What would you do for a fitness plan w/ this schedule?

[Anonymous]

Now that my child is 18 months, I really need to do something to get fit. I have identified 3 times during the week that I can devote to exercise. They are Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Fridays (probably mornings).

I have never been very athletic and bounce around b/w different activities but never really stick with anything. I've done step aerobics, DVDs at home, a little jogging, and now I am thinking about spinning.

The one thing I love is walking but I need to step it up. Walking won't get me the results I want. I also enjoy weight training but need guidance with this.

So if you were me...would you:

A) join a gym to try out different classes and have access to machines, etc.
B) get a personal trainer
C) do a different activity each day on my own
D) something else entirely? Pilates?

Thanks so much.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford a personal trainer I'd recommend that. When I work out on my own I never get up to the intensity and motivation that I need to actually make a difference. And, having the appointments will keep you going without the ability to make excuses.

[Anonymous]

If you are new to working out a trainer can be great to help you get started, and teach you a lot about working out using your own body weight, and about pushing yourself to work harder than you think you can, etc.

I was a total gym rat and yoga class person before I had a baby, and now I just don't have the time to keep up my old routines. But working out is so important to me I make the time.

Three days a week is plenty. Don't underestimate walking, it is great for you, especially if you do a brisk walk.

But, if you can get to the gym 2x a week I think gyms are great. In a short amount of time you can do a quick cardio routine and fit in strength training. If you do decide to get a personal trainer, I would stress that you want to learn circuit training, and that you want to learn exercises you can do with free weights, your own body weight, etc. I have never understood paying someone to watch you do a chest press on a machine. A few machines would be okay, but I worked with a trainer for a while and he gave me a lot of tools to work out at home.

If you don't want to the gym, you can do so much with a little space, some dumbbells, a mat, an exercise ball, and a resistance band. Seriously can do several full body routines.

I typically work out 2x a week at lunch, usually warm up with a quick walk on the treadmill and then do a quick circuit training routine, using mainly free weights (not machines). I work up a light sweat but not enough to have to do a full shower, hair wash, etc. We have a little gym in my office building which is great. Then I try to make it to my gym once on the weekend for the same thing, maybe a bit more intense since I have more time and can sweat more. On my one day off a week and on the weekends I do stroller walks with my baby to fit in walking. It's not what I was doing before but it's something. What I can't fit in is yoga but I'm hoping to start going to classes again at some point in the next year. My baby just turned one and time away from her is just too precious right now!

Shape magazine has been a great resource for me - you could try their website to learn some strength moves or just google stuff - with the internet you can get free video instruction of different exercises. This is a great website for women looking to get started - just makes it very basic: http://www.stumptuous.com/

I could go on and on. In case it's not obvious my dream job is to help people increase their physical activity and get fit and healthy. I'd love to work with people one on one but instead I'm work on the policy side to promote health and physical activity, especially in children.

Congratulations on making the decision and carving out the time. I think being active a few times a week is so important!!!

[Anonymous]

I'd probably join a gym and do a full-body weight circuit 3 days a week. I do about 20 reps of 15-20 machines at Golds and it takes very little time. I'd follow that up with as much cardio as time allows - either focus on one type of cardio you love (running, spinning) or alternate one day of running, one day of elliptical/arc, one day of stationary biking.

Plus at the right gym (one convenient to your home or work, with convenient hours), you'd have access to the personal training staff and classes if you felt like using those amenities.

This only applies if you have the time and motivation to actually get to the gym. Some people don't! if that's the case, then you'd want to find activities that you could do from home.

[Anonymous]

I have the opposite problem -- I find going to the gym a total hassle and time-waster (could be exercising in that time spent going there and back!). Jogging and pushups are the easiest way for me to get fit. I find that I only get really fit if I go for 45 mins or more.

As you are getting fit, jog-walk -- jog until you are out of breath and need a break, then walk until you feel ready to go again. Repeat over and over. Before long you will cut out the walk breaks.

Invest in good shoes that fit.

[Anonymous]

I would join a gym, and perhaps use a personal trainer affiliated with the gym for the first month or so of workouts so that he/she can get you going.

[Anonymous]

I would take into consideration the time it takes to get to the gym and back before considering that option. I ended up cancelling my gym membership because I rarely had time to get to the gym, workout, and get back - at least not without me using up all my "daddy watching the kid time", so I stuck with things I can do at home (so I can do during naptime, after bedtime, or when my DH is watching him - but it takes less time).

[Anonymous]

I was in a similar boat post baby and the thing that I have managed to stick to is circuit training type classes at the gym 2 times a week. These are the weight/squat/minimal cardio classes that work all of your muscule groups in 45 minutes. I found that post baby #2 I was one flabby chic even if not fat, particularly my arms and stomach. I dream of running again but I haven't started that up again.

So join a gym and look for these classes - hopefully they will fall when you can go. I also like spinning and it is a rocking work out.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for the points to consider...The gym is close by so it doesn't take long to get there. Just wondering if I will really go. Went once (free trial) and it was okay, but I only used the elliptical. Worked up a good sweat but of course I don't push myself as hard as someone else would...OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone for the points to consider...The gym is close by so it doesn't take long to get there. Just wondering if I will really go. Went once (free trial) and it was okay, but I only used the elliptical. Worked up a good sweat but of course I don't push myself as hard as someone else would...OP

Do intervals on the elliptical. Go all out- as hard as you can- for one minute, then recover for 2 minutes. Repeat, repeat, repeat! I did that for 45-50 minutes (but 6 x/week) and lost my baby weight super fast. When you know the recovery time is coming up, it is easier to power through the hard part.

[Anonymous]

I know there have been other postings on this site on this DVD, but I highly recommend the "30 Day Shred" It is amazing and you get fit so quickly in 20 (really 30) minutes a day.