New to fitness...? what to do - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

bravechanges · 01-01-2008, 04:44 PM

im 19 y/o male whos just looking to maybe get a bit more in shape this new year. im not intending to try out for Mr. Universe, just want to tone my body a bit. I am by no means overweight or fat looking, I'm pretty scrawny actually. I'm about 5'10 and my guess is 150lbs? but not positive on that one. the only place I feel "fat" is my stomach has a bit of extra skin flabbing around

anyways im looking to start some fitness stuff but i want things I can do in my own home. I have a fear of public gyms so things I can do on my own work best. I read skipping for 25 minutes or so every few days is great cardio, and I have a couple of 10lb free weights I could lift for a couple reps.... I honestly have tried doing situps/crunches but I just can't get it right for some reason!! ive even tried watching some videos but I just cant master it.

someone suggested pilates too is great but I dont know if ill have trouble like i did with the crunches

anyways, are there any suggestions of things I could do? im gonna change my diet and stick to eating quality foods instead of some of the junk I have been

thanks

janewhite1 · 01-01-2008, 06:44 PM

It might be worth paying a trainer for maybe 2 hourlong sessions to design you a plan and teach you to do each exercise correctly. Even videos are no substitute for an expert telling you what you are doing wrong.

I'm very stupid body-wise. I tried yoga classes, but I was just so slow to figure out the poses. By the time I got it right, the class had moved on. Then I went for a few private lessons with a yoga teacher, and I've been doing the stuff she taught me ever since. (over 2 years now, with fantastic results!)

Basically, exercise is the best thing you can do for your health, but if you don't do it right, you can get hurt pretty badly.

peace0087 · 01-03-2008, 08:15 PM

there are plenty of excersises you can do from the house without joining a gym...push ups and a ton of ab excercises would be a good start for you..also jump roping is a great cardio excercise....and for me running is the best way to get your body in tip top shape...you can start small and work your way up...i recently started running to lose some weight...and after 6 months i lost 70 lbs and just ran a marathon...so anything is possible...once you get a good foundation under your belt you probably will have enough confidence to join a gym....i recommend setting a goal for yourself...that will motivate you to stick with it....taking before and after pics also are good...hope this helps