What is your work out plan?

Good morning,

I'd like to hear from someone who has been working out for at least a few weeks.  What do you do and how is it working to loose weight. 

I start but never go past a couple of weeks.  ....wanting those quick results I think.  I know it can take sometimes a month before the weight starts to come off.

Please share something positive for everyone to learn from,

What are you doing now?  Is this your first foray into workouts?

I found when I first started working out that I needed to keep the momentum going by doing something every day.  I alternated (and still do) between lifting weights and cardio.  One day a week I subsitute workouts for a lighter activity like a low intensity bicycle ride, a walk, or work around my house. 

Results are slow.  You're simply not going to notice much in a couple of weeks other than feelings of satisfaction and maybe some small gains in either duration or intensity.  I find it's important to focus on the process rather than the goal to stick to a program.  i also did things I enjoyed.  Guess I'm lucky that running, cycling and lifting weights are all things I enjoy doing.  You may not be gym-rat material, a runner, or inclined to regimented programs.  It's important that you find something you like doing within those categories of cardio fitness and strength training.

I'm doing Jillian Michaels 'ripped in 30 days' 5 days a week and working on my bowflew 3 days.

I know I should enjoy the process...your right, working out does feel good.

Well, good luck with that.  I've never been a big fan of DVD programs myself.  I don't have the temperament to follow anything that closely and don't always feel like doing what's on the agenda.  Probably just my ADD.  From your original question though, i get that you have problems staying motivated.  I've never tried the Jillian thing, but it sounds like something quite intense and that might be unsustainable in the long run.  All routines eventually have to be changed around anyway.  Diminishing returns as you adapt.

I think one is always more successful in implementing fitness routines if they are directly related to your interests and incorporate enough latitude so that you don't either burn out or get bored.  I know a lot of people get gung-ho at the start and often really push it, then find themselves too tired to keep it up forever and start finding excuses to skip workouts.  Working out,  however you do it and switch it up is a lifetime process.  I've always found it helps me to just accept that as a given, and if what i happen to be doing isn't working for me or I just don't want to do it any more, try something else, but never give it up.

My husband and I take an Irish dance class.  It's not easy and we get an excellent work out.  It's so much fun and the people in the class are so nice that I look forward to going every week.  I wish there was a second class for adults as I would sign up for that too.  Oh, did I mention that our teachers are ex-Riverdancers and incredibly talented and funny.  I don't think that I've ever looked forward to excercise other than this.

I have tried walking outside (weather permitting i'm from South Dakota) or walking on my gazelle indoors but find them both very boring and I never stick with either for more than a few weeks.   but I think I just may have come up with a solution to my problem that I would like to share.   I got myself a portable CD player and I go to the library and rent books on CDs.   wow what a difference it makes.   I excercise and listen to my book and forget I am even excersising.  works really well for me!   Barb

Three days a week (days off) I do 15 minutes on an elliptical machine, half-hour of stomach/upper body weights, then 45 minutes on the treadmill (walking between 3.5 & 4.2 mph at an incline).  On two work days I go to the gym before work for 30 minutes treadmill.  Two other days I have off.

I learned long ago that if I wait to work out after work, I won't.  So I get up extra early.

I have also learned to do what exercise I am willing to do, not what exercise I think I should do (or others tell me I should do).

And my experience has been that as I lose weight and get more fit, I am willing to do types of exercise that just weren't appealing when I was heavier/weaker.

While weight loss/muscle tone takes time, I have found that my heart-rate/breathing responds to cardio workouts within a week or two.

Good luck to all of us!

mad4moon,

"I have also learned to do what exercise I am willing to do, not what exercise I think I should do (or others tell me I should do)."

And my experience has been that as I lose weight and get more fit, I am willing to do types of exercise that just weren't appealing when I was heavier/weaker."

Excellent points and I couldn't agree more.  That should be pasted on refrigerator doors across the world.  

Bill

Guidelines are just that...

Suggestions are just that...

I'm unique just like everyone else...

There seems to be a popular misconception... Beating oneself up over not exercising does not actually burn more calories than doing any form of exercise.

No pain... errr. no pain. 'nuff said.

I walk at least an hour a day but break it into two or three sessions, depending on how I feel. It helps that I've now acquired a dog although she doesn't like to go too far because it is so darn hot.

I also swim each day. I have worked up to half an hour a day and I won't be increasing that. I do plan to start aqua gym sessions when they can be arranged. I enjoy both these forms of exercise. I plan to start some weight training in three-four weeks to build up lost muscle.

I cannot tell how the exercise has affected weight loss but I do know that because of it my high blood pressure is now non-existent. Perhaps to the  point of doing without meds. I won't see a doctor yet, though, because I am due to go to Australia on Friday and there won't be enough time to monitor the effects without pills. I will take my own blood monitor kit though and keep an eye on it. I mention this as evidence that exercise does have an effect.

Luck to you all.

Oh, forgot to add that I worry about having loads of loose sagging skin when my weight finally gets to normal, so I am hoping the exercising will tone everything up. Might be too late but I've got to give it go. Lol.

I have an 'open appointment' with a plastic surgeon friend - as soon as I've lost the weight I'll go to her so she can put humpty dumpty back together again!  I can't see my skin snapping back into place on it's own free will, no matter how much I exercise.