Questions

[helga1]

I'm trying to lose about 20lbs. I weight 158 and I want to go to around 138.

My question is, what type of exercises should I be doing? I want to lose weight and tone up my thighs, that is my main target area. I also want to flatten my stomach but thats not my biggest concern. I will be doing squats to tone my thighs, but what about my stomach? Should I do things like sit ups? Or should I only do that once I lose the weight?

What exercises should you NOT do until you are at your ideal weight?

 

[ToothlessFerret]

Whatever form of exercise that you enjoy doing - whatever works for you! Any exercise activity is going to be far better than no activity. Walking for example is a great weight-loser. Remember, you cannot spot-reduce fat, so don't fall into the trap of thinking that exercising an area of your body will turn fat into muscle. However, exercising will burn calories, and it can both fuel your metabolism and very importantly for health, exercise your cardio-respiratory system.

Set yourself a routine that offers both some cardio, and some strength training exercise. Keep it varied, keep it interesting. The big enemy is loss of motivation.

 

[corndogggy]

What exercises should you NOT do until you are at your ideal weight?

I see this more than I thought I would. I'm not sure there's anything at all that shouldn't be done. If you are so heavy that certain high impact exercises could cause serious injury, or so out of shape that certain high intensity exercises could give you a heart attack... sure, but for most people, there is usually nothing that can't be started immediately, especially if you want to do a particular exercise to attain a certain goal.

 

[deschain]

As stated above, the only exercises you shouldn't do are those that are contraindicated for health reasons.

Also, as stated above, don't fall into the trap of thinking that if you "work" a specific part of the body, that you can get the fat off and tone that part. Strength training will help define and build muscles, and that can be done on specific parts, but not fat burning.

Don't just do squats a billion and four times trying to "tone" your legs, while ignoring everything else. Do an overall, full body exercise plan that will help get your whole body in shape. What do you have access to in terms of exercise?

Don't exercise like a frumpy housewife who read an article in Women's Day on how to "tone" up her legs - workout like a women's fitness model who just happens to be trapped in a frumpy housewife's body, and you will look like a fitness model.