Let's talk about exercise!
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| Tue, 11-16-2004 - 11:57am |
For many of us, it's beginning to get cold outside, so now is the time we're thinking about how to keep exercising through the winter if we're walkers/runners. And then of course we have some new members who undoubtedly have questions about exercising as well. Oh and don't forget those of us who can't afford/don't want to join a gym... what are we left with? Videos and DVDs!
So, let's talk about your favorite exercise videos!
For walking type, I just discovered these a month or so ago and I love them:
Prevention's Walk Your Way Slim, no equipment necessary, 3 different workout levels.
Gaiam's Get Moving! Walking for weight loss. 4 workouts, in 10 minute segments to fit any schedule.
Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone is not one of my faves anymore, but I use it when I'm just getting started because it's very, very easy in terms of moves and very low-impact.
For a more aerobic workout, I really like bellydancing! I only have one DVD, it's called Bellydance Fitness for Weight Loss "hip drop hip hop", featuring Rania. It's pretty easy too, but boy do you feel the burn because bellydancing really uses muscles we don't usually notice!
And last but not least, as far as I'm concerned you can never go wrong with Tae-Bo, although I know a lot of people don't care for it. Billy Blanks is a genius and he's very motivating. He looks straight into the camera quite a bit and speaks directly to you. Kathy Smith's kickboxing video is also very good, so I do it occasionally, but I do prefer Tae-Bo. Hers is more aerobic, I think.
I also do pilates and yoga once in a while, as well as a salsa DVD, and some tai chi. I like to change frequently so I don't get bored, but the ones listed are the ones I do frequently. The pilates and such I throw in here and there. I also do Gilad's once in a while, his TV show on FitTV.
So, any other suggestions? Comments on the ones I've listed? Talk about gyms/Curves etc, too!
- Yav
PS - speaking of Curves, I've recently read that many gyms are instituting 30 minute strength training areas/classes in their gyms, to compete with the success of Curves, so you might want to check at your gym if you belong to one. (Did I read about that on here somewhere?)

Now....do you just walk in place when you get the walking videos? I have Billy Blanks video I will at least start out with that. I am really big with weak ankles and knees. But I think I can do some of that one.
I know I can do it....I just need to get off my behind and do it.
Sussie_Q
Thats all I do is exercise at home.
The basics on the walking videos is marching in place, doing knee lifts, and kicking out front. Then they'll add some movement - walking forward and back, lifting arms, sometimes a hopping/jumping motion. It builds up slowly to the more vigorous movements.
Since you're just starting out and you have weak knees and ankles, I'd suggest starting with the Walk Away the Pounds and maybe supplement with weight training if you have/can afford either wrist/ankle weights or hand weights.
And yes, you CAN do... and I understand how hard it can be to get going (:
- Yav
- cl-Yavie, sig in still in progress :D
I am just a young girl in need of some
What a great thread, Yav! I really think Walk away the Pounds is a great starter video. I used it a lot when I was just starting to exercise. It's not challenging enough for me now, but I highly recommend it for beginners. Now I've been doing the Firm tapes, which are definitely challenging! I do the beginner moves, and have moved up to some intermediate moves. I really like those tapes a lot. You have to start slow on them, and do them a few times to get the moves down. It's not a tape you can just pop in the VCR/DVD player and follow the first time around like you can with WATP. But if you're patient, once you learn the moves they're great tapes to do.
Last year I also invested in a treadmill which I have in my basement. I used it again for the first time since last spring on Sunday, and I got a great workout on it. For some reason I feel like I work harder on the treadmill than I do when I go for a walk outside. I crank some tunes and keep increasing the speed until I'm at a good brisk pace. My basement was very cold the other day when I was doing the treadmill, and I still worked up a sweat.
I also have some strength training videos (the Firm videos also have a lot of strength training in them) and a couple of stretching tapes to help me with flexibility. I'm very inflexible and I find that doing these tapes helps with that.
That's all I can think of right now. I'm interested to hear what everyone else does for exercise.
~~Linda
~~Linda
I don't use any tapes myself. My ex husband wanted me thinner and bought me a gym membership! Ha! I didn't use it once while we were married.
One day 6 months ago I saw a Bally's they had just built and I trotted my butt in there. They have stairs ?!?!?! So they are nuts there they even want you to walk up the stairs 3 flights! to go work out.
But I usually do about 60 minutes of cardio and than run about 10 miles.
All I can say about some of my tae bo tapes.?!? They make my butt hurt.
I live in Northern California where the weather is never really too cold, but it does get too wet at times.
I am going to get that "Walk Away the Pounds" tape and use it. I think they have it at Wal-Mart.
Sussie_Q
Greetings from the Slug !
Actually, I have been getting alot better... I have a Denise Austin Pilates DVD, but no DVD palyer right now. That is not such an issue, because I known the routine. I do alot of stretching to keep limber and my muscles longer. I have been in the gym more, because when the weather hits a certain temp, cold-induced asthma kicks in and I will drown in my own runny nose. Walking isn't too bad, but if I want to run, I need to do it on a treadmill inside for the winter. And once there is ice/snow on the ground, the ONLY workout I do outside is snowboarding. I hate slipping and falling.
Today I did some power lifting at the gym after work, because I really need to tone up. Mostly my triceps, but I do all over. At work on really quiet shifts, i do squats, leg raises to the front, back and sides, calf raises, push ups off the counter, stretching...I sit most of my shift, and I swear my blood stops flowing in my lower body. I am working on toning only right now, because I can move alot of weight but put on muscle quick and don't want to be more of a beast than I am.
Oh, and I am stealing the gym scale. It is twelve pounds off in MY FAVOR. I like it. I want it in my house. Now.
Amy