Beginner Home Fitness Basics

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Home Fitness Basics for Beginners

When first beginning any fitness program, remember patience is essential. Don't try to do too much, too soon and don't quit before you have a chance to experience the rewards of improved fitness and health.

Exercise must become a habit, one of those things that you do without question, like bathing (I hope) and brushing your teeth. You can't regain in a few days, or even in a few weeks what you have lost over the years of sedentary living but you can get it back if you just persevere.

And the prize is well worth the price!

The Activity Pyramid

A Year of Healthy Activity: 52 Fun and Easy Ways to Increase Physical Activity

Start ExercisingToday!

1. Carry in groceries one bag at a time
2. Keep the remote on the top of the TV.
3. Walk around the house or clean something during commercials and while on the phone
4. On the job, walk around the building every hour
5. Boogie while you clean!
6. Take the dogs for more short walks
7. Walk to the "further" bathroom at work and answer the "further" phone
8. Wash your car instead of taking it to the car wash
9. Walk everywhere within a mile radius
10. Walk around park at lunch
11. Walk to exercise class instead of drive
12. Hang laundry on clothesline
13. Wash windows inside and out
14. Vacuum an extra time each week
15. At work, arrange to have walking meetings
16. Walk your neighbor's dog
17. When out of town, walk from hotel to activity/event rather than take taxi
18. Do stretches with co- workers three times a day-"stretch breaks"
19. Jump rope at rest areas when traveling by car long distance
20. Do leg stretches while standing in line and while sitting
21. Get to appointments 5 minutes early and walk around the parking lot
22. Rearrange the furniture in your house
23. Find a handsome man at the mall and follow him!
24. Go to a do-it-yourself car wash and try to beat the time given to wash your car
25. Don't use a shopping cart when you buy 20lb of dog food
26. Walk on treadmill or stair stepper while watching TV or talking on phone
27. Take five minute breaks every hour or two to climb stairs or walk a lap around your office
28. Ride bicycle or walk to work or park a-half mile away from work, walk or ride the rest
29. Fill your grocery cart in alphabetical order
30. Park further away from the store front and on tops of parking garages
31. Do stadium steps at games at halftime and stand up and cheer A LOT!
32. Walk to different departments at work rather than calling or sending emails
33. When grocery shopping, leave the cart at the end of the aisle so you can walk more
34. Walk up two flights of stairs before walking down or add a flight of stairs to your day
35. Take the trash out to a dumpster farther away
36. Laugh more
37. Pace while you wait for appointments
38. Move your legs, squeeze your buttocks and abdominal muscles and sit up straight while at your desk
39. Squat while using the restroom
40. Park behind Price Club and walk to the front of the building
41. Make as many trips to the filing cabinet as possible
42. Water plants with a small container so you have to constantly refill it
43. Pay bills one at a time, take each one individually to the mailbox
44. Walk guests back to their car after a meeting
45. Dance while sorting laundry
46. Hike or walk with family on weekends
47. Go out dancing
48. Re-paint your walls
49. Carry out recycle stuff right away, instead of piling up for 1 trip
50. March in place during commercials or while on the phone
51. Get off the bus two stops before your destination
52. Walk the sidelines when at children's games

Source: Tucson Fitness Challenge

Basic Exercise Equipment

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How to Choose a Workout Exercise Video

EXERCISING AT HOME

EXERCISING AT HOME IS A GOOD alternative for people who are short on time, can't afford a club membership, or just can't seem to make it across town to the local gym.

Exercise videos are one option when there are monetary or logistic concerns. While some videos are boring or hard to follow, there are many that are well produced and have the marks of a seasoned, professional fitness instructor. But before you warm up the DVD Player, you should make sure that the video you choose is right for you.

Are you a "video person"?
Exercise tapes are like running shoes; one size does not fit all. You might get claustrophobic just thinking about doing a step routine in a 3 ft. by 5 ft. living room space. You may be the type of person for whom the act of driving to the gym and walking in to a room full of people is the only way to get you motivated.

Conversely, you may like the idea of dancing to the beat of a different drummer in your pajamas and aerobic shoes. And if you need a little variety, or reside in inclement weather, this may be the perfect mode of exercise for you.

Keep goals in perspective
While videos can motivate and inspire you, understand that they can't shut your kitchen cabinet door or magically melt away 40 pounds in three weeks. It's very important not to give in to all the hyped marketing surrounding many videos that may make unsubstantiated promises. In fact, any video that promises quick weight loss or instant results is probably unsafe and should be avoided .

If you are really interested in purchasing a video, do some research and find out if one of your friends has the same video, or if NetFlix or YouTube has a trial version.

When starting out, look for boxes that indicate the video is for beginners. Choosing an intermediate or advanced tape could be frustrating and lead to discontinuation of the program.

Find an inspiring instructor
Ideally, you should shop for a video that features a certified, experienced instructor who includes a warmup and a cool-down in the workout. Avoid videos that feature a celebrity as the main selling point, especially if they try to teach the routine themselves without support from a trained fitness professional.

Also, it is important that the instructor offers alternatives to the main program if it is too difficult for you. These are usually referred to as "modifications." Modifications are included in good videos for a reason, and you shouldn't feel out of shape or otherwise embarrassed if you have to do a combination on the floor instead of an 8-inch step.

Strike a balance
No matter what style exercise video you choose - such as dance, pilates, step or yoga - work toward building a collection that fosters balance and overall conditioning. This includes aerobics, strength and stretching. Many tapes combine all of these factors.

Perhaps most importantly, dedicate yourself to whatever style or method gets your blood flowing and your body moving.

Finally, be honest with yourself about how motivated you will be to exercise at home before you make the investment. It is also important that you understand how to exercise safely and that your doctor has cleared you to exercise.

Source: American Council on Exercise

Beginning Fitness Videos

with Jillian Michaels

Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones

Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones

Get into the zone with TV's kick-butt trainer, Jillian Michaels, and tackle stubborn problem areas with her surefire circuit training formula that combines upper- and lower-body sculpting moves to obliterate fat even faster. Say goodbye to saddlebags, muffin tops and wobbly arms with this heart-pounding, 40-minute circuit workout that targets trouble zones like never before. By keeping you constantly challenged, Jillian will transform your body from flab to firm in no time! Warm up and cool down...0 points

Jillian Michaels: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism

Jillian Michaels: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism

Fire up your metabolism with TV's top trainer, Jillian Michaels, and lose big with her fierce formula that adds strength and ab moves to dynamic cardio for increased fat loss. This 40-minute circuit workout blasts your heart rate with challenging intervals to turn up the burn and peel off the pounds. Whether you're just getting started or ready for a hardcore workout, this program will ignite your metabolism and incinerate fat to reveal a ripped, lean body!0 points

Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You by Jillian Michaels

Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You by Jillian Michaels

You've seen her change lives on The Biggest Loser-why not yours?

Are you in good shape but struggling with those last ten to twenty pounds? Do you have an event on the calendar where you'd love to make jaws drop? Or do you just want to see what it would be like to have the best body you've ever had? Then you need to discover what millions who've seen Jillian's training methods on The Biggest Loser already know!

Making the Cut empowers you to:

%u2022 Identify your unique...0 points

The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Last Chance Workout

The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Last Chance Workout

In the pre "weigh-in" workouts on NBC's hit show, "THE BIGGEST LOSER," you've seen contestants push themselves to the limit to reach their weight-loss goals - and now you can too! In this intense Last Chance Workout, trainer Jillian Michaels pulls out all the stops with three workouts that challenge your body to the maximum. But don't worry, past contestants will be by your side every step of the way. With a unique blend of cardio and strength designed to boost your fat-...0 points

A Beginner's Guide to Healthy Eating

The Beginner's Guide to Healthy Eating

Amazon Price: $3.90 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

With his bestselling book Eating Well for Optimum Health and popular public television specials, Dr. Andrew Weil has helped millions to cut through the confusion, hype, and often conflicting advice on what we should eat to feel our best and live longer.

What Are Your Fitness Goals for 2011?

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Michelle is a Health Educator. She consults for non-profit and corporate groups across the country and teaches part-time for the University of Arizona... more »

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