How long to see visible results with exercise?

[losenotloose]

I'm terrible with this. If I start eating better and exercising I start to get disheartened if I don't see results within two -days- weeks.

So, just for motivation when can I realistically expect to see a difference? I'm not dieting as not technically overweight but have stopped snacking and reduced portion sizes. I've also been doing two spin classes a week and one body pump. This will increase to two body pump classes at the end of the month.

You will get results quickly but they can be hard to see as they are gradual. You will progress quicker the less fit/healthy you are usually and then will find that it starts to slow down a bit. I would say that 6 weeks of consistent regular exercise and sensible eating would be enough to be noticeable.

Is there a Boditrax machine at your gym? I think they have them at all Virgin Active and David Lloyd clubs, possibly Nuffield too, not sure about elsewhere. They are really really good for measuring your progress when you might otherwise be overlooking your results as they can happen quite slowly. Otherwise I would reccomend getting hold of some body fat callipers and/or taking regular (fortnightly maybe?) photos to compare.

If you are prone to becoming demotivated, is it worth checking in with a personal trainer once a week?

They don't have a boditrax thingy. It's my local leisure centre so not very hi-tech.

I can't afford a pt but it's probably worth me measuring my body fat and weight. It's difficult to notice change just by looking at myself!

Agree with 6 weeks - I’ve been tracking calories and exercising for 6 weeks (took a week off over half term) and I am seeing results now. 2 kg lost and a definite change in body shape/a bit less fat.

Ok. I can wait 6 weeks! I know it's probably not the best attitude to what should be a permanent lifestyle change but I need to feel rewarded for the hard work.

It took me almost 3 months to see a change. Others could see it and told me, however I didn’t. Best advice is take photos in the mirror and keep taking them and comparing. Once I noticed the change it spurred me on and I’m making great progress.

Did you take the photos in underwear? Not sure if I could stomach it!

I've been regularly exercising for about 6 years. I'm sure I'm going to notice the difference very soon!

Oh no, don't say that! What kind of exercise are you doing?

Depends how much excess body fat you're carrying. If you're relatively slim and do weights based exercise you'll see results pretty quickly. I find hiit workouts far more effective than the gym or long classes.

I'm 5'6 and 10st 9. I'm hoping the combination of cardio and strength should be effective.

I go to my local leisure centre.
There should be a trained person in the gym that can give you advice and different exercises to try it's almost like have a PT.

Is the machine that StarfishSandwich was talking about like scales but you also hold something as well to tell you your weight and body fat % if it is then we have one.

Sadly it seems we're the last to notice an improvement in ourselves.