I have 5 lbs and 10 lb dumbells, but not sure on what to do with them exercise wise to help target my upper arms. Push-ups I cant do one for the life of me! My arms are weak!
I try to tell myself im going to do situps daily, but that doesnt last..maybe a day or 2 than I say screw it cause I feel my stomach is so big that its pointless!
As far as exercise equipment, the dumbells are it as far as what I have. I used to walk in the summer, but now its too cold.
any advice on exercises to do?? How many, etc?
I got hooked on videos. I can recommend
Jari Love
Tae Bo
Kathy Smith
The Firm
Power90
Turbo Jam
Cathe Friedrich
I like videos because you just put them on and start to follow along. If you have Netflix they have a gazillion workout videos.
5lb and 10lb weights are good and you could invest in a jump rope for cardio.
The way to overcome laziness is to just make yourself start the workout. Usually once you get going you'll be fine. And then after awhile you'll feel the need to workout. Additionally it is important to find activities you can enjoy. For instance I prefer to work with weights and to do Tae Bo or Step routines rather then use cardio equipment. Just keep trying out new things and eventually you will know what you like and don't like. I can guarantee you will like the results!
Here's the thing about exercise. It won't help you lose weight unless you're restricting calories. If you exercise but still eat as much as you want, you will never lose weight. If, however, you ARE restricting calories, exercise helps a LOT! And with all its health benefits, I'd say you have no choice but to do it.
You know, most people are lazy. I'm so lazy I consider it a legitimate handicap. We've gotta exercise anyway. Just think of it this way: Lazy is not an excuse. Tired is not an excuse. Thin women (who work at it) adopt a "no excuses" mindset. They go running when they're tired. They exercise when they don't feel like it.
So the trick is making exercise as enjoyable as possible. Even learning to like it. I have learned to "feel" like I'm think while I exercise. I sort of imagine that I'm this thin woman doing the exercises. That helps a bit. I make myself feel thin and powerful and excited to be jumping around or whatever I'm doing.
Do you like music? That's what makes me exercise. Music. I make compilation tapes of my favorite music. I can jump on my trampoline (you may not have a trampoline) or take brisk walks uphill as long as I'm listening to music. If you love music, get a walkman RIGHT AWAY. Let yourself listen to music only while exercising.
Do you like books on tape? Do you like to read? Try a suspenseful book on tape - one that FASCINATES you. How about a true-crime story about one of the serial killers? Or some explicit erotica? Anyway, don't listen to the book on tape unless you are exercising. Exercise can be walking down the street briskly, or stepping and hopping down the street. Just be out of breath.
Do you have a trampoline or eliptical, and are you addicted to any TV shows? Great! No TV unless you are working the eliptical or jumping on the trampoline!
I guess all these suggestions have in common the idea of rewarding yourself WHILE you are exercising. Just give yourself mental praise, and find a way to enjoy it. Make sure you cannot get that reward UNLESS you are exercising.
Along with accepting that I absolutely have no choice, that's what works for me to make me exercise.
I wouldn't worry about situps right now in your journey. There are other ways to work your abs without having to bend in the middle. At this point, cardio is going to pay off the most for you. Try different cardio workout videos (check out www.collagevideo.com for video samples of a lot of popular workout videos). I like Leslie Sansone's walking videos a lot. They're not complicated or heavily choreographed, they're not too high of intensity and I just really enjoy the workouts. I have Walk Away The Pounds and love it. There are 3 workouts on the DVD and I like to alternate between them. The moves are super-simple so sometimes I practice them while I'm watching regular TV (keeps me from snacking, too). She does a little weight work in 2 of the workouts, along with squats and lunges so you'd be working your legs and arms. You can work your abs by contracting them while you do the walking/kicks, etc.
I think a big part of why I never was able to exercise consistently was that I was working too hard, too soon and it was just such a mental struggle to get back up and do it again the next time after burning myself out like that. WATP is easy enough that I don't dread it.
Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that you can beat your lack of motivation by making the workouts easier, more convenient and more enjoyable. Don't work so hard, just get moving and it'll continue to pay off for you.
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