The Do You Work Out Zone

[Scuba]

Hi folks!! Glad to see this thread. Am working diligently on getting back in shape. I quit smoking a little over a year and a half ago. I have been lenient with myself and my workouts since, after all, not smoking in its own right is healthy. This leniency added an additional 20 lbs to my 5'6" frame and I started to feel crappy again.

Anyway, I work out at least 3 times a week and make a point to spend another 2 days getting outside exercise (skiing for example). It's hard work and there are days I'm just not in the mood.

Lots of folks have talked about ABS. Here is what I've discovered. Crunches (not situps per se), Yoga, Thai Chi, and the ball. Anything that requires you to lift your legs or knees will work as well. I do a great kick-boxing routine that not only works the heck out of my ABS but also gives me a good, all around work out.

I don't know about some of you, but for me, going to the gym, doing a treadmill for an hour and running around doing the machines is a bit boring. I like to be engaged, have structure and a person to motivate me. Classes work very well for me.

I mentioned in another thread that I have an XBOX and the Kinect. For those of you who are to shy or self conscious or just don't like gyms this might work well for you. There is a great game out there called Your Fitness 2012. You answer a few questions about your lifestyle and it tailors a program to suite you. You get great health tips, calories burned, a progress chart and fun activities that will keep you engaged for hours. The the game will tell you if you are doing an exercise properly and you get an on screen instructor to work along with you. The XBOX together with the Kinect starts at 299. The game is 50 bucks. I love it and use it several times a week.

Thank to EndrD for posting that ball video. I use one (suggested by my chiropractor) and it works well.