could stop" and then thought, "You'll never keep up with The Doctor if you do" and then I kicked booty.
  • Gigi_licious
    Gigi_licious Posts: 1,185 Member
    I assume you watch alot of TV?

    At each commerical break. Pick an exercise. ie... pushups, lunges, sit ups, burpees, planks, pulls ups you have a bar, stretching etc. etc etc.

    I do this!....ok, I really do this with cleaning not working out....but it's moving. :-)
  • myshell26
    myshell26 Posts: 113
    I really like the Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds" workouts. You can do the 1 mile walk in the comfort of your own home and do the longer miles when you have extra time. I hate counting calories too. Well... not so much counting them (since MFP makes it pretty easy), but measuring out every meal. I have twice the amount of dishes as usual now, but it's so worth it! : )
  • Tams1408
    Tams1408 Posts: 13
    Get a WII Fit Plus. We love ours. You burn calories while you play games. :wink:
  • cassblue21
    cassblue21 Posts: 207
    Hey! If you do have streaming netflix there is a series of 10 min solutions that you can watch on there. And you can pick what part of your body to work and do different parts each time. I love the arm workout on there and none of them are too intense to do either. I wish you well on your journey and hope you find something you like and can stick with! :)
  • chocolateandvodka
    chocolateandvodka Posts: 1,850 Member
    couch to 5k
  • debswebby
    debswebby Posts: 326
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_17?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=10+minute+workout&sprefix=10+minute+workout

    Check these out. I have nearly all these dvd's and they are great. Each one is broken down into 10 minute segments.

    Good luck with your journey :flowerforyou:
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    I live in Minnesota too and cold weather is another excuse for not exercising. Not trying to be harsh, really. You don't have to be outside to walk. Stand in one place and lift your legs at a brisk pace. Ta-da...you're walking. Hold something in your hands (dumbbells, soup cans, milk jugs filled with water, etc.) and pump those arms while you're walking.

    There are so many things you can do to exercise while inside. Start with walking, lunges, squats, shadow boxing (no bag required), low-impact jumping jacks (no jumping required), windmills. The list is endless.

    Again, not trying to be harsh but surely you can find more than 10 minutes every day to get your body bending, jumping, swinging, twisting, kicking, punching, lifting, etc. How much time do you spend watching TV, surfing online, or playing video games? You can exercise while watching TV.

    Get creative, get moving, and stop making excuses. I wish you the best of luck. You can do this!
  • BigDaddyBRC
    BigDaddyBRC Posts: 2,395 Member
    Everything is about recognition and Choices....

    This is not meant to be mean, just blunt....because its the only way to be...

    If you WANT to no longer BE the Couch Potato, Then GET OFF YOUR BUMM and MOVE. If you Want it, Get it. And be honest with yourself. There are no Excuses, only realities.
  • ramonescalante
    ramonescalante Posts: 1
    Something that helped my wife and I out is that we got rid of our cable and did not buy an antenna. I know, it's a shock and I was very resilliant to the idea but since then my house is cleaner, we eat better, we communicate, and now exercise four times a week for an hour. This is with a 9 month old baby and a one hour commute to work. There is so much more time in the day when you are not watching TV. We still have a TV, that is how we do our exercises, just find a program that works for you. Now, we just need to reduce time on Facebook.
  • tyrsblade
    tyrsblade Posts: 27 Member
    when I dropped from 430 to 380 , I changed how much I ate and start walking.
    I lost motivation and now I am back trying to change my life. try to stay inspired and motivated!
  • serenarae
    serenarae Posts: 9
    Hey! If you do have streaming netflix there is a series of 10 min solutions that you can watch on there. And you can pick what part of your body to work and do different parts each time. I love the arm workout on there and none of them are too intense to do either. I wish you well on your journey and hope you find something you like and can stick with! :)

    I didn't know that, that's great! Thanks! :smile:
  • ashleycat23
    ashleycat23 Posts: 43
    Nice TARDIS.

    I agree. Get a treadmill and when the Doctor runs, you run.

    "Love the running!"

    but seriously, it helps. He's always running. I have, on multiple occasions, when running thought, "I could stop" and then thought, "You'll never keep up with The Doctor if you do" and then I kicked booty.
    I love this! :bigsmile:


    Do you have "on demand" services on your tv? you could see if they have a fitness section...
    I got my treadmill for a decent price at walmart. It's not top of the line fancy, but for someone who is just starting it works just fine.
    I find myself doing small things like calf raises and squats while working in the kitchen. you can wash dishes and get some leg work in. :tongue:

    I totally understand how it can be just too cold to go out. >.<
  • pholbert
    pholbert Posts: 575 Member
    Get a WII Fit Plus. We love ours. You burn calories while you play games. :wink:
    I agree with this. I have a wii fit. And I use it when I can't get outside. And as I have progressed. I have gotten other workout games for the Wii. Just last week I bought Just Dance 2. There is alot of things for the Wii.
  • HealthyBodySickMind
    HealthyBodySickMind Posts: 1,207 Member
    wow, ask for advice on this site, and you get it!

    my two cents? get a dog. even a low energy dog needs walked everyday, bam, there's your outside walk everyday. and the guilt if you don't walk your dog: b/c if you have a dog, and you don't walk her, you're a bad person, i'm just saying. and then there's the training, and the cleaning, and the grooming. not to mention owning a dog is good for your heart, and petting a dog can relieve stress. my girl and i do agility, obedience, and tracking, all of which are excuses to get moving. there are numerous dog sports to get into, all of which involve you moving. look for a kennel club near you for all the dog related activities you can handle, and look for a shelter to find your new best friend. of course a dog is not for everyone, but sure is a wonderful solution for me. "if your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise!"
  • jskaggs1971
    jskaggs1971 Posts: 371 Member
    It all sounds so simple, doesn't it? Eat less, eat better, move more.

    For people who aren't used to a lot of physical movement, it can be hard. Walking is an easy way to ease your body into more activity. Malls are good for this, especially since the Twin Cities are heading into winter.

    If you or your kids have a Wii, the WiiFit board and its games are another low-impact way to get yourself moving more, and they're fun, to boot.

    Edit: beat to the punch on the Wii.
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