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Original poster

Tone up flabby bits quickly

29 replies

Cantdecidewhich · 21/04/2021 07:25

Hopefully will be getting married end July, 3rd time lucky due to COVID-19!!
I need to tone up and ideally drop half a stone to make my dress look good on me.
The areas I am concerned about are upper back, arms and if I could get a more defined waist that would be fab.
Any ideas please, I can't do exercise lying down.
By the way I am 58, 5 feet 2 and 9 stone.
Thanks for any tips!!

OP posts:
Atalune · 21/04/2021 07:28

Weights- this will tone you up sharpish!
Yoga/Pilates- will help lengthen and tone

PoTheDog · 21/04/2021 07:30

Swimming 3 times a week for 3 months completely changed my back, shoulders and arms.
Get someone to help you with your technique if required and British Swimming website has some good workout recommendations

Todayisanewday75 · 21/04/2021 07:30

Try Body Project some free on YouTube loads more on their site (teambodyproject.com). A lot of the workouts are all standing or have standing options. Also some standing pilates which is great for toning.

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Atalune · 21/04/2021 07:32

Diet- watch what you eat and reduce alcohol, processed foods, sugar.

I low carb (light) and intermittent fast and yesterday I ate and yesterday was a light day.

Poached egg on half a piece of sourdough, half an avocado
Smoked salmon, salad leaves little bit of cheese
Apple, satsuma, spicy beetroot pack from tescos, carrot, some cucumber, handful of tomatoes. Lots of water.

I maintain 8.5 stones at 5,4 and am 45.

Outbutnotoutout · 21/04/2021 07:34

As Team RH says, "You can't tone fat"

Atalune · 21/04/2021 07:36

Back/arm exercises

Lat raises
Front raises
Front row
Bent over row
Shoulder press
Sledgehammers

Do pair sets
1st set do 16 reps of first exercise
2nd set do 16 reps of second exercise
Rest for 10 seconds
Repeat

Then do 2 more sets as above.

Do all the exercises. Rest for 1min. Repeat whole routine. Cool down.

MazekeenSmith · 21/04/2021 07:36

There is no such thing as toning
You can get stronger through weight training and you can get slimmer through a caloric deficit so I would suggest both of those!
You can achieve a caloric deficit through eating less and doing more cardio but you will need weights for the muscles.

HowToBringABlushToTheSnow · 21/04/2021 08:00

Heavy weights - cannot beat them for muscle definition. However, you have to combine this with diet, as the saying goes, abs are made in the kitchen...

I'm 46 and maintain a healthy weight with a v good waist and toned arms, legs and butt through heavy weights (and HIIT twice a week).

Caroline Girvan, incredible PT who produces high quality, motivating workouts you can do at home (on YouTube) is your woman. Obviously you will need to invest in some appropriate weights (I would go with a range of 3k (both sides) to start, working up to 10k (both sides).)

Original poster
Cantdecidewhich · 21/04/2021 08:01

My diet is already pretty good so I suppose it is the exercise I am missing. I can only really spare half an hour a day.
@PoTheDog I am not very good in water
@Atalune can you please tell me more about the weights, I have some dumbbells.

Thanks for the answers so far!

OP posts:
Original poster
Cantdecidewhich · 21/04/2021 08:06

@HowToBringABlushToTheSnow I will definitely look at that on YouTube. I have 2.3kg hand weights and 4kg kettle weights. Can't imagine working out with them though they weigh a ton after a few minutes but will try Grin

OP posts:
HowToBringABlushToTheSnow · 21/04/2021 08:22

[quote Cantdecidewhich]@HowToBringABlushToTheSnow I will definitely look at that on YouTube. I have 2.3kg hand weights and 4kg kettle weights. Can't imagine working out with them though they weigh a ton after a few minutes but will try Grin[/quote]
There is no shame in starting off on a lighter weight. Just go as heavy as you can manage, and remember quality much more important than quantity when lifting the weights. Caroline Girvan is a big advocate of this, she encourages you to make the workout your own, to go at your own pace. Go for the short workout to being (10-15mins), you will soon work up to longer workouts and heavier weights! Bonus is that you will feel amazing too Smile

HowToBringABlushToTheSnow · 21/04/2021 08:23
  • begin not being Hmm
Original poster
Cantdecidewhich · 21/04/2021 08:49

@HowToBringABlushToTheSnow I have bookmarked it and am going to try it today with the lighter weights, hopefully I won't have bingo wings on my wedding day! (they arent too bad now but I want to look better)

OP posts:
Kittykat93 · 21/04/2021 08:51

@Atalune

Diet- watch what you eat and reduce alcohol, processed foods, sugar.

I low carb (light) and intermittent fast and yesterday I ate and yesterday was a light day.

Poached egg on half a piece of sourdough, half an avocado
Smoked salmon, salad leaves little bit of cheese
Apple, satsuma, spicy beetroot pack from tescos, carrot, some cucumber, handful of tomatoes. Lots of water.

I maintain 8.5 stones at 5,4 and am 45.

Sorry but no wonder you're slim eating that..I would be absolutely starving !!

murmurlade · 21/04/2021 08:53

9 stone at 5'2", I imagine you are a perfectly lovely size! You will be able to tone up the parts you want to in no time. Don't give your weight or diet another moment's thought as you might go up a bit with muscle and still look even better because of the toning. Congrats!

HowToBringABlushToTheSnow · 21/04/2021 09:45

Sorry but no wonder you're slim eating that..I would be absolutely starving !!

I thought the same. I would feel dreadful if I only ate such a tiny amount of food, my energy levels would plummet (as would most people's!) Confused I think I would look awful too!

HowToBringABlushToTheSnow · 21/04/2021 09:46

Although the poster did say she does intermittent fasting so I presume the list is from a fasting day which makes more sense (at least I hope so for her sake!)

HowToBringABlushToTheSnow · 21/04/2021 09:48

[quote Cantdecidewhich]@HowToBringABlushToTheSnow I have bookmarked it and am going to try it today with the lighter weights, hopefully I won't have bingo wings on my wedding day! (they arent too bad now but I want to look better)[/quote]
Enjoy! Her workouts really help with keeping the dreaded dinner lady arms at bay Grin

Atalune · 21/04/2021 10:00

Use the 4kg for all the exercises and if you can manage get another heavier weight. 4kg- one in each hand for all of the exercises.

The 2kg is too light.

However I would really advise seeing a PT and paying for a tailored workout for your goals.

Atalune · 21/04/2021 10:15

It is a fasting type day

This was Saturday-
Banana
Bacon and egg with sourdough, OJ, some avocado and tomatoes.
Maybe some raw veg or fruit
Some olives and crisps , 4 beers, chicken burger and salad. Glass of red wine. Some chocolate.

The thing is unless you’re exercising a ton you don’t need that much food. 1200 cals is plenty.

Original poster
Cantdecidewhich · 21/04/2021 11:09

@murmurlade what a lovely encouraging post, thank youBear
@HowToBringABlushToTheSnow that's not my daily food, I eat healthy but would starve on that. I am looking forward to trying her workout later.
@Atalune I will try but may struggle with the 4kg!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Cantdecidewhich · 21/04/2021 11:09

@murmurlade sorry should have been flowers not a bear!

OP posts:
DianaT1969 · 21/04/2021 11:14

For tricep dips and plank I find the vibration plate machine at my gym very effective for fast results.

PainterInPeril · 22/04/2021 01:30

Callanetics....best workout ever. It works the deep muscles so tones everything up really quickly. I totally recommend this. It's amazing!

spikyplants2021 · 22/04/2021 04:03

Following!