new to exercise

acar414
acar414 Posts: 19
edited December 25 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all.
I recently joined MFP and lost 6 pounds (slooowly) just by counting calories. I decided it was time to start exercising again which has always been hard for me (feeling too tired, not wanting to wake up early to exercise, blah blah blah.) I bought an elliptical and am so disgusted with how out of shape I am. I struggled to finish 30 minutes tonight (2 miles) yesterday I barely hit 17 minutes(1 mile) before my legs felt like they were going to fall off.
Any pointers on how often/how long to exercise for a newbie? Can I just focus on cardio now until I lose another 15 pounds or so and then incorporate strength training?
Any advice would be awesome! Thanks all!

Replies

  • jenichenny
    jenichenny Posts: 73 Member
    I'm right there with you. I think the best thing is to set a time like 30mins and workout that long each time. Then you can challenge yourself to add more miles each time you workout. It might be slow but if you stick with it you will see an increase.
  • FloraSin
    FloraSin Posts: 188 Member
    Set predetermined amounts for the activity (or reps if it's not cardio) and only do that. Remember to start out little and increase by about 10% each week. That way, you slowly build up the strength, but never kill yourself trying.
  • MissC787
    MissC787 Posts: 175 Member
    BUMPING for answers.
  • Sylvia_00
    Sylvia_00 Posts: 13
    From your post, it sounds like you are a beginner when it comes to working out, which is perfectly ok; we've all been there. Just start off slow, say 30 mins/day, 3 days a week for a few weeks until your body adjust to your new regimen. After a while, your body will become more efficient at burning calories, and it will gradually become easier to do those 30 minute sets. Once this happens you can bump it up a little more, if you feel comfortable... say 30 min/day, 4 days a week and so on... Hope this helps. Also you will definitely lose weight quicker once you incorporate exercise. I'm rooting for you!
  • Robin_Bin
    Robin_Bin Posts: 1,046 Member
    I don't really know, so others may give better advice. I started by just making myself exercise EVERY day for at least 10 minutes. It could be just a walk or marching in place. And then I added a minute, and another, and... I'm up to 19 everyday, and some days much more. It's still nothing like the aerobics I used to do when I was in reasonably good shape, but I can definitely feel the difference, and in addition to adding time, I've increased the intensity. After I got to over 15 minutes a day I allowed myself one day off each week if I wanted it.
    For me, this gentle easing in makes it so I'm not getting sore (at least not most of the time) so it becomes a habit, and it's not an "awful" thing I have to do. I just take a nice walk, or watch TV while I do marching or step exercises, and I've added light, hand-held weights too.
    Good luck figuring out something that works for you!
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Hi all.
    I recently joined MFP and lost 6 pounds (slooowly) just by counting calories. I decided it was time to start exercising again which has always been hard for me (feeling too tired, not wanting to wake up early to exercise, blah blah blah.) I bought an elliptical and am so disgusted with how out of shape I am. I struggled to finish 30 minutes tonight (2 miles) yesterday I barely hit 17 minutes(1 mile) before my legs felt like they were going to fall off.
    Any pointers on how often/how long to exercise for a newbie? Can I just focus on cardio now until I lose another 15 pounds or so and then incorporate strength training?
    Any advice would be awesome! Thanks all!

    Use the elliptical for a clothes rack and take a 20-40 mins walk instead.
    Lift heavy weights and make it a focus.
    Eat well and sleep well.

    BTW if you are too tired to do just about anything then youll need to adjust your diet so you can have more energy.
  • acar414
    acar414 Posts: 19
    Thanks for the tips everyone!
  • acar414
    acar414 Posts: 19
    Ha quite an expensive clothes rack! Why do you think I should walk instead?
    I work in a hospital, on call a few nights a week so that's the reason I'm always tired. I've made major changes in my diet since starting on MFP and have definitely noticed a difference in my energy levels, just not quite where I want to be yet.
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