Plank and other indoor exercises

[Malibustyle23]

I recently lost 30 plus pounds due to calorie counting and walking. Lots of walking. Now that winter and wet weather are on the horizon I'm starting to worry about gaining it back and not continuing with my weight loss journey.

I have no exercise equipment and no desire to purchase a gym membership. I need ideas to continue losing weight with these obstacles when indoors is a requirement.

Today, I just started a plank challenge but does anyone actually do them? Are they successful to lose weight and tone the middle area? Does the technique really matter? If it's not perfect will I still succeed at all?!

Other ideas to do or tips to continue losing weight and start toning now?

Btw, yes I know I can go walking in the cold and will but I do need to start toning up regardless and am a wimp to the weather.

 

[dashofsunshine]

I've lost 140 lbs this year, and I alternate days of running, T25/weights, and hiking. I live in the South so thankfully I've got a little while left of outside exercise, but not much. I will switch to T25/weights and power yoga/Pilates once things get too cold outside. I got T25 from a close relative for free, but I can tell you that I love it so much, I would have paid full price. It never gets old, doesn't take long, and the results are there. I find most of my Pilates and yoga dvd's at our local used book/DVD store, but I know many people who rely on YouTube for that and do just fine. Good luck!!

PS I have free weights and kettle bells that I bought at Walmart. I use them in my living room for weightlifting

 

[dotfurio]

I work out mostly at home. I watch cardio videos on youtube, and I also have a set of hand weights, a resistance band and loop, and a ball. Overall it wasn't too expensive of an investment and I can do almost all the things my trainer has showed me with them. I really like the resistance loop and band because they are easy to pack on trips.

My whole family started the plank challenge, but we got too busy and quit about halfway through. I still plank but I'm not following the challenge.

 

[ez]

I have two exercise dvds Ive been doing some of for about a year and a half. They were more challenging at first but still challenge me. -only do 10-15 minutes of each but doing them consistently I really see a difference. One I do is a Denise Austin 5 minute workouts where you pick which ones, I do arms shoulders and thighs with light weights, but there are others to choose from. They other is physique 57 30 minute express workout, I only do the first 10 minutes. This one you do with a playground ball between your legs and it has push ups and planks. Definitely good for the middle. I usually walk too but I live in the south weather isnt an issue here really.

 

[MickeySP]

DO you have OnDemand cable? There are tons of exercise/workout channels on my OD.

 

[Luv2Run]

Exercises that you can do at home with no equipment and still get in a good workout:

-mountain climbers (each rep is a 4-count mountain climber, as in 1-2-3-ONE, 1-2-3-TWO, 1-2-3-THREE, and so on):

-flutter kicks (each rep is a 4-count flutter kick):

-squats:

-burpees (they suck, but they work):

I'll usually do 3 sets of 10 of each exercise, except burpees since those are little bit more intense than the others.

 

[ZuZugal]

Congrats on living a healthier lifestyle! It pays off in so many ways so you would hate to back off just because of the weather.

There are many great DVDs out there; T25 and Jillian Michaels (she can annoy some people but her WO DVDs are good). You can go to YouTube or Google for some great at-home exercises that require little or no equipment. Planks are awesome for core strength, and there are many variations. I do think technique matters so you don't injure your lower back.

I know you said a gym membership is out, but if you have one close by walking on a treadmill or using the elliptical machine are great for cardio... and the support you can get from a group exercise class can be worth so much!

Good luck and stick with it

 

[lilclerk]

I work at home, so it's really easy for me to just sit like a lump all winter long. There's a ton of cardio, yoga, pilates, etc. videos on Youtube and Hulu that don't require any equipment! I'd search for those first.

I do have a small exercise bike that folds up so I can put it in a closet when I'm not using it (I have a pretty small house.) I like to pop that up in front of the TV every few days during the winter to get my blood flowing. I also have an app on my phone called 7 Minute Workout that sends me a reminder every day to do it... I don't always do it, though

Last winter, my boyfriend and I did a pushup/squat challenge. It was great to do it together, we kept each other accountable. "Hey, did you finish your pushups yet?" I don't know how useful those monthly challenges are though, unless you're going to keep doing them.
Not sure if I can link sites, but it was the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. Google their monthly workout calendars to find them

 

[NHdisneylover]

I have been doing the two different 14 day free course on doyouyoga and am really liking them. Sadie's "yoga shred" which is somewhere between yoga and traditional exercise seems to really work well for me, and I like that it is only 15 minutes in a day and all I need is a mat. I'll probably buy her full course once it goes on sale again and in the meantime just keep repeating the free one.

 

[Straitlover]

Look up Jessica Smith in YouTube. Tons of indoor workouts!!!

 

[elgerber]

Leslie Sansones Walk Away the Pounds program has a ton of different workouts you can do. It's indoor walking but often uses hand weights etc as well. Very easy to follow yet very effective.

 

[mnrose]

Planking is good for strengthening your core, but it really won't help with weight loss. Toning yes. Weight loss, no.

There are lots of ways to get exercise at home. Work out videos are a good choice. Doing stair stepping (using your own stairs) also works. Just step up and down...doing double steps if you really want to get your heart rate going. Jumping rope is a fun choice if you've got the space. Also, if you have the space, look for a good used treadmill. I inherited one (for free) from someone moving away. I have it in front of my TV and I walk while I watch.

 

[Sadie22]

I walk at the local indoor mall. The doors are open very early, but there are always people there walking the corridors. Seniors doing cardiac rehab are told to do this. A big store can be used too.

I have a recumbent bike that I pedal while watching videos.

 

[sets14]

Congrats on the weight loss! That is no easy task. You need to be sure you balance strength training like planking with cardio. For indoor cardio with no equipment I like good old jumping jacks, invisible jump rope, high knees, butt kicks, mountain climbers, squat and punches, boxer bob and weave. I have had great results alternating a strength move for 2 minutes then cardio for 2 and back and forth for 30-40 minutes. Don't take long rests in between, like maybe 5-10 second breather to get form correct. I do this in the middle of my living room with no equipment other then some free weights, 3-5 lbs depending on the exercise.

Good luck!