Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

You can ignore all those questions, I've just found the PDF guide on her website that basically answers all of it!

Looking at the pictures it seems that it is a yes to trainers :)

Hello, can I join you?!

I'm 46, peri, not really overweight but hopelessly unfit and very wobbly! I've been hearing a lot about how important strength training is as we get older -I am determined do something about it because I am really beginning to notice a difference in my body, and not in a good way.

I've got some really basic newbie questions which I'm hoping someone can help me with...
1 - I should start with the Beginner programme, yes? Is it all on YouTube?
2 - What weights do I need to begin with? Is it hand weights, dumbbells, bands?
3 - How much physical space do I need? I'm trying to figure out where I can actually do it!
4 - I've got carpeted floor, do I use a mat? Should I wear trainers? (see I told you these were basic questions!)
5 - how regularly should you do a session? Daily? Every other day? A few times a week?

I know that some of these questions will be 'it depends', but it would be great to get an idea of what other people do!

CG definitely has verrrrry low body fat, so whatever she's got going on back there is almost certainly 100% muscle. I suspect it is quite substantial; one of the things I like about her is that she's got the mighty thigh muscles going on and I crave her arms. I reckon her shorts are quite stretchy.

What I don’t understand is, how is CG’s bum not Kardashian like? Unless it is partially disguised by her hamstrings. Luckily my hamstrings have not really developed too much and I’m happy to keep it that way.

My upper body however has really got stronger. We went paddle boarding and kayaking over the weekend and I noticed how much faster I was paddling with very little effort. Not at all tired from crossing the lake and I even beat DP (though of course he tells me he wasn’t really trying…). It reminded me that even if I don’t see the effects in the guise of super cut muscles the training is having an effect.

@AquaticSewingMachine yes, definitely. I am also on a quest for the elusive well-fitting knicker, which I don't remember being a problem before!

It's not even like my bum has got bigger. Just... Differently shaped? Knickers which didn't used to fit properly now do, knickers that used to fit now don't, and my top priority in a knicker is 100% comfort so now I'm wondering if I'm going to have to substantially refresh the drawer. Is weird.

Sounds like hell. I’ll have to remember to give that one a miss. Far too hot here for such shenanigans! I had hoped she’d dropped the burpee but obviously not.

@AquaticSewingMachine i did notice my bum appeared to be veering towards Kim Kardashian’s, although it seems to have settled down a bit (probably because I skipped many a hip thrust). It’s not so much knickers but fitted trousers and skirts that have got tight at the back. My office wear has dwindled!

So, this week's random question: has anyone found that getting into weights has, um, changed the shape of their bum to the extent that their knickers don't fit right?

Slowly getting back into more consistent workouts this week. I did fuel day 4 on Tuesday, netball match Thursday in gruelling heat and completed fuel day 5 this morning. Supposedly using ‘lighter’ weights but as CG used 10kg I did my usual halving this which for me is my ‘heavier’ weights. I did go fetch my 3kg after the first superset but I was determined enough not to drop down. Time to dig out my husbands old adjustable dumbbells so I can move up on heavier weight days 💪

@milkfromthesleepycow oh god good luck!

@Lovetok well done!! Unfortunately the only help is to keep doing it- it will get better, I promise
If it's any consolation I just did iron day 20 and I'm meant to be going paddle boarding in an hour- I may drown due to lack of viable arm movements 😱

Got through it. Send help. Arms now made of jelly 😫🤣

Right. Back on it. Day 2 Beginners today. Looking forward to not being able to use my arms tomorrow 😬😬😬

Ooh @vivicrocodile we’re on the same schedule! I was toying with the idea of doing Day 2 this evening but just couldn’t face it. Still walking like a penguin after Day 1! 😳
Thanks @BigButtons!

I will have a look at the prep stuff, thank you.

My legs hurt so much today from doing the first day of epic beginners on Tuesday. I was fine yesterday and felt a bit smug about it but it has got me today! I was planning on going for a run tonight but I just can't face it!

Should I exercise through it or wait until it eases a bit?

I’ve been lurking as an incentive to get going again. I had a really good run of committed workouts until I got really ill in October last year and then got Covid (2nd time) in March and I just completely lost my motivation.
anyway thanks to this thread I’m back on it. Epic beginners day 1 yesterday and now I can’t walk properly. In a good way 🤣🤣🤣

An actual glute day with no hip thrusts? Sounds like bliss! Do you think she got the message? Mind you, there are a lot of things we all hate, if she listened to everyone’s grumbles there’d be nothing left.

I’ll start Fuel next week, work schedule permitting. looking forward to it, strangely enough.

@vivicrocodile - looks like you need the pre-beginners' prep, namely:

Lucy Wyndham Read Thighs & Glutes
Rebecca Louise Best Abs
Rebecca Louise Ageless Arms (using decent, i.e. challenging weights)
Bowflex 3-minute plank

Do the above every second day.
Do a 30-40 minute Growingannanas HIT with weights on alternate days.
Plus the Bowflex 3-minute plank.

Do the above for at least a 2-4 weeks.
Then try Caroline's EPIC Beginners again.

But make sure you do the Bowflex 3-minute plank every day.
Very important this.