How can I get fit quickly and measure if my fitness is improving?

I don't suppose you've got a kids climbing frame in the garden?

The ability to do pull ups (even a single one!) would be a good way to measure your fitness. Likewise, can you do a press-up? Can you do 10? That's a good measure if your fitness too. Can you do non-stop star jumps for 10 minutes? 5 minutes? You can use these sorts if things as measures of your fitness and seeing it improve.

Redundancy1 Thanks! If you have a bit to shift there’s some really great threads in weight that I’ve found fantastic and helpful for taking accountability

@fezzesarecool

Thanks. You are awesome!

fezze, my comment was just conversational. Most new runners I have chatted with are self conscious to begin with. I was just highlighting the fact that people often don't pay much attention to you when you run. So that any new runner is not put off really.

Well it's something different! If she can't cope with something inside (pretty good equipment already available, in private) with the outside option (albeit people might see), then what alternative is there, that the OP is going to accept?

Over to you to make something that the OP will embrace

*is

Then running in public when she doesn’t want to us clearly the answer?

Well, doh! Of course. But if she already has those and isn't using them ...

Op also has a cross trainer and exercise bike at home and is short of time as well as uncomfortable running in public. Surely the advice should be leaning towards HILT and using her equipment rather than to keep going on about running in public when she’s made it clear that right now she doesn’t want to do that?

I always tell myself nobody would recognise me, anyway. Cap pulled down, exercise clothes, no makeup! Crikey, I hardly recognise myself!

All I see is bleary eyed workers, other runners and a few dog walkers. No one really pays attention to each other early in the morning. Oh and I did see a sheepish young guy with bare feet once. It's like sleep walking!

Of course, if you can do it at home then that's fantastic, and bloody well done to you!

But the OP has already said she hasn't got a big enough garden, doesn't want people to see, etc.

I truly get that it's difficult. But if you're making your own head your worst enemy, then it will never get done.

And I genuinely say that with the best possible intentions.

BIWI Well I’ve managed to do it in the comfort and privacy of my home so doesn’t that just go to show that it doesn’t matter as long as you do something, somewhere?

No way could I have any any of it in public, but I’ve made it work for me. It’s only now I would consider it, it being clubercise, public but in the dark.

If someone isn’t comfortable they they aren’t comfortable.

So that rules out ever going to a gym, or a swimming pool then?! Don't you think that's a bit short sighted?

I really, truly get that you might feel self-conscious, but you're doing this for you aren't you? So other people really don't matter!

If you're having to get up earlier to accommodate a run, how many people in the village are actually likely to be up to see you?!

You're making excuses about that.

Redundancy1 I’ve used mfp to keep a tight control on calories, first 1600 and now in 1400 as I’ve lost weight.

I actually only drink water so all my calorie intake is food. I’ve made swaps to get the most from my calorie intake. Some days I have 5 small meals, other days I have 3 bigger meals. I just make sure it’s all within my calorie allowance.

I walk 3 miles everyday and do a low impact exercise dvd 4-5 times a week using hand weights to make me work harder.

In this heat it’s been harder so I get up earlier to do the dvd while it’s cooler.

If you average it out it’s about 3.5lbs a week. So mfp is set to 2lb loss and the rest is through exercise.

The key for me is consistency, when I hit my plateau I reset mfp which gave me the new calorie goal.

I’ve still got 5 stone to lose so I expect it it become a slower rate soon.

HTH

@fezzesarecool

5 stone in 20 weeks? Please tell us how?

glitterbiscuits Hiya I lurk on your other thread!

Personally I’m like you, a private person. I’ve been doing exercise DVDs at home, and that’s helped me shift 5 stone in 20 weeks along with watching the calories.

I’ve seen my fitness improve in general by being able to do more/not be out if breathe etc.

It’s sounds like, as you’ve got your equipment at home, that you just need to get into a routine.

So for me I do a 1 mile walk in the morning before the school run or on a busy I get up earlier to do a full dvd.

My husband, (bless him) does his exercise at 10pm!

So look at your day, work out where you can squeeze the exercise in. If some days it’s just going to be 15 mins, make the most of it by doing HILT or weights.

Another vote for c25k. The early weeks, you alternate running and walking in short bursts, it's easy to do by stealth at first 😉

Everyonewho has seen me has been supportive. This side of it has been more confidence boosting than being able to run 5k

This.

I kid you not, everyone will be supportive of your running.

The confidence you get from people being supportive is a far bigger deal than I imagined. These are people you know, people you bearly know, neighbours I didn't really talk to much, random strangers, dog walkers who start to recognise you, other runners (they'll be there), cyclists. Old school friends or colleagues who saw my progress on Facebook started messaging me to show support. Even teachers at my children's school who have heard on the grapevine I'm running have gone out if their way you say something supportive.

I felt I needed to be ashamed/embarrassed when I started running and hoped no one saw me. I now see new runners and C25K runners often. We've all been there. Now I'm the one to be kind and supportive to them, and it's great.

If you can afford it I recommend getting an iWatch, every time I look at it I can see how much exercise I’ve done (or not done as the case may be) and it motivates me to do more exercise, I also track my calories in MyFitnessPal so I can easily see calories in vs calories out. I know it’s an expensive suggestion but it really works for me.

OP
I live in a village where everyone knows each other and felt self conscious too when I started C25k.

Everyone who has seen me has been supportive. This side of it has been more confidence boosting than being able to run 5k. Even those who have done tough mudder etc have been lovely.

Even if your village isn’t as nice as mine, you can’t let them stop you doing something harmless like keeping fit! Good luck 😉

Thank you Fate, you're inspiring!

Sorry OP.