Excercise Newbie....Seriously....

rabinow6

Hey Ladies!

I am just starting my quest to lose weight and I have no idea where to start. I really want to get a leaner stomach. My family history has given me (cursed me?) with big thighs and a large butt, so while I'd love to lose a little from those areas as well, I'm not sure how easily genetics will let that happen.

I have NEVER done excercise or sports or anything like that. I am a musician and I have always stayed away from sports for fear of injuring myself and being unable to play in my orchestras or various compititions. Because of that, I have very limited muscle built up, which I know will make starting a routine that much harder.

Any advice that you may have would be SO appreciated!!! My wedding is a long way off (July next year) but I know this takes time. Plus, I am trying on dresses for the first time next week and I want to start the weight-loss process early so I can find my perfect dress!

I have access to a limited gym at my apartment complex. Other than that, I've got nothing.

Thanks in advance for your help!

luellaq06

Which machines do you have access to in your complex?  Do you have anywhere to walk that is safe even if that's just on the treadmill?  <div>
</div><div>I am on my third (and hopefully last) quest to lose the weight and keep it off.  I've gone from a in size from 15 to an 11 (teen), went up to 14 then down to a 6 and then back up to 16.  I decided to do something about it when I hit 180 and now I am stuck at the 170 mark.</div><div>
</div><div>I started back in January to lose weight but then I hurt my hip and have been on again and off again.  Point is no matter how bad my hip is I can always walk and swim.  The first two times I lost the weight I did it by walking everywhere, I didn't have a car and lived in towns where it was easy to walk.  But this can be done on a treadmill too if need be.  A half hour a day does wonders, and drinking calorie free drinks (water, tea, coffee with just creamer added) helps a lot.  I switched to a veggie diet and that helps as long as a stick to good proteins and away from cheese (I just started eating fish again too).  I pulled out my skinny jeans yesterday and was determined to get back into shape again.  </div><div>I try to make sure to get protein in each snack or meal like nuts with my morning yogurt, a protein pack trail mix, peanut butter and jelly lunch, tuna for dinner etc.</div><div>One thing that I learned the second time I lost weight is to be more aware of calories, like  a box of pasta has many servings so if you are making a individual portion measure it and just cook that.  Or that just because something is liquid is not calorie free including those starbucks coffee drinks.  I've tried to stick to naturally calorie free drinks since for the most part they are satisfying and good for you.</div><div>Ive had a really hard time staying motivated like today I caved and ordered Dominos and felt awful after but I just have to keep on keeping on.  I also feel guilty because I have a gym membership but havent used it much lately.  </div><div>So basically make sure you get 30 mins of exercise 3 times a week at least walking is the easiest way to get that in and pay attention to what your eating.  Is it nutritious or is it just a bunch of empty calories.</div><div>Also after a while exercise feels really good and you start to miss it if you don't get it.  I am at that point now.  I hope this longwinded answer helped lol.
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</div><div>In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_excercise-newbieseriously?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:32b5663f-3f91-4a96-96c1-ad94278ff29aPost:b48e3e19-5a00-4907-bb90-b9ae33367e0a">Excercise Newbie....Seriously....</a>:
[QUOTE]Hey Ladies! I am just starting my quest to lose weight and I have no idea where to start. I really want to get a leaner stomach. My family history has given me (cursed me?) with big thighs and a large butt, so while I'd love to lose a little from those areas as well, I'm not sure how easily genetics will let that happen. I have NEVER done excercise or sports or anything like that. I am a musician and I have always stayed away from sports for fear of injuring myself and being unable to play in my orchestras or various compititions. Because of that, I have very limited muscle built up, which I know will make starting a routine that much harder. Any advice that you may have would be SO appreciated!!! My wedding is a long way off (July next year) but I know this takes time. Plus, I am trying on dresses for the first time next week and I want to start the weight-loss process early so I can find my perfect dress! I have access to a limited gym at my apartment complex. Other than that, I've got nothing. Thanks in advance for your help!
Posted by rabinow6[/QUOTE]

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zitiqueen

If you enjoy reading and have access to a treadmill, buy one of these (clicky). It  holds the book open for you and makes the time fly by. I got mine through Amazon. Best money I ever spent.

rabinow6

That's a great idea! Thanks for the tip! You're link is not working, but I think I know what you're talking about.

About how long/how many times a day should I be on the treadmill in your experience? I want to lose between 40 and 50 pounds if possible.

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_excercise-newbieseriously?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:32b5663f-3f91-4a96-96c1-ad94278ff29aPost:46b1906f-708e-4e1c-8860-488c38a77c4a">Re: Excercise Newbie....Seriously....</a>:
[QUOTE]If you enjoy reading and have access to a treadmill, buy one of these (clicky). It  holds the book open for you and makes the time fly by. I got mine through Amazon. Best money I ever spent.
Posted by zitiqueen[/QUOTE]

Lobsters25

Rab-to your last question, once a day probably.  You don't want to burn yourself out early on.

My advice is to switch things up.  Keeping your body guessing is a wonderful tool to help along weightloss, especially when you hit a plateau or are getting toward the end of your goals.  If you've got it - try the elliptical, treadmill, and bike for different types of cardio.  And be absolutely sure to have some weight days, and to have a rest/recovery day.  All are essential.  Here's a helpful website to get you started with weights-

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

Don't worry - you WON'T start looking like some body builder.  But the website is great for teaching you about what muscles are being worked, and has pictures for the type of exercises.  Don't be afraid to print out sheets with images and bring them with you as you learn.

Also, please be aware that there is really no such thing as 'targeting' a muscle group or trouble spot.  You need to work everywhere on your body to get the flat belly or leaner thighs (though running is still great for both.)

Finally, track your diet.  Belly fat is largely attributed to diet with carbs being a terrible culprit (though I am, by no means, carb free.  mmmm pasta.)  It's just about eating less or those foods, or making healthier choices in the same food category (quinoa over a plain pasta dish, whole wheat over white, etc.)  MyFitnessPal will help you see your calories and where they are going.

rabinow6

My apartment gym has weight equiptment, a treadmill, elpitical and a bike. Unfortunately, a resient broke the weights that work abs so I'll have to do crunches and sit-ups at home. Oh well!

FI and I are going to do 20 minutes on weights, then the bike, then the treadmill and then go back to our apartment to do sit-ups as well. Hopefully it will work!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I'm going to look at the myfitnesspal site now to see what that's about too!

acaponi87

I have a similar body type. Although I've always had a pretty small waist, I've also been "cursed" with large thighs and a big butt lol. I played soccer and was active but I didn't "lose" in those areas until I began swimming.

Those areas will always be bigger on my body..it's just the way it is, but swimming really helped my thighs especially slim down. Maybe you could try that. It's great on the joints and is one of the best all-around work-outs you can get.

Kate5606

Starting a routine can be super hard - but my advice is to EASE into it, and don't get frustrated when you don't see huge results right away! You will FEEL it first - you'll have more energy during the day and you'll find you're not dreading your work out quite as much! As far as what machines and such to use, I'm not much help there, but I can tell you what helped me get started. I got my butt in gear by walking - I made a long and super energetic playlist, popped my pup on her leash and took off! I couldn't believe how fast I felt the results. Then, my cousin gave me a box of workout DVDs and if I could suggest one that really helps build up endurance when you're starting out, it would be the Walk Away The Pounds DVDs from Leslie Sansone. I've never been a fan of working out with a DVD, but these are actually not bad! And you're literally just walking! There are like four basic steps that you do, and she works in some light arm work but it's nice because each workout walk features a warm up and cool down period, as well as stretching. I have the 1, 2, and 3 mile DVDs and I love them all. They're perfect for a quick workout when you've got extra time, and I really mean it when I say they help you build to being able to work out stronger and longer!

What helped me out the most was the realization that I had to "just do it." I finally realized one day that I spent a lot of time saying "I don't feel like doing the longer work out today" or "I don't want to walk that hill... I'll do it another day"  and it hit me : I'm never going to WANT to do it. If I wait til I feel like getting gross and tired and sweaty, I will never do it. So I do it anyway, I power through the work outs and I always feel better after!


Best of luck, and I hope this helps!

rabinow6

Thanks for the advice!!

I just saw the sale on the Bridalicious DVD's. Is it worth the investment? Has anyone used them? I'm wondering if I should get them and use it to reinforce what I'm starting already.

zitiqueen

Google FlipKlip.