Has anyone lost weight and really toned up successfully?

@ClaraTheImpossibleGirl you only need one kettlebell and can get them sports direct or decathlon for about £20. I just have a 6kg kettlebell and then I also have 4kg hand weights as I find the kettlebell a bit too heavy for certain things. As you get fitter you can upgrade to a heavier kettlebell

The phrase “tone up” just means lose fat and build muscle to have a nice lean look. Heavy weights will do this! Do not be afraid of them!

OP, the best weight to start with is body weight. Body weight squats, lunges, push ups etc will all give you a start and then add in some weight.

I'm a Peloton addict. I have the bike, but for about a year before that I just did the app and the classes. I'm 34 and this is the most toned I've ever been in my life - I find the Barre and Yoga classes make a huge difference. You don't need the bike or the tread, they have outdoor run/walk classes just like couch25k.

I used to hate exercise, but now I get antsy if I don't do something every day! It's changed my life.

Did you do a kettlebells course at the gym (when such things were possible!) @cyclingmad? I'd like to do one at home but it just seems such a massive outlay at the beginning, I do keep an eye on Facebook for cheap kettlebells but they rarely come up in my area.

@Plumtree391 I think we have the same attitude to fitness

I could do with being more fit now actually.

I'll start tomorrow :-).

And remember light weight more reps is for toning. Higher weight less reps to build muscle

I went from 19 stone to 13stone, kettlebells classes helped me tone up really quickly so much so even my swimming instructor commented on how strong my arms were getting.

Kettlebells will work the majority of your muscles and a 30 min class is all you need 2 to 3 times a week

I do Bodyfit by Amy videos on YouTube using a 6kg kettlebell and some hand weights. They are free and very good

Firstly @MindBodyChocolate, a massive well done on your weight loss so far

I've lost a stone, another 2.5 to go and have found that exercise at home has really helped with toning. I always used to be slim and fit pre-DC but there has been too much cake and far too many lockdowns since then...

Do you have any local exercise coaches who are doing classes via Zoom, that might help? My aerobics teacher switched to completely online and she is fab, you might know (or could find) someone nearby to you who can assist. Or I know some outdoor classes have started again near me (England), there might be one of those you'd enjoy.

Failing that Joe Wicks has loads of stuff on YouTube for free - I started with PE with Joe and found him really helpful, I'm going to try his (payable) app soon too. I did enjoy C25K last summer but now I can't go running regularly enough to improve, I find that Joe's workouts are more useful. MADFit has been a good one for weight training, as I'm mid 40s and also keen to do more for my bone density.

Do keep us posted on how you're doing; remember, even upping your walking will help, I have a Fitbit for extra motivation!

Yes I did. I was a bit fat and unfit in my mid forties so took myself in hand. It didn't take long at all and I was better for it.

Would that much weight loss cause a lot of excess skin, especially if lost in a short space of time?

Do heavy strength training

Squatting
Shoulder presses
Push ups or chest presses
Rows
Planks

YouTube for technique until you can see a PT.

I’d do couch to 5k for cardio and YouTube strength training videos to get you started.

Having never done strength training before I noticed a difference in literally just a couple of days doing body weight/2kg dumbbell videos.