I have recently started a zumba class. It is not a pretty picture since I am 355 lbs atm but I get in there and move and do what I can to the best of my ability. I still can't jump as high as the instructor but I feel as long as I am doing what I can, moving and getting my heart rate up then thats helping myself. I find I am more accountable in a group setting. I used to use the excuse that the others would look at me and I don't belong there because I am fat. But now I don't care. Everybody else is too busy trying to keep up with the instructor that they don't pay attention to me. I also find I am more accountable in a group setting. If I put a tape in at home and did it here I would probably sit down half way through if I even put it in at all.

I also joined a gym the other day.. This is my first gym membership other then curves. I am still not sure which machines I should be doing or how long I should be doing them. They do have a trainer that will help me out up there but so far haven't made an appointment with him. They also offer aerobics so I may start doing those classes.

Can anyone suggest a routine I should follow when at the gym?

see if your gym has Water aerobics. I am doing them 3 nights a week and it is a workout but not hard on your joints. Other than that..read up on toning and weight loss exercises.

Good luck!

First of all good for you! And I completely agree that group classes are the best way to go. I just got a gym membership too and I'm trying to take advantage of all the classes. I love love LOVE Zumba. It's so much fun and gets your heart going. I also really enjoy yoga. It's a much gentler exercise and just makes me feel good when I'm done.

As far as gym equipment goes. I would just go to the strength training machines and get on them and do a few reps. My husband told me to aim for about 10 minutes on arms, 10 on legs and 10 on abs. Then go get on the elliptical for another 20 to 30 minutes. I can't start the strength until I'm officially 4 weeks post op though, which is a week from tomorrow But I think just having some kind of a plan before you go can really help.

I know for me the main thing right now is to try and form a habit. Just go and do something, even if it's just for 30 minutes. Set a goal for yourself. I tell myself that I need to go 5 days of the week. I may only be able to fit 30 minutes in, but I need to do it. I'm hoping that it will eventually just be second nature. I've always hated exercising though, so like I said, I'm really trying to take advantage of the classes. They're more fun and it would be rude if you just walked out in the middle of it

Hope I helped some!

Congrats! somehting is better than nothing- go slow- I always crick my neck or something. but tehre is a zumba class near by and once the Dr can tell me how much I can or not lose as I am pre-op im going to go dance my heart out,,, cha cha cha!!

Thats AWESOME!!! I would love to try zumba, even with my lack of coordination! You have done great since your surgery hope you feel it...

Thats AWESOME!!! I would love to try zumba, even with my lack of coordination! You have done great since your surgery hope you feel it...

I just joined my gym, Lucille Roberts, a couple of weeks ago and took the Zumba class on Thursday night..OMG...LOVED it!! whew! what a great workout. One hour of shakin, dancin, and sweatin' LOL I am going again Monday night!!!

I have been doing cardio every time I go to the gym. I do arms and back one day. Then next time I go to the gym I work my legs. Also to switch things up sometimes I break up my cardio like 10 min bike, 10 elliptical, and 10 incline on treadmill. GOOD LUCK and have fun. I loaded my IPod with lots of fast moving songs and also if you go to itunes and type in Zumba you can get some zumba songs too! I love the songs in the zumba class so I downloaded them to my pod. LOL Keep on keepin on!! Hope my 2 cents helped

Tabby Ann,

I had my surgery the end of February 2011 and have lost 78 pounds to date. One month after surgery, I started using the exercise bike and eliptical for one hour a day...40 minutes on the bike and 20 minutes on the eliptical. Once I gained the strength, I started the zumba class,,,which was a struggle. In June I added strength traing because I have now developed "bat wings", on my arms from the excess weight. I do strength training 3 days a week...3 rounds of 15 repititions. I notice once I started doing strength traing my weight loss slowed down, but the doctor said that was because my body was building mucles...so don't get discourgaed if you see a weight stall along the way.

Ann

Tabby Ann,

I had my surgery the end of February 2011 and have lost 78 pounds to date. One month after surgery, I started using the exercise bike and eliptical for one hour a day...40 minutes on the bike and 20 minutes on the eliptical. Once I gained the strength, I started the zumba class,,,which was a struggle. In June I added strength traing because I have now developed "bat wings", on my arms from the excess weight. I do strength training 3 days a week...3 rounds of 15 repititions. I notice once I started doing strength traing my weight loss slowed down, but the doctor said that was because my body was building mucles...so don't get discourgaed if you see a weight stall along the way.

Ann

Good for you on trying Zumba!!! I love Zumba and go 2x per week! It's amazing to me how different the class is not that I'm 63 lbs lighter!! I can move faster, do more of the jumps, and just have more fun. Plus, since I'm moving faster and working more of a sweat, it's great!

The routine that helped me when I wasn't at Zumba was incorporating cardio and weight training. My gym offered free sessions with a personal trainer, who was fabulous. She told me that weight training burns more fat than cardio, so it's important to do both. At this point, my typical non Zumba day is 45-60 minutes on a cardio machine (such as an elliptical or cross ramp), then 30-40 min with the free weights and machines. I've really been trying to tone my tummy and arms b/c I feel like that's where I'm going to have the most trouble with loose skin.

Good luck in everything that you do. Something is better than nothing, so keep it up

I love Zumba but Zumba is known to be extremely hard on joints especially knees, I know at least 6 people who have injured themselves doing Zumba. Becareful with the twists and jumps, and do the best you can. Its all you can do. All the best, Denise

I take a Zumba class once a week at my gym. I love it. It breaks the the monotony of regular exercise. It's fun and it's definitely a lot of moving. I have to agree about being careful because of some of the moves, can make you hurt yourself (knees especially). I try to do as much low impact as I can, but there is one song that I just love and cannot make myself do the low impact on it. I KNOW it's not good on my knees, though.