You are not my fitness instructor, but...
October 20, 2015 12:32 PM Subscribe
Help me develop a good plan to stay active!
I'm a late 20s lady and I'm becoming increasingly more aware of how taking care of my body now will affect my future health. Gone are the days of eating whatever I want, whenever I want :'( I'm currently at a healthy weight and have no medical issues, and I want to keep it that way.
The thing is, I don't really like exercising. I'm kinda lazy. I acknowledge that I feel a lot better after taking an intense gym class or long bike ride, but making myself go to class or get up early to cycle in the first place is tough. I do generally enjoy hiking (with friends), bouldering, cycling, etc activities more than inside workouts, but I haven't been going out as often as I'd like. I REALLY DO NOT LIKE running. I don't want to be a fitness goddess or anything like that, I mainly just want to do enough to stay reasonably fit/feel good/better prepare myself for future aging. I don't really need to lose weight, I just want to be more toned and healthy. I really feel like having a routine would be helpful to maintaining momentum.
To that end, I'd like to start developing a more consistent exercise regimen, but I really don't know where to start. Currently I go to at least one intense cardio barre/pilates class at my work gym every week, and go hiking every other weekend or so. Not great. I have a bike but have to get it tuned up. I used to have a membership to the local bouldering gym but it was pretty pricey and kind of far, so I didn't go enough to be worth it.
So my question for the hivemind is: Are there any fitness programs out there that you've found to be particularly effective or motivating? Do you have any personal exercise regimens that you've found to work well when it comes to easing into a healthier lifestyle? If you were a similarly lazy person like myself who now works out regularly, what got you there?
I'm a late 20s lady and I'm becoming increasingly more aware of how taking care of my body now will affect my future health. Gone are the days of eating whatever I want, whenever I want :'( I'm currently at a healthy weight and have no medical issues, and I want to keep it that way.
The thing is, I don't really like exercising. I'm kinda lazy. I acknowledge that I feel a lot better after taking an intense gym class or long bike ride, but making myself go to class or get up early to cycle in the first place is tough. I do generally enjoy hiking (with friends), bouldering, cycling, etc activities more than inside workouts, but I haven't been going out as often as I'd like. I REALLY DO NOT LIKE running. I don't want to be a fitness goddess or anything like that, I mainly just want to do enough to stay reasonably fit/feel good/better prepare myself for future aging. I don't really need to lose weight, I just want to be more toned and healthy. I really feel like having a routine would be helpful to maintaining momentum.
To that end, I'd like to start developing a more consistent exercise regimen, but I really don't know where to start. Currently I go to at least one intense cardio barre/pilates class at my work gym every week, and go hiking every other weekend or so. Not great. I have a bike but have to get it tuned up. I used to have a membership to the local bouldering gym but it was pretty pricey and kind of far, so I didn't go enough to be worth it.
So my question for the hivemind is: Are there any fitness programs out there that you've found to be particularly effective or motivating? Do you have any personal exercise regimens that you've found to work well when it comes to easing into a healthier lifestyle? If you were a similarly lazy person like myself who now works out regularly, what got you there?
If you were a similarly lazy person like myself who now works out regularly, what got you there?
Agreeing with joan-holloway: I found something I enjoyed. For me it was running (after decades of saying DOWN WITH RUNNING, so you may yet come round ;) But it's highly personal - some people enjoy team sports, some prefer long solitary stints through nature. Some are highly competitive, some just want to zone out and so on. I could tell you what works for me but I doubt it'd be the same for you.
In terms of (more boring) exercise regimens tho, what motivates me is having a reason to do it, something to work towards (I go to the gym because I want to get over the wall in that mud race, not because I like standing there pumping iron). Try stuff out and don't feel shy to do events, either! They are great fun and help you plan your fitness regime.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 1:03 PM on October 20, 2015
Agreeing with joan-holloway: I found something I enjoyed. For me it was running (after decades of saying DOWN WITH RUNNING, so you may yet come round ;) But it's highly personal - some people enjoy team sports, some prefer long solitary stints through nature. Some are highly competitive, some just want to zone out and so on. I could tell you what works for me but I doubt it'd be the same for you.
In terms of (more boring) exercise regimens tho, what motivates me is having a reason to do it, something to work towards (I go to the gym because I want to get over the wall in that mud race, not because I like standing there pumping iron). Try stuff out and don't feel shy to do events, either! They are great fun and help you plan your fitness regime.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 1:03 PM on October 20, 2015
Yeah, there is not really an answer to this question because it depends on your own tastes. Depending on where you are, you might have something like ClassPass which allows you to try many different gyms with a single membership each month. Shop around until you find something you love (or maybe you just experiment/shop around forever.
posted by Brittanie at 1:18 PM on October 20, 2015
posted by Brittanie at 1:18 PM on October 20, 2015
Weight-lifting. It has been life changing. I used to go to the gym in fits and starts, do the elliptical, do a few yoga classes, but nothing consistent. Mostly because it wasn't that fun and I wasn't seeing any benefits. Then I finally used my free-training-session-with-membership and learned how to lift weights. It has been one of the most awesome things in my life. I've been doing it for about six months now and my attitude about fitness and going to the gym now vs. then is night and day. Like, when I'm on vacation, I'm actually kind of mad I can't go the gym and lift?? Never in a million years thought I would be that person.
As with all fitness stuff I guess YMMV but for me what makes it work is the brain-engaging aspect of it, the strength I feel from doing it, the easy and visible way I keep leveling up on my goals (bench pressing 10 more lbs > 5 more minutes on the elliptical, for me), the variety of things you can do with it, and the way that it's kind of magically solved my back mobility issues. Plus there are all kinds of ways that weightlifting (especially for women) can prevent some of the issues associated with aging.
posted by stellaluna at 1:19 PM on October 20, 2015 [6 favorites]
As with all fitness stuff I guess YMMV but for me what makes it work is the brain-engaging aspect of it, the strength I feel from doing it, the easy and visible way I keep leveling up on my goals (bench pressing 10 more lbs > 5 more minutes on the elliptical, for me), the variety of things you can do with it, and the way that it's kind of magically solved my back mobility issues. Plus there are all kinds of ways that weightlifting (especially for women) can prevent some of the issues associated with aging.
posted by stellaluna at 1:19 PM on October 20, 2015 [6 favorites]
Agree with everyone else that the way to make exercise a habit is to find something you enjoy, or failing that, build a life that forces you to exercise. The two times in my life I was exercising the most I did Krav Maga on weekends (and went to the gym to up my base level of fitness so I would get my ass kicked slightly less) and when I lived on a campus that required me to walk roughly five miles a day, nearly every day.
And seconding weightlifting.
posted by Tamanna at 1:34 PM on October 20, 2015
And seconding weightlifting.
posted by Tamanna at 1:34 PM on October 20, 2015
Walking! I put in my earbuds and I go around my neighborhood for a mile. I do an extra loop if I have time. It is fabulous! I hate exercising and I hate being indoors so this is perfect for me. I also enjoyed yoga, briefly, when I had time for it and had a good instructor.
posted by myselfasme at 2:19 PM on October 20, 2015
posted by myselfasme at 2:19 PM on October 20, 2015
I am you, a year ago.
I bike to work every day, weather permitting and then I am a slug in the winter; I would join the Y, do the smallest amount of anything for 30-45 minutes, not break a sweat and then be done. When winter would end, I would quit, and then jump back on my bike.
Last year, I joined some co-workers and went to the Y over lunch and have been going 4-5 days ever since. We/I go to classes and work out as hard as I can (or want) to and by the end, I am exhausted, but very pleased with myself.
I have enjoyed the bootcamp and tabata classes (45 and 30 minutes, respectively) for those days during lunch where I go. They are both HIIT classes and I like the instructors, their variety and music they play. A year in, and it is still very hard every. Single. Day. I have gotten stronger, probably trimmer, and I think have a better attitude.
I still commute via bike, until I can't stand it anymore, but even if I miss it for any other reason, I still have the gym to look forward to.
posted by wocka wocka wocka at 2:41 PM on October 20, 2015
I bike to work every day, weather permitting and then I am a slug in the winter; I would join the Y, do the smallest amount of anything for 30-45 minutes, not break a sweat and then be done. When winter would end, I would quit, and then jump back on my bike.
Last year, I joined some co-workers and went to the Y over lunch and have been going 4-5 days ever since. We/I go to classes and work out as hard as I can (or want) to and by the end, I am exhausted, but very pleased with myself.
I have enjoyed the bootcamp and tabata classes (45 and 30 minutes, respectively) for those days during lunch where I go. They are both HIIT classes and I like the instructors, their variety and music they play. A year in, and it is still very hard every. Single. Day. I have gotten stronger, probably trimmer, and I think have a better attitude.
I still commute via bike, until I can't stand it anymore, but even if I miss it for any other reason, I still have the gym to look forward to.
posted by wocka wocka wocka at 2:41 PM on October 20, 2015
The only time in my adult life that I exercised as much as I should was when I moved five miles from work and commuted on my bike. I had a gym in my building at work, where I'd lift some weights and take a shower. It was great.
posted by Clambone at 2:50 PM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Clambone at 2:50 PM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I started working out (weights, mostly) with a personal trainer with a group of 3 other people 2x/week. They are friends now, so there are 4 people I have to text if I am going to flake...so I don't flake. The trainer has an emphasis on functional fitness, varies the routine every day and checks in to see what else we do on the days we don't see him; having someone who is a good fit personally and being individually accountable to other people has made a big difference in my motivation. There is zero chance I would be doing weights otherwise, and I have gotten so much stronger.
posted by charmedimsure at 4:27 PM on October 20, 2015
posted by charmedimsure at 4:27 PM on October 20, 2015
Hooping pretty much changed my life.
posted by futureisunwritten at 6:07 PM on October 20, 2015
posted by futureisunwritten at 6:07 PM on October 20, 2015
The thing that most motivates me to go to the gym is its location and convenience, plus having a rule that I have to do at least 30 minutes of some kind of activity (even if it's just walking), every day, plus the right playlist. My current gym is pretty bare-bones, but it's a five-minute walk from my place, and there's not a lot that keeps me from going.
(I'm at my place during most days for now, though. When I worked 9-5, I went to a gym five minutes from work, exactly on my route home, and I kept a locker there for shoes and grooming stuff, and would either shower and go out from there, or go straight home in my gym gear. I would never get up extra early to work out, forget that.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 10:31 PM on October 20, 2015
(I'm at my place during most days for now, though. When I worked 9-5, I went to a gym five minutes from work, exactly on my route home, and I kept a locker there for shoes and grooming stuff, and would either shower and go out from there, or go straight home in my gym gear. I would never get up extra early to work out, forget that.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 10:31 PM on October 20, 2015
You really need to find what works for you. For me that means barre classes, mostly in the mornings. I really dislike exercising at night and will usually decide I can't be bothered going out again if I go home before exercising.
My particular brand of barre has three linked barre studios and I use all of them, depending on class times and what day of the week it is. Two are good for weekends because they're quite close to home, one is good for work days because it's close to work. Work has lockers and showers and I make use of those after a morning class.
I also need to mix it up a bit to stay interested - my barre studio has 4 different barre classes and I do them all at different times. I also look for free or super cheap classes - get a groupon for a new fitness place, or go somewhere like a Lululemon or Lorna Jane store.
The best thing I've done though is build a supportive group of half a dozen friends. We have a facebook chat going continually, where we encourage each other, share what we've done each day and generally natter away. We've also recently started doing those 30 day challenges - we're 2/3rds of the way through a squat challenge and have just started a triceps dip challenge.
So really, make exercise easy and fun. That's the only way to stick with it.
posted by eloeth-starr at 11:06 PM on October 20, 2015
My particular brand of barre has three linked barre studios and I use all of them, depending on class times and what day of the week it is. Two are good for weekends because they're quite close to home, one is good for work days because it's close to work. Work has lockers and showers and I make use of those after a morning class.
I also need to mix it up a bit to stay interested - my barre studio has 4 different barre classes and I do them all at different times. I also look for free or super cheap classes - get a groupon for a new fitness place, or go somewhere like a Lululemon or Lorna Jane store.
The best thing I've done though is build a supportive group of half a dozen friends. We have a facebook chat going continually, where we encourage each other, share what we've done each day and generally natter away. We've also recently started doing those 30 day challenges - we're 2/3rds of the way through a squat challenge and have just started a triceps dip challenge.
So really, make exercise easy and fun. That's the only way to stick with it.
posted by eloeth-starr at 11:06 PM on October 20, 2015
And, just to add, I'm a super lazy person normally, but I look forward to and really enjoy my barre classes and actively look for time to fit them in.
posted by eloeth-starr at 11:07 PM on October 20, 2015
posted by eloeth-starr at 11:07 PM on October 20, 2015
+1 for gamifying your fitness. Have you checked out orienteering? It running (or least moving as quickly as possible) through fields, woods and trails towards the check points/stations, similar to a treasure hunt. Something similar to orienteering but done with a GPS or a smart phone is geocaching or GPSgames. It's like a high-tech treasure hunt.
Another option for gamifying fitness is Hash House Harriers but their emphasis is on the socializing aspect of group fitness.
+1 for commuting by bike. You don't have to ride the entire distance. Driving or riding the bus can shorten a distance.
+1 for boot camp aerobics classes. It isn't just step aerobics or dancing. My instructor only "drill sergeant-ed" the people he knew who had served and therefore could tolerate that playful yelling/encouragement. There's jumping jacks, flutter kicks, sit-ups, push-ups, 25 yard sprints, and planks.
posted by dlwr300 at 10:43 AM on October 21, 2015
Another option for gamifying fitness is Hash House Harriers but their emphasis is on the socializing aspect of group fitness.
+1 for commuting by bike. You don't have to ride the entire distance. Driving or riding the bus can shorten a distance.
+1 for boot camp aerobics classes. It isn't just step aerobics or dancing. My instructor only "drill sergeant-ed" the people he knew who had served and therefore could tolerate that playful yelling/encouragement. There's jumping jacks, flutter kicks, sit-ups, push-ups, 25 yard sprints, and planks.
posted by dlwr300 at 10:43 AM on October 21, 2015
Sorry if this is late, I've had this in my answer window for a couple days:
I strongly recommend strength training. It is, IMO, super necessary as a lady person, and as a lady person who is a couple decades older than you, I can say that building muscle mass is not only good for picking up large objects, but is fantastic for keeping your bones strong. (I work in a place where big boxes are commonplace, and my twentysomething counterparts struggle to pick up boxes that are not even 20 pounds. I get asked "can you get that?" and I just nod.)
My absolute killer gym routine was when I was going at lunch, and blasted through a set that got me in and out in an hour, including changing and walking to and from my office. I felt so energized after those workouts. 10 minutes high intensity cardio as a warmup, two to three circuits, alternating various legs and upper-body exercises and core stuff and a few plyometrics, with a very quick stretch.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 4:34 PM on October 22, 2015
I strongly recommend strength training. It is, IMO, super necessary as a lady person, and as a lady person who is a couple decades older than you, I can say that building muscle mass is not only good for picking up large objects, but is fantastic for keeping your bones strong. (I work in a place where big boxes are commonplace, and my twentysomething counterparts struggle to pick up boxes that are not even 20 pounds. I get asked "can you get that?" and I just nod.)
My absolute killer gym routine was when I was going at lunch, and blasted through a set that got me in and out in an hour, including changing and walking to and from my office. I felt so energized after those workouts. 10 minutes high intensity cardio as a warmup, two to three circuits, alternating various legs and upper-body exercises and core stuff and a few plyometrics, with a very quick stretch.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 4:34 PM on October 22, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
Another thing I've found that works for me is working in some variety. Every once in a while I try something new, taking advantage of the fact that many yoga/barre/crossfit/spinning/etc studios offer your first class for free and a deep discount on the first month. I may not ever go back after that first month, but there's always some other place. ClassPass is another good way to do this, if you live in a city where it's offered.
The above works for me because I'm just trying to be active and move my body on a daily basis, but I am not at all interested in becoming an expert at anything in particular. So, my advice might not work if you really want to be GOOD at something and not just moving.
posted by joan_holloway at 12:55 PM on October 20, 2015 [1 favorite]