MSU Red Cedar Message Board

P90X

Walk. It is very underrated. Slowly build from half hour to hour. Then after that add a couple sprints in between.

20lb dumbbells for weights. Its all you need.

If you don't eat right, however, nothing above is gonna help.

Good luck.

I agree with P90X, but it runs a little long at 45-60 min with all of the talking. That may be tough with your busy schedule. You need a program that is realistic within your daily routine. Still, you can try it, and just do as much as you can. Start out slow and you'll notice that you can do more and more as it goes on. it's definitely helpful to have someone else setting your pace. Once I got used to it, I ended up just noting all of the exercises and doing them at a faster pace while watching a movie or TV. You can get a really good workout in 30 minutes/day once you know what you're doing.

My most important bit of advice is mental. You're only 41. You're not an old man. You're noticing muscle loss because you probably haven't been doing much exercising for the past few years. Light weights and light cardio are fine to start, but you don't need to stop there. You can still yourself into really good shape. Don't limit yourself.

I was in your position five years ago - became inspired by a friend and signed up for the Detroit Marathon. Had never run before but quickly realized how much I enjoyed it. When you have young kids you suddenly have no time for yourself. I bought an iPod - rediscovered music - and slowly got back in decent shape. It also allowed me to continue to occassionally eat the things I like and drink a few beers without getting too fat. Plus it is cheap!

I was thinking about getting that book. Have you read it already?

I want to add to my p90x advise. I agree with others that p90x is really time consuming and maybe something you want to try when you do get into reasonable shape because of the interval training and intensity.

If you have time get a membership at a community center nearby your house or work that has a pool. Seems like you enjoy Tennis and Swimming. Get back into doing those things again and start a routine. Take your kids with you. Turn it into an activity with your kids that will help you get back into shape.

I would also start evaluating your diet. Don't know why the doctor is telling you to start exercising but if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol you may want to start taking a fish oil supplement to get your omega fatty acids back up. Cut back on the bad fats and start incorporating veggies and chicken/fish into every meal. I would also cut back on red meat. This is an interesting study about red meat:

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/13/health/la-he-red-meat-20120313

PM me if you want any support or have any questions. I am also going through my own challenge of losing weight and get back into shape.

Run/walk run2 min walk1 you should be able to cover 3 miles easily. Add a minute to the run side every week.

Then start doing 8 and 2s you should be able to do five or six miles easily.

The key is your long run is the one that burns fat.

People keep saying P90X, but I think Insanity is a much better place to start. It's a little bit shorter and easier to get into for your first time back to working out.

As for me I much prefer swimming to running, but you can run anywhere. But swimming is much better for your whole body and joints and its a more effective cardiovascular exercise. So if you can find somewhere to swim, definitely fit it into your schedule any way you can, even if its at 6am, nice way to wake up!

I dont mean to be harsh, but the fact that doc says you need to lose weight means you must be heavier than he would like.

You also mention that you have young kids (Not sure how young and I dont know if male or female), but this might be a great chance to teach your kids good fitness habits.

Start with a basketball hoop in the driveway or events in the yard... get you kids moving and spend time with them. If you get into a good habit and decide you need more intensity, then get some videos or a workout program, but start with soccer in the yard, or football, or whatever it is your kids might enjoy and then as others have said, g devoting the time first... Then decide what intensity you need.

Depends on your schedule really. Some people like working out in the morning because it is out of the way and you can enjoy doing what you need to get done. Some like it during mid day but I always found it to be a challenge because of work and time. I personally am not a morning person so evenings work for me.

Same here. Started running about 18 months ago. Did 21 last weekend. I run 2-3 x per week (and yoga 2-3 times).

I've lost over 50 lbs in the past 2 years. The nice thing about running is that you don't have to go to a gym. Lace my shoes, walk out the door, run, home. Very efficient.

I have two kids and travel a lot for work. I take my shoes with me. On Saturdays, I get up early, run, and then have the rest of the day to take my son to his 2-3 basketball / baseball games.

If running is as hard on your joints & rest of your body like it is mine and you have a little extra jingle left from your tax refund, I might suggest investing in an elliptical machine. I bought a Sole E95 for just under $1600 and absolutely love it. I can actually get a great workout and NOT feel like someone beat the hell out of me.