Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Original poster

Ok, I am going to start exercising tomorrow, what should I do?

44 replies

DontRecogniseMyself · 10/09/2018 23:01

Apologies if this posts twice, I wrote a whole thread which then disappeared. I’d be grateful for any advice.

Main issues are:

  1. I am feeling very unfit and have been pretty sedentary over the summer - 3000 steps a day or so.

  2. I am apple shaped and would rally like to lose my gut / muffin top. I’m not sure what the best exercise would be for that. I am towards the lower end of normal BMI and really think my issues are ab muscle tone (or complete lack of it!) rather than fat, but perhaps I am kidding myself. I measured myself tonight and my tummy is an inch bigger than my bust and I think my waist to hip ratio is 0.9.

I have attached a picture - hope that’s ok. In the picture I am sitting up with my back straight but not doing anything to hold my belly in.

OP posts:
Original poster
DontRecogniseMyself · 11/09/2018 11:11

Good question! I need to think as to be honest I don’t want to do anything. Whatever gives the quickest results I guess.

OP posts:
spinabifidamom · 11/09/2018 10:24

Be realistic. What sort of exercise do you want to do? I recommend exercise in combination with a healthy diet. Pilates, yoga etc are good for concentration and core strength. Most gyms offer a variety of fitness classes. Swimming is another good option. What about dancing lessons? Running is free.

Make sure that you eat healthy food too.

Original poster
DontRecogniseMyself · 11/09/2018 09:33

I just don’t understand how I have fat to lose? I am at lower end of BMI but I suppose the muffin top must be fat? I had thought it was just rubbish tone.

OP posts:
Daisy03 · 11/09/2018 09:30

Realistically exercise, along with a healthy diet can help you lose weight, but you can’t choose where you lose it from. So a mixture of whatever cardio you like, and a healthy diet will help you lose fat, although you may find unfortunately it comes off your stomach last.
Doing strength exercise/yoga/Pilates will help with the muscle underneath and help you with a stronger core, which will all show through once the fat comes off

Original poster
DontRecogniseMyself · 11/09/2018 09:26

Thanks, perhaps Pilates is what I need actually.

OP posts:
sam235corner · 11/09/2018 07:38

Start with matt pilates and/or reformer pilates, you'll get very strong quite quickly which will in turn make you an efficient runner. If you start running without body strength you'll suffer with injuries.

Original poster
DontRecogniseMyself · 11/09/2018 07:34

That sounds very promising! Although I have to admit I was hoping not to change my. Perhaps I need to rethink that one.

OP posts:
Ava1988 · 11/09/2018 06:53

@dontrecognisemyself yes my tummy changed considerably...I was so surprised! She has an Instagram page too. Think she is an experienced fitness expert trainer lady ( can't remember what she calls herself lol) but as a pp said I did have to think about what I was eating too.

Original poster
DontRecogniseMyself · 10/09/2018 23:46

Thanks both. Silly, the thing is I am not sure I need to lose weight. Or perhaps I am kidding myself...

My middle is definitely thicker than it used to be but I am a worried that if I lose weight it will go from my boobs and I will be even more apple shaped.

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 10/09/2018 23:40

Try doing some HIITs at home, don't take long and really work, I like the joe wicks ones, he does some starter ones

Sillybilly1234 · 10/09/2018 23:33

To lose weight effectively you need to eat less ( or more healthily) and exercise more.

One doesn't work without the other.

Then keep the new regime as a lifestyle change.

Good luck

It is hard work. Take it from me.

Original poster
DontRecogniseMyself · 10/09/2018 23:19

Ava, that looks amazing and only 7 minutes. I would actually do that. Did it specifically help your tummy?

OP posts:
Original poster
DontRecogniseMyself · 10/09/2018 23:17

Thanks, that is exactly what I need to do I think, pull the tummy in. I can feel my core muscles are so lax and it just all hangs out so to speak!

OP posts:
Ava1988 · 10/09/2018 23:17

Oh and she has different videos aimed at different body shapes :)

Ava1988 · 10/09/2018 23:16

Lucy Wyndham Read. Honestly I was like yeah right this will never work! And I lost half a stone in 3 weeks! She has a cook book too which has some nice ideas in that are really quick. And it's all free. She's got loads of videos online all for different body parts. I did the one linked and actually 7 mins isn't too bad 🤣🤣

Verbena87 · 10/09/2018 23:15

Pilates is great for your core, which will eventually pull your tummy in (though I’ve got a low-end-of-normal BMI abc have been doing it for a year and still look a similar shape even though I’m stronger than I was: massive baby seems to have stretched the muscles out, and I have to avoid crunches/plank etc because of knackered pelvic floor), and running is free and utterly magic for your mind and body - running hills and rough ground tones you all over, I’ve found.

Original poster
DontRecogniseMyself · 10/09/2018 23:12

I hate it all Blush. I used to run as it is cheap and free. Could look into aerobics as I did like that sometimes when younger.

OP posts:
Original poster
DontRecogniseMyself · 10/09/2018 23:09

Here is the picture.

When standing up I look a little like the picture on here but slimmer and cannot pinch as much as the model is pinching at all.

OP posts:
clary · 10/09/2018 23:07

What exercise do you like/ have you enjoyed before? Maybe in school?

Eg netball, good thing to do as in a team so you have to do it. Or swimming, easy as needs no equipment and pretty cheap. Or running, do it any time and anywhere, just need a good bra and shoes. Or aerobics or similar classes, can be good for targeting tummy etc.

Exercise has to be something you enjoy or you just won't do it. I would rather swim or run than watch tv really (well maybe not, but you get the idea).