I have been working out for months and months. I quit the treadmill about 6 weeks ago and have been taking a weight training class since then, 3x a week. I do a lot of walking around campus. I quit smoking so that I would be able to do more cardio.

My arms are getting huge. Since I have cut out cardio I have not been burning fat, and since I have been w/ the boy I have been eating unhealthy boy-food. And my metabolism is no longer accelerated by carcinogens. Seriously, my t-shirt arms are tight. My arms look gigantic, and not at all cut. I need cardio.

Cardio is so boring. I hate it. I would hike but I don't live anywhere near hiking areas. I would walk outside but I live in a high-crime city. The treadmill is boring. Has anyone tried spinning? Or kickboxing, is it just glorified aerobics? Help!

-Elizabeth

do you use a walkman or portable cd player when walking? i despise walking (esp around my complex) but when my favourite bands are blasting in my ear it just feels fine! but you prolly do do the walkman so i should shut up.
i havent done spinning but i know pilates is great. well i dont do much but my friend does and shes lost inches. she didnt even buy the tape, just watched the infomerical. heh.

Try martial arts or boxing (or kickboxing). Great workouts and fun (if you like it). My only issue with kickboxing is that I studied martial arts for many years and I was annoyed with my kickboxing instructor for not teaching proper form (letting people kick in a manner that could blow out their knees), but I may have just had a really bad instructor. Tai chi is also great for the arms.

The key is finding something you like (obviously). I HATE aerobics, but love pilates and yoga. As for spinning my best friend LOVES it and I just don't get it.

Good luck...sorry for rambling on...I haven't had coffee yet.

m.

dance aerobics can be a blast, especially in a group setting. also, have you ever tried tai-bo?
i know it's not the coolest anymore but every time i pull out those tapes i can feel it working and it really is fun(to me anyway). when your walking music does make it faster and more entertaining. you could get a buddy to walk with you(safety in #'s and in daylight).
~J

my aunt LOVES spinning, but the one time i tried it, the seat was so painful... Ihad joking refered to annoying things as chapping my ass, but that... (prob. tmi)

i do the eliptical trainer, and would sometimes get so bored i thought i would die. i have started proping open books, but in order for me to actually stay on, the book needs to be really engaging, but not too hard to follow. the outlander series is working right now, and re-reading harry potter before that. (hardback or big trade paperbacks work best.)

also, i will sometimes set little goals as i go along - like intervals of higher or lower difficulty or speed, just to make the time seem to go faster...

I'm not sure if it airs where you are but on WTN there is a show called the barefoot dancer. She does an aerobic dance routine based on Persian dance and it is great. Barring that, just pop on some of your favorite upbeat music and just go for it! Works extra well if you have a full length mirror to dance in front of.