Becoming an "exerciser"- how do you do it?

[Naz]

I have never been in the habit of exercising. I am trying to do more purposeful movement like walking, riding my recumbent exercise bike, parking further away, etc. My biggest cardio is about 2X a week riding my recumbent bike for about 6 miles in about 40 minutes. I am sweaty and dripping. I am down from 255 to 227 so far.

However, I am starting to feel more energetic and dare I say, even kind of antsy to move around. I don't have any money for Curves or a gym. I have my recumbent bike, am getting a hand me down treadmill in a week, the great outdoors, and FitTV.

I tried to run using the Couch to 5K, but even doing the first mile almost killed me. I have 3 children that split their time between me and their dad.

How do I start building exercise into my daily life? How did you go from a non-exerciser to an exerciser?

[JerseyGirl1969]

You do by doing.

You try things...choose what you wish to keep and keep it up.

I get alot of comments about my workout ethic, but see...I love it. I hate it sometimes at the same time, especially when it's wearing me out, but I've learned to even love that, knowing how much it's doing for me. But one not of advice if I may...keep doing the hard stuff, don't stop because it's "killing you." That's the stuff that if you just keep plugging away gives you the most back. You do what you can...and a little more each time.

[Charski]

The key for ME is to find something I love doing or I won't do it at all. That mostly involves gardening, walking, and Wii - I LOVE Wii Fit and Wii Sports! Can't wait to get to it every day.

Very unusual for an exercise-despising sort such as myself.

I also love to swim but don't have a place I can do that at the moment without having to pay big $$ so that will have to wait for another time.

Even moving around 10 minutes at a time for at least 30 minutes a day is shown to be beneficial. You don't have to RUN to be fit!

[GardenGirl639]

This is a wonderful question and something that I continually struggle with. I look forward to reading the other answers.

Congratulations on your weight loss

[rae_rae21]

My suggestion to you would be to start a weight training routine. Cardio is great for cardiovascular health and other reasons, but weight training is what will help you burn more calories throughout the day, even at rest and will give your body shape. You could start out by checking out cathe workout fitness exercise aerobic dvd video and looking at her "Gym Styles" workout DVDs. All you need is a routine, a few sets of weights (Walmart has them for pretty cheap), and maybe a DVD to help you get started. I did cardio for years, but was still "skinny fat"...Sure, I was a size 4 and looked great in clothing, but I was still flabby, still had cellulite, and still felt uncomfortable...I then started a 3 day weight routine, with 3 days of cardio for 30 minutes, and it has completely changed my body...

There are tons of websites that will give you some good beginner routines and show you the exercises. Also, you might try the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women"...it's a good program and gives you a ton of good info on the benefits of weight lifting.

Good Luck!

[TheDogAteMyName]

I just started going to the gym and found out that I loved it. I never thought I would ever enjoy moving my body let alone lifting anything more than a pencil. When I don't exercise, I don't feel good. The gym is my prozac.

[JuliaL]

I agree - you just do it. You don't have to wait for the motivation to exercise. Action produces motivation.

I was a couch potato all my life. I even hated exercise in high school when I was young and skinny. What did it for me was reading the chapter in Dr. Atkins' book called Exercise - It's not Negotiable. It made me realize that if I really wanted to lose weight I couldn't get around the fact that my sedentary ways had to change.

I started just walking for about 15 mins. a day. I couldn't handle any more than that, but within a few weeks I had built up to 45 minute walks, and I felt really good. As I said, once you start you will feel like continuing because of the way the exercise makes you feel.

You don't need a gym or any fancy equipment. Walking is a great way to start. Good luck!

[aunatural]

I found being honest with myself about what I was willing to do was a big step to becoming a consistent exerciser. I gave up on my fantasies of going to the gym regularly because I really prefer to work out alone. I don't like or need the distractions that gyms come with. Some of my coworkers ask me to go walking with them and I resist because I like that solitary time to myself. I also realized that I need variety and challenge to remain interested. I started with Cathe's workouts on FitTV and I haven't looked back. They kept me going because up till that point I had not encountered a workout I could not master almost immediately and of course once I master them, I got bored with them and quit. Cathe was kicking my butt and I was not happy about it. So, sit down and figure out what your fitness goals are, what you really like to do, and what will keep you challenged and focused. I also think it's important to truly understand what keeps you from being consistent and come up with a plan to fix it. You definitely need to invest in some free weights too. You can find them fairly inexpensively at Walmart.

[Kris T.]

ITA with the above. You just have to somehow make it a habit, a part of your daily life, something you do automatically like brushing your teeth.

Figure out what your motivation is going to be. Mine is a combination of vanity and health, plus time away from the kids. I have no problem stating that!

It does take time, but we're each given 24 hours, just like Mother Theresa. Look what she did with her time. I should be cleaning the house now, but instead I'm heading to the gym while the kids are at soccer camp.

[rae_rae21]

Right...you said you had Fit Tv, and you can do Cathe's workouts for free! I'm not into her cardio routines (ie: step routines, too complicated for me), but her strength workouts are awesome!

And I agree with the others...start out slow- take a nice, brisk walk in the evenings or maybe a jog if you're up to it..you could start with bodyweight exercises too, if you aren't able to get any equipment right now- such as squats, lunges, pushups (you can do these on your knees if you aren't able to do them on your toes), etc...I used to HATE exercising...but now that I've built up strength, I look forward to it everyday, and feel awesome afterwards!

[Houston Heather]

I set the alarm, lay out my workout clothes, and go do it.

For cardio, I enjoy running. I couldn't run a mile straight if you paid me to, I run as far as I can, walk, run again. No one's chasing you, you can take as long as you want.

I can't stand the recumbent bike, which is sitting next to me. I discovered running is better.

The most important thing is to get out there and do it however many times a week. Set your alarm, no excuses, and go do it.

I started running again when I weighed 210 pounds. Also make sure that your family members understand this is about your health, and therefore a high priority.

[Sharon]

Put your workout on the your calendar like a social event and follow it. Then log your results. What you do, how long you were out, weather conditions, how you felt after working out and anything else you want to note.

[FloridaShell]

I guess in my case I wanted to get my extra baggage off fast, so I started power walking 2 miles, 3 miles and now I do 4 1/2 to 5 miles five days a week. I just really wanted this weight off. That was 6 months ago, down 30 lbs and 8 more to goal.
Two months into all this, I added in free weights. I love it!

[DwightSchrute]

Start posting on the "It's ---day, Who's working out" thread...if you get up early, YOU can start the thread.
I started posting there almost daily and it makes me plan exercise into my day...although I still haven't hit the treadmill yet...

[sugarless4life]

I do it before my mind can talk me out of it.

Betty

[suzanneyea]

Planning. I know I go to the gym every day around 7am, no questioning it. I just do it, like brushing my teeth in the morning.

[Naz]

Thanks you guys. I guess I have to really start a plan that I can make work. I could exercise on the days that my kids are gone (2 nights a week and every other weekend), and try to take them for a walk. OR, I could ask my mom to babysit for a half hour while I walk.

I will also start writing what I did on the calendar. I have recently started writing my weight on the calendar so I can keep track of it.

I will look into the strength training options on FitTV. Am I supposed to do cardio a lot and strength train a little? Equal amounts of time? Start with just like 1 day of strength training and then add another in a week?

I don't know what I am doing.

[ebonyeyz28]

Originally Posted by Naz

Thanks you guys. I guess I have to really start a plan that I can make work. I could exercise on the days that my kids are gone (2 nights a week and every other weekend), and try to take them for a walk. OR, I could ask my mom to babysit for a half hour while I walk.

I will also start writing what I did on the calendar. I have recently started writing my weight on the calendar so I can keep track of it.

I will look into the strength training options on FitTV. Am I supposed to do cardio a lot and strength train a little? Equal amounts of time? Start with just like 1 day of strength training and then add another in a week?

I don't know what I am doing.

Your kids are the PERFECT set of trainers! Let them know that mommy would like all of the help her get into better shape and I'm sure that they won't let you have a moments rest before you get in a walk or something like that. You can walk while they ride their bikes, if they are still young enough for that, and make a game out of being able to race them to certain landmarks (like a particular house or mailbox) or have them keep track of how long you've been walking, etc. If that won't FitTV is a great option for days when the weather is bad or for getting in your weight training. I would suggest 2 days of weight training, to start, and 2 or 3 days of cardio. If that's too much for you then ease into it but make sure that you continue to challenge yourself and not keeping doing the same things over and over. Good luck, I know you can do it!

[JuliaL]

Originally Posted by Naz

Thanks you guys. I guess I have to really start a plan that I can make work. I could exercise on the days that my kids are gone (2 nights a week and every other weekend), and try to take them for a walk. OR, I could ask my mom to babysit for a half hour while I walk.

I will also start writing what I did on the calendar. I have recently started writing my weight on the calendar so I can keep track of it.

I will look into the strength training options on FitTV. Am I supposed to do cardio a lot and strength train a little? Equal amounts of time? Start with just like 1 day of strength training and then add another in a week?

I don't know what I am doing.

Start out by exercising on the days your kids are gone - it will be easier to focus and to really give it your best effort.

You don't need to overdo the cardio to lose weight. Lifting weights helps you lose body fat as well because you build lean muscle mass when you lift weights, and the more muscle you have the more calories you burn, even at rest.

I would suggest you alternate cardio and strength training days. With cardio it's better to do shorter, more intense workouts than long, slow workouts. Don't injure yourself - take it easy until you build some strength and endurance, but be sure you are challenging yourself. Good luck!