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Original poster

Reporting back after 1st gym visits in 20+ years

217 replies

BelgianBeers · 01/01/2025 16:18

Hello

Lots of you have me advice when I joined a PureGym - I ordered clothes and stuff then got ill so didn’t go. Now better I have been attending and can report that is has been great. If you are considering joining I would absolutely recommend it. I have been helped by lots of different staff, done classes and use two different venues. Have found it all
very friendly and easy to engage with. Am just back from a session and feel great. Now I just have two ish stone to get rid of and some cardiovascular fitness to get back. 💪

OP posts:
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Original poster
BelgianBeers · 17/01/2025 19:17

Ok plank partner - let’s plank. I am going to work up to the 3minute thing. There was a woman at the gym who seemed to plank for about 10 mins without a ripple. Imagine!

Plank accountability starts here. I will update my times! I think I started at 12 secs🤦‍♀️.

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LushLemonTart · 17/01/2025 01:08

@BelgianBeers planks are very difficult. Start with 10 seconds. I'll do one tomorrow. Let's plank together 😃💪

Original poster
BelgianBeers · 16/01/2025 23:28

Well - and I could tell this after my first class - and my online yoga - my plank is awful. I can’t do thirty secs 😂. The only way is up huh.

as for crisps - live them so much. They are a passion really!

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LushLemonTart · 16/01/2025 23:05

Yes @Semiramide planking is amazing. I keep forgetting to do it thanks for the reminder.

Oh I have those days @BelgianBeers . Crisps are my nemesis.

Semiramide · 16/01/2025 23:03

If you do nothing, else, @BelgianBeers , do the daily plank. After a month or so you'll start to notice a definite increase in your overall fitness - thanks to the rod of iron that planking gives you.

Original poster
BelgianBeers · 16/01/2025 21:04

That sounds good @LushLemonTart. I have eaten a family sized bag of crisps and had macaroni cheese but am only just back from work and will do better tomorrow.

@Semiramide hmmm yes I have some planking to conquer. My plank is more plunk. Thanks for the recommendations.

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Semiramide · 16/01/2025 15:42

For those of you who are struggling........ check out...

  • Caroline Girvan for weight training - super effective
  • Growingannanas for HIIT/cardio
  • Yoga with Kassandra
  • Plus the Bowflex 3-minute Plank every day - without fail.
LushLemonTart · 16/01/2025 15:28

Did resistance bands workout squats and press ups today. Then a 2 mile walk. Not far but brisk. It's such a lovely day.

LushLemonTart · 14/01/2025 18:47

I didn't get chance for a walk. Waited in for delivery and then ended up doing chores.

I'm off work tomorrow so I'll get some exercise in.

Original poster
BelgianBeers · 14/01/2025 18:37

Have done some yoga but not much else - think it will be the other end of the week before I have any time. It’s one of those weeks. I did weigh myself today so have set a 2lb target reduction for each week. 12.12 is my starting point. I am 3 and a half stone heavier than I was after my last child! Oops

swimming sounds lovely - hope you had a good walk - our slush is treacherous today

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LushLemonTart · 14/01/2025 14:31

How's everyone getting on?
Did a bit of swimming at the hotel yesterday. Might pop out for a walk before it gets dark?

Original poster
BelgianBeers · 12/01/2025 21:00

@LushLemonTart same here - especially the belly - and yes we bloody can💪.

@LittleBigHead Some “game”! Sounds tough but yes you are right. All progress is progress and at least - in some point a good few months forward -I will be able to look back and see how far I have come. I have had small wins already - I am still quite strong, especially the legs but some other aspects of my fitness are much less assured. Flexibility is positively amusing or bemusing as is my squat and those two factors are connected. Two stone off and a bit bendier and I will feel like a new woman!

I am going to do a bit of yoga everyday with Adrianne and work on my ankles and wrists which are lacking bend - can’t even get my wrists to 90degrees but I know they can. I think we should use ‘strong as fuck’ as our motto:)

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LittleBigHead · 12/01/2025 17:44

I do have a strong sense that fit is in reach although half way through this morning’s class I didn’t feel that way:)

I do know that feeling! I was doing a "game" (as my PT calls it) the other day of 12 rounds of 170 kilo sled pull/push, alternating with 2 mins on the exercise bike. First half felt great, but I started to tire at about the 8th round, and reached failure on the sled pull on the 11th round, so I had to do push/push on the 12th & last round.

I love being strong as fuck, but sometimes it's death to get there! And you never reach a point where you can stop - but it does get easier, I promise.

And remember that gym adage: "What used to be my one rep max is now my warm up weight. "

It's a weightlifting saying, but works for all aspects of fitness actually.

LushLemonTart · 12/01/2025 16:04

@BelgianBeers I'm the same. I feel fitness is in reach. I can walk for miles but need my upper body stronger and stomach smaller.

We can do this 💪

Original poster
BelgianBeers · 12/01/2025 15:17

@LittleBigHead wonderful. I have such a strong sense that now is the time that makes the biggest difference for the longer term. There you are proving it. I think already the gap between inactive and active friends has grown remorselessly with the fit ones in their own super zone. I do have a strong sense that fit is in reach although half way through this morning’s class I didn’t feel that way:)

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LittleBigHead · 12/01/2025 14:20

What a lovely opening post @BelgianBeers ! I hope you keep on enjoying the gym. I love it & it enables me to keep working in a high-demand job past pensionable age.

Original poster
BelgianBeers · 12/01/2025 13:59

Well I can’t move now - ache everywhere😂
Weather is ok - still crunchy rather than slippy but it took me an hour or so to remove the big iced wodges of snow stopping us from using our usual parking. Roll on the great defrost. It is so variable round here but we are high up and got the most this time. Love the North East Coast - I am in West Yorks.

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LushLemonTart · 12/01/2025 12:56

Well impressed you've been out exercising this morning. I really feel so achy today.

What's the weather like where you are? I'm north east coast and it's a bit icy. Worse inland I think? I was thinking of having a walk but dh is off to work and don't fancy risking falling on my bum without someone help me up 🤣

Original poster
BelgianBeers · 12/01/2025 12:14

After I messaged you I remembered I had booked a Sunday class for 9.30 so off I went to legs bums and tums. It was not a pretty sight! Def a work out though. I can’t lunge well - I will need to try them at home. Like you my bum is feeling this action.

I think weight does go up and down a bit but it is so disheartening when the scales don’t reflect effort! Impressed with the Zumba - I can’t do the dance/movementy classes as I am so very dreadful when it comes to coordination but I think they look great fun.

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LushLemonTart · 12/01/2025 11:14

I haven't weighed myself in a while and have put a few pounds on 😟 I did have a couple of pints and pub food last night though. So hopefully just water?

LushLemonTart · 12/01/2025 11:13

@BelgianBeers well done. You're doing well sticking to it.

I tried some online zumba with weights yesterday. Only managed half! It was relentless. I'm sticking to usual work out today with resistance bands and dumbells. I do feel the muscles today though. Especially on my bum 🤣

Original poster
BelgianBeers · 12/01/2025 07:37

@LushLemonTart How are you doing? I finished my run of meals with the tasting menu and if I hadn’t had 7 cocktails wouldn’t have been into much danger calories wise. As a good eater I did find the bijou portions a refinement too far. From now on I plan I eat more moderately.
Did gym on Saturday and went to machine floor - last week it was a confusing place and this week I was merrily changing seat heights and faffing around with more confidence. I ache pleasantly so must have done something.

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Original poster
BelgianBeers · 09/01/2025 08:12

Oh I love an evening that is so much fun the drinks keep flowing:). Impressed that you still did your workout.

I don’t wfh - am a teacher but it’s the first day back today because if the snow round here. It’s good to be back - now to see if I can sustain the exercise alongside the school days. I went to my first stretch class - hmm really enjoyed it and clearly need to do one daily as with the exception of hip openers am dreadful.

I have a healthy meal planned lunch - mind you ate well yesterday then ate half a big bag of peanuts!

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LushLemonTart · 08/01/2025 10:57

Squats are so good for you. I do a few in my workout.

LushLemonTart · 08/01/2025 10:57

Do you wfh @BelgianBeers ? I have to go out and drive to work. Thankfully the roads are ok atm as our streets don't get gritted. I'm working tomorrow and Friday.

I was tired yesterday from not sleeping at the hotel. I drank too much 🙈 There's a pub near the hotel and it's so friendly you end up staying too long. Wasn't drunk just I don't drink much now. I had a few wines and 2 pints of ale. So I had a long nap when we got home. I'm doing my workout today and a long walk.

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