Exercise suggestions

 As I get closer to goal, I want to increase my exercise to build up my muscle mass a bit so I will be better able to maintain when I switch to maintenance mode.  A couple of months ago I joined Curves gym, which is a lightweight circuit workout for ladies.  I hadn't exercised much other than walking in years so I needed to start somewhere.  I bought a bike a couple of days ago and plan on riding a few days a week in addition to going to Curves.

I thought maybe others could share what form of exercise they do to give  the rest of us some ideas.  Ideally, I'd like to have 3 or 4 different types of exercise so I can rotate to prevent boredom.  

So, what forms of exercise do you do and what do you like about it?   Thanks for sharing.  

 I am a member of 24hour fittness and I take their group classes Monday through Friday mornings which consist of, Body Pump, 24S.E.T (which is cardio and weights), TKB (kick boxing), Zumba, Pilates and Yoga. Everyday is something different.

I have a treadmill at home and I also do my exercise video's "The Firm" and "Turbo Fire"

The Firm is cardio and weights and Turbo Fire is kick boxing, which I'm actually starting to like a lot!!!!
I found both these programs from an informercial on TV.
I do Pilates and Yoga the least of everything because I feel if I am going to take the time to exercise I really want to wake everything up, move and sweat. Those two are my least favorite and boring for me.

I also like to go on a 4 mile walk outside my neighborhood.

So as you can see, I'm constantly switching it up to keep it interesting.  The bad part is when I just stop doing any of it for a long period of time, that's when I get myself in trouble and start to eat a lot more and the pounds come on.

Shhhhhhh! I know the secret!  ! Eat less and exercise more, you will see the results and feel GREAT!

Good Luck, everyone!

I've been working with a trainer a couple of days/week, since last December, since she works me harder than I work myself and switches things up all the time. We do free weights, pylometrics, machines, lunges, squats, presses, cables, etc. I was taking a Reformer Pilates up until the last couple of weeks, since I decided I wanted to do something different. TRX is a total body conditioning workout and is challenging. Zumba didn't work for me, because I am so uncoordinated, but many people like it. This week, I'm going to incorporate a Spin class. I am too short for some of the ellipiticals, which would be a great workout.

I also use interval training on the treadmill, use the rowing machine, and just started using the Stairmill (trying to develp more muscle mass in my butt). I walk for about 30 minutes during my lunch time, when I am at work. I do this about 3-4 days/week.

Gail

Thanks for your responses; both of you are really getting in a lot of exercise. We do have a 24 hour fitness here and a California Fitness. I thought I might look into them after I've been exercising for about 6 months. I should have built up some muscles by then.

I like the idea of taking classes which I think would motivate me more than working on my own. I'd like to try a spin class and Zumba and maybe kickboxing. Thanks for the suggestions...anyone else interested in starting a new exercise program?

I would start doing weight training NOW. Curves is okay for just starting out, but it isn't enough to build serious lean muscle mass. I started with a trainer twice/week and a Pilates class, when I first began to exercise, because I was in poor physical shape, looked like a melted candle from the rapid weight loss, and knew that the quickest way to become stronger and more fit was to work with a trainer. The results happen pretty quickly and by six months, my trainer is giving me kudos for how far I have come. I still have and will have loose skin, but it would be so much worse, if I had not started weight training.

I am 57 and need to build and keep every bit of muscle that I can muster, since as we age, we lose lean muscle mass, which decreases our metabolism and contributes to weight gain. If we don't do strength training, we WILL put on weight and be more open to osteoporosis. ALL of the research states this.

Classes are great and many of them incorportate using weights into the various routines. The important thing is to keep moving. Zumba, spinning, and kickboxing would be great exercise.

I'm pretty good about getting in at least 4 days/week, but need to ramp it up for the long term.

Gail

Around here (So Cal) you can't swing a cat without hitting a small private gym.  I've been going to one that offers indoor "boot camp" classes for groups of no more than 12, plus I do personal training with one of the trainers there.  I do three classes and two training sessions a week, plus I do two semi-private tap dancing classes a week.   I've had personal trainers at 24 Hour Fitness and believe me, this is a whole 'nother thing.  They work with me individually and at my pace and fitness level, and it's just amazing how much progress I've made in three months, both in strength and endurance.  It totally kicks my butt but I love it!

If there is such a thing in your area, I'd suggest visiting and talking to a trainer and checking it out.  Yes, it's expensive, but it's absolutely the best money I spend!

A few months ago, I was telling my brother that the training was expensive, and his response was priceless. He said that some things, one cannot put a price on. He was so right. The gifts of strength, endurance, and health are priceless. I feel so fortunate that I have the ability to exercise. What a change from the past, when I disliked it.

Gail

I second the smaller fitness studios...the true one on one attention and overall results are why I keep going. I do two group classes and two semi private training sessions each week plus I've just discovered how much fun hiking is with friends on Saturday mornings! Since you're up in NorCal, I know there are many beautiful and challenging outdoor activities all around.

I hope you find a few things that keep you interested because it really does feel good to move and be alive!!! Good luck :)

I'm lucky enough to have a gym and pool here in my condo.  I also live on Lake Merritt so that I can walk outside and be on a path that's 3.25+ miles around the lake.  When the weather is beautiful, I walk the long leg of the lake to work, then the last half mile home in the evening.  I bought this place in 2003 to encourage me to walk because I don't have to drive anywhere and it's so easy.

I plan my exercise with WLS friends as well.  We take pilates mat classes together every Thursday night.  We walk the lake every Friday.  We all signed up for a Social Deals Pilates Reformer classes together.  We've done Yoga classes and a Yoga retreat.  I have a friend who lives upstairs that I was walking with daily until she tore her miniscus and is having surgery this week.

I recently signed up for Groupons for a month of unlimited flow yoga,  10 Bikram yoga classes, another yoga series that I can't remember right now.  It's a way to try new things and keep it fresh and not boring.

I use my 30-40 minute lunch break to take a really fast walk through downtown Oakland with a co-worker.  Any opportunity to move is a good one.

When I return from vacation at the end of June, I want to hire a trainer to help me get my weight machine routine together. 

That all said, the biggest key for me is getting people to do things with me.  I don't break commitments with others as quickly as I break them to myself.

I've had a personal trainer 3 days a week for over 12 years.  And once I got the VSG, the weight melted off.  I am not one for group classes and like to do my cardio solo.  So my schedule is heavy weight lifting 3 times a week for an hour followed by 30 minutes on either the step mill or elliptical.  I've actually cut my cardio down from 1 hour 5 days a week so that I don't continue to lose weight.

Laura