New to excercising - how long to see results?

[KimR]

I'm going to be honest here. I hate to exercise. I'd much rather read a book, go shopping, watch a movie, have a root canal....you get the picture. I feel great AFTER my workout, but it takes a lot of motivation to actually get started and I don't enjoy it while I'm doing it. Fortunately, it's never been too much of an issue for me since I've always been naturally thin. However, as I've gotten older I've noticed a general lack of muscle tone and flabbiness even though I'm still far from overweight.

So now, having turned 50, I've decided I better start an exercise program in order to prevent the inevitable weight gain as I age. I started off doing pilates. I do 2 10-minute youtube videos about 4 times a week for about 2 months now. In additional I've started doing zumba a few weeks ago, starting with 20 minutes working up to an hour now. I feel good that I'm doing something positive for my health, but I've seen NO results, aside from a little firming in my butt. Maybe a little in my legs, too, but it's hard to tell. This is so frustrating! I know I need to exercise for the health benefits as well as looks, but it's going to be very hard to keep my motivation if I'm not actually seeing a change in my body. How long does it take to see results from this? Am I doing something wrong or am I just too old to expect to achieve firmness and a toned body?

 

[gingerfeathers]

I find that I see results the quickest when I do strength training. The key is to use heavier weights--studies have concluded that you get more benefit from fewer repetitions with higher weights than hundreds of reps with, say, 2 or 3-pounders.

If you do well with exercise videos, one of my favorites is the 30-Day Shred from Jillian Michaels. You really do see a difference if you do it a few times per week. When I go to the gym, I often use hand weights to go through the strength exercises she does.

If you want to try following a plan that's in a book, I really love New Rules of Lifting for Women. It's very informative.

 

[Laurabearz]

I know it's frustrating not to see any change, but your heart is getting stronger each day you exercise!

I also suggest adding in some weights to kick it up a notch!

 

[freepixie]

Are you working out by yourself or at a gym? I find that I work better and harder when I am at the YMCA! Especially for zumba! When you are surrounded by women of all shapes and sizes all there to have a great workout it inspires me to do more! Plus the variety of music is great!!

 

[Raenstoirm]

Honestly, I dont think you are doing enough to see good results. 20 minutes of youtube pilates is nothing. When you see these awesomely abed, lean hollywood starlets they are doing heavy duty pilates with the reformers (pilates machines) for hours at a time with a trainer really pushing them. The same goes for 20 minutes of zumba. Its just not enough to effect your outsides. That said, your muscles, especially your heart and lungs, are getting stronger even if you cant see it. And you are delaying that inevitable creep up of weight. If you really want to tone, up the cardio (it seems like you are on your way with the zumba) and add some weights.

 

[poppinspal]

You've gotten some good suggestions so far. I will also add that sometimes what you are eating might be preventing you from getting the results you want. I am not even talking about loosing weight but just toning up. I recently did an over hall of my workouts and diet, my trainer/nutritionist told me it'd be about two months before I saw visible results and I do an hour boot camp two days a week and run four days a week. So it might be a little longer before you see results. But you'll start feeling stronger sooner.

 

[Beastlover]

Hi KimR~I also hated exercising!! It sounds like you are on your way!! Keep in mind, its not just the numbers on the scale, do your measurements and take photos. Find that pair of jeans you want to wear. You will be burning fat, and toning muscle, so you may not see the scale move that much. My blood pressure, sugar levels, cholesterol...all in check since I started working out as a career.

I think everyone has that "something" they love to do, its just finding it! Group classes are always more energy, which make you work harder! You want your cardio workout to get your heart rate pumping hard (we call it "comfortably uncomfortable"!) a good 35-40 minutes following the aerobic curve.

Strength training will also help burn fat, and build lean muscle, which is what you want to ward off osteoporosis. Whatever you do, watch your form, injuries are so easy when you are on your own, or there is no instructor guiding you!

Drink lots of water and stick to a meal plan that satisfies you and is healthy. Also, don't forget about stretching and sleep!!!

Whew...now THAT was a workout!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

OP, how are you feeling now?


If you haven't changed anything, I would measure the important parts now, and refer back to those every so often. I hope you've worked up to a 20 minute video for Pilates by now? I love the 20 minute Winsor Pilates; I did see results while doing that. Though of course I got MORE results once I physically *could* do the 1 hour video.

I grew up with naturally thin people, and it was always easy for them to not exercise, because they just didn't see the results as fast as people like me did. But it's still good for you!

 

[simonsayz]

I started off doing pilates. I do 2 10-minute youtube videos about 4 times a week for about 2 months now. In additional I've started doing zumba a few weeks ago, starting with 20 minutes working up to an hour now.

You haven't replied back to this thread for awhile, but hopefully you and anyone else in your situation can read this.

20 minutes of youtube videos is not enough + 20 min - 60 mins of zumba is just not enough.

There are already advices replied earlier about weights..they are good..but if it's not your thing I suggest using resistance bands, not heavy and portable (i am bringing mine to Disney next weekend!)

I am doing a workout program and this is my 9th week and this workout program actually makes me want to continue and looking forward to the next day.

1 hour a day of intense workout + eat properly, you will see results in just 10 days

1 hour a day = 4.167% of your day

come visit my workout blog updated daily or as often as possible, but it's mostly about food

PM me or email me if anyone wants to discuss on how to lose weight.

 

[JCH]

I have to agree with 20 minutes of Pilates not being enough. Joseph Pilates says as far as seeing results: after 10 sessions, you'll feel the difference, after 20 sessions, you'll see the difference, and after 30 sessions, you'll have a whole new body. Of course, this is assuming hour long sessions with certified Pilates instructors. Even if you do three hours a day of YouTube Pilates, you may not see a difference as the movements are so specific and small.

My suggestion: go to Groupon and Living Social and look for deals in your area. I have tried XTend Barre, Boot Camps, and Spin before I found Pilates and stuck with it. The usual deals are 5 for $25, enough to try out a class without plunking down a large down payment and paying for a package.