I have 1 month of 'me time' and want to get as fit as possible - what should I do?

[tenbob]

I'm in the process of changing jobs and have been put on gardening leave til the new year, but have to give 1 months notice for childcare, so for the first and probably only time in my adult life, I have a WHOLE MONTH to myself.

So I want to use this to get as fit and lean as I can, and am willing to throw some money at the problem.

CrossFit is out, but I'm in London most other gym brands/things are feasible.

I have above-average motivation levels and current fitness, and yes I could just go running every day but want to do something more structured and weights based, which also helps me drop as many inches as possible while improving my strength and muscle tone.

Fitness experts! What would YOU recommend I do?

I’d find a personal trainer - they can work with you in a much more focused way. One session in a week will check your technique, give you a structure and goals for the next week, and then you can improve over the month.

Place marking

I already have a weekly PT to help me stay on top of an injury but need something more intensive.

Was thinking something like f45 or Barry's or something like Crossfit-which-isn't-crossfit which expects you to turn up most days and does weigh ins to keep you on track,

But I don't know how to chose between the options

Why is crossfit out? It’s completely scalable and all movements can be modified. I think it’s the best thing you can do.

CrossFit or a good person trainer

Why no CrossFit? All classes can be modified for injury.

I’ve got very damaged lumber discs and have had a lot of surgery on my back.

When I did a few CrossFit classes before, the focus was on max reps rather than form, and I felt under too much pressure from the trainers to drill out more reps rather than focus on slow but good technique

So I’m terrified that daily CrossFit will see me ending up with an injury that will put me out for weeks

Your CrossFit experience sounds poor, that's a shame. My PT and coaches focus on form, technique and the gym has a trained physio.

Kettlebells!

Join MoveGB and mix it up? I'd do barrecore, kettle bells, some kind of HIt class and possibly pilates

It sounds like your crossfit gym had poor coaches (I would be interested to hear which one it is). If you wanted to PM me I can generally recommend some good ones in London.

Speedflex? They often do free trials.

I agree that was a crappy Crossfit gym mine are the opposite and won't let people push for more weight or reps until they're happy they won't hurt themselves. It's not very regulated though so luck of the draw really, you could try another CrossFit which is what changed my body composition massively or go something like Virgin and hit a variety of their classes?

I would treat it as an opportunity to work on all areas and also do some yoga/Pilates type stuff for flexibility and to make sure you're not pushing too hard.

Also invest in one of those meal prep companies,
Lots do a full month where they will pre pack and send you healthy meals and snacks so you know exactly how many calories you're getting and don't overeat.

Be careful to make sure you eat enough though, if you suddenly up the exercise and don't eat enough it might be counter productive! Good luck

How nice - a whole month to yourself :) if I were you I would swim everyday and buy a monthly pass to Triyoga and do a variety of classes. If you need to lose weight it’s best to focus on diet and I’ve lost a lot with the Fast800 diet, but if it’s just toning you want then swimming and yoga are great. Enjoy your month!

Hot yoga? I love it, very good for strength and conditioning, flexibility and mental wellbeing.

Christ, don't do kettlebells for a back injury!

I have fucked discs too and coincidentally until the new year free.

I bought a crosstrainer off ebay for 50 quid. Low impact, I'm doing that as much as possible and an hour dog walking and am going to the gym daily for classes and a swim.

Strengthening your back will need strenghtening of your core so focus on that.

How about some kind of outside "bootcamp" like British Military Fitness. Or something that will give you a skill as well like boxing or martial arts?

Do have a browse in MN's Exercise topic.

You'll find threads about a number of things you have mentioned (and there's a new-ish cross fit chat thread that wouid certainly interest you).

Basic question - what sort of fitness do you want?

Cardio with a bit of flexibility? Improve sports performance (if so, which sport/s?) Increase strength? Learn new skills?

Whichever it is, one think I would add is the importance of rest days. Do not train in one discipline more than 3 or 4 days a week and make sure you have at least one (and probably two) complete days off each week. If you're buzzing to be active - go on along walk on rest days, in greenery if possible

Mix of running, swimming and climbing. You'll get ripped fast!

I'ld recommend doing as much outdoors exercise as possible, weather permitting. Park runs, get out cycling along the Thames path, get an outdoor PT do do some sessions with weights, plus a few yoga or Pilates sessions.

Also, you can have time to enjoy healthy food prep, try out new recipes etc.

Enjoy the fitness challenge & let us know in a month!

Joining a local running club might be a good idea. I did that and love it. Most running clubs now cater for all abilities so there's no pressure to be amazing and it's really sociable too. You don't even have to commit but just turn up when you can.