That's a good question. I'm not sure what is the answer to that question. I'll do some investigation and get back to you if I discover an anything. You should email the people at Nutrisystem as they probably can help you..

First, I am not a fitness expert..

That out of the way, I think resistance bands and a stability ball are pretty good if you're just starting, or even if you're not..

Not to mention, resistance bands travel really well, especially if where you're going doesn't have fitness equipment you like, or none at all..

...

Read the PP thread - I got them because of comments here and they're fantastic. Whether it helps lose weight or not - building muscle is essential to good health and well being. I still really believe that stalls occur because the body doesn't thing it can get rid of the stored energy safely. For example the body can't store sodium and potassium - most of us are trying to avoid sodium and aren't doing anything to get potassium. Sea Salt is rich in both and has many minerals that are important to the body. Obviously as mentioned here you have to have an overabundance of water.

I know that any extras late at night (150-200kc) stop my loss. When I hold off I drop like I did in the beginning. My wife hasn't been flying for the last month and I stalled (she's a late night snacker - I have a bit). Last week she was gone and I dropped some excess plus a couple. Being strictly 100% is a starting point - in reading the PACE threads - those guys have trouble dropping pounds.

I'm close enough to goal that my main concern is lowering my BF% and building strength. I intend to build the strength through calesthenics and using equipment as listed above. Overdoing weight training (especailly on machines) per Dr. Sears doesn't build functional strength and changes the muscle fibers in non healthy ways. He says it also does not train the neural pathways to coordinate ALL the different muscle fibers..

Tedvo, even though I come from a powerlifting background, I agree with the above statement for the most part. That is why I am a big believer in acquiring real world strength, as martial artist Bruce Lee used to talk about. I am currently using kettlbells, which are excellent for body fat loss as well as overall strength, especially core. You could also look at something like sandbag training or crossfit. If you are going to get into actual weight training, I would recommend focusing on compound movements like the squat, deadlift and bench...

There is a very light strength training program in the Nutrisystem pages that sounds like a great way to get started. It's not that taxing, but it looks like it would start toning you up...

Tedvo, check out this link. Should be just what the T.O. ordered!.

Http://www.tobands.com/..

I started with a circuit training at my local gym. My membership came with a few training sessions with their in house trainer. Its their comealong to get you to hire him. I did. From the circuit 3xweek and cardio 3xweek we moved on to strength training using a core routine. From standing flat on the floor I moved to standing on a disc.

It is amazing the buckets of sweat that poured off me using 15 pounds of weight. When he first showed me I thought to myself this guy must think I am really out of shape or he thinks I'm a girl. I regretted that statement about 5 minutes into it. I travel a lot for business and my resistance bands go everywhere with me. At home I use the ball.

And I always do some form of cardio every day. Even if it is just a short brisk walk. Hope this helps. And I forgot to mention I am 52...

You figure just cause I live in Dallas I would CARE what T.O. is marketing?? LOL.

I'm a die-hard-since-day-one-of-the-franchise Seahawk fan. Which by default makes me a Redskins fan since they hired Zorn as their head coach. Loved the first game against Da Boys. Not so thrilled about last weeks..

But the idea of resistance bands that can travel easy sounds like a possibility. I first looked for water filled dumbbells when I started NS. Until the only place I could find them was in the "Skymall" catalog on the airplane for about $80 a set. No Thanks...

And since you say you travel a lot, you probably know that you can't take those things on an airplane anyway unless they hold less than 3 ozs, or some such...

There is a travel version of the PP for like $20... comes with a travel case...

Also, look on Ebay for the exercise bands. I got a nice set from there...

If they are empty, you can take them no matter the size. I carry an empty 32 oz water bottle through security all the time and then fill it from the water fountain once I am inside the gate area..

Also I usually travel in uniform with my flight ID badge, so I'm not subject to the 3 oz rule that you peons are..

LOL..

I am not sure I would agree with that doctor OR maybe you misunderstood what he said..

Free weights will positively improve your functional strength and will definitely train your neural pathways. Of course you can waste your time with the wrong exercises......too many guys read Muscle magazines and try to mimic those workouts...wrong thing to do to build strength..

Bodybuilders build muscles for looks and their workout routines are designed for such...many very muscular bodybuilders aren't really that strong compared to much smaller weightlifters who lift for strength..

Compound exercises build functional strength....things like Squats, deadlifts, chin ups etc. Exercises that use a lot of different muscle groups and mimic real world situations.....you simply cannot beat this kind of exercise to build strength..

I would also argue that any lifting with machines is better than no lifting at all...even if they do have some opportunities as far as utilizing all of the "helper" muscles that free weights target..

My 2 cents...

Well said... very informative and Tom I have to agree here!.

Ben..

Proof positive that the security is useless. Staff should be subject to all the same rules or there is no point in those rules... More than one plane has been bombed or hyjacked thanks to inside help...

I wouldn't try that on an EL-AL flight there chief, as you will quickly realize the real definition of a peon. Badge or no badge..

I use resistance bands, they work well. I do think I get more from dumbbells but they are effective, convenient and effective enough to own a set. What hammer brought up as well as nyctfl that compound exercise and functional strength exercise benefit me more then focused body building type exercises. I like the idea of using multiple muscle groups when weight training, I believe the usable benefits are far greater in everyday situations. Not to mention more calories are burned in a workout..

Mojo..

That's really what I'm looking for. I don't intend to become a body builder. I'm just thinking about toning up the muscles enough that the lean mass helps in burning the cals. Also, when I get a short notice trip and I am stuck in a hotel for 8 - 10 hours with no walking clothes, I can at least strip down to the skivvies and do some sort of exercise...