What weight-loss exercises can I do (or cheap exercise machine I can buy) while watching TV at home?

[Anonymous]

Need to get rid of the holiday excess weight gain. With two kids and a job, I think the best time would be starting at 8:30 or 9 pm, which has traditionally been TV or folding laundry time with DH.

I'm reluctant to spend hundreds on a large machine we don't have space for, but would love to hear suggestions on either exercises I can do myself (while watching TV) or a foldable or storable machine I could use (under $100).

[Anonymous]

Thigh master.

[Anonymous]

Ha, I want the same thing, but I am thinking of a treadmill, setting up in basement with TV with DVD player and binge watching shows I've never seen - like downton abbey.

WIll probably spend more than $100 - but hoping to score something decennt on Craig's List. Fingers crossed.

You can always do yoga or a calisthenics routine (like sit-ups, lunges, pushups, and squats). There are a million challenges online that ramp up the number of exercises you do each day.

[Anonymous]

Also a set of weights and an exercise ball will increase the amount of exercises you can do significantly.

[Anonymous]

I have an elliptical that was less than $300, and I do Jillian michaels on the iPad while watching TV.

[Anonymous]

You cannot do any weight loss exercises. Abs are made in the kitchen. That means that weight loss is 99.9% diet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You cannot do any weight loss exercises. Abs are made in the kitchen. That means that weight loss is 99.9% diet.

I mostly agree with this--though I'd say it's more like 85%, not 99.9...

OP, I think to truly get in shape, you will need to incorporate strength training, weights into your fitness routine. I LOVE videos by Jari Love. You can do her routines with minimal equipment--get a few sets of weights (I'd start with 3lb, 5lb, and 8 lb) and if you have one, a step. I've also heard great things about Cathe Friedrich, but I haven't tried any of her videos personally.

[Anonymous]

Ellipticals don't take up much space, and you could probably find a pretty cheap used one on Craigslist. (caution: you get what you pay for. The cheap ones have a clunkier motion and generally don't feel as stable as the ones at the gym.)

Other than that - buy a yoga mat, a kettlebell, some cheap dumbbells of various weights, a set of resistance bands and an exercise ball. Get a subscription to Fitness magazine (they're cheap) to find routines. Also - planks. Google variations on plank pose - and see how many minutes you can do every day in variations on plank. (one leg raised, one arm raised, one arm + opposite leg raised, side plank, plank jumping jacks, going from plank to forearms and back up, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Buy free weights and a series of workout DVDs. There's a new P90x series where all the workouts are just 30 minutes. I'd buy that if I were you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy free weights and a series of workout DVDs. There's a new P90x series where all the workouts are just 30 minutes. I'd buy that if I were you.

This. Don't waste of ton of money on machines. You can get a great workout with some 5 lb weights and work out video.

[Anonymous]

a jump rope.

[Anonymous]

I used to have a NordicTrak that was AWSOME…it's quiet, so I watched TV while doing it. Lost a ton of weight--post-baby and post-holiday weight. Had it for years; only gave it up 2 years ago and honestly I don't even remember why (except one of my friends was drooling over it and I gave it to them because I was on a running streak at that time. A mistake, in retrospect)

[Anonymous]

I've got Tracy Anderson DVDs and I work out at home, plus I have a treadmill at home, so if I want to do some running, if it's cold outside. Some routine are also listed here: http://homegym-exercises.com/workout_routine/losing_weight_and-burning_fat_without_weights_and_equipment.html It is definitely tougher mentally to work out at home!

[Anonymous]

Google 7 minute workout. You can do it in front of TV without spending any money. Your intensity will probably be lower (so think of it as a 21 minute workout), but it's a good start.

[Anonymous]

This may not be a popular opinion, but I'd say you're doing it wrong if you're exercising while watching television. If you're working with the requisite intensity, then you risk injury by checking in with the screen.

I agree with the posters who've said that you ought not to buy an expensive machine but should focus on things you can do with your own bodyweight (like yoga or Pilates) or small free weights. Kettle bells are great if you know what you're doing with them, but you need to learn the basic movements first so you don't risk injury. (Lots of good YouTube videos out there).

I also agree with the posters who've said that you should focus more on what you're putting in your body. The strength and fitness component will only take you so far because "you can't out-train bad nutrition."