Went to the gym again. One day at a time....

Spent about 25 minutes on weights/stretching, 15 minutes on the eliptical, and 10 minutes walking home.

Gotta keep it going!

DD, you're the one that got me motivated. I can't thank you enough. Let's hope this lasts.

Did someone work with you in the beginning so you knew how to set the weights? Right now I'm doing the cross trainer and the bike, but need to drop one of those and do weights. I just haven't signed up with one of the trainers for a demo yet.

I used to go to the gym a lot and that's when I was in the best shape of my life. Weight training really works for me if I can keep it up. Course, that was BEFORE I turned 50 - not sure how my body will react now. It should work, but may take longer.

The mistake I see too many women making in the gym (the expert speaks!) is that they don't lift enough weight. They just put the setting on the lowest possible amount and do about 20 repetitions with ease. That's not going to do you any good.

I recommend putting it on a weight setting that you can do with a little effort for the first few reps and it gets a little harder and pretty hard by the end of 12-15 reps. Do that 3 times, with 30 second rest in between.

I don't have the patience to rest inbetween, so I use two machines at once. I'll do my reps on one, then switch to another, then back again, until I've done 15 reps 3 times on each machine.

I'm trying to work my upper body one day, and my lower body the next.

Good luck!!

Oooooo...oooooo....I can answer that one! Pick ME! Pick ME! <Queen frantically waving hand in air, is ignored so she answers anyway>

Your body will react as if you have been hit by a 2 x 4. And that's just the second day....wait till day three. OMG. By then, a 2 x 4 would be welcomed relief.

You are absolutely right DD. A lot of women think that if they use heavier weight settings, they will "bulk up" with muscle. Not so. When I increase my weight settings, I sometimes do one or two sets of 12 reps each at the higher setting and if I feel I am really pushing it, I will do the last set at a lower setting until I get used to the heavier weight settings. Of course, in the beginning, there is nothing wrong with doing 8-10 reps for each set and maybe only 2 sets until one becomes more physically fit. I know several people who tried to do too much too soon and got discouraged and quit. It is a slow process. I treat my exercise time just like any other obligation -- I pencil it in on my calender each week because I feel that keeping healthy is a top priority for me, and I do not feel well mentally or physically if I don't exercise at least 5 times per week. The more I do it, the more rewarding it becomes. I also give myself permission to be BAD and not feel guilty about it. If I want to skip a day of exercise and eat a bowl of ice cream, I just do it.

JJ, you made me laugh out loud! Girl, you're crazy and fun!

Cyclinggal, it's just so hard for me to get into a routine since I have no one to exercise with and I tend to wimp out if I'm on my own. That's why I'm catching a ride to the gym each morning with hubby, who's on his way to work.

JJ, I've been out the door at 6:45 a.m. lately - is that also a painful thing to envision, those early morning hours of dawn?? No, not Dawn from the grocery store, DAWN, as in CRACK of DAWN, as in EARLY. No not Earl!!! EARLY MORNING. Aw, what's the use...

Okay, let me get this straight....you've been going out with Dawn and Earl and they're on crack?

Girl, you have GOT to get new friends. Try Mr. Coffee. He's good company in the mornings...

DD -- I know it is more fun when you have someone to exercise with. But I have found that when I go to the gym regularly I see the same people and we chat about our week, etc. I know that I will usually see someone there I know. If I went 4-5 days a week, I am sure I would get to know some others as well. You could always invite someone to join you in a walk after you finish with the gym.

I'd like to introduce you all to an alternative exercise system, developed by a high school classmate.
Here's a link (as you can see, there's a way to find a location near you): SSZ and here's another link: SSZ 2 (short video on homepage, so might take a minute for page to start-up)
One of the founder's family members (there are lots of them) has the location in my area. I've left word with him about checking into the program. I'd like to get my mom started, also, if it's possible.

Gims, I was going to check it out, but after waiting a few minutes for the video to come up, I got tired of waiting.