Exercise Newbie - HELP!

R

Rainbow Brite

0
Hey everybody :) My name's Katy - it's nice to meet you. When i was a little kid, i was super fit. I was always running around outside and playing sports. But ever since around age 11 when my parents divorced, i've been very sendentary. I've never gotten "fat" but i put on some flab/chub/whatever you want to call it and i've just never gotten back to the "fit" me. And finally, at 24 years old, i've gotten to the point where i'm determined to find that active, healthy girl that i know is inside me somewhere.

I'm 5"6', 134 lbs with medium bone-structure. From all the charts i've seen, i'm at my healthy weight for my height and build. So i'm not so interested in losing weight (although i wouldn't mind a little). I just want to be fit and toned.

I joined the gym Curves and one of the ladies there said that doing that 3 days a week, then cardio on the other days, i should be able to reach my goal. But after following that routine for just one week, i was dead on my feet! So obviously i started off with too much. For someone like me who hasn't exercised regularly in 13 years...what should i do and what should i expect? Everyone says how exercising gives you more energy...but everytime i try, it just wears me out! Is it just going to take my body awhile to adjust or what? Any advice/encouragement would be greatly appreciated :) Thank you!!
 
I think everyone is different, me...I get a rush out of it and I think it has alot to do with mind set. I've never felt tired from working out I've been tired driving to the gym and have tried to talk myself out of going but after my workout feel 100% better and I think it has alot to do with that positive reinforcement. Your working muscles you haven't worked in along time so your going to get a heavy feeling in your legs etc...but stretch and it'll work itself out...we have a similiar build from what you just wrote and sometimes I don't give it my "all" because I'm not there to drop 20 lbs...but would like to drop 10...more importantly lower my body fat %. Good luck.
 
Hi Katy,

Do you mean 3 times per week weights, and then cardio on the other days?

Doing cardio after your weight session is fine if you're wanting to get fit; just make sure you don't push yourself too hard if you're already tired or haven't eaten properly that day.
Cardio 3 times a per week is the magic number (statistically) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, so that's the sort of frequency you need in order to stay healthy.

Diet is obviously important; just don't do what some girls do and cut the calories right down whilst exercising as well - you need to give your body the materials it needs to repair and make you strong and healthy.

Maybe taking up a sport would be a good idea; something you enjoy (could be something you've never tried before). That way you're not just exercising for the sake of it, but having fun as well.
 
Going along with some of what Cassidy said, your diet is very important now. If you're not eating enough calories, you may be feeling that effect on your energy level, and it can limit your ability to build muscle and lose fat. There are several posts on proper nutrition, browse the forum, and I am sure you will find answers to many questions.

Best of luck to ya! :)
 
Thanks for the advice :) I'm on the South Beach diet, so i'm eating healthy and eating plenty...that's not the cause. Plus, i take lots of vitamins/supplements. Here's a standard day of eating for me:

Breakfast - High protein, High fiber, Low Carb cereal w/banana slices
Mid Morning Snack - half a banana
Lunch - Whole wheat sandwich with lettuce, lean turkey, 2% cheese and light mayo
Afternoon Snack - Fat Free, Light Yogurt
Dinner - Fish/Chicken and veggies

And maybe a sugar-free popsicle for desert. I have chronic low energy as it is. I've gone to the doctor about it, they've done blood tests, but still we can't figure out the cause of it. I have to get at least 9 hours of sleep every night or i just feel like crap the next day. And even with 9 hours of sleep, i'm pooped by 9:00 in the evening. It's horrible. So i'm wondering if exercising regularly will give me added energy throughout the day/evening - not JUST when i'm exercising. And wondering if it takes awhile to get to that point.
 
yes i think it does take a while to get to that point!

especially if you get fatigued easily? maybe you just started out at too high an intensity. there is a level where can probably push yourself without wanting to exhausting yourself. it just takes a bit of determination and consitency to build up your fitness.

try stoping your workout just before you get tired. the best is when you feel like you had a good effort but still leave with energy to spare! :)

have fun
 
Rainbow...do you have CFS? I have that too...and when you love to exercise it's difficult sometimes when your so tired...I workout anyways because if anything it'll give you a positive stress free feeling that helps with this situation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top