Hi! New to this board

Hi Everyone! Since im new on this message board you guys might have covered this but im going to ask anyway.  I would love to hear what kind of exercises you do.  What motivates you to keep going?  Do you have a favorite dvd or piece of equipment?  Ive really never been to mucn into exercising but i know i need to step it up but i need something thats going to keep my intrest.  Any advice would be great!

Hi Kate!  After surgery (lap band), my surgeon recommended that I get started with some exercise, specifically a 30" walk 2-3 times per week.  But, to be honest, I didn't get started for a few more months, when I was 4 months out & 60 lbs. down.  I had been losing well up to that point, but I knew that the second half of my weight loss would be harder, and that I needed to boost my metabolism if I wanted to maintain long-term.  So, I started getting serious about exercise after the first of the year.  I joined a gym, and used the elliptical for 20" a day, three days per week.  As part of my gym membership, one of the trainers put together a strength training program for me, using the Cybex resistance machines.  I split it into two workouts, upper body & lower body and core.  I alternated the workouts, doing one every 3rd day or so.   There are two things that kept me going, and made it fun.  My hubby bought me an iPod, which I loaded with my favorite music to listen to as I worked out.  It made all the difference in the world!  Also, I got a heart rate monitor.  That's the best piece of exercise equipment you can buy!  I bought a Polar brand, from Walmart, for about $45.00.  I went to their web site, which was included in the instructions, and calculated my resting heart rate, and from that it calculated my training heart rate zone.  By exercising in your training heart rate zone, you maximize your time spent, without over-exercising which can lead to injury or burn out.   So, I progressed gradually, and set mini-goals along the way.  I now do a spinning class 6 days a week for 45-60 minutes, plus strength training 2-3 times per week.  The best part is that I love it!  For the first time in my life, I really look forward to exercise and make it a priority.   Good luck, with whatever you choose.   Tami

Hi Kate - and welcome.  I am an "outside" fanatic - love being out side, usually walking/jogging/biking/hiking. To me, gyms are like eating canned peaches, good for you but fresh is better!  Side note:  I have belonged to gyms for long periods of time - loved the variety of things to do there, that is very valuable for cross training. The classes, yoga, aeorbics, pilates, all great to help keep it fresh. I see you live in Illinois - i was raised there, and I still felt that way there.  I would walk in snow, rain, drew the line at lightening and tornado weather and ice! LOL  I did not learn to snowshoe or cross country ski til I moved to this area - or who knows i would not have left Illinois.  My favorite piece of equipment?  My i-pod.  Being able to listen to all my own music is so cool.  I put on lots of get up and dance songs and that helps keep me going. Motivation? I would say it begins with a deep belief in the benefits of exercise and the acceptance that your body needs to move and be challenged every day. I say it's like brushing your teeth or doing your hair - those things have benefits, you make time to do those things, exercise is no less important, in my mind, it should be number one for reasons of beauty, stress management, cellular health.