Need some exercise advice

[sharoncity]

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to WISH (just joined last week). I need to start an excersize routine to jump start my metabolism. I have been trying to lose weight for the last 6 mos. to no avail. I'm good,good,good and lose NOTHING. Then I get disgusted and pig out. And then I start the cycle all over again.
Anyhow, I figure I need to get moving. I like to walk so I'm planning on buying myself a treadmill. I tried getting up at 4:30am to walk outside 3, 4 times a week, but that lasted about 4 weeks before I decided it wasn't for me. I figured with a treadmill inside I could walk no matter the weather, at any time of day, even for only 15 min if thats all the time I have.
My story is I'm a mother of 2, I work full time, and carry most of the responsibility for housework/chores because my husband has such long work hours. I have VERY little time for myself (therefor for exercise). I get up at 5:30am every day, leave the house with the kids by 7:20am. I get home from work about 6pm. Make dinner, do homework, do chores.....I usually sit down to TV somewhere around 8:30/9 pm. I figure I could walk while watchung TV in the evenings 3/4 times a week.
My question is, have any of you used walking as your exercise routine and did it work/help? Is it worth the investment in the treadmill? I don't want to spend $400 on a piece of equipment that doesn't give me results. I only need to lose about 25 lbs, but it is a VERY stubborn 25 lbs!!!!!
TIA and Happy Holidays!

 

[LAinSEA]

I have a very difficult time finding time (making time) to exercise as well. I love to walk also - but in the rainy NW, it's not exactly inviting to crawl out of a warm bed and get soaked before getting ready for the day!

I think a treadmill would be great (in fact check out EBay or the ads in your paper and see if you can pick one up slightly used). My FIL has one collecting dust, boxes, rodents in his downstairs - I told him that is what I wanted for Christmas. (He's used it once since it came home.)

I also try to do a little strength training and pilates a few times a week when I get home from work. Building muscle will help up your metabolism and save your bones as you get older.

Best of luck to you and welcom to WISH!

-Laurie

 

[perfectmatch300]

I think the treadmill sounds like a great idea. I have been using a Gazelle I got from my step daughter in front of the TV & it does help. You don't need a really expensive machine either. We have the bottom of the line Gazelle & still get a great workout using it. Good luck on your exercise plan.

 

[Strings]

I would love a treadmill, but we can't afford one just yet. In the meantime, I'm using the Walk Away The Pounds tapes. They are about $10 apiece. they also don't require alot of room to use. The one mile takes 18 minutes. I got my tapes at target.

 

[ohiominnie]

The treadmill is only great if you use it. I thought it would be the answer to my "lack of exercise" blues too, until about 4 weeks into walking the same ol' thing! Movies helped for awhile, but I had to turn them up so loud over the hum of the treadmill. Reading was hard b/c I couldn't keep my place on the page. Seemed like I'd either get a weak workout (feel like I hadn't done a THING) or I was pushed way over max (and then had an excuse not to do it for a couple of days)

I'd HIGHLY suggest the Walk Away the Pounds videos/DVD's. They are varied enough in their movements that they remain interesting, yet not SO varied that a person like me (clutz) can't keep up! They also work more than just the "walking muscles" --if that makes sense. I feel like I get a more "all around" workout with WATP. Start slow...1 mile. Then work your way up. They are MUCH cheaper than a treadmill, take up WAY less room, and are MUCH more fun!

Btw, my little kiddos enjoy doing them with me--they consider it dancing. Whereas I hated doing the treadmill around them b/c I worried too much about little fingers getting caught.

From one SAHM to another, I know how little time we get for ourselves.....cram pack a workout into 30 minutes and you'll feel much better!

HTH, feel free to PM me.
God bless

 

[hammertime]

Are your kids old enough that they have a Playstation?

When I can't make it to the gym I play this game called DDR (Dance Dance Revolution). It's a dance game. There is a game controler on the floor with and up, left, right and down arrow on it. The goal is to step on the arrow at the exact time that the arrow on the screen reaches the top. It's lots of fun and you can play it with your kids. My legs always hurt then next day just from doing a 1/2 hour of it. I end up sweating, breathing hard and laughing cause it's so much fun. It also has a work out mode on it to track your calories burned and your weight.

The game costs about $40 and the pads cost about $19.99 each.

Lots of luck.

 

[KathyTX]

Sharon, welcome to WISH!! You're at the right place, and I think you'll like it here.

I have to second OhioMinnie's suggestion about the Walk Away the Pounds DVDs/videos.

They're terrific! Not a huge money investment, and they don't take up much space. But you can REALLY burn some calories and have a little fun doing them! Lots of WISHers have been using them this year, with really good results.

It's the only real workout I've been doing (well, I've been pretty lax about it recently ), and I'm really happy with the results I've gotten. (55 pounds gone, baby!!!! Weight Watchers and WATP have been pretty good to me. )

I know that a treadmill would have just turned into a big dust-catching, laundry covered space waster at my house.

 

[bicker]

Originally posted by sharoncity
I need to start an excersize routine to jump start my metabolism.

To aim attention specifically at metabolism, I'd recommend saving a bit of money and foregoing the treadmill, in favor of activity that better integrates resistence training with cardiovascular exercise. A treadmill is almost exclusively cardio, which, when combined with a low-calorie diet, can significantly depress metabolism.

There are several options for a more integrated approach. My personal favorite is The Firm (so that'll save you about $300!)

I haven't checked out WATP yet -- I've got one more Michelina entree to eat and I'll have enough proof of purchase to get it free! I'm a bit worried by what I've read about it, though, that you still would need to lift weights separately in order to get as significant of a metabolism-boost from your exercise regimen, as with The Firm alone. After I get my freebie I'll check it out.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

You really need to do BOTH cardio and weight training. I have been slacking on the weights but keeping up on the cardio, and let me tell you, it has not done a thing for me. Luckily my friend at the gym, who is also a personal trainer, has pulled me off cardio and MADE me (yes made me) start doing more weights. I can already tell the difference and it has only been a week. I enjoy cardio so much more, but you do need both. Also, it's not good to do the same repetitive exercises. Your muscles get used to them, and don't work as hard. I do walk every evening after dinner, but in the morning at the gym I try to change it up all the time. Also if you use a treadmill, remember to keep it on an incline. It makes you work harder.

 

[sueg]

Another big vote for the FIRM. I feel that these tapes have made a huge difference for me. They helped me with weight loss, but they really helped to sculpt & tone my body. I own about eight different tapes, but I only use 6 of them & i find myself returning to 3 tapes repeatedly. My problem w/ the FIRM tapes is that they are a little long for my typical workday routine, except for the AB Sculpt. I usually have about 30 minutes, even getting up at 5:30 AM. I have 2 CRUNCH tapes that fit the schedule & my most recent FIRM purchase Super Body Sculpt w/ Stephanie Corley. While this is a 40 minute tape when you do all three segments, it is easy to lop off the final AB section and keep it close to 30 min. Esp. if you do the separate 20+ min. AB tape the following day. I try to exercise 6 days a wk. w/ one weekday morning off. So I do my longer FIRM tapes on the weekend and patch together shorter tapes for the 4 weekday sessions. I have recently added WATP DVD for the weekdays. I only do the 2 mile walk & find it preferable to the treadmill. I use it on low energy/motivation mornings (if you know what I mean) Better than taking a second morning off.

 

[sharoncity]

Wow! Thanks everyone for the wonderful insights/suggestions! I am rethinking the treadmill purchase.

Question - The WATP tapes, are these tapes to listen to while walking outside? Or are they video tapes to watch and follow along? My Christmas present was a VCR/DVD player for the bedroom, so I could actually use the Firm or WATP tapes in the privacy of my bedroom (therefore not disturbing husband or kids watching our main TV, which has always been my excuse.) I also just received a $10 gift Certificate from Amazon.com, so maybe I'll order myself a tape or two. Sounds like a cheaper alternative that won't collect as much dust.

BTW, I have been maintaining through the holidays so far. Come Jan 2, I need to get SERIOUS!

 

[sueg]

My WATP is a DVD which I watch on the television. You need a little room to move and some low level weights. I wouldn't let the lack of weights stop me from starting WATP because you can use cans or any set of items that weigh about 2 lbs. to start. The FIRM needs some specific exercise equipment.

 

[bicker]

Originally posted by sueg
My problem w/ the FIRM tapes is that they are a little long for my typical workday routine, except for the AB Sculpt.

Hehe... that's the only one I don't do!

Most of The Firm workouts I have are set up to do either half or the whole, typically presented as "Upper Body," "Lower Body," and "Whole Work-out," or something like that.

Also, both Cardio Sculpt Blaster and Body Sculpt Blaster are about a half hour each.

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

Just a comment regarding treadmill - I too thought I would NEVER lost any weight - was already using the treadmill and just was staying steady weight wise and then I got serious counting WW points - using some varying routines on the mill and using the WATP tapes too. And - wal-la - I am 35 pounds less of me since March 12, 2003.

I think that you certainly could try the tapes and some outdoors walking without the expense of the treadmill BUT you know yourself - will you be more consistent with it? Variety in exercise is what my DD (ohMom) says to me all the time too. so don't get a treadmill thinking that it should be the only thing you will use.

I also know that the "buddy" system has been a powerful tool for me too! TammyNC and I generally treadmill/walk early in the morning and we "watch" for one another and make comments (for some fun) I think I saw you today, see you in the morning, etc. And, I will tell you it's been more than one morning that I "hear" my buddies voices (all 4 of them - also- AnnieT and TigH) saying "get your buns out of the bed and get going! I'm not the only one in the group who says this, we all have agreed that telling one another that we didn't exercise is not a easy thing to do - so we do it!

So - guess what I am saying is welcome to WISH - what a great time to begin - a new year and it is a recommitment time for me - I have been too slack for the last couple of weeks but this Friday is my true re-start - if you decide to be a treadmiller let me know I will be sure to watch for you each and every morning and TammyNC will join us too!

 

[ADisneyMom]

Hi,

I just saw your thread and thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.

We purchased a treadmill about a year ago and I love it. I was not consistent at first , but I'm not with a lot of things. Anyway, I have used my treadmill with the SBD and lost inches and pounds.
Total inches I'm not sure but 19 pounds so far since August.

I trained for the Peachtree Road and the Thanksgiving half-marathon using my treadmill primarily.


Good Luck!


ADisneyMom