What's your gym routine?

Tomorrow is the day I'm finally (I say finally, it's only been 6 weeks) cleared to move on from walking to more exercise as tolerated and I can't wait. I joined my local (beautiful) YMCA this weekend and can't wait to get started.

I know I want/need to do more than just go and walk on the flat treadmill at 3.0, or whatever, for 30 minutes - but I'm not sure where to begin. I've been googling beginner gym routines and have found some great interval workouts for beginnings etc. But...

What's your favorite gym routine? Any favorite websites to share?

PS. Who am I? "I can't wait" and exercise have never crossed these lips before - I love what WLS has done for me!

When I first started at the gym, I started slow walking on the treadmill.  As I got braver, I branched out.  My goal was always to be consistent, be gradual but always do more.  I joined a gym at the end of January and I couldn't run 1 minute without feeling like I was going to die!  Now, I can run 4 miles without stopping. This weekend, I will be attempting my first 5 mile run.  I know I can do it.  Find something you enjoy.  If you don't know how something works and you want to use it, ask!  Good luck to you!

Hey AnnyBananny!

Congrats on getting back into working out. A year ago it had been a long time for me in having a regular workout routine so I wanted to ease back into it. I personally think the treadmill is boring, but loved the elliptical so I started out doing that a few times per week. Then I jumped into a Zumba class. No weights just moving my body. Soon after I started doing a class at my local why called RIPPED that took Zumba and added in body sculpting moves. After doing that for a while I started doing a mini boot camp class with some ab work and then straight bootcamp. Before I knew it I was working out 7 days a week, adding in some swimming and Spin cycling classes.  Now I have completed 3 5Ks (2 were mud run/obstacles) and gotten very, very strong. 

I say all of this to say, try things out. Go into classes and just try. I never would have thought I could do bootcamp just by looking at it, but I ended up taking that plunge. The only way to know what is best for you is to be willing to be daring.

And most of all, find something you love and get excited to do. That's what keeps you going back. Good luck!

Karen

I have been going to the gym for about 6 months or so. I began walking on the treadmill for about a half hour at 3.5, 1.0 incline. Then I slowly worked my way up increasing speed. I was able to run for 3 minutes straight....out of breath but continuously. I am now able to run a MILE!!! 4.5 speed, incline 1.0. It takes me 13 minutes. I spend about 45 mins on the treadmile. running 1 and half miles. walk and run alternating for 3 miles. Then I do 20 squats with a 10lb weight. 40 lifts with a 10 lbs weight. its all about consistancy. the more consistant you are, you will be build your endurance and get more out of your workouts :). good luck

danslilady...very impressive. I hope to get to where you are at one day running wise. very impressive.

I am 10 weeks post sleeve and just met with a trainer the other day. I had been doing just the treadmill and elliptical for the past month and wanted to move on to something different. I used to go to the gym before surgery and did spin class and body pump. Have been advised against doing those at this point since I don't take in a lot of calories.

My trainer has me doing 30 min of strength training on the days I go to the gym followed by 30 min of cardio. I break it up into sections. 1 day I may do chest and arms and then 30 min on the treadmill at 3.5 and an incline of 6. The next I may do abs and legs and then the elliptical. Vary the routines. it helps confuse the muscles which is what helps to tone them.

Start out slow. Maybe increase the speed on the treadmill and add some incline. Then maybe do some arm exercises. Low weight and 10-15 reps X3. I waited a few extra weeks to add in the abdominal exercises to give things a little longer to heal.

Good Luck...