Low-impact exercise besides walking

[nova22]

I think I've been sedentary for too long...I'm starting to get out of breath just from walking across the room. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that there is a tiny person squishing my lungs. We live on a twisty, narrow dirt road and cars zoom down it way too fast, so walking is out. We don't have room for a treadmill and we probably couldn't afford a purchase that big right now anyway. We have Netflix and we are able to watch instantly on our TV, so I could do exercise videos. I'm not a big fan of yoga so I'm looking for something else, but with walking AND yoga out, I don't know if there is anything that fits what I'm looking for. Any ideas?

[jessica_s]

Swimming is good but it's probably going to involve access to an indoor pool this time of year which might not be an option for you.
Do you have stairs? Walking up and down them is good exercise. You could always check to see if there's any low impact aerobics and just take it slow and listen to your body.

[MaerynPearl]

have anywhere nearby (like a YWCA) that you could get a membership to with a pool? Swimming is awesome exercise! And no matter whats going on with your body you can adapt it to benefit you the best.

[lillymonster]

I know they make workout videos for pregnancy because I used them last time. They were more like dance/aerobics/stretching. Kathy Smith and Denise Austin make some (if you can get past Denise Austins annoying voice!)

[MegBoz]

Ugh, Denise Austin also happens to be a joke within the fitness instruction community! A bit of a ditz. (I've been a fitness instructor for 11 years.)

If you go to any type of gym, you could also do a stationary bike or elliptical machine for cardio.
You can get a decent treadmill used on Craig's list, although the one we bought we thought was decent - it's a bit rough for jogging, but fine for walking. I think we paid $150, but there were seriously cheap ones listed for less than that.

Definitely do videos! (Like on-demand or borrow from friends of the library.) Do not limit yourself to those specifically geared towards prenatal exercise! Really, there is no need at all. Don't even limit yourself to low-impact. Any aerobics video or class will do - it's really easy to modify & do a low-impact option. I personally always make a point of demonstrating the low-impact option for any high-impact move I teach. But even if they don't show you a demo you can figure it out - i.e. instead of jumping-jack, just side-tap. Instead of shuffle, just step-touch 2X to the same side, instead of squat/jump up, just squat & stand tall (or 'releve' - go up on your tippy toes, but keep those abs locked to support the lower back!)

Try out all the options on the on-demand videos, just modify as needed.

You can even do step-aerobics videos without the step! Just pretend you're stepping UP onto the bench, & doing a knee lift, but you don't actually step UP. It's no big deal. As I tell my classes, in order to get a cardio workout, all you have to do is MOVE! Mastering the choreography doesn't really matter at all** - just keep moving.

Otherwise:
-Obviously no laying flat on your tummy
-You really shouldn't lay flat on your back either (if you do have an aerobics step, you can put 2 risers under 1 end to make an 'incline bench' for youself.)
-Careful stretching - don't overstretch, take it easy
-watch out for balance in case you feel yours going, avoid things like stability ball work (this never happened to me personally though.)
-careful about overheating (although less of a risk if you're exercising indoors & now that the weather is cooling down.)

That's really about it! Do any old workout you like!

& for resistance training, again, if you don't join any type of gym, consider getting dumbbells or tubing. Since you've been sedentary a while, you want to go lighter, higher reps, & ease into it- but it's still low-impact & great exercise! & upper body strength really comes in handy carting a baby around! Feel free to PM me if I can help anymore (I'm also a certified personal trainer.)

**Not entirely true - there's some research that repeating patterns as in an aerobics class can help exercise the brain & stave off alzhemiers! But, as far as your cardiovascular health is concerned, mastering every bit of the choreography is irrelevant.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by MegBoz

Ugh, Denise Austin also happens to be a joke within the fitness instruction community! A bit of a ditz. (I've been a fitness instructor for 11 years.)

I don't personally like her, I just know she makes videos. In fact I used to watch her just to laugh at the stuff she would talk about while working out during her tv shows. I can't remember what ones I did, but those were those were the 2 names I remembered.