SparkPoints: (5,532)
Fitness Minutes: (1,295)
Posts: 67
3/5/10 12:44 P

Wow, I'm in the same boat in a lot of ways! I do great with my walks, but I can't stick with any strength training program for some reason. I'm also struggling with moderate depression. I want to find some activity that I can stick with for the rest of my life and not feel like it's a chore. I'm curious about rock-climbing(fake or real), but I have no idea how much that costs.

Posts: 141
2/25/10 11:25 A

The only way I've found to make strength training fun is to make it incidental to another activity and/or to do it with a specific goal in mind.

For instance, capoeira is a great way to get some strength training in a fun way. It's not the sole focus of the activity, but you will get really toned muscles. It is also an inherent motivator because you are not just training for the sake of training; you are training in order to accomplish certain moves, such as handstands. When I was doing capoeira I was so motivated to do the moves that I started strength training outside of class to improve my ability to do them.

Another example would be hoop dancing. While I would not consider it to have a strong strength training component like capoeira does, trying to perfect certain moves where you really have to hold the weight of the hoop can really strengthen muscles. Again, this is an example of how having a specific goal in mind can make strength training more palatable.

Also, make sure you have variety in your workout and you continue to challenge yourself as you get stronger.

Posts: 351
2/10/10 10:21 A

You could try the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD. It may not be considered "fun", but it is a very efficient full-body workout. You work out your whole body (strength training, cardio, and abs) in only 20 minutes. And it is a great workout. The moves can be modified to fit different fitness levels. And they are done in small intervals (2min strength, 2 cardio, 1 abs) which helps you not get bored.

Posts: 37,086
2/9/10 1:59 P

I love Coach Nicoles work out vedio since I joined her bootcamp. Now I enjoy ST and WT. I also work out while watching Biggest loser on TV.It keep me motiviated to maintain my new healthier me.

current weight: 139.0

139 136 133 130

127

Posts: 22
2/9/10 12:04 P

turbo jams turbo sculpt and booty sculpt are fun strength training. booty sculpt is the funnest one.

Posts: 147
2/9/10 10:21 A

How to make it fun?I like to watch old classic movies and comedies while I strength train.

SparkPoints: (88,798)
Fitness Minutes: (20,412)
Posts: 22,932
2/9/10 9:29 A

I joined Curves and found that I enjoyed the company of other women and for 1/2 hour I can handle the exercise.

Pounds lost: 75.0

0 18.75 37.5 56.25

75

Posts: 1,095
2/9/10 8:03 A

This might sound dorky, but I love seeing improvements from one week to the next, it really motivates me to beat myself! So tracking the pounds I use and the reps I do from one workout to the next works for me.

SparkPoints: (176,641)
Fitness Minutes: (162,540)
Posts: 7,525
2/9/10 5:53 A

Check out Coach Nichols videos - they are mostly under ten minutes and you can do a different one every day. Also her bootcamp teams or her Coach Nicole Fan Club would be good teams to join - they have 7 day workout plans! Congrats on you weight loss and keep up the good work. I beleive there is also a team on depression.

Pounds lost: 6.0

0 2.25 4.5 6.75

9

Posts: 1,174
2/9/10 2:39 A

I have been promising myself for many years that I would start a strength training program. Around November 2009 after many failed attempts, I tried to formulate a workable plan that I would start in January 2010 (but have yet to start).

Here is my plan: strength train a different body part every day, ten minutes a day, 5-6 days a week, by 9 am. (If I exercise at all, it is before noon.) I do not have a husband or kids to worry about and I am not working as I am on a long-term disability pension due to depression, so my only obstacle is the depression. I have several great strength training dvd's and weights at home.

I have already lost over 80 pounds through diet change and walking over the past year but my health care providers say it is crucial that I add strength and flexibility training for many reasons.

If anyone is into sparkmail or email, i could really use an accountability partner or encourager. Thanks in advance!