What do YOU do to stay in shape?

[tashadolce]

I horseback ride (it's actually quite a good workout if you're advanced enough and ride often enough) and I'm starting kickboxing lessons. I took a free trial lesson in kickboxing a month ago (October was a very busy month, so I couldn't enroll straight away) and I fell in love with how it energized me (well, I find that I'm always pretty energetic, but I felt so happy... yay for endorphins!). It helps that the majority of the class consists of hot, toned guys. And the fact that lululemon makes special kickboxing pants is yet another bonus. I'm totally enrolling this week. Oh, and I also volunteer at this stable for their Therapeutic riding program, where I lead horses around for three hours or so, every week. So I guess that's exercise as well, ESPECIALLY when they trot and I have to run along with the horse! And I do 200 crunches every night (except one night of the week, which I choose to be my "bad night").

What works well for you? How do you maintain your healthy body weight? Do you have any specific exercises, activites, etc that you'd reccomend?

 

[ImpsblePrincess]

I try to run 3 times a week, and do 3 sessions of weight training. Now that I am back in school, it is harder for me to stick to a schedule, but it seems like running around campus with my heavy books is almost like a work out!

I am really excited as well because there is a new gym that opened up and they have some amazing kick boxing classes. I am definitely going to join up.

 

[fab_fifties_fille]

don't count your night off as a bad night...your body needs the rest every so often, just count it as your resting day.

I agree horse riding is great excercise once your advanced enough, it's great for your legs...I've just started jogging again recently and I love it, I"m going to get an mp3 player at christmas so i can jog with decent music ...getting myself in shape first...so i can then stay in shape.

 

[greeen]

not owning a car
rockclimbing/backpacking/hiking
working as an outdoor guide

 

[Baizilla]

Eating a lot of fruit, drinking a lot of water...

Playing football/soccer and basket everyday...

 

[SiennaInLondon]

Eat mostly rice and avoid other carbs especially bread. Make sure carbs are a big part of my diet. No Atkins for me! Oh and my trusty treadmill. It is oldschool goodness!

 

[Ungaro Kitty]

Sienna,
How much do you run at a time? I just started running recently (until now I've stuck to the bike, elliptical and stepping machines) and I'm running about 1 mile or a 1.5 miles at a time. I'm wondering whether I should run more.

 

[lunabella]

nothing! i eat whatever i want, i don't exercise, and i smoke.

 

[SiennaInLondon]

Sienna,
How much do you run at a time? I just started running recently (until now I've stuck to the bike, elliptical and stepping machines) and I'm running about 1 mile or a 1.5 miles at a time. I'm wondering whether I should run more.

Well to be honest Ungaro Kitty as much as I can. I try and aim for 25-30 minutes doing about 5k total (about 3 miles) but there are some days where a marathon is on the gym TV and I can do 45mins and other days where I just can manage 10 minutes and use the other machines instead. The treadmill is one of the hardest of gym machines so just listen to your body. Also don't feel obliged to run continuously. Try doing 10 minutes, walking for 5, running for 10. Initially it feels less impressive but if you look at the calorie counter you'll find it isn't. Also if you are exhausted, stop running, get your breath back and start again, you may get to this amazing point where your legs have gone numb to the pain and you can go on forever. Hope that helped!

 

[Erin]

working as an outdoor guide

Sounds fab!

I try to ride my bike to work pretty often. But now that it's getting colder, just walking to the train and then to work works as part of a workout (even though I own a car). I find I stick to a work out schedule when I build it into my transportation getting to work.

I need to start lifting again. I've taken a couple of months off from upper body, and I can feel the difference... I don't feel flexible or toned at all on top... need to get on that.

 

[SiennaInLondon]

Oh also here is some info for beginner's from a good running club:
http://www.serpentine.org.uk/advice/begin/

This is their excellent starting timetable http://www.serpentine.org.uk/advice/begin/starting.php

It will apply to the treadmill too but remember the treadmill is worse for your body. I run outside too but feel more self conscious. Running on short even grass is the best for your knees. Concrete is very bad for your knees. Running on a treadmill is fine for your knees but you are more likely to get muscle strain injuries because people tend not to change their incline and speed.

 

[fouroclock]

Gym at least twice a week and 90 minutes each. Half of it is cadio and half of it is weights.

Then cheerleading twice a week for two and a half hours each.

And then individual exercises when I get bored.

Which gets canceled out by my big appetite.

 

[Ungaro Kitty]

Thanks Sienna that was helpful!

 

[Bluestar07]

I'm a real bum. 1 hour of dance class once a week and 2 hours of yoga once a week. That's it.

 

[Ruby99]

6 dance lessons a week.

 

[smartarse]

i was told treadmill is best for your knees and legs because it isn't flat like the street or sidewalks or outdoors.

Oh also here is some info for beginner's from a good running club:
http://www.serpentine.org.uk/advice/begin/

This is their excellent starting timetable http://www.serpentine.org.uk/advice/begin/starting.php

It will apply to the treadmill too but remember the treadmill is worse for your body. I run outside too but feel more self conscious. Running on short even grass is the best for your knees. Concrete is very bad for your knees. Running on a treadmill is fine for your knees but you are more likely to get muscle strain injuries because people tend not to change their incline and speed.

 

[Erin]

i was told treadmill is best for your knees and legs because it isn't flat like the street or sidewalks or outdoors.

It is probably less hard on your knees, but you're also missing a better workout on a treadmill (as apposed to running outside). Running outdoors will better tone your legs. If you have bad knees, I would suggest trails or cross country tracks.

 

[smartarse]

^ well, i like the eliptical , it really toned my legs. but i play tennis alot and a basketball. so i guess the combination of the 3 helped.

 

[Mettchen]

Sienna,
How much do you run at a time? I just started running recently (until now I've stuck to the bike, elliptical and stepping machines) and I'm running about 1 mile or a 1.5 miles at a time. I'm wondering whether I should run more.

when i started running that were distances i was running as well. i started only a couple of months ago and i'm already up to 8km at the time though i usually train in intervals.

 

[i_<3_chanel]

right now.
nothn.