Sister to Sister's Forums

I would love to hear what others have done to start on an exercise routine.

I tried to get a gym membership and have not been able to go more than two days in a week!

I've tried lots and lots of things to start a routine... but am having a really hard time. I joined a gym but also am having a hard time motivating myself to get there.

Guess that's why I'm here...

_________________
Rinibini

I believe in the make what you already have going in your routine, work for you.

Granted, it starts out slow...but if you "amp up" the usual things you do, I find it a lot easier to get into a routine, and then add to it.

I have dogs, and while they have a fenced yard to run in, I knew taking them for a walk around the neighborhood wouldn't hurt. So then gradually up it to longer walks, and then walks with small weights.

I love to garden...and ok, that's usually a good work out as it is. But empty that weed bucket at only half full, makes for twice the trips. Use the push mower for some of the yard, instead of the ride-on.

Get your friends involved. It's much more fun to sit and have coffee...but afterwards, lets walk a bit. And we can still gossip! That's already gone up to twice a week, with the weather finally staying nice, hopefully more!

I'm the type that really just doesn't like the terms "gym", or "work out". So going with my trick the mind idea has worked thus far. And hopefully sometime soon I can convince myself those aren't bad terms after all!

Blitz those are awesome suggestions! I guess I never thought of exercise in that manner... I'll have to start putting that into practice

_________________
Irina Brusilovsky
Online Community Coordinator
irina@sistertosister.org

I agree getting your friends involved is one of the best ways to get moving and stay motivated. One of my favorite things is to go on a long athletic walk with my best friend. We sometimes walk for miles and hours just distracted by catching up and spending some quality time together- we are not even thinking about exercise and I always look forward to our next walk!

This sounds great, I will definitely tell my wife about this.

_________________
Best Regards,
Jan Manzer
Jan Manzer

I just read an article in the NY Times about yoga classes that you can download online. I copied their recommendations. Obviously, going to a studio is ideal because it allows you to get away from your outside stressors, you are motivated by other classmates and a teacher can correct your form. But if getting to the studio is adding more stress to your day or if you live in an area which doesn't have a nearby studio, this may be a good solution. I think I'm going to give it a try and I'd be curious if anyone else does too.

A Tour of the Online Studios

YOGAGLO ($18 a month subscription) positions a high-definition camera at the back of its Santa Monica, Calif., studio and streams the classes (delayed). The picture quality is great, particularly if you hook up your laptop to a high-definition screen; you feel as if you are there. The site offers a variety of styles and teachers, including well-known guest teachers, and also has lectures and workshops.

YOGA DOWNLOAD ($1.99 to $6.99 per class) offers 180 audio podcasts and eight streaming videos. It features 12 instructors with a range of yoga styles, including Baptiste power flows. For experienced yogis, who need not see positions demonstrated, the audio podcasts are convenient; the site also offers a poses guide that you can print. Classes are sorted thematically: yoga for runners, yoga for back pain, etc.

MY YOGA ONLINE ($9.95 per month) streams videos in high definition and has iPod/iPhone classes with catchy titles like “Yoga for Anxiety” and “Creative Core Abs.” Some of its 44 well-qualified instructors conduct classes in stunning locations; there are 300 videos, with a new one or two added each week. The site also offers meditation, Pilates and workshops.

YOGA JOURNAL does not have a huge selection, but it is a great place to go for free podcasts — video and audio — with some excellent instructors, including Kathryn Budig and Jason Crandell.

YOGA TODAY (99 cents per video or $9.99 per month) has more than 200 video classes in its library, including “Embodying Fearlessness” and “Ashtanga for the New Yogi.” The site uses three instructors and some classes take place outdoors, against amazing backdrops.

ITUNES offers pocket yoga for $2.99: a graphic representation of an instructor takes you through poses.

YOUTUBE, not surprisingly, houses a large number of free yoga videos. Some favorites are ashtanga classes by Richard Freeman and sessions with Cyndi Lee and Shiva Rea. Sadie Nardini has her own YouTube channel, including a five-minute stretch before bed and multipart sequences that last an hour and involve all parts of the body. The price is right, but the quality of the images is often weak.

I am not a big fan of gym memberships - I almost always end up next to some guy or in front of a mirror while running. I get shy when I want to use a machine or end up spending more time waiting for the machine I want then actually working out!

I found several at home fitness programs that have made all the difference. I recently lost 15 lbs and over 20 inches When you workout at home it's a lot easier to find the time for a work out and you feel alot more comfortable while doing the workout. Plus I found that I motivate myself to do the workout when its right there in front of me and I don't have to go any where. I literally have no excuse not to do the workout.

Shoot me an email to jodicastagnier@gmail.com if you want to know more about these programs!