Need Workout Advice

I agree with beginning in water.
I am an avid swimmer and for me....it's the best exercise. No sore muscles afterwards and I'm so relaxed.
There is something so calming about it.
When my daughter was little, I had a membership and we swam every night after I got off work. I was so tired, but the swimming made me feel wonderful and I slept like a baby.
Years later, I had access to my own hot tub and swimming. It's definitely wonderful.
Water can give you a very calming and and non impact form of exercise. I loved doing underwater back flips to tone my tummy. Never a sore muscle.

Best wishes to you!

I have never been to a ymca.. but I would suggest anything water at first. Water aerobics, swimming... anything that is in the water. You still get the work out but when its in water it seems like its much easier on your body. After you get use to working out again and things are becoming easier then I would say move on to other things out of the water.

Good luck!

Start slow. 5 days/week, if you really want to do this the right way.
Start with 20 minutes. You may not feel as if you've really pushed yourself, but if you've been out of it for 6 yrs, you will have done enough to get started. (running, walking, lifting...ideally, a combination of all 3)

Next week, move up to 30 minutes.
The week after, 40.

Vary the exercise that you do. Boredome is the #1 killer of all fitness routines. It's better for your body and your mind if you do something different each day.
It takes 2 weeks to create a habit, which is what you want to do here. So stick with it for 2 weeks, and it'll be a part of your life.

Most times people over do it at the beginning because they think 20 minutes is not enough to make a difference. Not true. Even if you don't feel like you did much in 20 min., you will find out the next day. Just be sure to warm up and cool down with stretching so you don't pull anything.

Like someone else posted, I also heard that it is 80% food choices and 20% exercise. Again, start slowly. Allow yourself a dessert (or whatever your weakness is) once a week, for example, so you don't have to feel like you are depriving yourself. Smaller portions, no seconds, and more fresh fruits and vegetables is a good start. No processed foods and avoid fast food. They should call it "fat food."

Be sure to measure yourself all over so you can see the difference after a few weeks. Way to go! You can do it! Put those babies in a stroller and walk at the same time everyday. A routine is good because you will start to plan your day around it.

Definitely check with your doctor first. You don't want to hurt yourself.

Take it slow at first for sure. Treadmill, bike, light weights. Even things like squats, lunges and push-ups that use your own body weight are great exercises that you can even do at home on the days that you can't make it to the gym. With kids - you know you will have them! Being a little sore is ok. Being so sore that you can't move the next means you probably over did it but you'll know better next time! Don't let that deter you. Keep a log of what you are doing so you can see your progress or if you happen to do a workout that is too hard. Make sure you drink a lot of water and eat some protein after you work out to help build your muscles. That's going to help you get the tone you want!

Good snacks are Lara Bars, beef jerky, nuts like almonds and walnuts, hard boiled eggs, avocados and a piece a fruit. Protein will help keep you full till your next meal.

Good luck and good for you for taking charge of your health!

If water isn't your "thing", make sure you warm up by walking or cycling BEFORE you do any stretches so your muscles are ready for the stretching. Start slow with aerobics, but you will need to talk to the staff at the Y about how to use the equipment properly so you don't hurt yourself and get the most out of a work out. I've found them VERY knowledgeable and willing to help.

Good luck!!!!

First I would call your OB and make sure you don't have any restrictions due to the complications during your pregnancy. By now probably everything is healed completely but I would check to make sure.

Last year when I worked with a trainer, he told me to make sure that I walked alot after every workout. He said that when you work your muscles hard they release something ( he told me what it was but I have slept since then so I don't remember exactly what it was) and if you don't keep your muscles moving whatever it is that is released builds up and that is what causes the pain. So after my workouts I would go to Wal-Mart and just walk up and down the aisles. Then when I got home, I would do housework so that I would keep moving. Plus drink a lot of water, this helps to wash out your system.

Good luck.

My advice would be to do something low impact. If they have a pool you should look into the water aerobics and maybe do some swimming. You will get the benefits of cardio without the impact on your joints and muscles. Of course whatever you choose just make sure to listen to your body, if you are in pain then you need to slow down or take a break.

Good luck!

If your body is hurting, then you are working muscles and that's progress. Soreness in the beginning should be expected. I'm sure you have heard the saying, "no pain, no gain." It's true. If you can stick to an exercise regime for 3 weeks, you will have developed a new habit. Keep things fresh by changing your workout. This will help with boredom and also provide some muscle confusion with noticeable results. Like other posters stated, start small and work your way up. Swimming is indeed a great form of exercise!! I would also recommend you do a form of exercise that you enjoy, whether it's running, swimming, Zumba, kickboxing, etc. The more you enjoy it, the more you will put into it.

I just lost all of my baby weight. I had my second child last December.

I am no stranger to working out and running so it was not a biggy to get back in the gym but this time I was serious so I hired a trainer at the YMCA and to my astonishment I lost 1 pound in 4 months.

I spoke to my brother (physical therapist) and decided to go see a dietitian at the Memorial Hermann Sports Institute to find out what was wrong with me. Do you know that did the trick!

I started in August and I have gotten all 20 lbs off. I would suggest starting with a dietitian and ease yourself into working out. I suggest with 30 min. of cardio and go from there. Once you are comfortable, begin some weight classes i.e. powerflex. but please go see a dietitian.

She told me it is 80% food and 20% workout. She is very affordable.

The lady's name is Penny Wilson at http://ironman.memorialhermann.org/content02.aspx?id=187