Exercise Tips Needed

I'm a first year student at university.

Before I came, I did 2 hours of step aerobics and 1 hour of bums and tums every week, and felt great.

Unfortunately, although I would be able to carry on with B&T here (which, to be frank, doesn't actually do anything for me), the step aerobics classes clash with a compulsory course I have to do on Monday evenings. There is a class on Saturday, at 3pm, but I'm not so dedicated to exercise that I want to split my one day off in half, to rush back to campus for a class, then back to wherever I went out to.

I'm managing not to put on weight, although I'm not consciously eating less - I guess that stuff about the body finetuning your calorie intake must be true. I do, however, feel generally crummy - I'm without my twice weekly dose of endorphins, and my fitness level is dropping like a stone.

The problem with exercising is: I have little co-ordination (although this has slowly begun to improve over 10 years after all the other children mastered it! :redface:

), and get asthmatic-like symptoms when exerting myself for long peoriod of time, or in irritating weather. This obviously puts running/jogging out of the equation, because cold/dry/smoggy weather really hurts, and the lethal combination of all three prevelant around this time of year has made me black out in the past. Not fun! :frown:

Step aerobics was a dream, because my teacher was very sympathetic towards my need to sometimes take things more slowly, and the required co-ordination could be pared down to three or four moves.

So, I need something I can do easilly, that won't involve breathing quickly for extended periods of time or co-ordination of limbs, and is safe for a young woman in a large city.

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

gaia_a

swim, great for fitness but generally not weight loss

Reply 2

Ana

gaia_a

swim, great for fitness but generally not weight loss

Sounds like a good idea, if I can fit it in. Swimming pool is on campus a mile or two down the road, so it's a tad harder to get there of an evening :smile:

Lengths? Would they be best? (I possibly mean widths, it's a VERY large pool :biggrin:

)

Reply 3

gaia_a

i'm not a big fan of swimming, prefer jogging, netball, tennis, climbing to keep active, but when my friends started swimming they aimed to swim 20 miles (not all at once!) in order to raise money for charity. they were, therefore, really motivated and attempted more lengths than they would otherwise have. otherwise attempt say 30 lengths per session at first and then go from there or see how many you can do in 1 hour.
another thought, you could possibly try going to the gym, ost unis have cheapish ones for their students. that way you could try all the different activities and find out what was best for you.

Reply 4

Ana

I've done "weights" before, which was gym type stuff - it didn't really appeal. But it's a good thought, and someone else might find it useful, so thanks :smile:

Reply 5

Barny

As you said, you're not dedicated enough to do exercise, so what help are you hoping for?

Reply 6

ElWilson

Aerobics? It's great for tonning legs etc. and v. good for stamina and cardiovasuclar. Also, when and if you do weights, as you wish to tone down and become v. fit. :wink:

Erm... so small weights but plenty of reps for them, this way they will get definition and become as overly strong. Low reps with heavy weights are used for becoming stronger.

Hope this helps.

Reply 7

Ana

imasillynarb

As you said, you're not dedicated enough to do exercise, so what help are you hoping for?

When did I say that?

dedicated

adjective
Given over exclusively to a single use or purpose: consecrated, devoted, hallowed, sacred. See give/take/reciprocity, include/exclude

I fully admit to not being "dedicated" to exercise - that would be unhealthy, and a good way to fail my degree.

But when did I say I was unable to do it and unable to make use of suggestions?

Reply 8

Ana

ElWilson

Aerobics? It's great for tonning legs etc. and v. good for stamina and cardiovasuclar. Also, when and if you do weights, as you wish to tone down and become v. fit. :wink:

Erm... so small weights but plenty of reps for them, this way they will get definition and become as overly strong. Low reps with heavy weights are used for becoming stronger.

Hope this helps.

What exactly does aerobics involve? It's not like kick aerobics? I'm tempted to try it, but not unless I know what I'm letting myself in for.

Reply 9

Ana

richardrox

Trampolining is fun - it really improved my co-ordination, and as you generally do it in short, 2-3 minute bursts (with a gap in between go's as someone else takes their turn) it might not bother your asthama. There are generally more women than men, but their should be a mix amonst the particiapnts, making it safe and fun. You move through basic manouveurs at your own pace, with "spotters" to stop you falling off, so you needn't fear flying off the trampoline.

Most leisure centres and universities have a club, as it's technically a gymnastic discipline (but much more exciting :biggrin:

). As for toning you up, you'll have abs of steel if you get good, and nice toned arms. The endorphin high is unbeatable!