I avoided doing this before, but I think I’m ready now. I’m wanting to make changes for the positive, and this seems a great way to start.

I went to the gym today, and did some weight lifting, and 40 minutes on an exercise bike.

I do have a question about the differences between an ARC trainer and an exercise bike.  When I’ve used the ARC, after 30 minutes it says I burned 200 calories.  When I use the bike, I only burn 40 calories in the same amount of time.

The ARC is clearly more demanding, and after 15 minutes it is all I can do to finish my time.  Many times I’ve quit at 20 minutes.  But on the bike, I lasted just fine for 40 minutes, and could have gone much longer if I hadn’t already been gone from work for over an hour.

So which is better?  Burning more calories, but spending less total time doing it?  Or keeping up a more moderate activity for a longer period of time, but burning less than half the calories?

Hello Sadi.  I will let more experienced people really give you the answer to your question, but I will give you my opinion. Burn the calories and if you can only do 15-20 min then go for it. Intervals of hard work get the job done faster for me.  I find I need to challenge my body to make changes and doing something that is comfortable is not probably going to be enough challenge.  The body is fine with stored fat - it likes it that way so rock the boat and you will be sore ... then use the bike as a way to relax and do a light workout. I get pretty sore after a good workout - particularly when I am starting something new and it is good to have some light workouts too. That is what I try to do - not always what I practice because it is not a lot of fun to be sore from pushing the exercise all the time, but when I do it feels good after several weeks of doing it consistently. I wish a new exercise program felt good right away - wouldn’t that be nice Welcome back to MTM and wish you luck with all your goals.—Sara

Welcome to the 100 day challenge!!!  Positive start, positive changes, and a positive frame of mind is great!  It is always great to try to burn as many calories as possible, but while keeping that in mind, it is good to think about how much time you have that day and well, the impact on your joints etc, can effect the length of your workouts.  20 minutes is great to start with, keep doing that and perhaps use the bike as well!!!! That way you get a good mix.

Welcome on board. Whichever way, its just great you’re moving

I think I’ll alternate, doing the ARC on the days that I lift weights, and the bike on the days I don’t do weights, because I’ll have more time.

I didn’t want to go to the gym yesterday.  It’s hard on Tuesdays, because I have such a busy schedule.  But I made time for a half hour workout anyway, and made myself go.  I’m glad I did.  It was a terrible diet day, but at least I was moving. 

I’m not feeling my best today.  A co-worker was telling me that part of my health problem is likely because I’m lifting weights and doing the bike, and I’d be better off quitting.  I’m sure that isn’t true, and I don’t want to give up.  I need to keep moving.  I may not feel great, but I’ll feel better if I don’t give up.

Welcome Sadi and congrats on your decision to start moving!

As to the bike vs. the ARC trainer, may I suggest the treadmill. Scott made a pretty good argument for the treadmill on the recent MTM program, and I’ve had great results from it to. A bonus from the treadmill is that it uses lots more of your muscles balancing and supporting you. Once you can think of walking as exercise you will see that the world is your gym.

Keep it up and enjoy the moving!

Malama Pono,
Fat Jeff

Jeff, I can’t really explain why, but I really don’t like treadmills.  I hate running, and though walking is something I enjoy outside, I really don’t like doing it on treadmills.  But in many ways the ARC trainer is like walking, so I don’t know why that seems so much better.  Ah well...guess I’m best off sticking with what I know I’ll do.

I kind of had a breakthrough tonight.  I really did not want to go to the gym.  Between asthma problems and the possibility of another problem that has already caused me to have 2 surgeries last year, I just wasn’t feeling too motivated.

I decided to go anyway, after work.  But the place was so crowded, I couldn’t even find a parking place.  So I went home, made supper, relaxed for a bit, then went back at about 7 pm.

I did some weight lifting, then spent 30 minutes on the ARC.  I decided to slow my pace down a bit, keep my heart rate about 147-150, and it really made a difference.  I didn’t feel like I was going to die after 15 minutes.  In fact, I felt so good, when I was done with that I did another 20 minutes on the bike!  Now that is truly a first for me!

I’m so proud of you!  You went BACK to the gym? After talking yourself into going in the first place? You rock!

And you’re right to pull back.  There’s a time to really push it, and there is a time to pull back a little so you don’t kill yourself.  When you’re just getting back to working out, that isn’t the time to really test your limits.  It sounds like you found the right balance.

thanks

I went to the gym with my daughter tonight.  I did the ARC for 45 minutes, and the bike for another 15.  I’m feeling pretty good.

I call those “Non Scale Victories"-congrats on going to the gym when you didn’t feel like it or well, the busyiness didn’t scare you off either!!!!  That is a fabulous moment to celebrate, you are on the right track!

Thanks, it’s encouraging to me to know that I’m actually doing it this time.

I wasn’t able to go to the gym last night, because I had to go shopping with my family in preparation for Christmas.  But I went this morning.  I lifted weights, rode the bike for 20 minutes, and did the ARC for 50 minutes.

Merry Christmas!!

Today is day 9. 

Sunday I froze while shovelling, and went for a 20 min. walk.
Yesterday I went to the gym, did some weights, and 40 min. on the ARC.
Today I went on 2 20 min. walks, and thankfully it is a bit warmer than on Sunday!

Merry Christmas Sadi. Great job sticking with your workouts—Sara

You are doing phenomenal! You went from 20 minutes on the ARC to 45 in a couple of days, I am impressed! Way to go!!!

Bree

Thanks

I walked to and from the gas station at break time today - only about a block round trip, but it was better than nothing!  I also did 40 minutes on the ARC.  I probably would have gone longer, but I got there 40 minutes before closing, because today is my daughter’s 20th birthday, and we were having a party for her.

Yesterday, I lifted weights and did the bike for 45 minutes.

Today I’m taking a rest day.  I have been exhausted.

You are off to a great start and doing very well!  It took me several months to be able to do more than 15 minutes on the Arc trainer.  That is one butt kickin’ piece of cardio equipment!  Good for you!

Welcome back! 

A little late with the welcome, but the Christmas Holiday is my excuse, and I’m sticking with it. 

Great start - just think that you will have a head start everyone else who starts in January.  Keep up the great work.  It’s very impressive.

Thanks Lisa and Paula, I’m pretty happy with how things are going.

Today, I did the weights, and 45 minutes on the ARC.

You’re doing really good, Sadi. Keep on truckin’!

Thanks

This is day 15, and I’ve lost 4 lbs since I started.  Not bad considering I’ve not been paying much attention to diet, since it’s the holidays and I don’t want to deprive myself.

I did weights today, and 45 min. on the ARC.