Good places to start for exercise?

[Rajah]

I doubt I'll actually follow up on much of this -- the mind is willing, the body isn't. But, it's good info to have just in case.

Today, I am stiff all all all over for some reason and I just keep feeling like I need to get up and stretch and stretch some more and do more walking and so on. Which makes me think I should find *some* kind of mild exercise to do, either at work or at home. Ideally something I can do both places, even if just 5 minutes at a time. Walking around the cubes just isn't cutting it.

I *hate* exercise, so it has to be something fun. And easy to begin with.

Any suggestions? I'm borrowing my parent's exercise bike, but I use it... oh... 10 minutes a month? Yeah, I'm horrible. Don't want just a treadmill or to just walk around the living room. Can't do step machines, they *KILL* my knees. (What other excuses can I come up with? LOL!)

What I'm curious about trying (toying with stopping by Blockbuster tonight on the way home) is one of the introduction videos, but I'm not sure what to get?

What I have in mind (okay, this is a crazy comparison, but hopefully someone will know what I'm talking about) is something like what Worf and Deanna Troi used to run classes on during Star Trek TNG. Is that Tae Bo? (Okay, I know the actual exercise Worf etc did was Klingon, but it was *based* on a real exercise system) Or, there's another one that they occasionally show in the Jackie Chan cartoon series and I'm not sure what that is, either. Whichever it is, they both have slow practiced deliberate moves and they aren't yoga but look like they'd be excellent for stretching and working out knots.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Beastlover]

An easy workout to get you started is walking. A walk around the block, around your neighborhood, etc. is very nice. You can go at your own speed, it won't kill your knees, just be sure to stretch before and after, and wear good shoes.
Probably a good idea to go to your video store and try different videos, so you know your style and intensity before you spend all that money on videos.
Sounds like you might be talking about Tai Chi? I have a video and it is nice...come to think of it, I should dig it out and start it up again!!!
Tae Bo is good, too. It is a bit more intense--I am sore after doing it. It really whips your butt into shape!!! I usually do that one when I feel like kicking some bootie!
I have a variety of choices, so no matter my excuse, I have an out--I have no choice but just do it!!!
Good Luck!!!

 

[Rajah]

Yeah, I think it was Tai Chi, actually, rather than Tai Bo. I want something that is designed for slow stretching rather than cardio.

The problem with walking is I don't like to do it around the house, I've been taking a lot of 5 minute walks at the office today and they aren't helping (care to explain to my boss why I'm taking a solid 30 minute walk? ), and it's Way, Way, WAY too hot to walk outside, and walking in the mall or store is too distracting.

(As I said... what other excuses can I come up with? LOL! )

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by Rajah
(As I said... what other excuses can I come up with? LOL! )

Oh, come on!! That's all you can come up with? What about:
I'm too hungry.
I'm too full.
I'm too tired.
I'm too bored.
I'm too busy.
I'm too lazy.
I'm too hot.
I'm too cold.
I'm too sweaty.
I'm too rushed.
I'm too uncomfortable.
I've got a headache.
I've got a stomachache.
I've got a neck ache.
etc....

Ok, you get the picture. Believe me, I was in your shoes not too long ago! And I can slip into that mode easily. The past couple of days it's been "My son is puking and I can't leave him with dad." !!! Finally today I got to Curves and it not only made me invigorated, but gave me some time to be away from puke!!! My mental and physical outlook were so improved in just 30 minutes!
Instead of listing out the reasons you shouldn't exercise, try listing the reasons that you should...
Lower your cholesterol. Feel better about yourself. Lose weight. Tone up. Have more fun outside. Be able to keep up with the kids (ok, in your case, kitties--nevermind, they don't move much) etc etc.
We're all here at WISH rooting for you. If you exercise you can post on the "who exercised yesterday" thread and we'll all whoop and holler over your activities!
Good luck!

 

[Rajah]

LOL Minnie!! Thanks for the laugh. Yeah, I can come up with more excuses not to. Usually comes down to "I'm too tired".

Well, my friend said she didn't want to go tonight, so I'm back to do I go by myself (I *hate* doing things by myself, another of those excuses) or do I rent a tape/DVD and try it at home? And if I do go to the class, do I take off in 15 minutes to go home and change, or do I just go in what I'm wearing? Probly should change...