Besides the athletics I participated in in grade school (and my short stint in college athletics) I have never really focused on fitness. Some could argue that even in the sports I participated in during school, I was not really that aggressive when it came to training (You won't hear me defend myself... because it is pretty much true).
That said, I'm turning 25 next year, and I've read various articles on the internet that suggest starting as early as our 30s, women start losing muscle mass as a result of aging. This muscle is usually replaced with fat (AHHH!!!). Since I've never considered myself a strong person in general, I figured I better start working those muscles to get the most out of them and protect my body from the repercussions of my current sedentary lifestyle.
But, how do you decide what kind of program will work best for you? The answer is always: the one you will actually stick with. My advice would be (after checking with your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough) to utilize the internet for free online materials to decide what you will like and actually enjoy doing (Yes, that means you should actually do the exercises... not just watch them!) before you even consider purchasing anything, especially if your budget is as tight as mine. If working out alone doesn't work for you (be it personality or motivation), finding a workout buddy or joining a local fitness class may be the thing for you. What ever you decide, try to incorporate strength training, aerobic activity (get that heart pumping!!), and some type of flexibility workout.
So, you may be asking what I have decided to do (or not, but humor me). But first, a little more background.
In high school and into college I was a part of my school's cross country team. In high school, I was never serious about it, most likely because I never found the right motivational factor and our program was really small (we only had a girls team 1 out of the 4 years I ran). That changed when I went to college. The program was HUGE!! Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE was so good! I was inexperienced and way too out of shape, eventually breaking myself by running too much too soon (literally, multiple tibial fractures in both legs from overuse). But, it was during that time that I realized I LOVED RUNNING! I had never felt that elusive runner's high until right before I injured myself. The irony.
Anyway, my plan is to baby-step my way back into running to avoid those overuse injuries and to incorporate cross training, which has been a foreign concept to me. For cross training, I plan to do BLOGILATES. You should definitely check out this program. It. Is. INSANE!!! Cassey Ho is so upbeat and crazy(the good kind) and seems to always tell me to keep going right when I want to quit! Best part? It is totally free! Also, she always has music in the background, there is a workout calendar for subscribers (if you like checklists) and a whole community of support is part of the package! Can you tell I am excited?
Now, if you are like my sister, you may take one look and say "That is too hardcore for me". Remember that thing about baby steps? Regardless of what you decide to do, you have to start somewhere! If you can only do one video or one set in the begining, just keep working on it and it will get easier! (I was sore for three days after I did my first blogilates video, but it was awesome!). I'm no expert mind you, I can still only get through roughly two workouts before I feel like death has come to collect me. You have to start somewhere.
Good Luck! Let me know what your fitness goals/plans are!
That said, I'm turning 25 next year, and I've read various articles on the internet that suggest starting as early as our 30s, women start losing muscle mass as a result of aging. This muscle is usually replaced with fat (AHHH!!!). Since I've never considered myself a strong person in general, I figured I better start working those muscles to get the most out of them and protect my body from the repercussions of my current sedentary lifestyle.
But, how do you decide what kind of program will work best for you? The answer is always: the one you will actually stick with. My advice would be (after checking with your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough) to utilize the internet for free online materials to decide what you will like and actually enjoy doing (Yes, that means you should actually do the exercises... not just watch them!) before you even consider purchasing anything, especially if your budget is as tight as mine. If working out alone doesn't work for you (be it personality or motivation), finding a workout buddy or joining a local fitness class may be the thing for you. What ever you decide, try to incorporate strength training, aerobic activity (get that heart pumping!!), and some type of flexibility workout.
So, you may be asking what I have decided to do (or not, but humor me). But first, a little more background.
In high school and into college I was a part of my school's cross country team. In high school, I was never serious about it, most likely because I never found the right motivational factor and our program was really small (we only had a girls team 1 out of the 4 years I ran). That changed when I went to college. The program was HUGE!! Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE was so good! I was inexperienced and way too out of shape, eventually breaking myself by running too much too soon (literally, multiple tibial fractures in both legs from overuse). But, it was during that time that I realized I LOVED RUNNING! I had never felt that elusive runner's high until right before I injured myself. The irony.
Anyway, my plan is to baby-step my way back into running to avoid those overuse injuries and to incorporate cross training, which has been a foreign concept to me. For cross training, I plan to do BLOGILATES. You should definitely check out this program. It. Is. INSANE!!! Cassey Ho is so upbeat and crazy(the good kind) and seems to always tell me to keep going right when I want to quit! Best part? It is totally free! Also, she always has music in the background, there is a workout calendar for subscribers (if you like checklists) and a whole community of support is part of the package! Can you tell I am excited?
Now, if you are like my sister, you may take one look and say "That is too hardcore for me". Remember that thing about baby steps? Regardless of what you decide to do, you have to start somewhere! If you can only do one video or one set in the begining, just keep working on it and it will get easier! (I was sore for three days after I did my first blogilates video, but it was awesome!). I'm no expert mind you, I can still only get through roughly two workouts before I feel like death has come to collect me. You have to start somewhere.
Good Luck! Let me know what your fitness goals/plans are!
P.S. I'm currently looking at participating in the Snowflake Shuffle 5K, Dec. 8th, 2012, in St. Joseph, MN as
part of my motivation. What do you think?
part of my motivation. What do you think?