I'm a stay at home mom and need ideas for workouts I can do at home. I can do a lot of short workouts because I have kids. To find an hour is a tall order. What are some good books and tapes? I want to learn some weight exercises and do some cardio. thanx.
It has 5 different workouts, all 10 minutes long - pilates, yoga, bootcamp, ballet, and kicknoxing. So you can squeeze in a short workout whenever you have time. Or if you have more time, you can stick 2 or 3 together.
I also keep some dumbbells on hand. They were $4.50 a piece at walmart. I also just bought The Great Dummbbell Handbook ($9). I haven't had a chance to really look at it yet though.
Hmm I just came across this one, and it looks like a goodie. Darn.
Shape.com is a good place to print out some workouts too.
Also, I plugged in "workout kids" in Amazon.com and selected "VHS." It came up with a few products you could probably do with your kids -- depending on how old they are. I'd read the customer reviews before you decide on one. Also check the library, they may have some you can try before you buy.
OK one last thing, some do at home moves were mentioned in this week's Lean Plate Club column, including: chair stands, pushups, and toe stands:
Shannon - I suggest picking up a couple of resistance bands and some 5, 8 and 10 pound hand weights if you're new to lifting weights 8, 10 and 12 if your not new to it. Look through some weight lifting books at the library, "Weight Lifting for Dummies" is a nice choice. Also, look through Shape and SELF magazine past issues for ideas.
I designed a workout for myself with lots of multi-muscle exercises, to get a lot of bang in a short period of time (20-30 min). If I don't have time for the whole thing, I might do two exercises now and 2 later and 2 a while after that. Alternatively, I could split it by muscle group into two days. Personally, I have a Bosu balance trainer, a weight set with 2.5-25 lb plates a barbell and 2 dumbbells, and 10, 12 and 15 lb sets of dumbbells and a full set of resistance bands.
"Weight Training for Dummies" describes how to split exercises over different days.
For cardio, you can walk in front of the TV back and forth for as long as you have time or step on an aerobic step. Sometimes, I walk up and down my hallway and stairs and home over and over while listening to music for 20 min.
I don't know how old your kids are, but if you have a bike, you could get one of those little things that carts the kid behind you (like a buggy) or you could bike with them if they are a little older. Walking is a whole family activity also and great for nice weather.
I have had great luck with the FIRM for weight training and step aerobics videos for cardio. Visit the collage video website to learn about videos available. Most of them are not that expensive so it's easy to get variety.
I am having to go back to working out at home again, after 10 months of having the gym at my "fingertips". I just got the book "Shrink your Female Fat Zones" by Denise Austin, and am considering possibly getting the companion exercise DVD and her fat blasting yoga DVD. Was glad to see a recommendation of her yoga tape on here. I think I will start there. I want to work on slowly increasing my exercise DVDs to work out here at home.
Bee, where did you get your free weight set for under $20? That sounds great!
Blessings,
Lori
Re-committing myself to a healthy lifestyle that will include regular (and increasing) exercise, and following the baby steps rule on food. 6/17/08
Posts: 3149 | Location: California | Registered: March 11, 2004
I love WATP, but I've been looking for a plateau buster, so I've been using some of the FIRM DVDs, along with various cardio tapes. I get them from the library to try, and if I like them, I buy them. Tammy Lee Webb's Cardio Blast and Kathy Smith's Timesaver Cardio are two of my favorites.
I like working out at home, and keep my workout clothes and weights visible under the TV. If I get to comfy in my chair, I end up seeing the workout stuff and usually end up working out because all the stuff "stares back" at me.
Life is like a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs, but the curves, spirals, loops and corkscrews are what make life interesting.
I also use the Walk Away the Pounds (WATP) DVDs and highly recommend them. They range (as far as I know) from a 1 mile walk to a 4 mile walk, and each mile is 15 minutes. So if you only have a few minutes, walk a mile. On those rare occasions when you DO have an hour, you can walk 4 miles and really get a great workout.
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7350 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Shannon, I just bought a new weight set for my home. It was under $20 and came with a straight bar, 2 dumbell bars and weights ranging from 2 1/2 to 25 pounds (it was a 144 lb set). I would strongly recommend investing in a free weight set if you don't already have one. The set also came with chart for doing various exercises and hitting all the major muscle groups.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
I do a lot at home too. I use WATP too and also have a fat burning yoga tape that I often do with my daughter. I have started to work out scheduling with other at home moms in the neighborhood so that we can take turns walking. I also lift free weight at home. Sandy
Denise Austin's Fat Burning Yoga is a good one. It has three sections so you can break it out and not do it all at once. My 3 1/2 yr old LOVES doing it with me.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
I used a lot of the varous bellydancing tapes when I was working out at home with my kids. The little ones like to watch Mommy shimmy and shake, and they were never even a tad judgemental about a chubby lady trying to belly dance. My daughter used to tie a scarf around her hips (with help) and join in.
Most of the tapes are less than 30 minutes, too.
I gave up on the home workouts a few months ago, though. I found that spending the $47 a month for the gym, which offers complimentary child care for members, was a better option. This way I get to workout as long as I want without anyone crying at me, and I can even take a shower in peace when I'm done. I can take group classes and have contact with other adults.
So if you can, I really encourage you to try out a gym. Many gyms will let you come in for free at least once to try them out. I know it can sound like a lot of money up front--but it's well worth it for both your physical and mental health. I usually think of my gym fees as being spent on babysitting, and the workouts as free! Also, some gyms (like mine) offer a discount on the member ship fee if you work one shift or so a week in the nursery.
alli
Fall goals: 1. Bike 40-50 miles a week 2. Prepare new garden bed for next season 3. Heal my back
Posts: 732 | Location: Jersey Shore, USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
I highly recommend the Walk Away The Pounds series by Leslie Sansone. I've just started using it and it is a great workout! It's very easy to follow and that's important to a clutz like me!
