Advice on exercise/working out

[Captain-Giggles]

I'm setting myself a challenge, to shift myself from my regular routine and start working out. I'm looking to lose between 1 and 2 stone by the end of August, but my knowledge on exercise methods is lacking. So far my regime looks to be sit-ups, push-ups, weight lifting and a game of ultimate frisbee once or twice a week.
So what I'm here to ask is, can anyone reccommend other things to do? I lack any exercise equipment aside from a basic set of weights, and I'd not be heading to the gym either due to lack of money. I see myself maybe doing about 2 hours workout a day (Unless that is too much/little). I'd be looking for things you could do in the space of a smallish room, and exercises that work around your core and your posterior. Also just gonna say don't suggest jogging, I've tried it many times before and have never enjoyed it, nor seen improvement in it.
I suppose also if anyone stumbles accross this topic in hopes to pick up a few tips themselves, I welcome you to join me in my challenge, setting yourself a goal within a timeline really helps you focus on it, and maybe when we all come back from we can see how we did.

And according to my Captcha, at the moment I am 0,05 menist. Let's try and get that higher folks!

 

[Lilani]

I recommend adding maybe a bit more cardio, and maybe do it a bit more often. Working out 3 times per week is really ideal for gaining some and mostly maintaining your current fitness, while 4 times per week is ideal for improvement. That is if you are looking to improve.

Apart from that, just make sure you keep challenging yourself. You seem to be working a good range of muscles, so now you just have to shake it up every now and then.

Like say, if you do 3 sets of 50 pushups for your workout, maybe one day try 2 sets of 75 and see where that gets you. Then if that's not so bad, maybe soon you'll be able to do 3 of 75. And with your weights, remember to change what you do after a while so your body still feels the challenge. If you do 3 sets of 10 vertical pulldowns at 40 pounds (I don't know what that would be in your units), try adding just a bit more weight but do fewer in the set if necessary.

This constant change in pace keeps your body from getting used to the workout, and will maximize your efforts. Plus, a change of pace will keep you interested, too. There's nothing more tedious and discouraging than having to do the same, monotonous workout every other day.

 

[Woodsey]

If you want to lose weight you should do cardio (running, swimming, etc.). Sit-ups will build muscle in your stomach, they won't get rid of fat.

 

[similar.squirrel]

'Burpees'. They're like a squat/press-up hybrid. Good for cardio, and work a good range of muscles in the upper-body. Try to do as many in as short a time as possible.

Other than that, I don't know. I've never needed to lose weight, just build muscle.

 

[Wolf-AUS]

If you're looking to lose weight, you'll need to add a lot more cardio in there. Running and swimming are great ones. Be careful though because running can be quite a high impact activity in regards to your joints, but you can avoid this by using exercise bikes on rest days.

On the days you do weights, unless you are trying to increase muscle mass, lift lighter for more reps. Situps and pushups aren't going to help you lose weight all that much, but you should definitely maintain doing them because they will help improve your overall fitness.

What you eat also plays a substantial part. Aim for red meat about twice a week, chicken and fish are really good sources of protein and of you drink green tea you can negate the mercury content of the fish. Museli and yoghurt is a great breakfast, the main part would be to try to cut down your sugar intake, sugar provides an instant energy and unless used as such is jut empty calories which turn into fat. Also remember, don't try to avoid fats in foods (unless saturated fats) because the body needs good fats, and good fats like the ones found in unsalted nuts aren't turned into fat in your body.

Sorry if I've been a bit brief, but I'm typing from my phone and I'm half asleep. Send me a message if you need any more help. Hopes this helps a little at least

 

[Avaholic03]

Well, if you're anything like me, you should do more stuff like ultimate frisbee. I really hate just going to work out for the sake of working out. I find it's much more effective to do something that I enjoy (skiing, hockey, mountain biking, tennis, etc.) that also is good for you. I can't force myself to jog for even a 1/2 mile before giving up because it's boring. But I can run all day if I'm playing a sport that requires running.

Captcha: tactical orkintab...I wonder if that's some secret workout routine

 

[rodneyy]

if you dont want to do jogging try just walking, it wont burn as fast but as you have the chance to do it more often during your day to day activities it can catch up.

once you get into the habit of walking places you do a mile or two here or there walking to the shops intead of taking the car or bus. climb up sairs instead of taking the lift.

it should also help you keep any weight off, instead of just doing intence bursts that could be easy to forget about or put off through a malaise, once your in the habit of walking places you get these little work outs without even thinking

 

[Toaster Hunter]

Drink lots of water, don't forget to weight train (muscle burns more calories than anything else) and watch what you eat. There are plenty of exercises for you to do, just try them all until you find something you like.

And most importantly, keep doing it. The biggest threat to weight loss is losing weight. People get complacent and stop exercising and dieting and the weight comes right back, and its harder to lose it a second time.

 

[William MacKay]

'Burpees'. They're like a squat/press-up hybrid. Good for cardio, and work a good range of muscles in the upper-body. Try to do as many in as short a time as possible.

Other than that, I don't know. I've never needed to lose weight, just build muscle.

can you explain for me? im really intrigued. also, dont explain where the name came from, dont want to know.
OT: Obviously do cardio. squats help build leg muscle. Ultimate Frisbee might fall under cardio to a certain extent, plus its fun!

 

[similar.squirrel]

'Burpees'. They're like a squat/press-up hybrid. Good for cardio, and work a good range of muscles in the upper-body. Try to do as many in as short a time as possible.

Other than that, I don't know. I've never needed to lose weight, just build muscle.

can you explain for me? im really intrigued. also, dont explain where the name came from, dont want to know.
OT: Obviously do cardio. squats help build leg muscle. Ultimate Frisbee might fall under cardio to a certain extent, plus its fun!

Quoth Wikipedia:

The burpee is a full body exercise used in strength training and as aerobic exercise. It is performed in five steps:

1. Begin in a standing position.
2. Drop into a squat position with your hands on the ground.
3. Kick your feet back while lowering yourself with a pushup.
4. Return your feet to the squat position while straightening your arms.
5. Leap up as high as possible from the squat position with your arms overhead.

Believe it or not, 'Burpee' is a surname.

 

[Wolf-AUS]

'Burpees'. They're like a squat/press-up hybrid. Good for cardio, and work a good range of muscles in the upper-body. Try to do as many in as short a time as possible.

Other than that, I don't know. I've never needed to lose weight, just build muscle.

can you explain for me? im really intrigued. also, dont explain where the name came from, dont want to know.
OT: Obviously do cardio. squats help build leg muscle. Ultimate Frisbee might fall under cardio to a certain extent, plus its fun!

Start in a standing position
Squat.
From a squat position put your arms on the ground and shoot your legs back so you're now in a push up position
Do a pushup
Jump up from a pushup into a standing position and then do a standing jump.
Repeat

That's a burpee

Edit: ninja'd, serves me right for answering questions directed at other people

 

[loc978]

If you can, and you have a place to do so, swim (laps, if you can complete them). 3-5 times a week for an hour at a time. Best fat-burning workout in existence.

Spoiler: just ask this guy

 

[illmuri]

If you want to vary the routine a bit, try the deck of cards trick. Assign an exercise to each suit, the number on the suit is how many reps you do. Flip through the deck at your own pace.

Weights are ok and actually better than cardio (because you burn calories to repair the muscles even when you end the workout), but you have to keep your heart-rate up the whole time you are doing them to burn fat.

 

[Duck Sandwich]

'Burpees'. They're like a squat/press-up hybrid. Good for cardio, and work a good range of muscles in the upper-body. Try to do as many in as short a time as possible.

Other than that, I don't know. I've never needed to lose weight, just build muscle.

can you explain for me? im really intrigued. also, dont explain where the name came from, dont want to know.
OT: Obviously do cardio. squats help build leg muscle. Ultimate Frisbee might fall under cardio to a certain extent, plus its fun!

To do burpees, you jump up as high as you can with your arms reaching straight up (if you're in a room with a low ceiling, I'd suggest swinging your arms backward slightly instead), then as soon as you land, put your hands on the floor and kick your legs out so that you're laying down face down. Try to get your hips as close to the floor as possible when you do this.

Then, using your hands as support, get back up to a standing position as quickly as possible and jump up again. It's really good for working the legs, especially when you're pushing off the ground with your legs immediately after getting back to a standing position.

 

[Captain-Giggles]

Right so it seems I'm lacking in Cardio, I'll try bother my friends for more Ultimate Frisbee, and I've a park by my house which I can do bouts of running/jogging/walking. I'll look into swimming pools as well.