[Mom2nTN]

I'm finally getting started getting back to the gym. It's been over a year and a half due to chemotherapy. Now, I'm ready to get healthy again! So, my question is, what sort of workout routines is everybody doing? Honest answers!

[Kerls]

I do 45 to 60 min of cardio 5 times per week and take a Body Pump class 3x per week - Body Pump is a fat-burning strength training class. My first class was yesterday and my quads are screaming! But my intention is to take the class three times per week.

On the weekends, I sometimes go bike riding with my son.

[Rickysmiles]

I tried body pump. I think it´s a good class, but it´s not for me. I think one of the biggest concerns I have is getting injured. It´s been a while since I´ve been able to work out and it seems that the teachers aren´t really concerned about form. Plus, I used to bodybuild, so I´m used to bigger gains/faster results. I also noticed because of the pace and lack of focus on form, that I´m not getting a good workout. Hopefully your experience is a lot better than mine and the teacher stresses form.

Um.. to answer your question about working out. I have a job that I have to walk everyday for 6 hours. And you´d think I´d be a stick! I can´t stress diet! I used to walk for my job, weight lift 2-3 hours a day and eat whatever I want! After getting injured, the weight came back. Why, you ask...I didn´t change my eating. Contrary to popular belief, weightlifting is a good way to boost your metabolism. I was working out here and there, but now I am committed and I do kickboxing twice a week. On lifting days, I do the eliptical for 20 mins and alternate treadmill or bike for 10 mins. I do a quick lifting routine. Alternating heavy lifts lower reps and lighter lifts/more reps. After working out, I sit in the sauna for as long as I can stand it. Usually 10-15 mins.

Alternating cardio and weightlifting routines will prevent you from plateauing. Change your routine completely after 3 to 4 weeks, opting for more cardio and lighter weight lifting for a week. Then amp it up again. It prevents the plateau. The sauna helps you burn fat for the rest of the day. Weightlifting does the same thing. This time around, I am watching my diet and do not plan on regaining this weight agan! Diet! Diet! Diet! Change your eating and you´ll notice a change. While on phen, I have lost 9 pounds in 3 days. That´s diet and excercise and no snacking! Yay!

[Kerls]

I think people's Body Pump experience varies with the instructor. Yesterday's workout went well and I feel all the muscles that we worked. And, the instructor was very cognizant of people's form. The instructors are supposed to switch through to different tracks to keep the routine fresh, from what I understand. But, again, that's up to the instructor. One of my co-workers has done Body Pump in the same gym and with the same instructor that I belong to and she is looking fabulous.

I think I mentioned this in another post, but my plan is to stick with the Body Pump for about 6 to 8 weeks and then decide what I am going to do from there as far as weight training is concerned. To be perfectly honest, I prefer lifting with the men, and I may go back to that after doing BP for about 6 weeks.

[Punchie]

[Mom2nTN]

I like those workouts, Punchie!

[Macphee]

I just started working out again too - because I am so busy with work and school, I break my workouts up to 2x a day, 5 days a week. I work out in the gym at work for 25 minutes during lunch, then i do 20 minutes after work (the elliptical machine - works arms and legs). Does anyone have an opinion on breaking the workouts up? Like do you think it's as effective. From my personal opinion, burning a calorie is burning a calorie, whether you do it all in one session or break it up. Plus I have more energy in small spurts (easier to do 25 minutes at a time, rather than 50 minutes all at once.) I try to eat about 1500 calories max and burn off at least 500 in workouts. I always wonder if I'm eating too many calories, but I've seemed to lose about a pound or 2 a week, and it doesn't feel like dieting so much if i can eat more

[Bride of Chucky]

[Kerls]

[Punchie]