Workout Routine

Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be...at least not in the beginning. Start out by just working out for 10 minutes/day...doing anything...jumping jacks, jogging, push ups, sit ups, anything, just get your heart rate up for 10 minutes/day. Watch your snacking...choose an apple over chips, choose water over soda. Seriously, just making these small changes will make a difference. Start slow for 2 weeks, then after two weeks step it up--work out for 20 minutes/day (I recommend Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred DVD, a 20 minute workout). Start counting calories (I recommend joining sparkpeople.com, it's free).

start with a few min a day- and work up from there. I started in mid feb with doing SOMETHING at least 15 min EVERY day and now I do Zumba 4-5 days a week (class-not the game or dvd) and I also walk, do belly dance dvd's and wieghts a couple days a week. I also started drinking more water every day and eating within my BMR range. (for me that is between 1750 and 2250 cal a day) I have now lost my first 20 lbs...
*find something you like to do and you will stick with it better

Log your food intake at a free website such as myfitnesspal.com or sparkpeople. It is best to eat every few hours; eating smaller meals/snacks & healthy ones. Drink lots of water instead of sugary drinks. Treat yourself every once in awhile so you don't feel deprived. Find a workout that you enjoy & take it one day at a time; eventually it will just become routine & you will think nothing of it. If you say, "I'll try to workout" you're more likely to not do it. Say "I will and I can do this." Find a time of day that works. I wish that I could get up early & get it done, but I just can't get myself up at 5:00 to do it before work. Many times it late at night when I work out. I love Beachbody workout programs. They are fun & effective. Just let me know if you'd like more info on some workout programs.

I schedule my workout the night ahead of time. Usually I head to the gym after my morning snack (look around - I found a local gym for $7/month plus $5/month for free childcare). I eat every 3 hours or so, small meals. The first few times I was at the gym I had a trainer walk me through the machines and make recommendations for how long/what level/weight, etc.
Before I joined the gym I was using workouts from Netflix - they have some good ones. It's just about finding something you enjoy and sticking with it.

I try to get in 4 x a week exercise. If I get a 5th day in I am pumped but my schedule does not let me get it in often. I do interval workout once a week (proven to lose inches). I do at least twice a week strength training and cardio. The trick is I vary up my routine so I am not bored. I have even googled ideas. As for eating...I do not have willpower so I just make sure not to bring the bad stuff home. Do not skip any meals since that does more harm then good. I try not to eat sugar. I get my carbs from fruit, veggies and whole wheat pasta, sweet potato with cinnamon, and brown rice. Oh...and most important for me. I HAVE to exercise in the morning or there is a great chance I wont later.

Hey, sometimes I just lay in front of my TV at night and instead of just sitting there watching my favorite show -- I work-out through it .....I do stretches and floor exercises and sometimes just walking in place -- but I am so into the show that I'm watching sometimes I don't even notice how much I just worked out --- it is really helping me.....and I don't need to FEEL like it's a chore - it is just starting to become natural for me to do !!!!