Exercise - Where to start?

Mo-Mo

About 6 months ago I started to clean up my diet. I have used the advice on this board and have found it fantastic, particularly what’s in the stickies. I re-read them regularly.

I have lost weight, I didn’t have much to lose in the first place, but I definitely look less squidgy and flabby. However because I haven’t been doing any exercise my belly is still flabby, in fact because the rest of me is smaller I think my belly looks worse and bigger then before.

I don’t want to join a gym. It won’t encourage me to exercise and could turn out to be a waste of money. If I can persuade myself to exercise at home then I might join a gym further down the line but right now I’m not in a position to make the financial commitment.

I bought some good Asics (sp?) runners recently and am planning and taking up running. I’m going to start with a long fast walk until I feel fit enough to start running. Then the plan is to work up to a 10 min run and add to that after each run. And try to do that 3 times a week.

Is this a good approach? I’m not looking for life changing results, but I’d like to look leaner and feel fitter. Some people I’ve spoken to have been really enthusiastic about running. Others have suggested that it’s not that great an idea to run on roads regularly.

Should I consider buying some weights and doing some arm exercises at home? I put weight on my arms easily and since they have slimmed down recently I think it makes a big difference to how I look. Flabby arms are more obvious then a flabby tummy, or at least a tummy is easier to hide.

I guess what I’m looking for is how to start and what is the best type of exercise to do from home. I have a stretching routine that I’ll be doing before and after the run(walk). Should I be looking to do some routine with weights and where should I go to find a routine to follow.

I know this seems a bit disjointed but in a nut shell I’m a 28 year old girl who wants to start getting fit on a budget. Will running be enough (if I stick with it)? I also get a sore back and neck quiet a bit, so have been advised to take up Pilates.

justsomebloke

do you have to join a gym to get healty and lose weight, God no. Just find something that you enjoy and that gets you active and start doing it few times a week. To start off ye try running if that is what you want. Seems like you are going about it the right way aswell not trying to run a marathon in the first week as some people try to do. So start off with quick walks and then get to a point where you are happy running for a minute or 2 (or longer) and then keep on upping it until you are happy. I would also suggest doing soem what of a weight session at home, so try things like press ups, situps, dips, body weight squats or overhead squats with a broom, lunges etc etc. Doing some form of weight routine will help build up some muscle in you which will help make the weight loss a bit easier.

daymobrew

Mo-Mo wrote:

I’m going to start with a long fast walk until I feel fit enough to start running. Then the plan is to work up to a 10 min run and add to that after each run. And try to do that 3 times a week.

Try this run/walk programme that my wife really enjoyed. It starts of with more walking than running so as not to demotivate you.

Mo-Mo wrote:

Others have suggested that it’s not that great an idea to run on roads regularly.

Concrete and tarmac are hard surfaces and can be tough on you. Good shoes, which you have, help. I used to have a weak back and running didn't help. Since strengthening my back I've not had problems. You mentioned pilates - this will help get a strong core (abs and lower back).

Mo-Mo wrote:

Should I consider buying some weights and doing some arm exercises at home?

Definitely. Don't be afraid to use relatively heavy weights. You won't have enough testosterone to end up with big muscles but they will tone you. Too often women use super light weights which are relatively useless.

Mo-Mo

Thanks for both of your replies. I' feeling a bit more confident about this now.

About the weights, can either of you suggest a web site that might have a routine on it I could follow. I know I respond to having a system or routine to follow better then just making it up myself. Plus I don't want to do any damage.