Can't afford a gym membership so need to work out at home what worked for you?

[Kay1]

I have a very nice treadmill and an even nicer emcumbent bike. I got them at garage sales for very little money. I also have an aerobic step, lots of videos, and all sizes of dumbells. It took a long time to collect these things but they really help me maintain.

I like Kathy Smith and Cathe Freidrich videos. There's a free site called "Video Fitness" and they rate and dicuss all sorts of things, though diet talk is not permitted.

 

[mlulrich]

For a little variety, I have been checking out the exercise DVDs available on Netflix streaming - they have some older Crunch series videos, pilates, yoga, etc. Not all of them are the best quality, but I've been trying out a variety and deleting any that I'm not interested in. Just another way to keep things interesting - hope that helps!

 

[diamondpixienc]

For "diet" use sparkpeople.com (free)
As one of the previous posters have said WALKING (free)
Finally, if you can maybe purchase a "workout" - I love my Zumba! Also, check Marshall's and TJ Maxx for quality inexpensive work out items i.e. hand weights, yoga mats, tensions bands and be sure to check the racks for inexpensive work out DVD's. I have found both a pilates and yoga work out DVD and only paid like $6.99 for them each. i hope this info helps some.

 

[Tree]

You can create your own zumba workout for free on youtube. Many instructors put their zumba routine on youtube. All them all into a playlist and have lots fun!

I usually do that once a week for a quick 30 minutes workout. One of my favorite instructors is http://www.youtube.com/user/ecuachic17

 

[MelAnderson]

I have a series of workout DVDs....

Jillian Michaels - she has her detractors, but I find her workouts effective
30-Day Shred
Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism
No More Trouble Zones

Bob Harper - Cardio Rev - very, very tough workout

Leslie Sansome - like her walking program

I also have Zumba and Walk it Out on the Wii.

Walking outside is good and I started running.

 

[lucyem]

Used a calorie tracker on my iphone. There are a bunch online too.

I use my mini trampoline (rebounder) and jog/walk on it. My favorite "game" on the Wii for this is Walk It Out. But sometimes I use Wii Fit and jog on the trampoline for the running. Sometimes I just watch tv. It is a lot of fun. The kids also use it and compared to the average workout machine it was cheap.

I lost 15 pounds last winter. Over the summer I stopped trying to loose but kept my better habits and did not gain anything back.

 

[englishteacha]

Leslie Sansone walk away the pounds DVDs are very effective.

 

[MedicGoofy]

KETTLEBELLS

Seriously, my friend at work used them. 3x a week, 20 minutes a day. She slightly changed the way she ate....giving up some junk food and alcohol. No walking as she didn't have too much spare time.

She lost 100lb with this!!!!!!!!!!!! She still uses them infrequently. BUT, she now has the time AND the energy to place baseball and ball hockey and has a dog that she now walks She swears by them. She has tried every freaking DVD that you can imagine, every weight loss pill or diet or whatever. This worked amazing for her.

http://tv.kettleworx.com/?uid=PS1_GS1_DFATAG&gclid=CNKNnbfSoqsCFcTBKgodvTYwiw

check out the website...give it a try

 

[adoucet]

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but MyFitnessPal is great. It's a calorie counting site & it has forums with lots of helpful people.
There is even an app for the iPhone that I use every day.

I was finally able to buy a treadmill about 3 weeks ago that I had been saving for because that's the only thing besides the elliptical machine I'd use when I went to my gym. I'm so glad my gym contract is over. I was paying $30 a month for something I used literally twice in 2 years because I never had a way to go to the gym after work or on weekends. Now I can walk at home every day!

Also like another person mentioned, Walk It Out for the wii is great! That's what I used before I got my treadmill.

 

[Jitzy]

Nothing....and I mean NOTHING worked for me until I bought one of Leslie Sansone's walking DVD's.

She's a great motivator, and her workout is easy and effective.

I literally came in here to talk about these DVDs! They are AMAZING and she is so fun to exercise with - not too peppy or preachy. I've lost about 40lbs so far and I'm in so much better shape.

If you happen to have Comcast Digital, there is a Sports & Fitness - Exercise on demand.

I recently upped my subscription from basic to economy digital and was very happy to find this.

There is a walking channel that has alot of the Leslie Sansone 1, 2, or 3 mile programs.

M/W/F I do 2 mile and work out with free weights. T/Th/Sat I do 3 miles. Sunday is off, though I keep busy with yard work, etc.

I make an effort to make things less convenient...park far away at the store; keep the phone in the kitchen so I have to get up to answer, and I walk around if talking; I don't use the remote, I get up to change the channel; mow my own lawn with a push mower....it all adds up!

I was going to mention this series and Comcast! Our neighborhood has a fitness facility where I exercise in the morning, but I like to use the walking programs after dinner. It just helps keep the metabolism moving a little bit longer so I don't feel like I'm sitting around doing nothing. One mile is like 17 minutes including a jello commercial and a 4 minute cool down. There is no reason not to do this program.

 

[Robinrs]

I have a treadmill, and ipod and a total gym. The ipod has just the right music to keep me motivated for the correct amount of time. Otherwise I'd die of boredom on the treadmill.

I also use On Demand's Leslie Sansone tapes and sometimes Jane Fonda's also. I like Leslies better.

I lost 13 pounds in a month and feel so much better. I also cut out most desserts and started eating more whole foods. It takes a combination of both, but I believe working out gives you the incentive to eat better.

Good luck!!

 

[Sagginit]

i run when its warm enough, use my Wii just dance, do yoga (sun salutations quickly as cardio), and just plain dance since i used to do it for many years.

for strength i have 5 lb dumbbells, a resistance band. i just picked up a fitness ball, 1.5 ankle/wrist weights, and a 4lb medicine ball at target on clearance. all three were less than $10 so it was a score. i have had a subscription to shape for some time. since i know a lot of basics from dance and proper form i just rotate thru moves i get from there to keep myself from getting bored.

i would pick up some at home gear and try some dvds/on demand programs. you will quickly find what you like and works for you. sometimes when you are getting back into the swing of things its best to do what you will stick with instead of what is trendy or the quickest fix.

 

[North of Mouse]

I can't say enough about Leslie Sansone's 2 mi. 30min. American Heart Association approved dvd. It is great and she is such a good motivator and doesn't try to play up a bikini body, but truly tries to help people get fitter and healthier, also lose weight if that is a goal.

 

[Svhadden]

I live too far away for a gym membership, and over the years I've found that I do better working out at home anyway. I have a collection of dvd's that I've accumulated over the years as well. I love Kathy Smith, and Denise Austin's older stuff is great, too. Her Ultimate Fat Burner workout is kick-tail. Also, a good pair of shoes and a bicycle are gems if you want to work out at home.

I love cross-training, and I've found that a great way to keep me motivated is to find local races to enter. I don't mean you have to start running marathons. There are almost always run/walk races, anything from 2 mi to 5K, to 10K, etc. I did the Iron Girl triathlon in May, but I don't have easy access to a pool, so I'm doing duathlons now.

The races give me a goal, help keep me motivated when I just DON'T WANT to put those workout clothes on, and will give you a wonderful sense of accomplishment when you finish strong!!! Also, find a buddy who will enter races with you, or just work out with you. It's so much easier to stay motivated when someone else is encouraging you.

I'd also reiterate what others have said about diet. You can't put junk into your body and then just thing you can "work it off." Try eliminating refined carbs (white sugar/flour/rice are evil lol), eat more raw foods, and eliminating dairy. My sister lost 17 lbs recently just by getting rid of sugar, and she didn't really think she ate that much.

 

[Kidnurse]

I used Turbo Jam, Turbo Fire, and P90X to go from 168lbs to 143lbs (size 12 to a 4), along with Shakeology as my meal replacement (one shake per day). I liked the Turbo DVD's a lot because they're just really fun, and the trainer is amazing. Tony Horton in P90X is good too, but I just prefer Chalene Johnson better.

 

[dizcrazee]

Nothing....and I mean NOTHING worked for me until I bought one of Leslie Sansone's walking DVD's.

She's a great motivator, and her workout is easy and effective.

I could have written this myself! Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds is the best exercise program I have ever tried. I have lost about 30 pounds so far and this is how I am doing it...

Exercise - 45 min. a day, 5 days a week. I use a combination of Leslie's videos (using resistance bands or hand weights), my treadmill, and my mini-exercise bike. It is lightweight and I can do it on my couch in front of the TV, then move it out of the way when I'm done. I bought it at amazon. The treadmill and Leslie are the cornerstones of my program, but the little bike is good for days when I don't feel up to a rigorous workout. I also use it for warm-up and cool-down.

Diet - I eat about 1400 calories a day, spread out as follows:
Early morning - 300 cal.
Mid-morning - 100 cal.
Lunch - 400 cal.
Mid-afternoon - 100 cal.
Supper - 400 cal.
Evening - 100 cal.

The only food I have eliminated completely is sugar, but I only eat very small amounts of rice, potatoes, and white flour. I try to eat at least 5 fruits and veggies a day. As long as I stick to this plan, I lose at a steady pace of about 7-8 lbs. a month, and I don't feel hungry. If I get off of the routine, I start feeling hungry and tired. Also, I have type 2 diabetes and this program is working very well for me as far as managing my blood sugar and keeping my energy up.

 

[Sadie22]

I'm a Type 2 diabetic too and I really need to lose some weight. Since my diagnosis I had done a good job of maintaining my weight but not lost much, and recently the scale started to creep up along with my average blood glucose.

I want to thank those who mentioned Leslie Sansone and those whomentioned checking to see what is available on demand through our cable company. There are five Leslie Sansone workouts available on FIOS On Demand! I would have never known to look for these if not for my fellow DISers! I also got Leslie Sansone's Walk Away Your Waistline! which has a walk belt included for arm resistance. I can play that on my computer for exercise in my home office. It's great. I had tried some other videos but they were too hard for me and I could not keep motivated to keep trying. Leslie Sansone is easy enough for even me to do but hard enough that I can get results and stay motivated to do the workouts with her.

I have Calorie King software and Month of Meals cookbooks for meal planning and record-keeping. If I can just keep doing what I need to do consistently, I know I will get the results I want and need.

Thanks, everybody!