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Original poster

Unfit and exercising at home

65 replies

BrightSkyPurple · 12/08/2024 06:51

Hi

I’m really unfit. Hated sport at school and have never really done any exercise since. I’ve managed to keep myself a size 10 through diet but I am flabby. I get out of breath very quickly and can’t do things like push ups.

I would like to:

  • get fitter
  • tone up
  • build muscle (as I’m heading to 40)
  • lose around 3kg (but accept this might be more off a diet thing)

I’m thinking about getting a PT but also interested in recommendations for home workouts. How do I find something that I don’t give up on because it’s too difficult but also not something I give up on because I’m not seeing results within say 6 weeks? Any recommendations for online programs/youtube or should I just get on with getting a PT? Thanks!

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Fit4FunPTLondon · 19/09/2024 14:32

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Fit4FunPTLondon · 19/09/2024 14:26

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zebranotzeebra · 07/09/2024 19:21

I started with yoga with Adriene, but yoga with Kassandra is my favourite now. Do her short morning yoga classes a few times a week. Have just started Jessica Valant pilates in the last couple of weeks, her beginner videos are quite accessible and she always offers alternatives and adaptations.

parkrun500club · 01/09/2024 17:41

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 01/09/2024 17:28

The only classes I worry about doing online are Pilates and yoga, only because I know you can do damage if you do moves wrong.

That applies to anything though. Do a kettle bell swing wrong and you could do your back some serious mischief.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 01/09/2024 17:28

The only classes I worry about doing online are Pilates and yoga, only because I know you can do damage if you do moves wrong.

HerewegoagainSS · 01/09/2024 11:28

What about couch to 5K OP? Gets you fit in 10 weeks!

Tharshe · 01/09/2024 11:26

I absolutely love "Get Fit With Rick" he's got lots and lots of free cardio and some strength workouts on YouTube if you do a search. If you like his style and subscribe then there are loads of programmes targeting different areas of fitness. Really recommend him for variety and so much for different levels of fitness that you can find where you slot in and work from there.

ThisOchreLemur · 01/09/2024 11:11

30 day shred

notacooldad · 01/09/2024 11:06

I recently restarted the old school Tae Bo series by Billy Blanks. I used his workouts in the nineties and saw some excellent results. Great for strength, , flexibility and cardio
Oh I remember Billy Blanks, his workouts are fantastic. I am going to revisit them. I used to have them on dvd.

Lampzade · 31/08/2024 15:05

I do CG workouts but probably wouldn’t recommend some of her workouts for a beginner
I recently restarted the old school Tae Bo series by Billy Blanks. I used his workouts in the nineties and saw some excellent results. Great for strength, , flexibility and cardio
His workouts are now free on YouTube.

Magnolia82 · 22/08/2024 20:56

BrightSkyPurple · 22/08/2024 16:42

I’m enjoying my home workouts. Have done a combination of Team Body Project and BodyFit by Amy. Tried some Heather Robertson. I did struggle with that one but maybe that’s what I need.

Anyway I’d like to mix things up a bit and introduce either yoga or Pilates but can’t figure out which one. Anyone have recommendations? I don’t have aches and pains but I want to mitigate against the effects of getting older.

I've recently started using 'The Girl with the Pilates mat'. (But other, more experienced people might have better suggestions?)

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 22/08/2024 20:30

No idea re which online or Pilates workouts. Are any good.

Don’t who you use already also have yoga and Pilates options? I did like Team Body Projecf when I did k.

Original poster
BrightSkyPurple · 22/08/2024 16:42

I’m enjoying my home workouts. Have done a combination of Team Body Project and BodyFit by Amy. Tried some Heather Robertson. I did struggle with that one but maybe that’s what I need.

Anyway I’d like to mix things up a bit and introduce either yoga or Pilates but can’t figure out which one. Anyone have recommendations? I don’t have aches and pains but I want to mitigate against the effects of getting older.

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 14/08/2024 20:12

curious79 · 12/08/2024 07:05

Buy some hand weights and find some YouTube videos - there’s a brilliant lady called Diane (?) offering 15/20 min sessions

I need to find mine and use them but don’t forget lifting eg tins off baked beans also works.

parkrun500club · 14/08/2024 20:09

I was reading something the other day that said for healthy aging we need

cardio
strength
mobility
balance

The cardio can come from walking but you need to go fast
Strength - using weights so any of the recommendations above
Mobility and balance can come from body weight exercises and pilates or actual mobility apps - examples would be Fluidform, Form and Pliability but i think there is lots on youtube as well.

If you want easy, introductory strength work there is a lady called Carla who runs Strength and Conditioning and Yoga for runners. She has a free six week course on Youtube so you could look at that as well.

coodawoodashooda · 14/08/2024 19:32

Sharonas.hill her walking videos are fun.

Pixiedust1234 · 14/08/2024 19:10

Manzana · 14/08/2024 13:23

I second Lucy Wyndham Read on You Tube, 5, 7 or 20 minute workouts, she has exercises for all parts of the body and most are low impact on joints and knees, She even has sitting down ones.

Thank you for this as I'm looking for sitting down ones due to disability.

notacooldad · 14/08/2024 18:44

What I'd working for me
5 mile walk daily
1400 calories
Weights 3x a week somtimes 4
7.5 hrs sleep on a regular basis.
3.5 litres of water day.
I'm looking better and my weight is reducing.

AnnaMagnani · 14/08/2024 18:38

I was so shite I bought 1kg weights and found them too hard to begin with. The ones you linked to are 2kg.

My 1kg still get a lot of use as now I am fitter I can do a boxing workout and make it higher intensity by holding the weights all the way through.

BurntBroccoli · 14/08/2024 17:53

I do 5000 steps jogging around the house including stairs and then 5-10 mins of free hand weights per day.

Manzana · 14/08/2024 13:23

I second Lucy Wyndham Read on You Tube, 5, 7 or 20 minute workouts, she has exercises for all parts of the body and most are low impact on joints and knees, She even has sitting down ones.

Original poster
BrightSkyPurple · 14/08/2024 13:17

would these be a good weight for a beginner? amzn.eu/d/acfFHOx

OP posts:
MagpiePi · 14/08/2024 13:13

I did Caroline Girvan's 24 days of Christmas series (I think that's what it's called) and then started the Epic programme although I've gone back to the gym now.

I like that she takes rests when it gets too much, as it encouraged me to push myself but for it to be ok to take a rest too.

AnnaMagnani · 14/08/2024 13:05

30 day shred was terrible for me. There is quite a bit of jumping, I hurt my knees and that was that.

Everyone is motivated by different things and I found Jillian yelling at me not motivating at all. While Daniel telling me I'm a winner just for turning up works for me.

Original poster
BrightSkyPurple · 14/08/2024 12:57

@JanefromLondon1 Thanks that sounds like an interesting option. Is it suitable for beginners? What I liked about the YouTube workout I did this morning was that it was pitched at just the right level for me

OP posts: