| C Mac
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I just started P2 and for the first time in my life I am looking forward to my daily work outs (strange I know!). In P1, I lost 8 pounds, I am trying to loose 30 total.
I don't have a gym membership and I am limited to low impact exercises because of acl replacement i had after a skiing accident. I don't get to my workout until my daughter goes to bed, so I am even limited to staying in the house. I do have an exercise bike and some hand held weights, but that is all. My problem areas are my butt, hips and thighs :oops: . Can anyone recommend some exercises or even a work out video that I can buy and do at home with limited equipment to target these trouble spots?
Last question, has anyone used and really liked those exercise bands? I have seen them in the stores and thought they would be something I could use, but I didn't know if people really saw results. If so, is there a video you liked to use with the bands that you liked?
I appreciate your advice!
Christine |
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Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:07 pm |
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| lorka150
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| run; squats and lunges. |
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Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:36 am |
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| barknBret
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According to many personal trainers and weight loss gurus - you can't really "spot lose" weight. In other words, you can't just lose weight in one area, you must lose overall body weight and genetics will determine where the loss shows up first.
That being said, lorka's recommendation to run and do squats and lunges is good - because you can firm up particular areas, and that will make those areas appear thinner (and since you will be losing overall bodyweight due to the exercise, they will be getting thinner along with the rest of your body).
As far as exercise bands, I like them. Lots of exercises, don't take much space and can take them anywhere. Google "exercise band workout" and you'll see plenty of results (try the second google result, I don't have enough posts to add a link here...), or you can search Amazon for exercise band videos if you prefer.
Bands are not as good as as free weights for strength training, but I believe they are sufficient for a regular workout routine for shaping and weight loss. Grab some dumbbells to go with the bands, you should be able to get a great workout at home.
Just because I want to brag: since increasing my workout routine, I've gained about two pounds, but my waistline has decreased by two belt notches. |
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Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:04 pm |
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| luvs_torun
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With a recent acl replacement however, running, squats and lunges are probably not a good idea. :D
Low impact activities like swimming and cycling (even walking).... are good...
Do what you can on your exercise bike.... also use the hand weights...
take your daughter for walks... Or even swimming (or water aerobics) if that is an option.
Any exercise will burn fat/calories...... unfortunately for women... the butt, hips and thighs seem to be the first place we gain .... and the last place we lose...
But it can be done........... |
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Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:54 pm |
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| Ramonaschack
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| Exercise bands are good and very versatile. There are many ways you can use them for your butt, hips and legs. Walking is very good - I use to walk 4 miles three to four times a week and notice a big difference in my legs and butt - I would walk at a rapid pace about 13 min miles. I have some knee problems myself and find squats okay to some extent but and lunges aggravate them |
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Tue May 13, 2008 9:38 pm |
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| akolang
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barknbret is absolutely right...you can't "spot" reduce fat from a particular area. but you can reduce fat from all areas, including the problem areas you mentioned.
believe it or not, weightlifting will burn fat for you. as you stimulate muscle, you'll be training your body to burn fat. there's science behind it of course, but what you really need to know is that it really does work that way.
consider really using the weights you have in the way they were intended. divide your body into it's major muscle groups:
Chest, shoulders, upper back (pulling movements), mid back (rowing movements), lower back (extension movements), quadriceps, hamstrings, biceps, triceps
to start with, do your whole body 3 times a week for at least 4 weeks. pick one good, basic exercise for each of those areas, and do one set of each exercise the first two workouts. increase it to 2 sets each for the 3rd through 5th workout, 3 sets each for workouts 6-9, then finally 4 sets each for at least the next 3 workouts. at that point, it would be time to make adjustments to the routine.
concentrate on each rep, 2 seconds up/2 seconds down, minimal rest between sets. proper form is essential.
after a while, your body will adjust and lead you to being in a fat-burning, high-metabolic state even while not exercising. if you think about it, avid bodybuilders eat more than the average person, but are the leanest people in sports.
weightlifting is not more important than diet or cardio...but it is equally as important, in my unqualified opinion. all 3 legs of the triad...plus dedication and a purposeful plan...equal a can-not-fail result.
if i was too detailed in this post, and it's not what you were really asking, i apologize...best of luck to ya... |
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Fri May 16, 2008 4:39 am |
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