Exercise other than swimming?

[Guest ValerieD]

I'm trying to lose my belly fat, and since I live a sedentary lifestyle, I've been swimming for an hour a day whenever I can (usually between 4-6 days per week). However, there is an issue... I've been losing the will power to swim lately. Today I even skipped my swim because I just couldn't motivate myself to go. It's very boring to just swim laps for an hour; my mind needs stimulation, and the water is freezing cold, which makes it even harder to go (the university blasts air conditioning all day even in the middle of winter, so I'm constantly thinking about temperature as well; I need to stay bundled up like there's a blizzard even in July). Unfortunately, past attempts to exercise by other means have failed, as there is no other activity I can sustain for so long; anything else, and I get tired after two minutes. I need something that I can do in my room; it's only getting colder outside, and I don't own workout wear, so the gym is out, plus I wouldn't know how to use any equipment.

What can I do? I just started HRT a couple of weeks ago, so my metabolism is no doubt slowing down from glacial to non-existent. Eating less isn't an option; many portion sizes are fixed since I'm on the campus meal plan, and I'm hungry when I eat, so I don't have the control to throw away half my food. Even when I can cut out portions of a meal exchange, the cashiers look at me funny, and I've heard rumors that this is no longer allowed starting this year (I've heard of people being forced to take drinks if they want to use a meal, which is problematic for me; the only drinks they have that aren't empty calories are water and milk; milk makes me bloat, and the vending machine water tastes funny, so I prefer to fill my water bottle from the drinking fountain). On the other hand, I somehow need to gain small amounts of fat to get the feminizing effects of HRT while still losing belly fat. I have no idea of how to do this other than by seeing a cosemetic surgen.

[Guest Gerilynn]

Working out is boring or we would all be very fit. I walk outside as often as I can.

Get and audiobook, pop in the earbuds and stroll a favorite path. The key, or so I am told, is to burn energy. I am slowly loosing weight before I begin HRT and I have tried everything when it comes to working out. Running (damaged my knees) Lifting (talk about boring), swimming (I cannot for the life of me keep track of laps), Biking, I enjoy it and if you are brave enough you can wear fun clothes. A stationary trainer can be set up in the house and you can watch TV or listen to music, Walking is my favorite.

As for indoors and in your dorm room you might try a bike trainer. They are attached to the rear wheel of almost any bicycle. You need smooth tires so no nobbly ones. A bicycle store can show you how it is very easy.

The other thing is you might see if there is a yoga class you can take. You can do most yoga in a small space. Take time to learn the basics. You will feel more flexible and focused. I enjoy it but I am not home enough right now to get to classes.

One last thing that helped me the most was taking time to eat. I know you are in school and that is a problem. I had to slow down and look at what they were feeding me. I work where meals are provided and I was a little upset by what I was eating. Slowing down and choosing healthy options might help.

Good luck!

[Guest LizMarie]

Valerie, can you just go for a walk around campus? Even a slow walk is good. I personally speed walk (not run or job) at a very rapid pace and my normal distance is 3.25 miles (just a bit over 5 kilometers). I can do that in about 48 minutes and I've got a good sweat going at the end of it. Walking regularly like this is all I really do and I've lost 20+ pounds since February myself with another 10-12 to go to reach my target weight.

I recommend walking! It works for me and getting outside lets me focus on interesting things so time passes quickly.

[Guest ValerieD]

I did walking with Mom and the dogs in August when I was home and "walking in place" while watching Sailor Moon on my computer in July since the pool was closed; my experience was that I was losing weight a LOT slower (if at all) then while swimming and that I had to be MUCH more careful about what I ate (which is difficult at college; organizations like to provide free food with no warning, so I can't properly plan stuff out; it doesn't help that I get cravings for junk food).

I might someday get an exercise bike. I've been wondering what on earth I'm supposed to do after I graduate in May and no longer have free pool access and less than a quarter of the free time I have now.