Talk to me about exercise please

LovingLogan&Liam

I'm 26 yrs old, 4'11" (no, that's not a typo) and weigh 185 after two babies. I work a lot and have an ok diet. My main problem is finding the time to exercise and not getting discouraged. Is it okay to exercise late at night? What about before a meal? I have a fitness center at my apt complex that I could use from 9:30-10 pm after the boys are in bed, or a 30 day shred video I could do at 6pm right before dinner. I need to focus on everything but my stomach and thighs are the worst. Also, do you always shower after every workout? Do you have to have workout clothes or can I just throw on a tank top and some comfy shorts? All tips and suggestions are appreciated!

brittas

This might not work for everyone, but this is what I do: Right in my bedroom I will do yoga for anywhere from 15-30 minutes. I will go through the sun salutations and maybe do some eagle crunches after. I do it in my pajamas and dont shower after. its more for toning and stretching, but I feel like I accomplished something. Its perfect for your core workout. 

LovingLogan&Liam

brittas:

This might not work for everyone, but this is what I do: Right in my bedroom I will do yoga for anywhere from 15-30 minutes. I will go through the sun salutations and maybe do some eagle crunches after. I do it in my pajamas and dont shower after. its more for toning and stretching, but I feel like I accomplished sudomething. Its perfect for your core workout. 

I don't know anything about yoga. Is it easy to learn if I just find a book or video? I really need to maximize my time towards losing weight right now so maybe this isn't for me?

SoccerMama9

One word? Beachbody. 

 

I am addicted to Beachbody programs and as a mother of 2 (soon to be 3), full time job, farm, and sports I get up at 5a.m. and ?push play? (aka workout).  I choose Beachbody programs that are between 30 and 45 minutes long. 

 

For beginners I?d suggest? Slim-n-6 or even 10 Minute Trainer.  Once you?ve mastered them attack other programs such as? TurboJam, HipHop Abs, RevAbs etc.  I?m on the extreme end with INSANITY, TurboFire and ChaLEAN Extreme.  I started several friends with Slim-n-6 and they?ve had excellent results.     

brittas

If you went to youtube and searched sun salutations, I am sure many videos will pop up. Its a lil routine where you do a different pose with each breath. I found it easy to learn. Learning the salutation is a good start.

OO cupcakes OO

The best part about exercise it that you can do whatever works best for you.  

I think doing the video before dinner would be great bc it's important to refuel after a workout.  It takes calories and nutrients to build muscle and burn fat.  Also, a video will make sure you stay on track time wise so you can schedule your workout to fit with your day.

Don't feel overwhelmed.  Workout in whatever you feel comfortable in.  Workout time is your time.  

Also, diet is very important to fitness.  You need to fuel your body so don't feel like you need to starve yourself.  Clean up your eating habits, but don't count calories.  I suggest The Eat Clean Diet by Tosca Reno.  She's been such an inspiration to me.  Check out eatcleandiet.com and oxygenmag.com for some great nutrition and exercise information.  

Just try to improve your habits the best you can every day.  You can't change your lifestyle overnight, but you can do it over time.  Remember every day you're one day closer to your goal- that always motivates me.  GL to you!

meg211

OO cupcakes OO:

The best part about exercise it that you can do whatever works best for you.  

I think doing the video before dinner would be great bc it's important to refuel after a workout.  It takes calories and nutrients to build muscle and burn fat.  Also, a video will make sure you stay on track time wise so you can schedule your workout to fit with your day.

Don't feel overwhelmed.  Workout in whatever you feel comfortable in.  Workout time is your time.  

Also, diet is very important to fitness.  You need to fuel your body so don't feel like you need to starve yourself.  Clean up your eating habits, but don't count calories.  I suggest The Eat Clean Diet by Tosca Reno.  She's been such an inspiration to me.  Check out eatcleandiet.com and oxygenmag.com for some great nutrition and exercise information.  

Just try to improve your habits the best you can every day.  You can't change your lifestyle overnight, but you can do it over time.  Remember every day you're one day closer to your goal- that always motivates me.  GL to you!

  Great advice all around!  Carving out some time to exercise each day for "you time" is great, and then also try to incorporate little things that also add up during the day - like dancing, playing tag with your kids, taking the stairs vs the elevator, parking far from the door, etc...

Finding exercise and a healthy eating plan that you actually enjoy and will want to keep up for the long term is key.  There are a million different schools of thought on this, so find something you like.  The one that resonated for me is a primal lifestyle (check out marksdailyapple.com for the philosophy behind it & really motivational stories).  Keep a positive attitude about it and good luck!