So I got this new weight machine...

wogi

And I'm super excited to start using it. No joke. Getting to the gym is a pain in the ass, so I don't have to put up with that, or the same excuses I always give myself not to go.

Anyway. To the point. I have this new weight machine, and a punching bag. But I need some good cardio. At least for the time being, I can't really go outside to jog, until spring comes and the layer of ice on the sidewalks melts. Any thoughts?


Also, I could really use some advice on some healthy/cheap/easy things to eat. Without boring you to death on details, I'm really picky. So, aside from having a broccoli carrots rice and grilled chicken dish every day, what other ideas are out there? I'd like to avoid frozen dinners, they almost always have shit in them I don't like and are more expensive than necessary.


Any help is muchly appreciated!

FDR

You can do low weight/high rep count exercises that will get your heart rate up. Just set the weights to something where you feel some resistance but not that it feels like strength training and get in a rhythm and keep going for 20+ minutes. Or alternately maybe get a jump rope?

As far as food goes I have no idea but I do like making a post or pre-workout shake with soy, lots of frozen fruit, and some protein powder.

Edit: Also, I have no experience with boxing but it looks like a speed bag would make a good cardio exercise if you keep at it.

Melkster

Regarding food:

There is no magical secret to eating healthy. It's ridiculously simple: Just eat less than what you're eating now. Bam. You're done.

Some more details on what I did:

About a year ago, I weighed about 185 lbs. A few months later, I was a healthy 155 and have stayed there ever since.

I actually pretty much ate the same types of things as before. I went out to Wendy's and Taco Bell about as much. I went out to restaurants with friends about as much. I made food at home about as much as before.

What I did is just took what I normally would have eaten and ate about 30% less of it. Examples:

• Before, I would go to Wendy's and order a 99 cent cheeseburger, 99 cent chicken nuggets, and a small chili. Now, I just pick 2 of those for a meal.
• Before, I would go out to Mexican food with friends and get the enchilada dinner, which includes rice and beans. Now I just get the enchiladas and skip the rice and beans, or I split a meal with a friend.
• Before, I would make two medium-sized sandwiches and a bag of chips at home for a meal. Now, I just eat one sandwich and some carrots.

You get the idea.

Oh, and I cut out all sugared beverages completely.

I didn't start eating tons of broccoli or green beans or squash or anything like that. I didn't go green or natural or super healthy.* I just ate 30% less than what I ate before, and I lost a massive amount of weight.

*Except for breakfast. Before, I'd eat a super high-calorie breakfast (think the breakfast sandwich biscuits at McDonald's), and now I stick to fruits, yogurt, and high-fiber cereal.

Djanvk

If your going to lift definitely up you protein intake, Walmart sells protein powder for around $14 and it's good for a protein shake, also look at bodybuilding.com they have really good prices on it also.

As for a home gym and cardio, jumping jacks, jump rope, pushups, up/downs, many different cardio options just get your HR up. As said above low weight high reps works. When you lift weights you actually will burn more calories longer than with running, unless you do interval cardio training.

Now as for the home gym myself I do better going to a gym, to much stuff at home to distract me, but hopefully it works for you and give yourself a pat on the back for starting to workout.

wogi

Thanks guys - much appreciated.


I actually had a gym membership for a while. I loved it, the equipment there was fantastic, everyone one was helpful, employees and patrons alike. Really, just a wonderful atmosphere. The problem was that it was so hard to get in to the place that I often didn't go. I'd drive out there, circle the lot a few times looking for a place to park, and there was so much competition just to get inside that it just wasn't worth it. The time I needed it was the time I couldn't get in.

I have no problem motivating myself to work out, but I do have issues motivating myself to leave the house.