Advice on workouts...?

Ayirela
Ayirela Posts: 204 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So, I am having a lot of problems getting into positions. I have a lot of weight that I'm trying to get off (I need to lose about 174lbs). I bought a 8kg competition steel kettlebell that I'm waiting to arrive...I have the Zumba DVD's, I bought a spin bike, and I have a stepper.

I'm looking for advice from anyone who can tell me how to work on belly fat and strengthen the core. I was trying to hold the flank position I only managed like 10 second hold at a time I felt like crying. Doing crunches my back was crying when I'd lay flat on it. I know crunches are a great exercise but how do I get the pain in my back to stop when laying flat?

I've never been so out of shape in my life and I don't know how I got here...(well yes I do, I just didn't realize it until recently). Any advice that anyone has for beginners would be great!! I watch these fitness videos on youtube or various websites and everyone is in such good shape they make everything look so smooth. LOL then when I try it ..... it doesn't even resemble what these guys are doing.

I don't know if I'm making any sense or not, I hope I am!

Either way any advice is welcomed. I'm open to ideas.

Walking is kind of hard to do as I live on a country road with no sidewalks and people nearly run you over!! LOL

Replies

  • Myobi
    Myobi Posts: 129 Member
    Try doing things in small batches. For planks, try holding the plank for 10 seconds, rest, 8 seconds, rest, 8 seconds, rest, max (until you can't hold any longer). Then build up from there. On your crunches, you may need to strengthen your lower back before it stops yelling at you. Try a superman - lie on your stomach with your arms and legs stretched out in front of/behind you. Lift your arms, chest, and legs off the ground, hold for a beat, rest, and repeat in sets.

    Bob Harper has a Beginner's Workout DVD. I haven't tried it, but it has modified moves for those with less strength. Jillian Michaels' DVDs also often have a beginner version.

    The key is to start off easy and then build up as you gain strength. (And I totally hear you on the country road thing!)

    Also, this might be a good program for you, to build up core strength: http://www.twohundredsitups.com/index.html
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Start off with the basics...

    Eat right to lose the weight. Without a good diet, everything else is moot.
    Lift to build strength and start changing your body shape (higher weight, lower reps, compound lifts)
    Cardio (whatever you enjoy is fine) for cardiovascular and endurance benefits.

    Be patient. Be consistent. Be committed. It'll happen.

    Do what you can this week, then do a little more next week. Then a little more after that. You have to start somewhere, so start. Then go from there.
  • Vitamin_K
    Vitamin_K Posts: 47
    get an exercise ball to sit/lay on while doing ab exercises. It is more effective & comfortable then lying on the floor, plus you can use it for several other area on your body too!
  • Ayirela
    Ayirela Posts: 204 Member
    Thank you to all of you! You all made some really good points!! I will definitely try all! I know I have to start from somewhere, it just gets frustrating when you can't do everything perfect right away. I guess that is something else to work on, lol.

    Thank you all again.

    Also, I never heard of superman, so that will be a fun one to try out!!!
  • Ayirela
    Ayirela Posts: 204 Member
    That website is brilliant!! My partner and I both did the test and we're going to work for that 200 situp mark!!! Great motivation website. It's like challenge mode and I love a good challenge!!

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