Newbie to exercising

MoochNNoodles · Mar 20, 2013

I've recently started making some physical exercise a more routine part of my life. I need some "me" time and to do something to feel good about me. That I need to loose weight is no secret; but I know for me, if I go all out right from the gate I'll quickly loose interest. So I'm going slow and just making little changes first. I'm not even thinking about the number on the scale.

I really am out of shape. I know if I take a long walk I'll be tired. If it's uphill I'll need to stop to rest. I had a heart murmur that lasted until my early 20's but I've since been cleared of it. But as a kid I was told not to push it too hard; if it bothered me I was told to stop. I wish I'd never heard that. It makes me feel like I've got farther to climb than others. So I'm doing it "my way."

Step one is making my exercise bike a part of my day. This is the first week I've been on it every day. I'm able to read on my kindle while I ride and it's a tremendous help. I can see a TV; but it's not as helpful as reading. It's low strain and I can go at my own pace and I like that. But I still get my heart rate up. I don't expect to increase my intensity with that for a bit. My problem with the bike is that the seat HURTS!! Even with an extra bike seat on top. It's an upright bike which is fine. But the first few minutes today especially were hard to get myself settled on it. I have to change positions every 10 minutes or so. I'm not sure if I can do anything about that. After I get off I find my seat has also gone to sleep. Talk about a bizarre feeling!! Is it there? Is it not there?

Someday I hope to bring my treadmill back into the picture and DH's Total Gym for some weight training. But that's putting the cart before the horse.

My other problem; wanting to drift right off to sleep once I'm done! And for several hours afterward. I have 2 small, active kids and they are up from nap time not long after I finish. I'm sitting here trying to keep my eyes open! I used to do Pilate's when that was the big thing and there were times I'd finish the last exercise, lay back on the floor and fall right to sleep! I'd move my bike time to after they are in bed; but I'm afraid I'd use being tired as an excuse.

So that's where I am in the changes for me. I do not want to give up on doing this for myself. Whats do they say? 21 days to create a habit? I've got a bit to go; but I'm taking it one day at a time and trying to laugh at myself in the meantime!

pushylady · Mar 20, 2013

good on ya! :clap:

I've just started keeping an exercise log to encourage myself to exercise every day. I hope to increase what I do, but like you, I recognize that I've got to start slowly and be realistic in order to make this a long term habit. We're looking for a secondhand Wii Fit to add to the mix. I figure if it's fun to do then it won't so hard to get motivated.

catspaw66 · Mar 20, 2013

have you tried looking for a "beach cruiser" seat? Here is what I am talking about.

www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Cloud-9-Bicycle-Suspension-Tri-color/dp/B000H87PUI/ref=lp_3404731_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1363822095&sr=1-3

It is the Sunlight Cloud 9 seat, in case the link doesn't work.

After exercise, try something with caffeine in it. Not a lot, just enough to perk you up a bit.

catbehaviors · Mar 20, 2013

Try doing something fun to get in your exercise. Try hiking with your family, going cycling, or joining a tai chi class.. When you're having fun it's a lot easier not to think about how tired you are. It's easy to want to give up when you're doing something that feels pointless.

Winchester · Mar 21, 2013

Congratulations, Mooch!

I read that, too, that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. You do what you can when you can. As you get better, you can add things. Just be careful....don't do too much too quickly and you should be fine.

When I was in college, I had to walk up a steep hill to the science building for my Soils classes and my Geology classes. I thought I was going to die til I got to that building. I had to stop and take a break, but that didn't really help because I was a 2-pack a day smoker, too. Marlboro 100s....loved those things. When I was finally able to quit smoking, that's when I really packed on the weight. I weighed almost 200 pounds before I realized I was still slowly killing myself, only with food instead of cigarettes. I lost about 75 pounds in six months; lost my gall bladder in the process, too......I wouldn't recommend trying to lose weight quickly. It won't work. Trust me on that.

I started out by walking around the block at work, which is just a wee bit over one mile. Did that for a month or so. Then gradually increased the distance until I was up to 3 miles....that's pretty much all I can do over my lunch break; I only get an hour for lunch, so til I change into walking clothes, walk, change back into work clothes, and then grab a low-fat yogurt, my break is over.

How does your DH feel about you exercising? The reason I'm asking is because Rick is so supportive of me. I had first started walking in March (you know, it's probably been 12 years now that I've been walking!) and when we hit the cold weather that winter, he went right out and bought me good gloves, snow sneakers (LL Bean), long underwear, and neck warmer, YakTrax, everything I needed. He said that he didn't want me coming up with excuses as to why I couldn't walk. Then we decided to buy the treadmill (and that thing has become my best friend....I love my treadmill) and I can't even begin to tell you how many miles I've put on that thing. Still doing a love-hate relationship with the elliptical, but I'm really working on it. Rick has always been willing to try new recipes that are healthier for us. We still do meatless at least once a week, although it may not always be on Monday anymore.

I've also found that as I progressed, I no longer felt so tired. When I first started, I was pooped and all I wanted to do was take a nap.....my body wasn't used to actually doing something. As I kept going, it got better. (I've been trying to talk one of my GFs into walking with me a couple times a week; she is complaining because she has diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure....she's also about 50 pounds overweight. And she had a quadruple bypass about four years ago. But she's says she too tired to walk. And she probably is.)

I've kept an exercise log now for about ten years. It helps to keep me motivated, I think.

As long as I exercise I can keep the weight off. And the really good news is that, although I have high blood pressure (it's genetic; I think everybody in my family has HBP), I can pretty much keep it under control by walking. I went from taking 200 mg of Toprol (a beta-blocker) for my HBP (and it wasn't working!) to taking 12 mg of Bystolic, another beta-blocker. When I started walking and the weight started coming off, my doctor had to decrease the dosage because my BP got too low and I started blacking out. As long as I walk, my BP is fine and stays within a normal range. To me, walking is a medication in itself....and I honestly believe that.

Remember that you didn't put the weight on overnight and you won't get it off overnight. But if you keep working at it, you WILL get it off. And you WILL feel better, too. Kudos to you!

ETA: I read somewhere, but don't remember where, that walking (briskly) for about 15 minutes is enough to lower your BP for about 12 hours. My doctor told me that walking helps to decrease the levels of bad cholesterol. I don't know if it's true, but it's enough to keep me going.

AbbysMom · Mar 21, 2013

Yes, definitely take it slow at first. I thought I was all cool last week and could push it and hurt my knee.

I'm slowly trying to get back to where I was.

I have a bike too, but it is a recumbent one, so the seat isn't a problem. The boredom is. I do use my tablet and that helps a real lot. The bike is my last resort though, I really prefer to walk.

I downloaded a walking app for my phone that keeps track of time, distance, etc and that seems to keep me more motivated. Maybe we should start an exercise thread in the Weight Loss group to keep us all honest and motivated.

MoochNNoodles · Mar 21, 2013

pushylady said:
good on ya!

I've just started keeping an exercise log to encourage myself to exercise every day. I hope to increase what I do, but like you, I recognize that I've got to start slowly and be realistic in order to make this a long term habit. We're looking for a secondhand Wii Fit to add to the mix. I figure if it's fun to do then it won't so hard to get motivated.

I have a Wii and a few games that you have to get up and move around for. It's been a while since I've had it out! My BFF got some dance game that she does with or without her kids. Its got Michael Jackson music to it is all I remember about it; but they love it and it gets you moving. I'm terribly uncoordinated when it comes to dancing (when I tried to learn to country line dance I kicked people!) so maybe that's for when I'm alone! haha!

catspaw66 said:
have you tried looking for a "beach cruiser" seat? Here is what I am talking about.

www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Cloud-9-Bicycle-Suspension-Tri-color/dp/B000H87PUI/ref=lp_3404731_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1363822095&sr=1-3

It is the Sunlight Cloud 9 seat, in case the link doesn't work.

After exercise, try something with caffeine in it. Not a lot, just enough to perk you up a bit.

That seat looks really neat! I'm going to measure the one I have and see how it compares. If it'll help; it's worth the $20! I feel like my bones are bruised!

AbbysMom said:
Yes, definitely take it slow at first. I thought I was all cool last week and could push it and hurt my knee.

I'm slowly trying to get back to where I was.

I have a bike too, but it is a recumbent one, so the seat isn't a problem. The boredom is. I do use my tablet and that helps a real lot. The bike is my last resort though, I really prefer to walk.

I downloaded a walking app for my phone that keeps track of time, distance, etc and that seems to keep me more motivated. Maybe we should start an exercise thread in the Weight Loss group to keep us all honest and motivated.

I like walking outdoors but I get nervous on my street. I'm on a country road but it's fairly well traveled and some people just speed way too much. There is a good shoulder. When I've walked with DD in the stroller I'm always looking back to keep an eye on traffic in all directions. And I hop off on the shoulder when I have to. There is also a park with a partially wooded walking trail that DH and I go on sometimes; I'm just a little paranoid about walking alone I guess. I've always felt like it's too much pressure to have an accountability partner. I need to feel like being accountable to myself is why I'm doing it I guess. Does that make sense? I have to want to do it for me, first.

MoochNNoodles · Mar 21, 2013

Winchester said:
Congratulations, Mooch!

I read that, too, that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. You do what you can when you can. As you get better, you can add things. Just be careful....don't do too much too quickly and you should be fine.

When I was in college, I had to walk up a steep hill to the science building for my Soils classes and my Geology classes. I thought I was going to die til I got to that building. I had to stop and take a break, but that didn't really help because I was a 2-pack a day smoker, too. Marlboro 100s....loved those things. When I was finally able to quit smoking, that's when I really packed on the weight. I weighed almost 200 pounds before I realized I was still slowly killing myself, only with food instead of cigarettes. I lost about 75 pounds in six months; lost my gall bladder in the process, too......I wouldn't recommend trying to lose weight quickly. It won't work. Trust me on that.

I started out by walking around the block at work, which is just a wee bit over one mile. Did that for a month or so. Then gradually increased the distance until I was up to 3 miles....that's pretty much all I can do over my lunch break; I only get an hour for lunch, so til I change into walking clothes, walk, change back into work clothes, and then grab a low-fat yogurt, my break is over.

How does your DH feel about you exercising? The reason I'm asking is because Rick is so supportive of me. I had first started walking in March (you know, it's probably been 12 years now that I've been walking!) and when we hit the cold weather that winter, he went right out and bought me good gloves, snow sneakers (LL Bean), long underwear, and neck warmer, YakTrax, everything I needed. He said that he didn't want me coming up with excuses as to why I couldn't walk. Then we decided to buy the treadmill (and that thing has become my best friend....I love my treadmill) and I can't even begin to tell you how many miles I've put on that thing. Still doing a love-hate relationship with the elliptical, but I'm really working on it. Rick has always been willing to try new recipes that are healthier for us. We still do meatless at least once a week, although it may not always be on Monday anymore.

I've also found that as I progressed, I no longer felt so tired. When I first started, I was pooped and all I wanted to do was take a nap.....my body wasn't used to actually doing something. As I kept going, it got better. (I've been trying to talk one of my GFs into walking with me a couple times a week; she is complaining because she has diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure....she's also about 50 pounds overweight. And she had a quadruple bypass about four years ago. But she's says she too tired to walk. And she probably is.)

I've kept an exercise log now for about ten years. It helps to keep me motivated, I think.

As long as I exercise I can keep the weight off. And the really good news is that, although I have high blood pressure (it's genetic; I think everybody in my family has HBP), I can pretty much keep it under control by walking. I went from taking 200 mg of Toprol (a beta-blocker) for my HBP (and it wasn't working!) to taking 12 mg of Bystolic, another beta-blocker. When I started walking and the weight started coming off, my doctor had to decrease the dosage because my BP got too low and I started blacking out. As long as I walk, my BP is fine and stays within a normal range. To me, walking is a medication in itself....and I honestly believe that.

Remember that you didn't put the weight on overnight and you won't get it off overnight. But if you keep working at it, you WILL get it off. And you WILL feel better, too. Kudos to you!

ETA: I read somewhere, but don't remember where, that walking (briskly) for about 15 minutes is enough to lower your BP for about 12 hours. My doctor told me that walking helps to decrease the levels of bad cholesterol. I don't know if it's true, but it's enough to keep me going.

I'm really hoping the tired part will pass. You've encouraged me! DH was a big runner in high school especially; track and cross country. He ran for a college on a scholarship for a while before joining the military. He'd probably still run now if he wasn't always so busy with work (which keeps him active) and the kids. He loves to hike (backpacking when possible). I used to like hiking more too. I was asking him about why I'm so tired immediately afterward. He's probably never been this out of shape.

DH has always been kind to me about it. Never making me feel bad for my body; just wanting me to be healthy but mostly staying quiet on the subject because he knows me, if he pushes my instinct is to pull back. It's helped; because it can be intimidating having him so different from me in that department. I wont even try working out with him. When we walk together now it's more of a stroll than anything. I love walking on the beach with him when we have "date" time.

It sounds silly for as overweight as I am; but I'm pretty darn proud and also grateful that I weigh no more than before I had either of my kids! I've maintained my weight where it is for about 5 years; it's just not a good weight!

I had a hard time with the elliptical when I was in college. I liked it; but I'd have to concentrate so I wouldn't fall off!

I've actually had that problem with my treadmill too. I've never been able to tell if it was my treadmill or me but I almost fell off more than a few times. Another reason why walking outside is easier sometimes! I also had times where I almost blacked out while working out. I always caught myself before it happened. It used to happen even back when I was in the 8th and 9th grade during my private flute lessons. I was in good shape back then too.

binkyhoo · Mar 26, 2013

Here is a real weird idea for the bike. This will depend upon how your bike is configured but....

My bike was real uncomfortable to sit on, so what i did was put a kitchen chair in front of it faceing toward the bike. I sat on the chair and stradled the front wheel area with my legs to reach the pedals and pedaled it backwards. It was much like a recumbant bike. Just dont ask me to draw you a picture.

Hey! It worked!

catsallaround · Mar 26, 2013

I got a recumbent bike just cause I tried the regular bike and it was to uncomfortable. I paid about 110 shipped for mine. Ok ok. my butt is big...you would think all that padding would make any seat ok to use but...Lol.

Have you had that looked into about HOW tired you get after working out. Seems unusual to me. I have Lyme and get tired doing nothing lol. Maybe you are missing something from diet, or a supplement may help. I use alot of b12

How about moving exercise time to right before they go down. Maybe let older one do a bit of exercise to a dvd.

I am quite a bit overweight. I know it makes my life harder.

MoochNNoodles · Mar 26, 2013

binkyhoo said:
Here is a real weird idea for the bike. This will depend upon how your bike is configured but....

My bike was real uncomfortable to sit on, so what i did was put a kitchen chair in front of it faceing toward the bike. I sat on the chair and stradled the front wheel area with my legs to reach the pedals and pedaled it backwards. It was much like a recumbant bike. Just dont ask me to draw you a picture.

Hey! It worked!

I could sure try it! I'd have to see if my legs are long enough. I'm average height but the back legs of the bike have a curve that is kind of weird. I'll try that when no one is looking!

If it works it could end up being 2 bikes in one!

catsallaround said:
I got a recumbent bike just cause I tried the regular bike and it was to uncomfortable. I paid about 110 shipped for mine. Ok ok. my butt is big...you would think all that padding would make any seat ok to use but...Lol.

Have you had that looked into about HOW tired you get after working out. Seems unusual to me. I have Lyme and get tired doing nothing lol. Maybe you are missing something from diet, or a supplement may help. I use alot of b12

How about moving exercise time to right before they go down. Maybe let older one do a bit of exercise to a dvd.

I am quite a bit overweight. I know it makes my life harder.

I have quite a lot of weight I could stand to loose. I could definitely weigh more; but I'm still not ready to share numbers.

I'm a stay-at-home-mom and the kids keep me busy! I'm alone with them all but a short time in the evenings. I think I may be doing my bike time too close to that mid afternoon energy plunge anyway. I think if it keeps up longer I'll look into it. I'm dealing better with my seat; though it's still uncomfortable and I walk funny for a few minutes after I get off!

I'm trying to sneak a power nap in after I get off too.

Newbie to exercising

MoochNNoodles

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pushylady

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catspaw66

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catbehaviors

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Winchester

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AbbysMom

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MoochNNoodles

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MoochNNoodles

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binkyhoo

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catsallaround

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