I am not fit or toned... cant decide if i give a monkeys...

[TranquilaManana]

im not big really pushing a 14 i spose, but mostly coz whats there is squidgy and i like to hide the bulges.
have always been between an 8-12 (apart from whe i lived in Eivissa when i was about a size 4 lol)...but have never really worked for it. jsut lucky.

so now, im 31 tomorrow, have had 3 babies in last 4 years and im not unhappy with my size, i like curves and im not into dieting at all... but i do really wish i was more toned and even and balanced out/in proportion...you know.

question is; do i wish it enough to actually exercise 4 time s aweek (what it takes it would seem)

does anyone do this??

or do i just give up and learn how to dress to disguise the unsightly bits and never wear a bikini again??

[PanicPants]

I'm still waiting for my baby weight/toning to drop off naturally (ds is 2 next month).

Hasn't magically happened yet, but still hoping - can't face the 4x gym a week thing, lifes too short!

Although I'm very envious of others that do

[TranquilaManana]

exactly it PP - i just want to decide if i give a rats arse or not. either do it or stop bloody dithering about it...

[Sheherazadethegoat]

i was in this position last year. i kept joking that i didn't have to diet just buy bigger clothes. except i wasn't at all happy.

i go running a few times a week and do a pilates class.

it does seem like a fag at the start but once you get into it and get a buzz it becomes enjoyable and just part of life.

[flowerybeanbag]

Pilates? I have a couple of dvds and do a session from one of them a couple of times a week. It's so relaxing it doesn't feel like exercise (I'm also not one for 'feel the burn'), but it does tone you up, including the dreaded bingo wings

[TranquilaManana]

really?? you can tone up without all that burn shite?

and before anyone says anything abo endorphin rushes...purlease. i had a misspent youth; it takes more than a little endorphin release to give me a rush (sodding gas and air did feck all too, sadly)

[PanicPants]

I bought aa few dvds, and also went to a couple of isolated exercise classess, but I'm struggling to work full time, housework, be a good mother etc etc.

There literally is no time. So tbh I really can't be bothered.

[Sheherazadethegoat]

in that case just buy the elasticated trousers and relax!

[flowerybeanbag]

TM - yes! Won't make you lose weight though, but will make whatever weight you are look better, iyswim?
Well, works for me anyway, is the only form of exercise I can manage to keep up, endorphins or no endorphins!

[TranquilaManana]

flowery, that sounds just the thing.

i will have to find a class or 3 though... i already know that i will NEVer keep it up if i have to motivate myself to do it alone.

[flowerybeanbag]

ah, you see I'm different, I am far less likely to be bothered if I have to get ready and go out to a class at a specific time, I find it easier when I can just quickly bung down my mat as soon as DS goes down for a nap.
Class good idea though, if you are more likely to do that - will help you get it right as well.
[flowery slightly surprised at herself for getting so enthusastic about something so healthy ]

[CoteDAzur]

LOL to 'misspent youth' TranquilaManana

Last year I finally decided to do something about people still thinking I was pregnant (when DD was 1) and started going to the gym. Just 45 min of cardio (anything that keeps your heartrate at about 130 bpm) 4 times a week, sometimes 5. I lost only kgs but went down from 42 to 40, and best of all, nodoby thinks I am pregnant anymore.

Definitely worth it. I say do it.

[TranquilaManana]

ive just realised that is exactly what i wanted to hear CoteDazur.
i so want rid of the belly.
i wouldnt mind if i had any boobs to speak of - theyd balance me out but no. fried eggs ive got.

have just downloaded the fitness cl;asses timetable for the local leisure centre. if i get on there and actually start doing it and making progress, maybe ill treat myself to a posh gym membership. maybe. (actch, am less likely to be surrounded by intimidatingly fit bootiful people in the public place than a private one... think ill stick with that then! )

[laloop]

I'm another one who says to go for it! I've got 3dcs too, Tranquilamanana, so I know how difficult it is to find the time and energy to fit in exercise regularly. I have some exercise DVDs to use at home on the days I can't get out to the gym or for a walk. Davina's "Power of 3" and "3x30 min workouts" are excellent, there's another Mumsnet thread here where other DVDs have been reviewed.

[TranquilaManana]

thanks laloop. will have a trawl through that...

[CoteDAzur]

Posh gym sounds good. Once you pay that fee, you will be more likely to go frequently . And it is great to have some time to yourself as well. Time that DH/DP will be more than happy to give you, since it is for such a worthy cause.

[TranquilaManana]

nice theory... but i was member of nice gym for 18m fairly recently. worked out ZERO times.
did use the creche tho, to go to the hairdressers.
and sometimes had a bite to eat in the cafe.

[puppydavies]

i think if you can find some exercise you actually enjoy, it does boost your mood in a sustained (rather than adrenalin rush) way. personally i like walking, swimming and yoga. i actually enjoy them, rather than them being simply as means to end. the combination works for me (or did before last pg, am gradually getting back into them when i get a moment) in terms of calorie burning (so i get to eat more ) and toning (plus yoga/pilates improves posture so you look more toned even when you're not). i find now i really miss the physical activity when i can't do it, never mind how i look.

oh and as a fellow misspender of youth i have to say the high i get after a good yoga session isn't to be sneezed at

[TranquilaManana]

hah. dont talk about sneezing. thats another sort of exercise i really must do more of...