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What's your workout routine?

Ariadne

Veteran

I'm sitting here finishing my coffee before heading to the gym and was wondering what everyone's exercise regimens are. I know some of you do yoga, and some of you are really diligent about hitting the gym or doing other regular workouts. I'd love to know the details! What do you do, how often do you do it, what kind of results do you see, and what do you enjoy the most? What do you not like and what doesn't work for you? How do you keep yourself motivated? I'm still figuring out what works for me, and I could use some motivation and inspiration.

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24 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Tanya

Veteran

So, I am one of those people who hate the gym and can't fit it in my busy schedule anyway. Something I always do is walk a lot: my walk from home to the lab is about a 1.5 miles (each way) so I get at list one hour of walking every day.

When I was taking a break from my dancing I used to go to PiYo ( a combination of yoga and pilates) twice a week and really liked the results. I am back to ballroom dancing now and I usually practice 3 times a week for 2-3 hours and that's plenty for me.

I personally like to 'mask' the working out with something else ( like dancing) so that it doesn't feel as a chore. For some reason I just can't do gym or running.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I run a minimum of 12 miles a week, weight train three hours a week, and do additional cardio every day in the form of step (Cathe Freidrich's Lo Max and Imax 3 are KILLER) and kickboxing. I also try to do yoga and pilates at least once a week. My sore, aching body can really use the stretches and flexibility training.
I've lost 60 pounds and am much more toned and in shape than I've ever been. Lately, I've noticed my lower body almost completely transform using Cathe's advanced step workouts. You can preview them on YouTube.
I don't go to the gym any longer for cost reasons, so we've built up a home gym over time and I love it.

NCyogini

Hey Brianna,

What a fun question.

I am a bicycle commuter, so I ride my bike to & from work 4 days a week. It's not far, only 3 or 4 miles (and on rainy or cold days I take the light rail!). I do 20-30 minutes of gentle, stretchy, relaxing yoga at home every night.

I hit the gym a most days of the week- I don't ride my bike but take the light rail. Monday I take a yoga class and do the elliptical; Tuesday I do cardio & lift weights; Wednesday I swim laps (slowly) for 30 mins, Friday I take a spin class and lift weights. Saturdays and Sundays I ride my bike outdoors!

I like yoga and riding my bike the best- I just don't feel right in my body, mind, or spirit without these things. Spin class is crazy fun. I really don't like doing cardio machines at the gym but I know it's good for me. And of course all women should lift weights to increase their bone density, so I do it dutifully- even though I don't love it.

I don't really work out crazy hard. I get my heart rate up, I sweat, and I keep it up for 30 minutes. I could never be one of those people who look like they're about to throw up or faint from working so hard. I admire their dedication, but for me, working out like that is so unpleasant it's de-motivating.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think we’ve had a similar thread before and there are very active people on this forum, Brianna! Sarah's story is AMAZING.

I am allergic to the gym. I used to do a lot of spinning at a professional cycling facility where the classes were run by cycling pros. But since that experience, spinning at a normal gym is unsatisfactory so I stopped.

I like to exercise outside. I am a GREAT walker and walk my dogs almost every day. I also like to power walk and Greg and I do this together. I have an active job so there is no shortage of physical exercise in my life. That and that I’m lucky. I do not gain weight so this type of exercise is enough to keep me fit and healthy.

Violet

I have been trying to work out more this year. I used to walk around all the time in college and then I started working a job where I'm at my desk for 8 hours a day. I am lucky that I don't gain weight easily, but over the past several years I've added about 10-15 pounds.

I have been trying to do 20 minutes of cardio 4 times a week and then ab exercises twice a week. I set up a challenge for myself so that if I can keep that up for 4 weeks, I reward myself with a small item. Like maybe a new clothing purchase.

I haven't been doing great at keeping the challenge, but I'm trying. I'm not trying to be too hard on myself for not meeting the goal every week. I am trying to change my overall lifestyle to be more healthy.

I love good food and enjoy a good meal, but I'm trying to eat in moderation. Also, I find if I exercise I'm less likely to eat junk b/c I think about how that would undo the hard work I've done exercising.

Dawn

(website)

Oh yay, I love these types of questions.

Most days I have to walk five to six kilometres into and around university with a heavy laptop and book bag. It helps with the basic fitness and health. I also go to two hour-long classes of circuit training a week in which I probably exercise every single muscle in my body and feel it the next day. I also mountain bike occasionally at the moment but I intend on getting back to it properly when the weather improves. Every now and again, I'll go for a 5-6km run on a river-path near my university in the afternoon if I have no classes.

I don't really like the gym at all- it bores me and I would rather be outside. Even though I do more exercise than most of my friends, I still want to be back at the level of fitness I had when I would cycle over 120km a week and do yoga twice a week.

I enjoy my food, in fact I probably like it too much but I generally try to be healthy. I was vegetarian for two years and even now only eat meat once a week when someone else cooks it for me.

Overall, I prefer mountain biking as my main form of exercise. Nothing beats the feeling of going up, down and around mountains on a warm sunny day, continuously challenging yourself to make a climb in a quicker time, finally get the jump that scares you or best of all, the feeling that hits you when you go faster down a trail that you've ever gone before and not crash this time around.

Overall, I think the key is to find a sport or exercise that you love and look forward to each morning. You shouldn't dread exercise and you shouldn't feel as if it is a chore.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Everyone's routine is so impressive!

I like walking and try to do the elliptical trainer a few times a week. I really need to start lifting weights. Does anyone have a recommendation on where to start with that?

I find that diet affects my weight much more than exercise. That's just me.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Laura, I use Jari Love's Ripped program. Check out her website at http://www.jarilove.com. She is a great instructor and her six DVDs always keep my body guessing. I have actually found several of the DVDs at TJMaxx and Ross, so that's a good place to check. If you prefer working out in a gym, check out her DVDs for ideas on what circuits to try. Her Slim and Lean, Ripped to the Core, Ripped 1000, and Ripped and Chiseled are my favorite.
I went from being quite heavy and shapeless, to a reasonable weight with decent amount of muscle. I can do push ups off my toes, something I'm very proud of, thanks to this program.
I definitely agree with tassajara...find something you love and stay active with that. I'm one of those strange people who actually love working out.

hanna

(website)

i can't do gyms or exercising indoors - i lose my focus very easily for some reason! - but love walking outdoors, dancing, soccer and tennis! unfortunately in cold weather this somewhat limits my exercise intake....:P

Anonymous

You ladies are amazing.
I have found that I need to mix it up. I do one thing for a while and get bored and then find something else. I have enjoyed Jazzercise, personal trainer,joining the YMCA for their various workout classes and their gym, and now Hot yoga which is addicting in a good way. The whole day after hot yoga I feel like I'm floating on air.
Sarah I am very proud of you finding a way to have your own home gym and using it.
I have found that meeting my daughter for workouts makes it a hugely fun time. As a mother I am happy for her that she is working out, and I am happy for me that I am too. Imagine how gratifying that is. And it is so sweet that she calls to make sure I am going. This works with husband, friend, anyone you love to spend time with.

Nicole

Veteran

I used to be an avid gym goer. I started when Lowell was 2, so that was abt 7 years ago. This past summer, I switched up my routine from working out indoors to walking outside. I loved it. But then winter set in, and we got clobbered with snow this year--so there are no sidewalks or safe places to walk.

Right now, I'm not doing much of anything, besides snowboarding maybe once a week--but that's not aerobic. I am looking forward to the warm weather so I get back outside walking and gardening. I'm thinking about investing in either a treadmill or an eliptical this year. My gym membership is due to renew, so I'd put my annual dues towards a piece of equipment. I'm just fearful that I will buy it and never use it.

Maya

Veteran

I haven't found any type of exercise I can enjoy, to be honest. I used to do what Angie does and just keep on the go, but now I get out of work so late and it's freezing cold and I'm just too tired

No matter what, exercise always seems like a chore to me. I used to like yoga but even that just seems like too much after I get home from work. I guess my lack of energy is due to a lack of activity, so it's a bad cycle I've gotten myself into. I also think I just lose impetus when it gets cold. Winter is my absolute least favorite season (except for dressing).

I'm lucky that I'm a healthy weight, but I am probably what I think is called "skinny fat"--where even though I'm thin, I probably have a lot of fat where I shouldn't. Sigh.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Sarah - I will check out TJMaxx to see if I can find a Jari Love (can that possibly be her real name??) DVD. What an amazing transformation you've made!

shana

Veteran

I just recently started back at the gym after a break of over a year - definitely need to lose about 10 pounds (make a huge difference when you are 5') of "baby fat." I am trying to go about 4 times a week and take a variety of classes - pilates, yoga, aerobics, sculpting etc. I also do some walking a couple of times a week with my neighbor and we shoot for a 5 mile walk on very hilly terrain.

Funny thing is that after my first child was born, I did the walking too - except we did it about 5 days a week (5 miles a day) for about 6 or 7 months and other than getting my legs totally toned, I didn't really loose any weight or see any difference in the fit of my clothes etc. It wasn't until I hit the gym 4-5 times a week that I started shedding the excess fat. I have to say that in my case, adding yoga & pilates made the biggest difference in the appearance of my body. And while I can't say I love to exercise (I also find it to be a chore), I do love the way it makes my body feel strong and powerful and of course I appreciate looking better in my clothes!!!

Antje

Veteran

I jog (about 3 miles at least twice a week) and do strength training with free weights and those machines at the gym at least twice/week. I had a great routine while I was working; for 11 years I went to the gym early in the morning before work, together with my carpool buddy, between 2-4 times/week. I just quit and don't go that gym anymore (which was close to my workplace, and also a VERY nice gym), so I have to establish new routines. Last week I did nothing and felt awful by end of week. So yesterday I went for a jog and today I joined a neighborhood gym and had my first workout. I feel soooo much better! I work out both in order to keep my weight stable (cause I'm loving chocolate and wine...) and because I feel so much more balanced - physically and mentally - when I have regular exercise. Now I just have to make sure I keep at it and get into a new rhythm.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Antje, that's great that you're getting yourself going in a new gym. It's hard when you've been taken out of your regular rhythm - good luck with the new routine.

julijuli

When I was much younger I did a lot of ballet and jazz dancing which I absolutely loved. I've always struggled to find a 'workout' that i enjoyed, but lately I've joined a running club at my local Y and that combined with daily dog walking seems to be donig the trick. I have really liked Pilates and Yoga in the past so I'm trying to figure out how to schedule those classes back into my life.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I need to get myself to a new gym now that I've moved cities. Trouble is I also need time for the gym!!

For now I'm making do with going to the beach for a swim or a short walk days I get home earlier than 8pm. I'm deliberately walking up and down stairs all day at work as well. On weekend days I'm going to the beach and trying to go for at least one 30 min jog.

One of our bedrooms at home is allocated as a "gym" room. We have an exercise bike there which neither of us have used in a month. Ooops! And a yoga mat I think I have used twice now. I really love those elliptical trainers so I'm thinking of hiring one for a while and seeing how much I use it!!

In exactly 7 weeks and 2 days I finish my current rotation at work and will hopefully not be working such crazy hours. Hopefully then I can make exercise more of a priority because I do feel blah at the moment. Strangely enough I have actually lost 3kg over the last few weeks. I'm sure its from all the wrong places though!!!

Alecia

Veteran

This is a timely post. I have been taking a break from posting on the forum because of wrist and forearm issues caused by working on the computer. It was impacting my training and so I needed to take a time out. But I'm feeling better and have realized that one computer in particular was the culprit, so I'm back! Yeah!

Anyway, I'm currently training for a powerlifting competition. (It's at the end of February. I'm getting really excited and nervous.) I know that sounds really excessive and fringe but I can tell you that my gym attracts all kinds of people and TONS of women. There are so many myths out there about what women should or should not be doing and what the impact on the body will be that unnecessarily keep women out of these kinds of activities. In any case, I train for an hour at the gym 3-4 times a week. This includes mobility work to keep my flexibility up and maintain the joints, heavy lifting, and some conditioning.

I love the workouts at the gym because I have made amazing friends there. We have a lot of fun. It has also taught me a lot about myself. In powerlifting training, one MUST lift until you fail, i.e. cannot lift the weight. I have found that in my life, I have studiously avoided failure. I've had a lot of success but that approach is not good because it means I haven't take chances where I may fail. I may be limiting my potential. This experience has taught me that we can rebound from failure. It has been so valuable.

I also run 3 miles, 3 mornings a week. This is more just for fun at the moment. I used to train for races but since I'm focusing on the lifting, I'm not too worried about getting this in. I keep doing it because it is a time for me to catch up with my girlfriend who's my running buddy.

With respect to results, I have had the most transformation due to the weight lifting. I am super toned and I get to eat a lot too because my metabolism is really fast now. It's great! So I recommend lifting heavy stuff - free weights, not machines.

marianne

Brianna, you had mentioned that you're adopting, so one thing to consider for you would be developing an exercise routine that will continue to work after that. You can't believe how little time you'll have for yourself. Before kids, I was a true gym rat for about a year. I never exercised for weight maintenance and I was already in a pretty good shape, but for a year I was going 6 days a week - for a mix of cardio/weights/isometrics and yoga. I am not that self-motivated and would usually go to classes. While I did see the results, I am not a fan of gym culture and you really don't need THAT much exercise for staying healthy. After kids, fitting it into my schedule became a huge problem and I had to do some cost-benefit analysis. So right now I still do yoga (more advanced than gym variety, so that's progress) and try to run a couple of times a week, and I also walk a lot in general. I would love to increase my running, but I still don't feel back to normal after pregnancy... Anyway, I feel a lot stronger and more energetic and focused when I exercise, so I do try to make it a priority within my limited means.

Elika

Wow! I am very impressed with the discipline you all have!

Unfortunately, I have gotten a slight injury when I moved to Paris, so for the last 5 months I've hardly been able to exercise at all. However I'm moving back home next week, and I'm going to take that as my new start and hope I will be able to keep it up.

Although, like Tanya, I also tend to 'mask' exercise by other stuff, like playing squash and also dancing. I used to dance at a pretty high level, so I'm hoping to pick that up again as part of my exercise routine.

Eva

Wow, I am so impressed with everyone. What a wonderful active group! Sara, again, you are amazing! Such dedication. Alecia, a power lifting competition. I would love to mask my workouts like Tayna (dancing would be soooo fun!) I used to be a hula dancer (way back when...) and that was great.

I am too cheap and have too little time to get to the gym. I have tons of aerobic tapes. They are more efficient for me because there is no commute time. I do those 4 to 5 times a week (or do a good long walk with a friend or hike in the summer). Sara, Cathe Friedrick is one of my favorite. I have lots of her exercise tapes. I also do Kari Andersen (she’s from Seattle), Christi Taylor, and a few others. (Sara, I will look into Jari Love.) I do Pilates (also at home) 2 to 3 times a week. We also have a full set of free weights (my husband lifts) in the basement, so I do that 2 times a week. If I can’t exercise in the evenings, I get up at ridiculous times in the morning to workout. As a matter of fact, I am procrastinating now, so I’d better get exercising!

Lena

I just came back from a Pilates class, and I found that I'm still logged in. Oh well.

I used to be a gym rat in grad.school, not for weight loss, just general health. Then I got busy and stressed and slowly stopped going. Then went back. Then stopped.

Now I'm taking a Pilates class (after a long break) and I'm absolutely loving it. I had forgotten proper form and needed more challenging exercises, and a class is great for that (cheaper than private instruction, too). After a few weeks I can already feel the wonders it's doing for my posture (which was never good to begin with). I always struggle with my shoulders, and now I don't even need to force them back - once I lift my ribcage, shoulders slide back with no effort, tummy tucks in, etc. It's nothing short of amazing.

anne

Veteran

I posted my recent (over the last year)exercise routines on another thread so I'll copy the relevant bits here
"I had a few spurts, a couple of ones where I was running a lot (and I have found all my life that once I get up to say 25km a week I start to lose weight)
one where I joined a gym and did weights and used the stair climber and the last one where I have been swimming a lot, training for a ocean swimming event. I was surprised by the swimming as I have have never found it good for weight loss before - I guess it is if you do enough - I did 4-6 sessions a week, some only 1/2 hr but some 11/2.

I have done more evening exercise than ever before - I don't think I ever thought of it as a possiblity, and have found that fitted my body cycle quite well."

In terms of how to motivate myself, apart from losing weight I like to enter events - ie races. That forces me to train to get ready for them.

I can really relate to Marianne's point about cost benefit analysis once you have kids. It is a struggle to find time to exercise amid competing demands for your time and I like running (though not doing it right now) because it gives you a lot of benefit for a short period of time, and requires little prep time. Sadly the only way I can manage running is to get up early and at the moment that is just too hard (we have daylight saving and I hate it) Balancing exercise with getting enough sleep is hard. In the winter I get stymied by colds too.