I'll admit it, I have a problem with procrastination. I've been putting off possibly the most important part of becoming a RLSH: Getting in shape. Gyms are expensive, and I don't want to go far from my house to work out just in case I wear myself out so bad I don't want to make the trek back. So I've decided I need to buy an exercise machine of some kind. Key point is it needs to be cheap, and for cardio. I have weights, so gaining muscle isn't a problem. It's burning all this fat that I need to worry about. I have a bad back so its just not helping.

My question is this: What is the best type of exercise machine for cardio? And what is the cheapest exercise machine for cardio? I was thinking of a stationary bike but I have no idea. I'd rather hear from people with experience.

I'd just jog around the block. Not too far away when you do get tired.

Alternately, jog away from home anyways. If you find that you don't "want" to make the jog back, then it means you're getting the exercise you need on that jog back.

Buy a jump rope.

For cardio nothing beats running... except that if you specifically want the cardio endurance to perform a particular activity, then your best bet is to get it by performing that activity. (For instance, if your goal is good cardio for swimming, then swim a lot).

Exercise machines are over hyped. There are probably stairs somewhere near you -- there you go -- a free stair climber.

I must strongly agree that running/jogging is the best way. I've started jogging again about a month ago and have definitely noticed changes (less shortness of breathe, higher endurance, etc.) I just hope to keep up with it once school starts up again...
The greates upside - it's completely free (unless you need new running shoes).

I'm with the others, jogging would be best to burning off the fat and also you want to eat foods that will help keep up your metabolism. There are lots of good foods out there and the best thing I can suggest is googling clean eating and finding all you can on that. Also, to keep your metabolism going, I would also suggest eating smaller portions at each meal and actually eating 4 to 5 smaller meals a day. That will keep your engine running and keep you from being hungry through the day and eating larger portions at lunch and dinner time.

The best thing I can suggest is finding all the information you can about clean eating and working that into your daily diet and following some of what I have suggested and what you can find in books and online. The other thing I will suggest is checking with your doctor before you overhaul your eating and exercise habits.

When I say daily diet, I mean what you will eat for the rest of your life and not something that you do to lose weight. Over time, you will need to evaluate your diet and change things in order to maintain your weight, or to gain muscle and keep off the body fat. There is a lot involved with losing body fat.

As for weight training, I highly suggest that you do that while you are losing the body fat and continue on afterwards. The reason is, as you lose body fat you will also be losing some muscle with the fat loss unless you are also doing something in the way of weight training in order to maintain what you have now in the way of muscle.

Actually, jumping rope burns more kcals than jogging. and it builds agility too.

IT IS EASY to get hurt


WALK for cardio for a YEAR.
Then, walk/jog for two years

I AM NOT KIDDING

Buy a Bowflex.

Use the bow flex twice a week and walk three days a week.
rest two days.
do not shrink food for the first two years.

we cannot speed healing

PM me ANY time for exercise info, please

more:

walk for fifteen minutes, M W F, for the first six weeks

add five minutes when ever you are in the mood.

I HIGHLY recommend the Bow Flex!

but, again, we cannot speed up healing.


Weight lifting must be done twice per week - like -
M-TH or F-M or W - S

but not M - W because it is too long from W to M

Ok I have absolutly no idea what that was with the M W F and what the hell is a bowflex?

My gym is outside often used as a children's playground but has stuff that is big enough to handle my body wheight on it After I move ALL the big rocks and boulders out of the playgrounds and schoolyards I do a couple of laps on the monkeybars then a few chin ups on the high bar Climb up to the top of the swingset and bring down the swing for the other kids to use if they are there otherwise I might indulge myself on the swings and see how high I can go as well as how far I can fly off the swing If the kids are there we play tag and its all free style go whereever I like and do whatever I wish during the tag games

PolarMan,

you do good stuff!


M = monday

T = tuesday
etc.

Bowflex is a lifting thing for at home that doesn't have heavy plates

Here's the website for bowflex. http://www.bowflexhomegyms.com/bowflex_home_gyms_us/homepage.jsp?adID=DEGGOFFERTST810

every piece of equipment has something to offer. . .but you need to do something. . .before you buy anything. . .get in the habbit of doing something. . .if you can take walks everyday for whatever time you decide. . .then you'll begin to have the commitment that will justify a machine. . .jogging. . .anything that gets you moving. . .but get into a routine first. . .otherwise the machine will become a hatrack. . .

dc

You're welcome! I thought it might help!

Walk for a YEAR?

That just seems overly cautious to me. I realize your expertise in this area, but every day for decades and decades all branches of the military have had tons of people basically start running immediately (with some minor build up in intensity)... there's a level of run-related injuries, to be sure, but they're not the norm. The average person makes it through this process with improved cardiorespiratory endurance and health.

I know that if you're a civilian with the luxury of doing so, a walking period is recommended to warm up to running if you've never done it.

But a YEAR?

The human body can't be that fragile.

:/