Joined a Gym Today! (does this mean I get ice cream as an award?)

PharmacyBride

Just curious if anyone has advice about the best amount of work outs per week (for someone who is not too fat- but VERY out of shape).

Basically- I work weekends, but just finished my rotations- so I have M-F during the day free- when the gym is quite empty!

I think 2-3 times a week for 2 weeks is good.. then hopefully I can get up to 4-5 per week.  Keep in mind- I don't have endurance- so it may be easier to work out for shorter periods, more often.

Any advice for this lazy bride will be much appreciated!!!  TIA

grrrace

hey! i think we're in the same boat! 

I have not worked out, like AT ALL... since cheerleading in high school (and haven't been happy with my weight since I was 13), anyway, I need to lose about 30-40lbs to be at my goal weight range and I just joined a gym last week! I went 3 times last week and am going 4 times this week. Next week I plan on going 5 days. I refuse to work out on the weekend (besides our Sunday morning walk)!

Anyway, what I have been doing is about 40-50 minutes on the elliptical or recumbent bike and then 15-25 minutes of the weight machines, focusing on a different body area each day. (ie- Tuesday- Arms, Wednesday- Legs, Thursday- Core...)

It hasn't been too much for me, although I have been sore! But sore in a good way!  

I am in NO way an expert, but I did lose a pound since I started last week and feel like I'm working at a good pace for my body,  that's encouraging enough for me! haha! 

hope this helps! again, I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm just trying to get less fat! 

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I don't think 4-5 times a week is too much, as long as you switch it up. If I just did running, I'd be bored out of my skull, but I run 2-3 times a week and do weights 2-3 times a week, plus something extra like yoga or tennis or a hike on one of the weekend days. HTH.

Make sure you go x amount of times a week, but if you feel like going to the gym and squezing in an extra workout, do it!

PharmacyBride

Thanks girls.. I am super excited.  Classes are included -- so I will definitely try them at least once.  I have always controlled my weight with food - not in an anorexic way, I just didn't eat junk food.  Now I live with guys and I haven't been able to pass up the temptations when the food is right in front of me.

So off to the gym I go.. for the first time in my life.  I feel like a dweeb, because I will have no clue about gym etiquette or how to use the darn machines.

Thanks again for the advice.. and good luck girls!  I know we can do this!

mocha beans

I was/am pretty much the same as you, not overweight, but definitely not in good shape.  I signed up for a bootcamp class three times a week for an hour.  Best thing ever for me.  The first few weeks were miserable, not a day went by that I wasn't completely sore, but now I can make myself push to the breaking point and not have to take a huge break before going on to the next thing.  It's been the best endurance booster for me, because there was no way I'd motivate myself to keep pushing and building up the endurance.

MarriedInAFever

Ooo, also, since you mentioned gym etiquette... Rule #1: Wipe off the machines when you're finished!

msange727

if you have a good bit of time to make it to the gym, definitely try smaller workouts more often - that'll help build your stamina as well. and classes will be your best friend if you get bored easily!

good luck!

Julz629

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_joined-gym-today-this-mean-ice-cream-award?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:58e21e3e-65c3-4ad3-9f52-d6402a720780Post:75d7aa5e-81e3-41d5-8aa9-2183fd3f56e1">Re: Joined a Gym Today! (does this mean I get ice cream as an award?)</a>:
[QUOTE]if you have a good bit of time to make it to the gym, definitely try smaller workouts more often - that'll help build your stamina as well. and classes will be your best friend if you get bored easily! good luck!
Posted by msange727[/QUOTE]

Ditto this!  You don't want to get burnt out.  I find that splitting up my work outs during the day helps when I am in a rut.  I have an elliptical at home so sometimes I will go to the gym just to do my weights, then do my cardio at home later at night.  But I will also decrease my cardio at the gym and go on a power walk with the dog.  This helps when I am unmotivated because a half hour here and a half hour there doesn't seem as overwhelming as being gone for an hour and a half to spend the whole time at the gym.

grrrace

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_joined-gym-today-this-mean-ice-cream-award?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:58e21e3e-65c3-4ad3-9f52-d6402a720780Post:3a183e45-2c68-466d-8c47-4456b3067052">Re: Joined a Gym Today! (does this mean I get ice cream as an award?)</a>:
[QUOTE]Ooo, also, since you mentioned gym etiquette... Rule #1: Wipe off the machines when you're finished!
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]

<div>OMG! it is RIDICULOUS how many people do not wipe of the machines! Disgusting!</div><div>I was just lucky enough to get a free membership to a pretty nice country club gym through my job, so you'd think the people would have the decency to wipe off the machines but so far I have seen 8 out of 10 people just get off the machine and move on to the next one! Yuck! I now wipe of the machines before and after I use them!  </div>

PharmacyBride

Thanks girls.. this advice really helps!  And it really helps to know other people went through what I am about to go through.

This will help me when I want to give up and remember how all of you girls pushed through the pain of the first few weeks!

PS.  Thanks about the etiquette advice.. I wouldn't want to be one of those people!  I told the gym guy that I was new to the gym world- so he will show me the ropes and how to use the equipment correctly.