How do you Exercise?

[Sparkling]

Growing up I've been "pushed" by my parents go do more exercising, a.k.a. join some sport. I used to play tennis, but I stopped because of the people I had to train with (and that crazy-assed attitude you need to join a competition some 250 km away twice a month ). After that joining another sport was impossible, I was too old! They don't take in newbies when you're older than 12 or something (and 12 is a stretch!). Did a very short lived try with jogging which bore my mind out. Did slalom which I love but the preparation time! Not to mention I have to convince someone to drive and pick me up since the buses don't go anywhere near the slalom tracks. Tried going to a gym, but.. meeh. Tried trampoline which probably could have worked if not for my back problem (I have a disfigured vertebra so miscalculating a jump or trying something fancy truly *hurt*).
But when I moved away from home temporarily (3 yrs for studies), stuff happened! School was farther away, ca. 40 min walk there and back so I walked at least 5 times/week (never even once took the bus, I hate waiting for the bus, and missing the bus because I hate waiting for it so much I start walking there too late). While I didn't start with a specific sport, just sporting for fun with friends happened a lot more often (soccer, volleyball etc). I also somehow got into trying belly dance videos and strength exercises at home which I did regularly.
From this I've drawn the conclusion that I'm far more likely to exercise regularly (as opposed to trying it for a week) if
a. It is just for fun.
b. I can do it at home (= less preptime, no bus schedule)
c. It is not purely cardio (jogging, spinning, bleeeh boooring)
d. If it doesn't take too much time
e. It is walking somewhere I should be anyhow ^^

So, I'm curious, how do you exercise? (or don't) What works for you, what doesn't?

[Brutha]

School was farther away, ca. 40 min walk there and back so I walked at least 5 times/week (never even once took the bus, I hate waiting for the bus, and missing the bus because I hate waiting for it so much I start walking there too late).

How about getting a bike?

Growing up I've been "pushed" by my parents go do more exercising, a.k.a. join some sport.

In my opinion the two sports with the martial arts and dancing.
I don't think that you will have an age related problem with any of them.

[Dimond]

By doing it my way, rather than by some standard way. I don't like things that are restrictive or formal or having to do things exactly the way it's taught. It rarely works for me. Exercise should be fun as much & often as possible, though sometimes I need to do it anyhow to make sure I get enough exercise. I like freestyle, improvisational movement that is a combination of dance and aerobics & sometimes other styles thrown in. I also walk in my neighborhood. Movement is also a spiritual practice so it's extremely important to me and often the best part of my day if done in that context.

[Benton]

Originally Posted by Sparkling

From this I've drawn the conclusion that I'm far more likely to exercise regularly (as opposed to trying it for a week) if
a. It is just for fun.
b. I can do it at home (= less preptime, no bus schedule)
c. It is not purely cardio (jogging, spinning, bleeeh boooring)
d. If it doesn't take too much time
e. It is walking somewhere I should be anyhow ^^

So, I'm curious, how do you exercise? (or don't) What works for you, what doesn't?

Crossfit. Short, high intensity workouts that combine cardio and strength training. Sounds like it might be exactly what you're looking for. It has been described as "grab something with weight on it, do stuff for a while, lay on the ground to recover." The laying on the ground part is pretty important. Well, actually, more like unavoidable.

Friday, the WOD (workout of the day) was two rounds of 50 floor wipers (95lbs), 20 deadlifts (135lbs) and 500m rowing (they took it easy on us because it was very hot). Took me 17:30 and I was smoked at the end. I finally feel normalish today. If you go to the Crossfit main site, you can see the recommended metcon (metabolic conditioning) WOD. I go to a gym, but you can do it yourself with just a few pieces of equipment. Basically a barbell and weights plus some kettlebells and a few other things like a pullup bar and a climbing rope (although the rope isn't necessary).

It's way more fun than it sounds, especially at a gym with others doing it. Gives it a competition feel. It's scalable to any skill level and, although some of the motions take some time to understand, but once you get it, the speed in which you see improvements is amazing.

I'm a pretty overweight dude, as you can see from my avatar. In under 3 months, I've lost 35lbs and my body is changing fast enough for me to notice it. (It normal that people that don't see you real frequently to see changes, but to be able to see your own changes is pretty cool.)

It's the most fun I've ever had putting myself in huge amounts of pain.

[Clint Cora]

You are actually one of the lucky ones who had parents who actually encouraged exercise! Many of us didn't. Anyway, you are so right about the fun factor. If it's missing, then chances of giving up are higher.

I do only sports that I like and as for as exercises, I do them if they don't take long to do, can do them almost anywhere and if I could somehow have the music (or an audio program) playing. For example, even after all these years, I HATE doing abs exercises but I still do them since they really don't take long to do.

But I'll ski all day

[KtotheB]

I do 2 spin classes, 3 weight training sessions, and 8 - 10 hours of yoga. I have a personal trainer once a week which is awesome! She pushes me to workout harder than I do on my own.

[Mister Michael]

I practice a lot of Kung Fu and my body seems to handle itself. As for how I practice, I once was reprimanded by a forum moderator for talking about it .

Dancing is also probably a good option if you're into that sort of thing.

[Mcoroklo]

The only thing I really get back to again and again, is cycling. I have my road bike which is GREAT. When I exercise it is often some kind of goal. Right now I have a goal of cycling 200km, which means I have to train - otherwise that 200km will hurt ALOT.

I used the same method for running - sign up for a marathon.

So for me, it is all about the goals (again, I am an ENTJ/enneagram type 3 type - not that strange).

[Leondegrance]

How do you Exercise?

I tend to my gardens, and come up with things to build like pathways, retaining walls, more raised beds, fruit cages, cold frames, it really never ends. Nothing beats doing stuff outside.

_____________
Learn by doing.

[kellylacoste]

Your target heart rate varies by your age and of course how much pressure your body can endure. I can't type the chart out in here because its rather long but google the chart and you can find your target heart rate. Then, monitor how you are doing on the cardio machines and adjust your workout accordingly.

[Dulma]

YOGA.

I move my body. Literally. Exercise is not only great for building a six pack to get chicks, but also for just getting those energy pathways in your body unblocked and clear, wakening up your cells and revitalizing your physical organism with motion. So I find that it serves me just as well to blast some bad Top 40 songs through my speakers and dance crazy by myself (enough to break a sweat!) as it does to actually go do a sport or crunches or lunges or something.

[Edwine]

Hi Sparkling,
Do start with walking or if you have stationary cycle or treadmill do use them while watching your favorite TV program. You can do swimming also as it is the best exercise as it involves all body parts.
You can do push ups, pull ups, sit ups, skip rope, step climbing at home.

[Alix]

My exercise is push up pull up, Running
Walking
Jogging
Dancing
Swimming
Skating and jumping rope.

[nicolesville]

-Dancing
-Bodyrock.tv
-Climbing my newly acquired Portable Stripper Pole!

p.s. If you're an absolute beginner, Jilian Michaels is great (I started with 30 Day Shred and highly recommend it).

Nicole

[lovelyn]

Yoga
bodyrock.tv
sprinting
I walk most places that I go in my neighborhood. That means that most days I go for a 15 minute or longer walk.

[BSlighdistributors]

As a track and field athlete, I do all kind of workouts to running, strength training, weight lifting, and technical things as well. For the off season, I have been doing abs and using the perfect push up as a way to get my core ready for the season. I also lift a little bit to strengthen my legs for the season.

[strixstrigoi]

I sit up 100 times/week and push up 20 times/week

[seroge]

I play soccer at the weekends.

[Perspective]

DANCE!!
I usually start with situps (& core exercise) & leg lifts/balance.
Then I turn up some good, motivating music & dance!

Some songs I like: (a variety, because I get bored easily)
The Morning After - Timberland
‪Timberland - Morning after dark Lyrics‬‏ - YouTube

Cotton-Eyed-Joe - Rednex
‪Cotton Eyed Joe‬‏ - YouTube

Angel - Jack Johnson
‪Jack Johnson Angel‬‏ - YouTube

[taylor]

Originally Posted by Sparkling

So, I'm curious, how do you exercise? (or don't) What works for you, what doesn't?

I do a combination of these videos

Dancing Guy - YouTube
Always Sunny in Philadelphia-Dennis club music - YouTube
"Little Superstar" - YouTube

I am so not kidding.

[xtremelady]

Like yourself, first and foremost has to be fun and because of that I find I can not exercise for the sake of it.

I love swimming - which usually equates to messing around in a pool

I used to love martial arts but again never took it too seriously

Fencing was for a time very fun until my instructor thought i was good and started pushing me into competition - couldn't understand why I just wanted to have fun beating friends rather than constantly being taken to the side for personal one to one training...oh well I know I should have been grateful he saw so much talent in me.

Dancing is very fun

[mypcandi]

Walking is my favorite exercise. It helps me to meditate and I don't feel I waste my time while walking. That is said I think when you feel bored you won't be abel to keep on exercising. There should be some fun.

[lifetimelearner]

I love to bike ,swim for fun -no laps
and work out with the Wii Fit

[michellesears]

Interval training is my favorite these days. I do a lot of videos so when I get bored with an exercise program, I get a new set. I do use them for well over a year though.

I've done Tao Bo, Turbo Jam, Winsor Pilates, Slim in 6, The Firm, etc. And now I'm back to The Firm doing their express program Get Thin in 30 because I have two small children and I only have about 30 minutes a day to exercise.

So for now it works for me and my family.

[christianyethboth]

The exercises that I do daily are walking, running, swimming, sit ups and press ups. This way it keeps me healthy body and mind.

[JohnnyHerrera]

"How do you exercise"

I always did sports, just moving your body is very funny. But I always left them after a while, due to my social problems. The only "sport" I'll never stop to do (and that's a personal promise) is running over my city (or wherever city I'm at). Lonely, with the wind blowing my neck, roaming kilometers and kilometers without any worry than reaching the next tree, street, I define. There's only 2 bad things: I always ran like 1 month straight, and the next 2 or 3 I stay at home just browsing and playing. So when I start again, it's kind of difficult at the beginning, but worthful at the end. The other problem is getting hit by a car or bus, and thanks God that never happened (very close sometimes).

[StuardMarshal]

Nice management.Your post reflect a new idea that we can manage our daily routine work as exercise too.It means the work and the exercise as well.Nice arguments and plan man.

[jecilleanne]

i was really slender way back college days but when i reached 25, i just kept gaining weight. tried a lot of different food supplements and dieting pills but to no avail, they only made me sickly.. so i looked for some books that could really motivate me in reducing weight. a friend led me to this website:

The 3 BEST WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS you need...

i got to choose from 3 best weight loss programs and now i dont have to worry about getting big anymore. just have to keep my self-discipline, plus this amazing book which is really motivating and very useful for people like me who just want to get rid of those unwanted fats.

much thanks to that friend of mine who shared to me the website.

[TonyRovere]

1) Daily-I get some form of exercise...even if it is only a power walk.

2) Strength training-at least3x a week to maintain and build muscle to maintain my weight.

3) Interval training-whether on the stepper or the elliptical.

4) I also run once a week. I am careful because it is a high impact workout and I don't want to impact my knees and joints.

5) I also mix in yoga and cardio kickboxing to change things up and not get bored.