[Shootohoist]

That's right. No excuses. Please keep us updated!

[Onervemurce]

lol dont be too impressed I'm far from there now. I'll probably be happy if I can lift the bar.

[MineOffedOvex]

Be sure to try and increase your overall activity levels in addition to those periodic workouts. And try to build carefully into an exercise regimen that you can sustain over time. Some people try to do too much and then become burned out with it. Moderate and consistent exercise is really all that is required for health and weight loss.

Good Luck!

[Kausilwf]

115 is great! I usually only do 125-130 range right now so I'm impressed.

[Friend_Joe]

Ok my gym bag is packed and I completely splurged and ordered this:

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/iRiver_...-30571493.html

....so I can work out with all the tunes I need.

So you guys gotta make sure I earn my new toy by going to the gym at least twice a week (small goals at first, I hope to do more)

I plan on doing 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer (my favorite cardio) to start.

It's easy to get to my gym because almost everyone at work has a membership and it's about a mile from my building. I also work in an environment where I can get away anytime I want.

So I have NO excuses!

[xsVfF9Em]

So far so good. Except for when I was snowed in, I've been going to the gym regularly.

So far I'm just doing the eliptical trainer, but it gives a very good cardio workout.

I hope to add weights soon, I miss lifting. For now it's kind of a time thing. If I get going to the gym 6 days a week I might lift on two and do cardio on four of them. Alternately on days where I don't have to get back to work (Saturdays or if I go at night) I could just add lifting.

Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement so far!

Oh and I LOVE my iRiver. It's the BEST thing I've ever had to exercise with. It doesn't skip, has 20 GIGs of space, and 16 HOURS of battery goodness. I love it. (It also doubles as a portable HD, and supports USB 2.0)

[interbaoui]

Harry Potter on mp3? Now that's interesting (my son and I are HP fanaticis )

LT, don't forget to log your elliptical miles in the MG Challenge!

[StarsWorld]

The elliptical trainer is also my favorite, easy on my knees, though, I'd prefer to run I think I need to drop a few pounds more to make it more joint friendly.

Let me know if you need some tunes for your iRiver. I have a varied collection of mp3's and I have all the Harry Potter books on mp3 as well which I love listening to while exercising.

[DraidodaRip]

I've lifted before and know quite a few exercises. Two years ago when I was lifting regularly I was up to 25lbs for bicep curls and benching 115.
In both cased doing 3 sets of 12-15 reps. (I know there are two schools of thought on reps, but I prefer 12-15 rather than fewer reps at heavier weights).

I really like mixing up slow reps with regular ones. Slow ones just work the muscles in different ways.

I'd love to get back to those numbers. I always wanted to hit 30lbs for bicep curls but I never made it before I got out of my lifting routine. 25 was pretty dang tough for me though; I'm actually not sure I can get to 30, but it would be fun to try. I think I might be back down to 12's or 15's lol.

I went 45 minutes on the eliptical this afternoon, I was very happy with that.

[uchetrip]

I think it's important to make exercise work for you. Every once in a while I talk myself into trying to split my cardio and weight lifting into morning and evening and it never works. I am just not motivated at night, but first thing in the morning I can do both with no difficulty (motivation-wise, that is). Exercise does so many good things for your body it is unbelievable. I am also happy to see that you plan to raise your level little by little. Tuethis is right, don't get burnt out. But adding weights is such a great thing. Be sure to go to the library and find the most current book you can on correct form. Women tend to do very well with some light weights, from say a pair of 3 lbs, 5lbs, and 8lbs. And with just 20 minutes or so you can do a great workout. You will be surprised as to how quickly areas like arms start to show results. If you do go looking for a book on weights may I recommend Matt Roberts, his books are very informative and when he talks about diet it is basically ATKINS in the MAintenence phase. Best of luck to you.