I need some help figuring out the best way to lose some pounds and gain some fitness. I'm all cleared to start working out again, although I'll have to take it slow to start with. I'm going to be running 4 days a week, just some short distances for now and building back up to longer and harder runs. I've got the running plan down, but I don't know what I want to do about strength training and toning. So I'm enlisiting my wonderfully fit readers for advice. Here's what I'm working with:
- We don't have a gym membership anymore, and I am not a fan of videos.
- I have a yoga mat and 8lb hand weights as my only fitness equipment.
- I need to work on the core, butt, thighs, arms..well pretty much total body toning.
- It needs to be as efficient (aka short) as possible since I'll be cramming workouts in while Lucy is sleeping for now.
What say you??
9 comments:
Hey that bootcamp I'm doing, all we are using are hand weights and a yoga mat so you could do a lot of the exercises. It's 30 seconds of strength training and one minute of cardio for about 30 minutes. You could do upper body for 15 minutes and lower body the 2nd half. Do things like bicep curls, push ups, triceps, etc.. do as many as you can for 30 seconds. same for lower body, do squats, lunges, jump rope, etc..
If you have On Demand, there's tons of short workout videos in their fitness section. And they're free.
jump roping and mountain climbers for cardio!!!! use the weights an do yoga for strength. :)
I know you don't like videos, but I really like the strength moves on Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. The video is only about $8 on Amazon. Since the video was really hard on my knees (lots of plyometrics), I've taken to just doing the strength training and ab work, but without watching the video. Since you're running and that's all you're looking for, it might be a good idea. Her strength training moves are fantastic and definitely offer results!
Good luck!
You've gotten all the advice I was going to give! OnDemand stuff can be fickle, but it's free. 30 Day Shred is the next thing on my list to test out - I've heard only good things, and it's just a $10 investment I'm sure someone else may buy off of you if you didn't like it.
Good luck!!
You could look into FitDeck cards. They are easy, straightforward exercises in a deck of cards. I just flip a card over and do that exercise for the recommended # of reps. They have a few different versions... The set I have is equipment-free, but they have a set for use with weights, an exercise ball... Etc.
download some Jillian Michaels workout videos, can't remember the link, but google them, there are a bunch of free ones, abs, arms, core, lower. It's like having a personal trainer. all you need is a mat and weights.
I've been really bored with strength workouts lately but I know how important they are so I'm trying to get back in the habit. What I've found to work is similar to Brandi's boot camp. I hop on the elliptical for 2:30 then do chest (pushups, chest press, flyes), get back on elliptical for 2:30 and then do shoulders (3 different sets of 12-15 reps), then elliptical again for 2:30, followed by back exercises (bent over rows, pullovers on an exercise ball), another 2:30 on the elliptical and then biceps and triceps reps. Since I also need to do more lunges, I throw a couple walking ones in there as well.
I know you said you don't like videos but I'm throwing in a plug for 30 day shred as well, it's awesome and you can do it with soup cans or other house hold items if you don't have weights.
Also good--straight up push ups--try the 100 push up challenge, it's harder than it looks. I find Shape magazine or Shape.com have great ideas for at home workouts--lunges, soup can or water bottle bicep curls, squats, pushups, crunches, reverse crunches, leg lifts, all great at home tricks.
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