Exercising at Home

I have an elliptical to exercise in the evenings in front of the t.v. and I use jillian Micheals DVD's for my morning work outs. They usually offer 3 progressive stages so you start with the first level 1 dvd.

I really like the Jillian Micheals work outs, and they are only 20-30min long. I also do small work outs here and there. For example we have a 12in high step outside and I step up and down for ten minutes here and there. Calories add up, you don't have to do an entire 1hr workout all at once.

Dance to music, play with kids, and jump rope!

I went online a few years ago and found a bunch of Kathy Smith DVDs that somebody was selling. They were still in their wrappers, never opened! Anyway, there are a lot of them that you can even do with your kids. Today after my kids came home from school, we put the Kathy Smith Latin Rhythm workout on, and danced our butts off for an hour. It was fun! If you're starting off out of shape, you could just modify the workouts by taking smaller steps, not using your arms yet, etc. We also enjoy Kathy Smith's and Gaiam's yoga workouts, as well as Kathy's Power Walk for Weight Loss, and her Flex Appeal belly dancing workout. I think it helps to have a few different things you can do. Also, you can go for a walk in the morning before work when it's still cool outside, or at night after dinner (with your family). If there's a pool near you, see if they have aqua aerobics classes. Maybe your kids can do free swim while you take your class. That's a good way to start out getting into shape, very easy on your joints, too.

Good luck!

For a fun way to workout, I pick a TV series I enjoy, like the Amazing Race, and pick a season to watch from YouTube. I wear a pedometer and run in place while the contestants race around, do plank/sit ups/push ups and other strength training while they do their endurance tasks etc - and by the end of the show, I've had 43 minutes of exercise.

Another way is to wear a pedometer each day. The recommended goal is at least 10,000 steps per day. It's motivating! I makes housework and tidying up more fun, plus I find that I get out of the house and just MOVE more.

If I watch TV, I do push ups and lunges through the commercials (I started this to break the habit of heading for the kitchen for snacks).

If you want a fast (it's challenging!) workout, the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels works, but the workout doesn't engage your mind, so it feels more like drills (and you feel every second of it). I prefer to enjoy my workouts.

Good for you for making changes - aren't most triathletes people who once considered themselves "out of shape" and "not fit"? Feeling your best is motivating and you've already taken the first step. Yeah, you! :)

My favorite is the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, but it is a little intense. I like it because I feel like I've worked out pretty hard and it only takes up a short period of my day. You'll need some light weights (2-3 pound), but that's it.

I love to check out workout DVD's from our local library to mix it up...Denise Austin has a dance one that's about 30 minutes and not too difficult, but she keeps you moving! My husband has free weights in our basement and a stair stepper and exercise bike- that's what he likes to do, but neither of us has ever joined gym because of the time issue.

Get some workout DVDs from the library...see what you like.....then buy them on amazon.

If you want quick results then you are going to have to get used to being intimidated a little bit. Stick to "super sets" in a hiit training format. Look that up , it burns the most calories. Work up to straight cardio after you build muscle and it will melt off.

Do something every day

Go to a thrift shop...lots of times they have free wieghts and steps (for step aerobics). I also bought a bar and some sets of weights there for under $15 (if you pay retail it's much more)

I set up a workout area in the unfinished part of the basement. I've used it quite a bit and weight training is a must as you get older...it really helps things from sagging and it burns lots of calories.

I just started the Lindsey Brinn Moms into Fitness videos. I bought a package with two DVDs: "Core Firing Sequence" and "Boot Camp 2". I like the Boot Camp 2 DVD because it addresses diastais recti (mummy tummy).

I've only done the first core workouts a few times, but it has already helped my back problems, and I can tell my abs are finally pulling back into place.

The really nice feature about the DVD set is that it comes with a free download, so you can watch the workouts on your iPod or iPad. I haven't actually even taken the DVDs out of the wrappers. I either watch on my computer or iPad, so it is easy to do my workouts anywhere in the house. And the workouts are broken into short segments (like 10 minutes), so you can squeeze them into your regular day.

You can preview her stuff on youtube. The DVDs I got were $20. If you go to retailmenot, you can get a coupon code for 20% off.

A treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical machine could be good for you too. But if you get bored easily, they might just end up gathering dust. Good luck to you! I hope you get you mojo back :-)

I work out at home. I use to work out like crazy before kids, but then stopped for a good 3 years.....About 5 months ago, I started up again. I have been streaming the 10 minute workout series. It's great. I started with 1, then added 2, and on days when the kids let me, I do 3. I'm not working out anywhere near as much as I would like, but I am getting at least 20-30 minutes 5-6 x a week.

-work out on your lunch hour
-get up 30 mins early & do a Kathy Smith workout video
-fast walk whenever you can (early morn for 30 mins, lunch hr, after work
w/fam, buy a cheap treadmill & do a quick morn workout & evening one,
walk w/fam after work (make it fast....put kids in jog strollers, bikes etc
- workout on the weekends
- do a full body workout w/hand held weights 2-3 times a week
- do push ups, lunges, abs, tricep dips 3x's per week

Treadmill in front of the TV. I don't run; I walk.

The home videos that I like are Leslie Sansone - Walk Away the Pounds (for a link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Leslie-Sansone-Walk-Pounds-Minute/d...) Any of her videos are doable - and encouraging. You can make them easier or harder as needed. (If you are super fit, then they are going to be easy - however for the rest of us, they are good. :) )

The trick with making lasting changes is to find something that you like. :) I have found that these are good enough that I feel like I got a work out, but not so hard that I cannot function for the rest of the day. They also make me feel good about what I have accomplished, and are reasonable enough to do daily, if I feel like it.
I don't know if you will get fast results - however, I have been able to do any of the videos of hers WITHOUT hurting myself - which is not true of all the videos out there. If you are looking for something to ease you into working out, these are a good idea. Then you can build up from there. :) (I have learned that I can have a bigger impact by not getting hurt, than I can by doing something harder, and getting hurt.... You have to start somewhere. :) )

I have a weight set in my garage and when I am outside playing with the kids, I do a few sets of deadlifts and overhead lifts. I dance too...all the time.
I do 15-20 minutes of stretching/yoga in the mornings and some evenings after the kids go to bed...WII Zumba. I will also do WII Fit sometimes too....the kids like to play that one with me too.

Hi K.,
I have been doing pilates twice a week for a year and have slightly adjusted my eating habits to lose 15 lbs. Without pain.

can you get a home pilates video?

as for diet...i just cut out complex carbs after 4/5 pm...pasta, bread etc.
and only have 4 servings a day of them. i do have many fruits etc. but limit severely the starches. also no starches with meat.

hope this helps and good luck.

jilly