What form of FUN excercise gives you the most benefit?

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Hello everyone,

I have faithfully used the treadmill for years, a couple times a week, for about 1 hour each time. While, I don't see any weight loss results, I don't want to give it up because its a good cardio workout (I jog for about 40 minutes and walk for 20) and do work up a good sweat) and I feel better having done it. Not to mention, I watch tv while doing it. But I want to shed some weight and get toned, but I just can't seem to embrace any other form of excercise. I bought a beginners pilates DVD and haven't put it in the player yet (its been a week). So, if you could share with me some of your favorite forms, maybe one will click and I can finally start to tone up and lose some lbs. Thanks in advance for your comments!!

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Permalink Reply by Homemom3 on August 7, 2009 at 4:02pm: As far as exercise goes that is fun I'm going to say playing tag with the kids, this always gets everyone up and running and they all have fun.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kristi Maloney on August 8, 2009 at 3:41am: Good idea homemom3. I certainly would do a lot of running around....because I would be "it" most of the time!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kelly Luzod-Jones on August 8, 2009 at 6:38pm: I'm a DVD Queen myself and I prefer Sean T's Hip Hop Abs, the P90x system (it's a toughie)...those are a couple of my favorites! Hope that might help out a bit.
Other than that, depending on where you live, might I suggest a Pole Dancing class! It's an absolute blast and a terrific way to get fit. I took a series 1 and 2 of classes and I was so hooked I bought a pole. Then again, within a week of buying the pole I was pregnant so be careful! HA!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sunita Narma on August 12, 2009 at 11:42am: ZUMBA
Its fun its uplifting and I dont watch the clock and the whole hours flies by.
Great work out for mind and body
If they offer classes in your area check it out.
If you prefer something calmer there is always Yoga.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lynne Kenney on August 12, 2009 at 5:11pm: I agree with home mom that if I just play with the girls that's tiring. We really like the Bar Method tapes as well.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Samantha G on August 13, 2009 at 7:11am: I like to do something with my kids like ride bikes, swim and play tennis. It teaches them, it's good interaction, and you get a good work out. With tennis I let them hit the ball to me to get a good feel of how to do it and it gives me a good work out to chase the ball.

Intervals is very good too and can be done with most exercise. That is what playing really is. You'd run, skate, pedal, or swim like your are racing then stop and rest. It's the starting and stopping that helps burn the fat. Do a search on the method to learn more.

I am also learning how to in-line skate. If that's too risky go to a skating rink and skate around on regular roller skates. You could go bowling to get a good upper body workout and stretch your legs and gluts.

I some of the many ideas sparks your interest.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andrea Fellman on August 13, 2009 at 8:20am: Kickboxing is so much fun and it releases so much stress! My husband and I do it together sometimes and it is fun because we are both competitive - who can kick higher, punch faster etc.... It is an amazing workout as well:); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tamara Garcia on August 13, 2009 at 2:06pm: Hi Kristi,

If you are looking to lose weight you really need to watch what you are eating (if your not already). If you are only doing the treadmill for 1 hour a couple a days a week you will not see the the results you want. I am not sure if you have children or not but here is my daily/weekly routine that helped me and I started out at 210pounds and now I am down to 135.

Monday- Strength Training for 1 1/2 in the morning/Cardio at night (jumping jacks/jump rope)
Tuesday-Cardio for 2 hours treadmill, bike, stairmaster(intervals for the last 15 minutes to get my VO2 up)
Wednesday- Same as Monday
Thursday- Same as Tuesday
Friday-Day off (but usually skateboard w/my boys or take them to play basketball)
Saturday-Run 15-20 miles
Sunday-Mountain Biking/Hiking/Trail Running.

I truly feel that 80% of our success is from what we eat.

I hope this helps; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elise on August 14, 2009 at 7:42pm: Yoga! I have always loved it and have gotten away from practicing...after having kids. Probably just a big fat excuse, though! I plan to get back to it when we move in Sept. Thank you for the reminder!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kristi Maloney on August 15, 2009 at 9:07am: Wow! A sincere thank you to all who have responded to this question! Great ideas here. We are just back from a week in Maine and I am happy to say we did a lot of walking, a lot of biking and I did two days (1/2 hour) of some strength and stretching excercises. Watched what I ate (for the most part) and didn't gain any weight. In the past, I have gone on vacation and gained 5+ lbs.! So FOR ME, this is an improvement. A special thanks and congratulations to Tamara! You are an inspiration!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by tracey lamphere on August 15, 2009 at 10:28am: I don't know about the fun factor, but I have enjoyed yoga and challenge of it. It lengthens and strengthens and I people who have been practicing it for a while seem to be pretty skinny.

I have recently started weight training with a trainer. She encourages me and challenges me to do things that I didn't realize I could do. And I am slimming down.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bonnie on August 15, 2009 at 12:43pm: You my want to tilt the tread mill more. I walk 4 miles a day.
This and changing my diet by taking out the soda i've lost
30 pounds. All so i couldn't walk or run for 5 years before
this and now i'm walking 4 miles after my knee operations.

now all i need to do is fine a way to tone my body and get more
muscle than flag. There not a hole lot i can do because of my back
its bad but i keep moving.; ▶ Reply to This