Incase anyone needs to hear it, some exercise is better than no exercise

[OldEnoughandUglyEnough]

I just thought I would let you all know a little tip that I’ve learnt. I have been very lazy since the first lockdown began, before that I always exercised minimally but when lockdown hit I stopped going to the gym, stopped commuting and was just working from home full time sat at my desk, the only exercise walking the dog. Before this I had been a gym member most of my adult life although I have never been a gym bunny, I would do a little cardio, a little weight training maybe the odd class. I would ramp it up every now and then before a holiday but on the whole I did only minimal exercise and I wouldn’t have called myself particularly fit.

So what I have discovered is that, that small amount of exercise I previously did must have been doing something because for the last year I have had neck pain, back pain and ankle pain that I have never had before. The other day I bent over slightly to lift something quite light and felt a twinge in my back that I never would have had before. The same day I placed my foot down slightly wonky and got a twinge in my ankle that made walking on it for the rest of the day painful. Honestly such minor movements that never would have affected me before! I am in my early forties and average weight, but I have realised exercise is not just about weight or looks. I have finally learnt my lesson and I’m going to start Pilates again and work myself back up. I feel like I have no muscles left in my body to support me and my whole body is going to pot. So learn from me, a little exercise is better than nothing! If anyone has been as stupid as me and managed to get fitter again, I’d love to hear about it.

And yes thank you for this OP
I def need to get arse in gear to do little
And often

When I look back at how active I was only 10 years ago (I'm nearly 53 now) I can see why, even though I had a high sugar diet, I was so much slimmer. For years I've always gone to the gym before my admittedly inactive work, but over the past 5 years I've given up all the things I used to do after work and just sit watching TV. Especially now my dogs have died and I don't have to get them out for late night wees. In December, for the first time ever, I didn't do any exercise at all, not even a short walk around the block, because life had ground me down so much I was just existing - sleep, work, dinner, sleep - and I didn't dare add anything into that mix for fear of collapsing. Over Christmas I got some energy back and decided that the first two week s of Jan I would exercise every other day, either gym or cycle (20 miles), then take it from there. Can't believe how much better I feel already and I've only done two cycles and one gym session! And the days I don't cycle/gym I'm going for a brisk walk after work - only half and hour until it's lighter but will build that up to a daily walk.

@blobby10 that's really inspiring

Absolutely. I've recently got back into exercise and even just doing a 15 minute easy yoga for beginners on youtube every day and I feel so much less creaky.

I’m glad this thread has helped some people!

picklemewalnuts I have a good set up thank you but you’re right it does make a big difference. I did a week working from my Mum’s kitchen table and it killed my back, I was so glad to return to my proper desk and chair. I have previously had tennis elbow from not having my office chair set up right so I know how important it is. They say working from a desk is one of the worst things for your health.

@blobby10 a 30 minute walk is absolutely amazing. If everyone did that daily the whole nation would be a lot healthier ( I have no choice as we have a dog).
Ironically doing light exercise and getting some daylight gives you a lot more energy than not doing it - or at least that's what I find.

I agree with you op, however I'm a little disappointed that since giving up booze and doing exercise most days I've put on 1kg!!

Great Post and I needed to read it!

Odoreida thank you for saying that - I've never been inspiring before and I would love for my experience to help someone else.

rookiemere its more a route march than a walk (according to my OH who refuses to come with me as he can't keep up) but I agree - if we could all do that every day we wouldn't have so many niggling health problems ! When we had dogs, I used to do my hour in the gym then walk them for 45 minutes afterwards all before going to work although I did start 90 minutes late in those days!! its so hard to motivate oneself after work though especially with the plethora of things on screens to watch and the damp mizzly weather we've had recently!

Another thing to remember is not to compare yourself with younger you. I am getting slower not faster at parkrun and it's easy to get dispirited when I see the stats over the years. So I force myself to remember that I'm still fitter than the people not doing it and it's only a small percentage of the population who could actually run 5km at the age of 51.

Ditto weights- I used to be able to deadlift a reasonable amount, now I struggle to lift the 20kg bar . But I am where I am and I'm not going to get better at it unless I accept where I am currently.

It also makes such a difference mentally and like you say, with other aches and pains etc because you're using those areas you otherwise wouldn't.

I'm 37 weeks pregnant today and have continued to exercise just not to the extent I did before but it's made a massive difference. I imagine if I just stopped how much harder this pregnancy might be. I do Les Mills and some of the moves I literally can't do anymore but I'll do a low impact version and that was tough to come to terms with before as I felt stupid and half arsed but I know it's made a difference!

People are constantly saying I'm doing too much not reading enough. I feel bloody awful and uncomfortable sat down and laying at this point but I feel bloody amazing after a Bodypump session even though I am very very heavily pregnant (I'm sure it's a sight for sore eyes but I do it at home thankfully 😂 )

Definitely just get up and move. On that note...!

Recommend the RebelFit programme called Snackfit where exercises are broken down into snack size bites...just a mi ute or two at a time. He's on Facebook.

l think as you get older its important to exercise more to keep your core strong. l feel l really have to over ride the feeling of l cant be bothered, it certainly doesn' t come naturally to me.

I have realised exercise is not just about weight or looks.

This can't be said enough. I get so frustrated at the focus on weight.

Exercising regularly, even just regular, short walks, will protect your health into old age, enabling you to live independently longer.

So true. Just had a Christmas card from a woman about to turn 80. No formal exercise, but she's outside every day tending her large garden and going for walks. She's slim and fit. If she had decided not to bother she would soon loose the desire to - the more you do the more you want to do.
This year I have vowed to do an extra loop around the park on my dog walks. I'm out there anyway, and we all benefit.

I always recommend fitting in 15 min videos (Yoga with Adriene, Mr Motivator, Fit with Rick are my current go-tos)

RebelFit programme called Snackfit

Thanks for those! Does anyone else have 5-20 minute exercise video recommendations? I'd love to start doing those daily (or at least aiming to and landing at 3x ).

Good call. Better a walk round the block than nothing at all. Better to do a few squats whilst the kettle boils than not. I'm definitely guilty of letting it build up in my head sometimes. It's good to be reminded.

And the fresh air is so good too, when we get outside for a bit.

@Marchingredsoldiers

I always recommend fitting in 15 min videos (Yoga with Adriene, Mr Motivator, Fit with Rick are my current go-tos)

RebelFit programme called Snackfit

Thanks for those! Does anyone else have 5-20 minute exercise video recommendations? I'd love to start doing those daily (or at least aiming to and landing at 3x ).

I'm always banging on about it, I use the FitOn app, loads and loads of free workouts of all types and durations.

I did no exercise at all before Lockdown 1 (various serious injuries plus two small kids). I downloaded FitOn and put in what I wanted, it generated a program of three 15 minute workouts a week (you can follow their program or just do what you fancy) and it led to me enjoying it, doing more, and my mental health benefitting vastly.

This is great thankyou!
I saw this picture elsewhere.. it was posted in relation to growing your own food but I think it's relevant here, as in don't be overwhelmed about what you think you should be doing.. just do what you can and it will make a difference!

Great thread OP. I've signed up for some classes at my local gym, and had been debating cancelling as it didn't seem like I would be doing enough, this has definitely changed my mind!

Off topic slightly but .. please does anyone have advice for crepitus of the knee (ripping and cracking sound)?
No pain or swelling and physiotherapist not helpful. I have had it for 2 yrs and it puts me off going back to jogging.

Great post op and a lovely thread. I am guilty of thinking exercise is an all or nothing approach and also putting exercise off for one reason or another.

I was watching a YouTube video the other week and they were talking about exercise in the 1950s and if you done that kind of exercise today then it would still be beneficial to your health. Whereas today some people think they need to do hard core exercises to get fit. They were talking about exercise programs that were on tv in the 50s.

I am really unfit and don't exercise. Going to take onboard your good advice op and stop feeling guilty/beating myself up. Thank you 💐

I really like Yoga with Kassandra on YouTube (free). There are sessions from 10 minutes to an hour on there.

Thank you for this.
I get very overwhelmed by what exercises I should be doing and al the different types so in the end I just don’t bother.

It spurred me on to do 10/15 mins of what ever I fancy and it doesn’t have to be hardcore and an hour.

Hi OP in answer to your question I have lost my fitness and got it back again.

In 2018 I was doing really well, strong with cardio fitness too, the the top of my game.

In early 2019 I had back to back chest infections that knocked me off my feet. In hindsight I suffered from post viral fatigue I think. In the second half of the year I travelled a bit and was away from my beloved gym and we all know how 2020 went. I exercised in my front room at home but I really missed my barbell.

Anyway, I've worked hard in 2021 and am (nearly) back to where I was. I am certainly as strong as before. I am a bit lazy about cardio

I definitely agree exercise for me is more about endorphins, time with my mates and the ability to climb mountains and paddle board, it isn't really about weight loss although it doesnt hurt that.

And less is always better than nothing. I do exercise that is sometimes considered hardcore but I do occasionally turn up and just coast in a class, it's better than sitting on the sofa. And if I really don't want to go, I go for a walk instead.