Finding the right exercise has been as much a journey for me as getting ready for lap-band surgery.

I joined a gym but found the membership was oversold. I grew impatient spending more time waiting for machines than I did exercising. I also worried about what to wear and people watching my big derriere. This was not my exercise solution.

I have a wonderful treadmill, which kind of works for me, but I get bored, even listening to music.

So I started looking for group exercises through the YMCA and couldn't find times that worked for me.

Then it occurred to me, I have cable television. I looked at On Demand options and there is a Fitness Channel with on demand exercise programs, anytime I want them. I must have been living in a cave to have missed this. It's perfect for me. There is a large variety. I can exercise at home at times that are convenient for me. Best of all, I don't have to exercise in front of anybody else. If I don't like the exercise routine, I can change the station.

So, I'm wondering, what exercise have you found that works for you?

I like walking on the treadmill. I walk at a brisk pace on an incline. I also do a step aerobic routine at home- an old Jane Fonda one. I am planning on starting to add the bike in- good to change it up. I am not sure why I am hesitiating to do this, guess I like the familiar. Good for you finding something that works for you! Best wishes!

I try to mix it up. Everyday at work I walk out in the parking lot (it's huge!) during my 15 minute break and my 30 minute lunch break. Then in the evening I will either do a 55 minute Walk Away The Pounds video, walk on my treadmill or go to the gym and do the elliptical and/or treadmill and a few weights. Now I'm seriously considering buying the Zumba Fitness collection to add to the variety and keep it interesting. But regardless of what I do in the evening, the routine Monday-Friday and on the Saturdays that I do 8 hours of OT, never changes. If it's raining I walk in the building, which is also huge, thankfully.

I actually started back at the gym a little before my surgery...heck, I had been paying for it for quite a while, but never using it! Started in earnest about 2 weeks postop, walking on the treadmill. As I got stronger, I started to do other things, like the elliptical. 4 weeks post, I started taking classes and weightlifting.

At this point, I'm going 4-5 days a week, including Zumba at least twice a week, and varying my other activities as much as I can. In 3 weeks, I go for training as a Zumba Gold instructor- if I'm going to exercise anyway, I might as well make a bit of $$$ doing it, lol! I also have all kinds of Walk Away The Pounds, Zumba, WAVE, and Kettlebell DVDs at home, so if my schedule gets crazy, I can get in the activity on my own time.

Just a couple of thoughts for you...you may want to consider switching your gym membership to one of the 24-hour-a-day-access facilities, so you can go when your schedule allows. And, once the school year starts, check with your local Board of Education for the Adult Education schedule- they are likely to be offering fitness classes at a very reduced price that might better fit your schedule.

PLEASE DON'T demotivate yourself by worrying what other people are thinking when they see you exercising. The honest truth is, there's a 99.99% chance they are not concerned with you in the slightest! I'm still a big gal, but I don't let the thought of other's opinions stop me when I'm doing my thing

My very best wishes to you on your journey!

Christine

Zumba?!? I just googled it. It looks fantastic! Do you use the DVDs?

I lift weights and take spinning classes...with my fat ass in the back row. I'm glad you're happy with your home solution. For whatever reason, I need to be out in the big, bad world to feel motivated. GL!

I have definitely used the DVD's- they are super! Most of the time, I go to live classes, since they are convenient and I get them free as part of my Gold's Gym membership.

Enjoy!!

Christine

I vary it up as well. I use the gym and do the machines as well as weight train. Lifting weights is essential when your loosing a lot of weight. Even if your doing it at hope you can find a lot of good info online (i use sparkpeople its free) on how to lift at home with free weights.

For my cardio I do elliptical, zumba, and Ive recently started the couch to 5k running program. I like you get nervous about being in front of others but anytime I see a fellow big girl/guy busting their rump working out I am inspired. So what is to say it doesn't inspire the skinny ones just as much?