How much does exercise really matter?

[lemonade]

I know intense cardio sways pink, but I don't have (or want) a gym membership right now. Also, when I start the LE diet, I'm sure I won't have the energy anyway.

I currently get my exercise either by going for long strolls with my son on nice days, or doing beginners' yoga and toning exercises at home. Do these light workouts sway boy because they're "healthy"?

Or does diet matter more than anything?

[atomic sagebrush]

14 of 14 people have gotten pink with the intense exercise. If there's any way to swing it, I would try. you don't need a gym membership. Couch potato has worked for people too though (myself included)

Don't think of it as healthy vs. not healthy, think of it as muscle-building vs. muscle-burning. I would avoid the toning exercises and focus more on the walking and it doesn't have to be like Usain Bolt level of intensity, as long as it's intense FOR YOU (so maybe you'd walk a little faster than normal). The key thing is to go longer than 45 minutes. aFter about 45 min. your body stops burning carbs and starts burning your body's stores of fat and muscle and it is probably that which sways pink.

[lemonade]

Thanks Atomic! OK, so I guess cardio it is...sigh! Good to know 45+ minutes.

I'm sure you've posted this elsewhere, but how many times a week minimum? And how soon before TTC will it start having a "sway" effect?

[Thorz300]

I'm a marathon runner and have done intense cardio my whole life not much weight lifting......I have 3 boys! My friend who is also an intense cardio crazy woman, has 3 boys and just got her girl!

[atomic sagebrush]

http://genderdreaming.com/forum/gender-swaying-general-discussion/1411-exercise-enigma-both-genders.html

It's not a magic bullet, but then again nothing is.

[lemonade]

Wow. This IS complicated!

So... I guess the easiest way would be to drop exercise altogether. BUT then again, spring/summer is coming and I'll probably want to take lots of strolls with him outside. Plus, he'll soon be walking/running, and I'll need to chase after him. All that will probably counter all my efforts to be lazy!

Would a slow, steady jog in place for about an hour in front of the TV work for cardio?

[LacePrincess]

Do what you need to do for your mental health and your own physical health. If you like it, DO IT! :) TTC has to fit into your life, not the other way around.

Long walks wouldn't really be intense enough to be considered a workout, unless you're very out of shape and can get your HR up with a gentle stroll. Jogging in any form certainly would (be careful not to overdo and hurt yourself!!). When we're talking cardio, we're talking sweating and really getting into your aerobic zone, ie. your HR should be at least 140 for 45 min steady minimum. That's pretty hard to achieve without doing an actual structured 'workout' of some sort.

[lemonade]

Thank you everyone!

I'm leaning towards the lazy route now I think. I'm not sure if I'd get the cardio right without the gym!

[Tree]

14 of 14 people have gotten pink with the intense exercise. If there's any way to swing it, I would try. you don't need a gym membership. Couch potato has worked for people too though (myself included)

Don't think of it as healthy vs. not healthy, think of it as muscle-building vs. muscle-burning. I would avoid the toning exercises and focus more on the walking and it doesn't have to be like Usain Bolt level of intensity, as long as it's intense FOR YOU (so maybe you'd walk a little faster than normal). The key thing is to go longer than 45 minutes. aFter about 45 min. your body stops burning carbs and starts burning your body's stores of fat and muscle and it is probably that which sways pink.

If you are going to do the exercise what is the recommended amount of time to be doing it? And what is the minimum time you can spend doing it before attempt? I don't need to loose loads of weight but my body is def in need of some toning so if it sways pink... Also does it nead to be every day?

[1+2+3boys]

I do not exercise at all other than a walk in the pram a few times a week really slowly and running around in short bursts after my 3 year old boy. I'm thinking to sway pink I should not need to change anything? I have pretty much lost all my muscle tone from sitting down on the couch more than half the day breastfeeding twins

[atomic sagebrush]

6-7 days a week

[atomic sagebrush]

If you are going to do the exercise what is the recommended amount of time to be doing it? And what is the minimum time you can spend doing it before attempt? I don't need to loose loads of weight but my body is def in need of some toning so if it sways pink... Also does it nead to be every day?
60 min a day, 6-7 days a week, 6 weeks before attempt

[atomic sagebrush]

Everyone please continue regular day to day activities like taking kids to the park and so on. That is fine. This is about exercise, not living a normal life.

[lollylegs]

Do any of you exercisers have advice for me?

I am struggling to get my HR up above 120-130 as I seem to be limited by my (lack of) muscles ... I can go harder on cross/eliptical trainer, and do so, but only managing that every other day as it is aggravating my kneecap.

I have been running (first time in err 5+ years) but I don't feel like I have anything to give to get going faster and get my HR up ... could this be the 3 months of diet? lack of fitness?

How much do you think the HR matters, or would general perceived exertion scale (like that used for cardiac rehab) be applicable? As in, I feel like I am working hard, so ignore what HR is doing?

It is early days, having transferred from couch potato camp to exercise only a month ago. My first attempt will be next month ...

Any knowledge or advice will be gratefully received ...

[I Love Ladybugs]

Lollylegs.....I sort of was in that camp as I really reduced my running in Oct. and Nov. due to the m/c and Dec was a bust as well. I restarted running in Jan and was going for 13-15 miles per week, which is not enough to qualify for extreme cardio, but it was helping my weight to drop and regain some strength and stamina. Then in Feb, I decreased the speed at which I ran, but jumped into 1 hour 6 days a week running and it was both more challenging on my knees and ankles, but the PR of exertion and HR was not so wild. It still was tiring by the end and I personally notice that my workouts now that go more than 60 mins or higher speeds now induce the same reaction as did those initial workouts.

I would push and give it a try, if your first attempt does not yield a BFP, you will be onto a good month after that!!!

[atomic sagebrush]

As long as you're moving for that 60 minutes, I think the heartrate doesn't matter. I think the perceived exertion scale is PERFECT because we are all going to be at different fitness levels.

Some of us may have to add light arm weights (even tho it's a bit musclebuilding) to feel like we're really getting a workout.

[Becca.lms]

I plan on doing hard cardio to sway pink, but I really need to tone my abdominals before a pregnancy. Do you think abs would sway boy too Much? Or is there a way I can lower my t VIA vitamins?

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes, saw palmetto OR peppermint tea can lower testosterone. Fiber can also lower testosterone.

I do think toning the abs sways blue. Musclebuilding tends to raise T and sway blue.

I am not sure why you need to tone abdominals before pregnancy - you will lose any gains you make because you can't do situps/crunches after the first trimester. It doesn't really gain you anything IMO.

[Bean]

Would the rowing machine be considered a muscle-building machine? And what about the cross trainer? Would I be better off sticking to the treadmill & bike?

[Goodus]

After reading this I think I will add cardio to my sway :s
6 weeks is not too much although I will start diet before then. Will dancing to the wiggles for 60 mins count as cardio??

[atomic sagebrush]

Would the rowing machine be considered a muscle-building machine? And what about the cross trainer? Would I be better off sticking to the treadmill & bike?

yes, rowing machine and cross trainer will build muscle

[atomic sagebrush]

After reading this I think I will add cardio to my sway :s
6 weeks is not too much although I will start diet before then. Will dancing to the wiggles for 60 mins count as cardio??

yes that totally works!!!

6 weeks is enough for exercise, 8 is better