Exercise!

What I know:

• A person should walk 10,000 steps a day (this is not overachieving, but just doing the essentials!)
• Lifting weights and building muscle is essential to changing body composition and losing weight.
• Lifting heavy weights will not make me bulky like a man.
• Running at my current weight is likely to give me another stress fracture in my foot.
• Power walking with my heart rate between 120-140 bpm is the best way of melting fat off.
• Varied workouts will keep the body guessing.
• It is important to eat before and after exercise, especially enough protein on weight lifting days.
• The average person is recommended to do at least 90 minutes of moderate-intensive activity a week (i.e. not just hitting the 10,000 steps).
  

What works well:

• Exercising with a buddy.
• Taking classes, this helps with scheduling and with motivation throughout the session.
• Having a goal or event to build up to (e.g. 5k fun run etc.)
• Exercising in the morning (so that I don't have to think about it all day!)
• Incorporating little extra activities to hit my daily steps, i.e. walk up the stars at work rather than taking the lift.

What does not work well:

• Workout DVDs, I don't really have the space and don't tend to stick to the 'scheduled' workout time.
• Trying to do too much, I need to be realistic about the amount of time I have. If I fail to stick to my 'schedule' I tend to give up.
• Leaving all my steps to hit at the end of the day.
• Trying to go to a gym or gym class on my own, I'm too shy and self-concious, so I end up putting it off.

What I can do:

• Hit 10,000 steps a day.
• Do two circuit classes a week (Monday evening with my friend, Alli, and Friday morning with my friend, Nina.)
• 2 x 40min speed walks per week (heart rate between 120-140 bpm). This can count towards the 10,000 daily steps.

My plan is to carry this out for the next month, then ramp it up.

Have I made my plan too easy? Will I stick to this?

I hope so...