At Home Exercise?

[ophie]

Hi everyone! I just made my WISH commitment and, so far, I'm doing well with my new eating habits. My problem is with exercise. I don't have an exercise machine at home and I'm terrified to go to the gym. The on-campus gym is full of anorexic undergrads who look at me funny and make me feel mortified.

Now, I know walking is good, but I've not yet found a route I consider safe, so I'm still working on that one. So, does anyone know any good cardio that I can do in my apartment?

 

[2buzzboys]

I have done tae bo after I had each one of my kids and it helped me lose over 60 pounds each time. In fact I have been doing it for almost 6 yrs now and I found out of all workouts that has always helped me lose the most weight in the fastest time.

 

[karynnix]

Do you have a Curves for Women in your area? I hate gyms, too, but this is totally different. Women of every shape, size, and age go to Curves. It's a great workout in 30 minutes.

I also use a Leslie Sansone walking video at home that is WONDERFUL. It's a 3 mile walk in about 40 minutes. Pretty low impact, but you do get your heart rate up! I got mine at Walmart for about $10 or $12.

 

[goldcupmom]

I, also, do Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds. I have several different tapes. They are very good and seem to be working.

 

[Jane E.]

I love working out at home. Our Y was always packed & it took forever to get in a workout. I bought a Joyce Vedral workout video with free weight instructions. After a month or so of doing the routines I memorized them & do them on my own. I've also bought books on working out with free weights so I can change my routine around. That was a few years ago & I'm sure that there are probably many other dvds with weight routines for at home now.

I also walk, bike,cardio glide, do my exercise ball, Lillias' yoga that I tape off of pbs, Denise Austen that I tape off of Lifetime, & assorted other tapes I've collected or borrow from the library. I do something different each day so I don't get bored.

I enjoy working at my own pace & not having to wait for machines etc. Once a year I add somthing new to my workout gear. This year it was a yoga workout set. Just be sure and select something that you enjoy doing!

 

[ophie]

I really appreciate these suggestions!! Thanks so much!

 

[Purrrrfecta]

I have this old Kathy Smith tape that I am totally obsessed with. I try to do it as much as possible. It is a weight loss video. She is really good, and there are many of them that are out on the market.

 

[ophie]

Well, I found my Tae Bo tapes... but now I need to get my vcr working.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I purchased 10 Minute Solutions on Amazon.com. The DVD has five 10 minute workouts - Pilates, ballet, boot camp, kickboxing and Yoga. Who doesn't have 10 minutes a day to exercise? I haven't exercised regularly since high school gym, and since getting this video I have being doing my best to work out at least 10 minutes every other morning. Some mornings I have little more time and will go through two routines. I've tried all of the routines on this video and have found I really like the kickboxing and alternate between that and Pilates. I wouldn't mind the boot camp, except that the squats never fails to mess up my knees. I just don't care much for the ballet or the Yoga.

 

[ophie]

I purchased 10 Minute Solutions on Amazon.com. The DVD has five 10 minute workouts - Pilates, ballet, boot camp, kickboxing and Yoga. Who doesn't have 10 minutes a day to exercise? I haven't exercised regularly since high school gym, and since getting this video I have being doing my best to work out at least 10 minutes every other morning. Some mornings I have little more time and will go through two routines. I've tried all of the routines on this video and have found I really like the kickboxing and alternate between that and Pilates. I wouldn't mind the boot camp, except that the squats never fails to mess up my knees. I just don't care much for the ballet or the Yoga.

Hey... that sounds interesting. I like having something different to do. I get bored easily.

 

[Carrieberry]

I also do the Walk Away the Pounds DVD's. Love them! I have a one mile, two mile and 3 mile set. I hold soup cans while i do it and get a great arm workout. Seriously if I don't feel like doing the DVD i put on a cd or radio and just dance for 30 minutes. Fun and gets the heart rate up! You don't need anything to do it but space! I also have the tae bo tapes but I must just suck because i can't even get through one of them without collapsing and that is not very motivating!

 

[ophie]

I used to have one of the advanced tae bo tapes that always kicked my butt but my old roommate must still have it.

 

[JennaTX]

Another option is to join your local, YMCA. I have started going to the one in our neighborhood, and it is mainly families, and they have a dress code (no sports bras, etc.) I have found it to be a very relaxed place with people of all different shapes!

 

[ophie]

That's not really an option financially.

 

[plutosmyfav]

My vote is for TaeBo! I have the Get Ripped Basic and Advanced, another advanced and the Power and Strength, the Upper and Lower Body and a Cardio Blast. I love them all. Billy Banks is my hero

I can't wait to get the kids version he just came out with. I hope DS will be as excited about it as I am!

 

[jana]

I really love Pilates. When I stick to it I noticed a difference in my body in 1 week. I also notice my posture is much better. I feel more graceful. Go to your local video store and rent a few and see what is right for you. I find that it's a bit easier to stick with things you like and feel comfortable doing.

 

[grlpwrd]

Yes, exercise DVDs and videotapes are great. You need to be consistent and continually challenge yourself, though. Be sure to check out www.videofitness.com for info and a forum and www.collagevideo.com for exercise DVDs and tapes or you can get them off of ebay.

Or you can always rent some at Netflix.

I have 4 kids and I am pregnant with number 5 and I have exercised at home for the past 10 years or so with gym workouts. I have had better results working out at home, though, because I mix it up. My main collection is Pilates, The Firm, Core Secrets, Taebo, Power 90X (which is more advanced than Slim Series/Slim in 6/etc), and Cathe Friedrich. I also have dumbbells, barbells, a basic weight bench, a treadmill, and an elliptical, but I built up to this point - you can start with the very basics.

Here's a site of a guy (John Stone) who started off his program with a basic home gym: http://www.johnstonefitness.com/php/homegym.php .

GL!