My mom needs help

[CacaFloja]

Hey ladies..
I wanted to ask you all a BIG favor. I'm sorry if it is a pain, but I'm not too knowledgeable on women's fitness.
My mom, who used to be nice and lean, is now at 140 pounds at a high bodyfat percentage. I guess this is through the family problems and work stress and what not, but she's just gone downhill lately.
I've always been afraid to tell her about getting on a diet and training program because she's really sensitive, and she'd think I was indirectly making fun of her and all that. Well, I finally couldn't take seeing her depressed because of how she looked so I took her to dinner tonight and talked to her about it. I convinced her to get into a training and diet program.
All I'm asking is if you ladies could help me with what to do as her diet and how she should train, cardio, whatever could possibly help her. I know this is quite a task to write, but if you could, I'd greatly appreciate it. She's a realtor so she's quite busy, so if you could make everything as time-efficient as possible, I'd also appreciate that. I can tell she's very depressed because she instantly clung to the idea of the whole weight training/cardio and diet program the second I was talking to her about it.

Thank you,
Jose

[bigbike]

We all have the same number of hours in a week. If you mom can spend just shy of 4 hrs a week working a program (thats 3 20 minute cardio sessions and 3 45 minute weight training sessions) than there is a lot that can be done. Oviously she will need some simple equipment (like a exercise bike or tread mill) and a simple weight bench with a starter set of weights. If she does not have this equipment check the local K mart Wal mart for the weight equipment (remember for beginers it does not have to be elaborate) and for around $75. she can get a decent starter bench and starter weight set. Check the local trading papers for used cardio stuff, I got my $200 ex. bike free, cause the guy just wanted to get rid of it!) You can check out a lot of different programs, but the one that I like that works well with limited time is www.bodyforlife.com You will work intensly when you work out, and the more intensity that you put in the more you get out of it, but it is worth it. Diet is a large part. The bodyfat will not come down until the junk food is out (or nearly out of the diet). Hope this helps-Jan

[tracyb555]

Jose,

Kudos to you for helping out your mom! Maybe you could start by getting her a few sessions with a personal trainer for Mother's Day? If cost is an issue, another nice gift might be a book by Karen Andes called "A Woman's Book of Strength" which offers great suggestions for the beginner.

Will you have time to work out with her, or is she doing this on her own? It might be a little intimidating to her at first, so maybe you could go with her.

She is lucky to have a caring son. Best wishes,
Tracy

[casanova880]

my first suggestion would be to drop the cardio equipment, and invest in some running shoes. running outside as opposed to a treadmill (bikes are no good in my opinion... ur sittin down! upper body...?) is infinitely better. it really is dif., muscles used dif..., just run outdoors.

i would also recommend a bench, and a 40lb weight set. that should do for now. u don't need anything special.

you can also look for equipment at garage sales/estate sales.

if she wants to get into shape all the cardio and weights won't do JACK if her diet isn't in check... look at this site. it'll prolly show up with bunch of "*********" but forget that BS, just check it out...

http://www.musclemagazine.com/bb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59668

ladies, any adjustments?