How to start working out?

[Anonymous]

I might've asked this question before, but whatever. Here's what we're working with:

- 5'9" and 140 lbs
- couldn't do a pushup if my life depended on it
- couldn't run a hundred yards either
- I can swim 60-70 25-meter laps at the swimming pool though

Whenever I try to start working out, everyone's like "oh, just start with ten pushups every morning. Easy". Hell no it ain't easy. I do go swimming two to three times a week, but any other form of exercise just kills me.

[Conrad_Kelsiven]

Well, first you need to be able to commit. A plan won't do you any good unless you actually can follow through. As for exercises, pick a few (two or three) that you really struggle with, and set an easy goal each day. ( @yaddayaddayadda02 pointed out that you could start with just one push-up, and work your way up.)

For you, these might be push-ups, running, and sit-ups. Try a few push-ups/sit-ups, find your limit, and make it your goal to reach that every day. If you do it every day, you should be able to add one every week or so.

As for running, start out small. If you really have trouble with it, then break it up into pieces rather than trying to go for a long run throughout the day. You can't run a hundred yards? Then try running fifty, wait a few hours, and go do fifty again. @GoldCobra said you should figure out what you really want to work on, and this is important as well.

So say that you pick out three exercises, figure out your upper limits- how do you keep up with it day to day? You need to make it into a schedule with rules. If I feel that I need to improve my push-up count, I will do as many as I can every morning. You might find it easier to do it at a certain time, I prefer mornings just because it helps me to wake up.

[Conrad_Kelsiven]

Another method would be to assign a certain workout to a room you visit periodically throughout the day. Every time you enter that room, do a bit of something you struggle with. (But make sure this room isn't one you visit every five minutes.)

Also, don't forget to stretch a bit. I am not sure how it feels for a lower count workout- but when you start doing a lot more of everything (especially running, ten miles will make you feel like you just got shredded.) stretching will mean the difference between being able to sit up in the morning, and being a cripple.

If you need any other advice, I always take messages, I spent five years (including a few in middle school) running cross country, and I currently do weight lifting.

[Longjacketanx]

Here's the thing, your body wants to excercize, but it's not used to it. Give it a month and you'll want to excersize (it'll become a habit). I would recommend a gym membership at a cheap gym that has free weights and machines. it's easier to push yourself by just increasing weight , rather than reps doing bodyweight exercisizes.
Most importantly exercise with a friend, someone as fit as you, and dedicated. It will be harder to blow off working out, and they'll help get rid of insecurities.
If you do decide to stick with body weight excersizes, there are websites you can use to figure out which exercises build what? (Ex: Push-ups build chest and shoulders, but what if you want to work your glutes). I don't know any websites specifically but I'll try to find some for you later. One I can recommend to you now is Bodybuilding. com.

[Leah1829]

I understand where your coming from. For me I just started with something like learning the choreography to my favorite and was a great workout I did it every morning before school. Right now, I'm actually doing a daily beginner workout calendar with Blogilates. It's all free she has all her videos on YouTube and you just do the videos that are on the calendar for that day. The workout really worout all the muscles in your body. Her calendar is on this website: https://www.blogilates.com I signed up for newsletter so I can getting codes for her monthly workout calendars, and again it's all free. I recommend that you try it out.

[Asker]

Looks great, thanks :)

[Leah1829]

Glad I could help

[abundantlyrich]

Start doing short 10 minutes exercise. Jog lightly before you even run for longer distances.

[DamanMannn]

on your knees, do pushup, it's a female's way of adapting to overcome their upper body "nostrength"
hehe, umm, you don't want to run either, a light jog in the morning is fine, work on your breathing, maybe when you feel that " I WANT TO RUN FASTERRRRR " feeling, you can jet for a quarter mile or soo, but not more than that.

DO NOT, FORGET, TO DRINK. WATER.
I worry about dehydration when people work out.

Swimming is great, it's just the same as running , except you don't sweat hehehe
works out your whole body, always aim for faster & stronger, in a timely manner though.

good luck ! xoxo

[yaddayaddayadda02]

Then start off with one push-up. Increase by one every week. There are plenty of interval training programs for running as well.

[Asker]

Thing is, I can't even do ONE. Hell, I struggle to keep my hands up while making a ponytail.

[yaddayaddayadda02]

You're just BS'ing at this point.

[Asker]

Okay, the ponytail thing is an overkill. Doing a bun comes hard to me though (it involves, what, having your arms up for 20 seconds, and that SERIOUSLY hurts).

[yaddayaddayadda02]

Then you can't swim as much as you are saying.

[GoldCobra]

Take tape measure measurements of your body and write them down. See what u have to work on mostly. Ten go to bodybuilding. com or any online workout site and find a routine.

[GoldCobra]

Then*

[marksmith108]

I can help you but you need to specify a goal.

[IAmCluelessToo]

Try and do a plank or squats or cycling