An exercise routine?

[dreamrawalwz]

Hey everyone. I need some help if it's possible.

As some of you know I've had a past with ED's including over exercising. Before all of that I was doing 4-5 hours of intense gymnastics 4-5 days a week so...I guess that was over exercising then as well.

Right now it's either all or nothing. I can't seem to find a balance. I go go go, then I crash and burn and become a slug on the florr and do absolutely nothing. Usually it's about 10 miles of walking plus 10 miles of bike, plus 90 minutes of weights, plus a yoga or body flow class in one day. I don't know what a regular exercise schedual should be, how much, how hard, ect. Any help would be appreciated!

I have availdable a gym (weights, weight machines, tredmills, 2 types of stationary bikes, elipical, acr trainer, and stair stepper), home free weights (2,5, & 8 pounds), a bungie cord, large ball, bike, jump rope, and rollar blades. Oh, I also have a HUGE neighborhood.

I feel really stupid for asking how to do this...it should be simple right? It seems that if I just walk 2 miles, do weights, and a class in one day it feels like nothing and feels pathetic so I give up and say "waht's the point? I'm not getting anywhere anyway." See how logical that mindset is?? ::sarcastic::

When I do the stationary bike and leg weights my legs get bulky fast because of muscle memory from gymnastics. It's really frustrating beause I'd like to make my legs slimmer, but more toned.

Any help would be VERY appreciated!

P.S. I'm embarassed to do really intense activities at the moment in public until I'm well...smaller, such as running or something like that. I'd like to get to that eventually though.

[L6A2N6]

K, here's how I see it:
Moderation is key for everything.

If you rise early in the morning, go for a jog, then do some weight lifting (curls/bench press/squats) along with push ups / sit ups before bed combined with this diet, and do this not 3 times a week, but every day, persistantly, then you should be fine.

along with that, cut the yoga out, and don't worry about the legs muscle memory. A girl from our school was/is a gymnist and the legs look very nice actually. Don't be decieved! ;)

[L6A2N6]

To add unto that: jogging is an exercise that works your whole body, including your heart.
Therefore, you can rest assured if you jog and do complementory work outs to that, you'll be fine.

[L6A2N6]

It doesn't take much.
For me personally, all I do, is depend on my own weight:
Jog to a park, do chin ups, dips, leg raisers, jog back, that's enough.

Now combing that with this diet could turn someone into a slim ninja the way I see it.

[dreamrawalwz]

Thanks L6A2N6. I'd like to get some gym in there too, but not sure how much of what ya know? I'll try to get up to jogging, but that's still embarassing to me right now. Acutally I can't run, never could lol. I could ONLY sprint and walk, never in between, hmmm.

P.S. FYI, instead of making 3 seperate comments you can always edit your first one :)

[L6A2N6]

I know, but meh. ;)
(@ the "edit" tip)

Other than that, my recommendation is: have jogging is your foundation, and then complement to that with other exercises. Don't be emberassed.

[juliebove]

You have to decide how much exercise you think you need to do every day then stick with that. I can not do all of my exercise at once because of my physical limitations. So what I do probably wouldn't work for you.

[daisyduke]

I understand where you are coming from. When I read your post, I felt like I wrote it. What has really helped me is Slim Series (www.beachbody.com). It is a series of DVD workouts - you do a different one everyday. They are light weights and high reps (so you won't bulk - I tend to gain muscle too easily). It gives you a specific plan for everyday. All you do is follow the video. It combines strength training and cardio so you get it all. I have toned up and lost so much weight using this. Best of luck!

[madmel]

I run 5 days a week, do yoga for 30 mins every or every second morning and do 30 mins of pilates many evenings.

With the running, I follow a special plan as I am training for a marathon, the yoga I need for a flexible body and I just love it anyway. The pilates helps me stretch and not get bulky (I have a tendency to bulky muscles).

On the days I don't run, I go to the gym to do some weightlifting (machines).

Sounds a lot, I just noticed, but I have just found my energy again (8 weeks ago).

Before that I just exercised without plan and without motivation. Now my motivation is to be athletic, healthy, muscular and slim.

Dream, with your past, I would suggest a moderate jog in the morning (30 mins to 1 hour) followed by some pilates or yoga. Weightlifting on 3 days a week is a good addition to that.

All the best
mel

[mel123]

exercise works best for me when it is life-affirming...movement that i enjoy...as a younger woman...probably your age...i danced with katherine duham...i find dance exhilarating...some i usually do all knids of dance movement as exercise...belly-dancing, african-caribbean, hip-hop...whatever feels good to my mind and body...i also love yoga and very slow weight lifting...almost zen-like...really connecting with the strength of my muscles...how does your mind-body love to move????

[Fruitarianone]

Why don't you find a nice hilly park...or trails and do some walking....make it something pleasurable instead of a workout!!!!

When you get better then put some heavy stuff in a backpack and walk....

We all gotta start some where....might as well enjoy it! :D

[Veganforlife]

Hey there! I'm telling you - T-Tapp is the way to go! I too have weights, DID belong to a gym, Biggest Loser DVD, all kinds of things, but I go back to T-Tapp. Less is more. 15 minutes a day is what I've been doing with amazing results! Unreal. No weights involved. No aerobics involved. This is a lymphatic flushing workout. The web site: www.t-tapp.com has many try before you buy workouts, and the forums are excellent. Initially these exercises were created for models living in tight quarters (limited space) and to get optimum results in a short amount of time. But since then, Teresa has wanted to reach out to the public and help. No infomercial ever. Teresa is a wealth of information, really knows her stuff. I am so glad I found her!

[freespirit]

There is a forum on Oxygen Magazine's website that is really informative, if you look at the stickies at the top of the forum under training, there is one called effective training...check it out!
http://www.oxygenmag.net/forumdisplay.php?f=3

[Im2Fruity]

You could give yourself a time limit (example: 30 minutes of cardio *only* per day) and not worry about miles. Then when that feels too easy, up it to 45 minutes, etc. Do what exercise you feel like doing for that day, keep it mixed up and fun! No need to worry about biking, running, etc all in the same day!!!
As far as weight training goes, 3-4 times a week is good because your muscles need a break to recover!! yoga is good whenever and I don't think you can do too much...

Just be kind to your body, don't push too much. Excercise isn't punishment, it's special treatment!!! :)