Working Out

[Christy Carol]

This is where we talk about what we do to work up a sweat!

[lightitup]

A simple Walk with speeding it up as you go is a really good exercise and so is Skating.:c54:

[Keepsake]

I've been wallking Mon - Fri with my sister for a year and half now. This hellped me to keep the 60 lbs. I lost over the last 2 years off. We walk for 3.8 miles at 5:00 am to 5:45 am. We walk at that time because we both work full time.:74:

[primchristmas]

I love to walk in the park that is across the street from our house.......and its something that we can all do as a family ......if I can get everyone else up and motivated to go with me!!!
I need some ideas for something else to do when the weather doesnt co-operate outside......what does everyone else do???

[Christy Carol]

I have a stationary bike that I bought at Wal-Mart last year for 88 bucks. Its nothing fancy but it gets the job down.

I prefer to walk outside and had gotten up to 3 miles per day before it got hot here and I got lazy. This summer when it gets too hot I'll get in the pool, you can get a really good workout in the water due to the resistance of the water. You can also find pool exercises on the net.

Tom found us some mountain bikes the other day and we are thinking about buying them. I would love to have another bike as start riding at the park on the river. I love to bike and it wouldn't even feel like exercise.

[Twinkle]

I found some great strength exercises as well as cardio at http://sparkpeople.com. I use to follow these daily and did it for quite a long time until I got lazy again. I will begin doing these starting tonight...The strength exercises are great indoor exercises and no equipment required really. Forinstance, wall push-ups, sit-ups, etc.. I walked at least 3 days a week and can begin doing my walking and treadmill exercises tomorrow after work.
Whenever Sonny get's the bikes down from the ceiling of the garage, we can get back to biking again.

[Christy Carol]

I like that website! You should post it in the on the net thread too!

Once I get over this earache/cold thing I got going on I'll be pulling my bike out in the middle of the bedroom floor and riding away into the sunset!

Ok, maybe not but I've got plenty of Christmas movies to watch while I am riding.!

[Twinkle]

Christy...Get well soon...What a bummer to deal with this. Get your rest, make a pot of chicken soup and get those chewable vitamin C's..:eek:

[Christy Carol]

Thank you Twinkle! I know, talk about timing. What a way to bring in the new year.

I didnt have any soup today but I had one of those Hormel Chicken and Dumpling lunches and since it was only 4 or 6 points (I cant recall right now) I was still able to diet while getting in some healthy chicken.

Not being able to eat much will probably boost start my diet but what a way to lose weight.

[DoubleA]

The thing I was taught to do was to always push yourself to get your heart rate adjusted. So if you jog for 1/2 a mile, try a burst of speed and run as far as you can, then go back to the jog and do this a few times, you will then become adjusted to this, sweating more and controling your heart rate all at the same time.

[Christy Carol]

I have heard this too. If you will add a minute or two of extra speed to your workout its suppose to make the entire routine burn more.

[savingstar]

street dance i love this as its fun aswell as a hard work out. I'm thinking of starting belly dancing again as thats really good for your waist. Also i go to the gym using the weights and the walking thing but its not a treadmill.

Body pump is also brilliant as it tones you up aswell as helping to burn calories

[Christy Carol]

Since my body is finally back to normal I plan on beginning to exercise tomorrow. I had stored my exercise bike in the shop for the holiday but Tom brought it back in for me last night. So instead of sitting here chatting while Ellen is on in the afternoons, I plan on riding thru it!

I am sure I wont make it for long tomorrow but I'll build myself back up. Then once the weather warms some I'll start walking also.

[Christy Carol]

I got an exercise program today from a woman on Freecycle. Its called Escape Your Shape. I haven't looked it all over yet but so far it sounds pretty good.

[Twinkle]

Been doing my mile walks every other day and strength exercises most every night but still not enough cardio. That bike sounds good Christy..that'll work...also savingstar...love the street dancing idea. My grand-daughter does the belly dancing thing. She's really pretty good at it too..and I have seen her waist wittle down with this..but she really doesn't need to lose weight, just took it for entertainment and an interest she has. I'd like to do this myself. It kinda reminds me of hula dancing with the belly rolls..haha..:c70:

[Rennabelle]

Hey Twinkle, get yourself a hula hoop, they are suppose to work wonders. I am going to get one next time I go to town. Was told to take it easy right at first as not to pull anything though. lol I'm glad they make all sizes of them now not just the ones for twiggy. With a hula hoop I can stand in the middle of my front room and listen to music and go for the gusto. ha

[Christy Carol]

That is a WONDERFUL idea! I will have to grab me one at Walmart this weekend! I wonder if I can still hula hoop? I guess I'll find out wont I?

I rode my bike again this afternoon. I was running late and had chores to do but I still took the time to ride. Glad I did because I always feel so much better afterward.

[Twinkle]

Yeah, that's a good idea. Wonder if I can still do it. I tried it a year ago with a light weight one and couldn't get it to stay up. So before I buy one, I'll give it a try in the store..Lol.

[Christy Carol]

Look at this! I have been looking for years for Christmas music that I could walk too. Now I found it! I am gonna order this now!

http://www.lesliesansone.com/store/cat-bookaudio.html

[Twinkle]

Woo woo...I like the looks of that also. :eek:

[Christy Carol]

So we finally did it! We bought bikes today!! In fact, it was Tom's idea. I guess he had been thinking about it all day today and waited until we got to Walmart to tell me! He told me to pick one out and that was that!

So we took off to park and gave them a whirl. OH GEEZ!! I only thought riding my stationary bike was hard! It was cool out yet I was just a sweating! I haven't been on a bike in probably 15 years and WOW, I forgot what a workout it can be. But we had fun and laughed and acted like kids all while getting a good workout.

[ElfSpirit]

Good for you, Christy! I love riding my bike everywhere...glad you like it, too!

DH and I have decided to begin the P90X extreme workout system...we are just waiting for the equipment we need like the pull-up bar, resistance bands, heart rate monitor, etc., but we are getting excited about getting started. It's supposed to be grueling and it's not for everyone, but the results are supposed to be amazing.

I can hardly wait to get rid of all that flab and get ripped!! LOL

[Christy Carol]

You are talking some serious working out! You are gonna look awesome!

[ElfSpirit]

Well, I sure do hope it will work well for us. That would be great! :c58:

[Twinkle]

Awesome you guys..ElfSpirit sounds like you will be doing some serious exercising.. Sounds great!
Christy...can you believe our bikes are still hanging from the garage ceiling...I gotta get Sonny to pull them down once and forall to get started riding again. :c50:I'm getting inspired.

[Christy Carol]

yes you do! I had forgotten how much I like riding outside. But of course the weather has turned off cold again, go figure.

But I think thats probably for the best. My uhm, backside to say nicely is paying dearly for our ride yesterday. I was already sore from the stationary bike but the ride yesterday really sealed the deal. I didn't have my seat adjusted correctly at first and by the time I got it perfect, the damage was done.

I am sitting gently today!

[ElfSpirit]

Oh yeah, I remember that happening...that is not fun. But, it shouldn't last too long...hope it passes soon.:c11:

[Christy Carol]

Me too! Its trying to work its way out, in the meantime I just walk funny! LOL!

But it is preventing me from riding my stationary bike. I know a day or two wont hurt me in the long run but it does make it harder to pick it back up after being lazy. I am gonna get a different seat for my outside bike though, one of those huge old lady ones thats about as big around as a basketball! :c5:

[ElfSpirit]

Hey, whatever works, right? LOL

[Christy Carol]

Thats what I'm thinking!

[Christy Carol]

I got a new seat for my bike today!! And I really want to go riding but its on the cold side and very, very windy. If the sun would come out and stay out I think I could brave the wind. But I don't need that wind on my face so I'll probably stick with the stationary bike today.

[ElfSpirit]

Yeah, getting blown over and falling off your bike is no fun...I know.:g19:

[Christy Carol]

Oh man! Then I am glad I stayed home!!!

[Twinkle]

Yesterday was suppose to be my cardio day. I worked but only half a day. But when I got home, didn't want to do my cardio so I bypassed it...I did do several strength exercises though. Today is a strength exercise day so I will get these in before going to bed as it was another work day and got home late.
Sonny is blowing me away with his walking..He's up to 5 miles a day. He gets this in before going to work. I'd go out with him on my days off, but he walks too fast for me to keep up as he puts me into a run to keep up. Lol.:roll:

[Christy Carol]

He is walking 5 miles at one time? Geez that man has stamina! Even when I was walking every day for months I could only get in around 3-3.5 miles before I was ready to drop!!

[Christy Carol]

So we were finally able to get back on our bikes today! It was cold but I bundled up. The new seat is wonderful! I am actually sitting on the parts of me meant for sitting!! LOL!! Two miles in the cold, it was exhilarating!

Let me tell ya a funny. We were almost to the house but we have a climb a pretty steep upgrade before our driveway. So here I am just a peddling away when Tom's brother and SIL pulls up. So we stopped and chatted and they drove off. So I started back up and realized I was gonna have to drop gears to pull it. I did and switched to low at the same time and my bike didn't like that. So it threw the chain! My pedals shot out, hitting me in the left shin and the left side of my right ankle. Can ya say OWWWWIIIEEEEE!!??? It was like taking a whack in the funny bone. Nice bruises I tell ya.

[ElfSpirit]

Ouch, Christy!! Are you ok? Were you able to get the chain back on, as well?

[Christy Carol]

Yeah, I am ok! Big blue knot on my shin and another bruise on my ankle but they really dont hurt. Good thing its not short season!! LOL!

And Tom got the chain back on for me. It just slipped right off I guess because he got it right back on. He said it may need oiling.

[ElfSpirit]

Too bad about the bruising, but yeah, at least it's not hot weather and they don't hurt too badly.

[ElfSpirit]

My working out this week will be cleaning...I remember Twinkle mentioning it a few days back.
How many calories per hour does one burn again? I can't remember.

[hollybow]

I took the family dog at my in-laws for a loooooong walk...about 3 hours...
seemed it was more exercise for him than for me.. he slept the whole evening and didn´t move...`]

[Christy Carol]

Elf,
I think it was listed in one of those articles I posted in 'things from the net'. I'll try to find it for you a bit later.

I cannot find it! I guess I didnt post it here. But I did find this, maybe it will give you some sort of an idea

http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/908757695.html

Here is another, down in section 3 you can pick housework
http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/calburncalc

[ElfSpirit]

Thanks, Christy! Wow, I am burning lots of calories, then. Yesterday I cleaned all day and today I am doing the same. Woo-hoo!

[ElfSpirit]

Well, I broke my stepper today while exercising. This is the second time this has happened. I got a "Lateral Thigh Trainer" about a year and a half ago and loved it, but the darn thing broke on me, so I ordered another one. Today the second one broke, too! Had to finish my workout in another way.
I ordered a new lateral stepper today, but this time a different brand. Hope it comes soon, but in the meantime I'll just keep doing the yoga, stretching and strength exercises. I am also hoping that this one will last longer!

Edit: Just got an e-mail from the company stating I should be getting the new stepper sometime tomorrow! The delivery guy usually comes late morning - Woo-Hoo!!

[Christy Carol]

Wow, that was quick! Did you order it locally?

When I joined WW's I received an exercise CD. Well, to be honest I have never been able to watch one of those and follow along. I guess I am not graceful enough or something. Anything where I have to move right along with someone else just isnt gonna cut it for me. I guess thats why I am better at machines and walking and such.

But I want to find some strenthening CD's that I can do just to learn the exercises. I've also thought about The Bean that someone mentioned here.

I just cant make up my mind but I know I need to step it up. Maybe I need to get a step like you Elf.

[ElfSpirit]

Yeah, I was suprised, too! And yes, it was from a relatively local company. I am really hoping this one will be nice and work well for me.

I like the idea of a small piece of equipment that you can still get a good workout on. The ones I had, although obviously not really that well-made since they didn't last too long, didn't take up a lot of space and I could move it easily to get it out of the way. And I could really work up a sweat, too. The steppers are nice, too, for getting a good cardio workout without the impact on knees and ankles as the movements you make are pretty fluid. I found that it worked well, too, for those areas that the ladies seem to focus on - glutes, hips and thighs. (Even hubby noticed a lift in my derriere! hehe) You can also work out arms and trunk section, too, while stepping, either with our without special bands.
What I like is to do a high-resistance level at a fast tempo for 30 minutes - you really feel your muscles and your heart gets pumping, you're breathing pretty hard and sweating a lot! Stretching afterwards is verrrry nice as your muscles are all warm. Then a hot shower....ahhh, super!! :c71:

[ElfSpirit]

Well, it arrived today like they said it would! I almost missed the delivery guy...was on my way out to get the groceries when I saw the van drive into my street. Yeppers, he came for me!
This machine is called a Skate Stepper or Swing Stepper. The pedals are on either side of the hydraulic base, so when you are stepping it's like a see-saw type of motion, as opposed to a stepper where the pedals are closer together and you're doing more of a "climbing stairs" motion. I tried it for a few minutes and I did feel all the muscles in my legs, especially the inner thighs (yeah!). So, I think this will work out ok!

I didn't miss my exercising this morning as I had yoga and sit-ups with stretching on today's program, so tomorrow it's business as usual!

I am so glad I didn't get delayed in my program now that I've decided to do this every day!:c58:

[ElfSpirit]

Well, the new stepper was tried out this morning...whew, what a workout! This one is going to take some getting used to, as you have to balance yourself when stepping downwards to make sure that you don't go lop-sided and keep the weight evenly distributed over both legs. It's like balancing on the middle of a see-saw, and then moving back and forth really fast! I noticed I'm using my stomach muscles a lot more with this one to keep myself steady and balanced. Many times I found myself pushing downwards more with one leg and not keeping a fluid motion going...hence, the lop-sided-ness. That will come with practice, though.
I'm happy with it, overall!

Got a 40 minute cardio workout on it and 25 minutes of sit-ups, push-ups and stretching at the end. Boy, that shower felt good afterwards! :g43:

[ElfSpirit]

I'm happy to say that this morning my hubby and I did yoga together! He's going back to the gym for his workouts, but we talked about doing a morning program together of yoga poses. Today we got to do it; yesterday hubby had to rush out the door to make his appointment he had forgotten about! LOL

It was really nice! I think I'll do a bit more cardio today, though.
We have our yoga class tonight, so I'll get some more stretching then, but I need to get my heart rate up today!

Just thought I'd share that with the group! :76:

[number4son]

I saw this in an email today:

I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape,
so I got my doctor's permission to
join a fitness club and start exercising.
I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors.
I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour.
But, by the time I got my leotards on,
the class was over.

[Christy Carol]

Bwwwwwhahahahahahaha!!!

Thats why I just wear a tee and shorts to work out in!

[MarthaK]

You all have been busy!
I am going to the gym 5-6 days a week...sometimes all 7....doing 45 minutes of cardio and 15 of strength training. I mix it up between high-resistance elliptical, stair stepper, and treadmill.

One of my goals was to get into shape so that I could meet various military PT standards. It took some work, but I can now run 2 miles in 23:30 minutes and I can race walk 3 miles in 40:30. Granted, those are within the PT standards "for a woman my age" and not the times of the 20-somethings that make up the bulk of our troops, but it's a start.

Is anyone up for some walking lunges? Nevermind, I like this new stocking jump! :c55:

[lightitup]

I have all my workout equipment in one room and do a hour of workout then I put on a nice Christmas CD and dance around the house dusting and cleaning. I live to gain weight and if it is muscle weight all the better. It is nice to see you back MarthaK.

[RadioJonD]

http://www.grimmy.com/images/MGG_Archive/MGG_2002/MGG0909.gif

[HolyNight7]

Well I finally found you. I haven't been able to find the Christmas Talk page.

My workout update. I've lost 60 pounds now. I've become an avid biker. I just got myself a new bike. I switched from a hybrid to a road bike. I bike with groups sometimes on the weekends. I'm doing a 25 mile Breast Cancer Research ride this coming Saturday. I've got the helmet with the little mirror and and the padded spandex biking shorts too. Me in spandex, heaven help us. Unfortunately these type of shorts are necessary. The padding helps to make it easier on the tender parts and the spandex is good for the muscles.

Anyway I"m glad I finally found Christmas Talk.

Got to get to work.

[Christy Carol]

I have been wondering how you were! And where you were! Glad you made it back to us!

60 pounds is great! Don't you feel so much better? I bought my elliptical so I go nuts on it most days. I am sitting right at 66 lost myself.

[HolyNight7]

Way to go Christy Carol! Ride that Elliptical. I still ride one in the mornings before work for an hour.

Yes I feel better. Not only do I feel better but I am better. I was given permission by my doctor to get off my high blood pressure medicine. I was getting real dizzy. Doc said the I lost so much weight the medicine was to strong for me. I go back in another month for a check up. I check my blood pressure at home and it has been fine.

Once again congratulations to all who are pressing on towards the goal!

[Auntie Mistletoe]

http://www.grimmy.com/images/MGG_Archive/MGG_2002/MGG0909.gif

HaHa RJD!




Nice to have you back, HN7. Congrats to you and Christy on your hard work!

I missed two days of my routine and I feel sore because I didn't make it. Once your body gets used to it, you have to keep it up. At least, I do!

I'm getting special cycle shoes on Saturday so I can clip them onto the spinning bikes at work, but they'll fit other bikes too and I'm getting the Mountain style shoes so I can actually walk in them if I have to.