OK, so my little sister with the *perfect* figure just told me that she does no exercise other than 5 hours of gymnastics a week. I would like to hit her over the head with a stick, but instead I think I'll ask you guys what, in your opinion, are the most effective types of exercise in terms of increasing strength, flexibility, endurance, and of course toning/calorie burning. I think a combination of ballet, belly dancing, and gumdo is about the closest I'll get to a perfect regimen, and even then it'll probably take several months or longer for me to see the full effect. What works for everyone else?
--Sasha

PILATES work great for me, and I know KT loves them, too. They give you one firm belly! And, of course, they're good for the rest of your body as well.

Right now I do a bit of everything, but if I had to cut down to something simpler I would do either walking or swimming, plus either Pilates or yoga. In the past these have kept me trim and fit and with good muscle tone :)

When I was a teenager I did lots of dance and that kept me slim, but I have too many adult responsibilities to be in dance school taking classes every night now :(

OK, so my little sister with the *perfect* figure just told me that she does no exercise other than 5 hours of gymnastics a week. I would like to hit her over the head with a stick, ...--Sasha

Sasha - I'm not quite getting the drift of your comment. Are you thinking that she's not doing much? Because 5 hours of exercise a week, especially something as intensive as gymnastics is a heep of work :shock:

Part of what you may need to do is think about what kind of a body you want and then maybe we could give better comments as to what targets that the most. I know you've stated your fitness goals and the answers you've gotten and thought of yourself certainly target all of that. How long it will take you depends entirely on where you are at now. Unless you are very close to your goal it will take more than a few months...g

Sasha - I'm not quite getting the drift of your comment. Are you thinking that she's not doing much? Because 5 hours of exercise a week, especially something as intensive as gymnastics is a heep of work :shock:

I'm not saying she's not doing much...I just know that for me to maintain a similar level of fitness, it would probably take a good deal *more.* And I said I want to hit her because I would *love* to do gymnastics, but it's totally out of the question for me. I used to take it when I was younger, but I reached a point where I could not advance, no matter what I did. There were moves I just could not do, no matter how hard I practiced or what strengthening and stretching exercises I did. I am wondering if there is some other activity that is as effective as gymnastics yet can be done by mere earthbound mortals such as myself. Sorry if I am a big pain in the @$$. :oops:

When I was a teenager I did lots of dance and that kept me slim, but I have too many adult responsibilities to be in dance school taking classes every night now

I definitely know how *that* goes. I gained 13 lbs. the *minute* I got married and was no longer able to go to dance class 9 hours a week.
Anyway, I've marked an exercise schedule on my calendar and now just need to find some way to set up a removable ballet barre in my tiny living room. I *think* what I've decided on will be effective...I'll just have to keep at it long enough to see the results. I just get so discouraged when the scale hasn't moved...even though I've only really been working out for a week!! Someone really ought to hit *me* over the head with a stick for having unrealistic expectations. :x :x :x

Anyway, wish me luck, and please whack me one if I post dumb questions again.

Anyway, I've marked an exercise schedule on my calendar and now just need to find some way to set up a removable ballet barre in my tiny living room. I *think* what I've decided on will be effective...I'll just have to keep at it long enough to see the results. I just get so discouraged when the scale hasn't moved...even though I've only really been working out for a week!! Someone really ought to hit *me* over the head with a stick for having unrealistic expectations. :x :x :x


The kitchen counter works well for me, or the back of a chair :) Or, for a killer workout, try without the barre - having to balance will use a lot more muscle power :shock:

Also, depending on your fitness level and body composition now, bear in mind that you might make progress without the scale budging if you lose fat and gain muscle at the same time. Try measuring yourself too - a few places, say upper arm, chest, waist, hip and thigh. A pound of muscle takes up less space than a pound of fat, so if you gain muscle and lose fat the scale might say the same but you could be losing inches. When I started exercising seriously I gained 10 pounds but actually got slimmer!