Starting an Exercise Program By Leah Steenstra Are you trying to get in shape for your wedding day? Here are some exercise basics to send you on your way to a healthier, more toned, body. Make Time - If you tell yourself you will exercise when you have time, you will never get to it. Make exercise a part of your routine and put it into your daily schedule. Start Slow - Begin with a low-intensity activity such as swimming, biking or walking. Do this three times a week for 15 minutes. Gradually increase your workout to 30 minutes a day, six days a week, with more strenuous activity. Stretch - Before exercising, jog in place for a few minutes to warm up and then do a short stretch routine. When you complete your exercise routine, make sure you stretch well to prevent stiffness and increase flexibility. Drink Water - Drink plenty of water throughout the day and especially before and after exercise. Dehydration can cause dizziness and exhaustion at the very least, and heat stroke at the worst. Use Weights - For muscle definition, consider walking with small hand weights. If you are feeling up to it, begin a weight routine with 5-lb barbells. Give your muscles plenty of rest in between weight workouts. Beginners should only use weights twice a week. If you have any health concerns, it’s important that you see a doctor before starting an exercise routine. walking.about.com/cs/beginners/a/besttime.htm that link is regarding the best time to workout regarding the order to do your exercises in; i find that whatever you are comfortable doing is better than doing nothing at all.

I would recommend doing all the weights and ab exercising first, then do the jogging as sort of a cool-down. Try to do this in the morning because you have the most energy and you can put good effort into the routine.

As for order, I would lift weights for any major muscle group and do abs last. this is mostly important when your doing big muscles in your workout like legs/chest/back.Last thing you want to do is weaken your abs first because your abdominal muscles are needed to support your upper body and for keeping good posture.So in your weight lifting workouts do abs after the rest of the muscles you plan to train that day.For jogging and what not you can do it after a weight workout or do it separate maybe jog in the morning and weight lift in the afternoon, As far as times go you have the most testosterone in your system first few hours of the morning.However if your not a morning person you most likely wont feel like lifting weights first thing.So do weights when you feel best so you can give it your all.Weight workouts take enormous energy and they take excessive effort.walking is one thing but a 150lb bench press is another.I would lift weights on separate days of jogging for the most part, it dont hurt and that way you dont over train too much in one day.Depends on how much lifting you plan to do as well. But if you do an hour plus weight session I would say don't jog much that day if at all.You can perform better if you feel rested when you do exercise so always aim to get good amounts of sleep 8-9 hours per night and if you worked a job the day you want to exercise i would take a 20-30 min nap or at least lay and relax a bit in between.that way you feel good before you exercise and you can maintain good form and perform better. I hope this helps you with your routine. Best wishes. =)