new to fitness

milehighsky · 12-24-2007, 05:18 PM

Hello, and Happy Holidays. Just found your forum and it looks quite interesting. Around Thanksgiving, my husband and I began going to our local recreation center together. He'd been encouraging me for YEARS to start going with him, but I wouldn't hear of it. My whole life, I've had no interest in exercising -- at all! I don't know why, but I feel as though something has clicked inside of me now and I'm starting to figure this out. I know this is only the beginning and I have so far to go. I'm 38 (as of today, actually!), 158 lbs., 5'4". My goal at Thanksgiving was to just simply "turn things around" by Christmas. And I feel I've done that. In my 30's I was always thin - 120 lbs, but never in shape. I'd diet and deprive myself just to try to look good. But that got to be so old and so hard to do. Now I want to be somewhat fit, and I really don't care what I weigh. If the clothes fit better and my energy level is up, then that is victory all by itself, I guess. I've cut out the sweets and the soda (even diet) and am probably eating around 1500 calories a day. Five times a week on the elliptical 45 mins or so. Just started introducing weights twice a week (very conservatively). I just hope I don't fall off the wagon and lose this momentum. I feel very vulnerable, yet I do like my new changes in my life and want so very much to continue. Wish me luck. And best of luck to all of you in 2008!

phillyskyline · 12-24-2007, 09:30 PM

Welcome to the forum! That's great that you're getting started. There's some great info here, and the more people who join the more info we'll have.

joviemar · 12-25-2007, 03:37 AM

Hi, welcome to the forum. Merry Christmas ! (and happy birthday also).
I agree that we should not worry to much about our weight. I think the most important thing is whether we can appreciate our body. Have exercise to get fit and healthy, and if we can get also toned muscle, take it as a bonus ! Enjoy your exercise and keep coming to this forum !

pascalevdb · 12-27-2007, 12:15 AM

Congratulations! It sounds like you're making some great choices. And the fear of "falling off the wagon" is very common. One thing I might recommend to avoid this problem is to vary your workouts. Instead of doing the elliptical 5 days a weeks, find 1 or 2 other cardiovascular workouts that you like as well. This will help prevent boredom and burn out. Also, if you always do the same workout, your body will adapt and the exercise will be less effective. So, what other activities do you like? Walking, swimming, step classes, spin classes. Give yourself options--and feel your body get stronger and leaner! The sky is the limit. Its up to you how far you take it.

charlotte · 01-02-2008, 03:45 PM

Welcome, sky! A Denver Broncos fan, perhaps?

cassy07 · 01-02-2008, 03:46 PM

Don't have a fear of falling off the wagon -- it makes it seem like you're working out because you have to, not because you want to. The sooner you make the realization that you want to workout, you love working out, and it's something that's apart of your life -- the less likely you are off "falling off the wagon."

RWF · 01-02-2008, 05:18 PM

Hey there!

Sounds like you're really on the right track...is your husband into fitness?

Good to see you've got some weight training in there too...keep us posted on how it goes for you and if you have any questions post em up!

milehighsky · 01-15-2008, 07:28 PM

Thanks. Yes, I'm trying to vary as much as possible. On days that I can't get on the elliptical (not enough of those at my rec center!), I've been going on the treadmill, alternating minutes walking/jogging for about 40 minutes. I'm going to try a beginner spin class a week from this Saturday. This is getting to be a lot of fun.

milehighsky · 01-15-2008, 07:29 PM

Hi! Of course a Broncos fan. Despite the bad season, they're still a great team in my home!

milehighsky · 01-15-2008, 07:34 PM

Yes, my husband is getting into fitness as well. We go to the rec center each morning together. Makes it all that much more fun and seem like a "date." We're doing well, keeping at it. I've gone down about a size. I'd guess maybe 15 lbs so far, although I'm determined not to be a slave to a scale anymore. It's just hard to get over the feeling that we are what we weigh. Anyhow, it's going well. Got my BMI tested last week with calipers at my gym. It was around 28. With my height and age, that puts me at "overweight." My goal is in three months to be out of that category, back into the healthy, normal range. We'll see.