Best way to start getting fit for a first timer? - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

Pootsi · 11-16-2003, 02:50 PM

Im 39 and female. I haven't exercised since High School

I hope I still have muscles to work with, but I really want to get started and stick with a routine.
Im scared of just going into something not being ready and totally freaking out, never wanting to exercise in public again.
I've thought about yoga, it just looks like it really works out every inch of the body, along with the breathing.
Could anyone tell me of a really good way to start getting fit, starting slow then building up?

Kaitrin · 11-16-2003, 05:04 PM

Walking is perfect - it's a total-body workout, the risk of injury is very low, and you can easily start slow and build up over time.
Yoga's a good idea too - why not walk a few times a week and do yoga the other days?
Good luck, and enjoy your journey toward fitness!

never2L8 · 11-17-2003, 07:42 PM

Kaitrin is right, the easiest and safest thing to do is walk - you don't need anything except a half decent pair of shoes. You can adjust the difficulty very easily by increasing the speed you walk at, the distance you cover or the difficulty (by finding hills or carrying extra weight).
Start by walking for at least 20 minutes 3 or 4 times a week at whatever pace you can manage as long as you do at least 20 minutes each time. Keep at this until you can do 30 minutes each time and then start increasing the pace. From there you can start increasing the difficulty as mentioned above. It should feel like exercise rather than a stroll through the mall.
From there you can progress to some sort of fitness class or weights to keep your body challenged.
Good luck and take it from me (at 38) that age is no barrier.

Pootsi · 11-17-2003, 08:20 PM

We are moving to Washington state in 3 days, and I plan to do a lot of walking to start out, I think I'll wait on the yoga til I get more confident.
In the mean time I'll probably gain about 10 pds just driving all the way over there from Atlanta.
I didn't realize you can get an overall body workout with walking. I thought it would just work out the legs. I'll have to swing my arms I guess.
Sounds good! Thank you

scorpricorn · 11-17-2003, 08:28 PM

Just to let you know, I lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks by just walking for about 45-60 minutes every night with my mom. I continued to do this, as well as cut back on my fatty food intake, and then I just did small stuff like tae-bo and jumping on the trampoline (hey im 16, gimme a break, lol) and I lost a ton of weight!

So yes, walking is EXCELLENT no matter what fitness level you're at! Just keep it up and you will see results very quickly.