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Original poster

If you don't exercise...

140 replies

BakerMorning · 18/02/2023 21:33

Please post here! I've just seen another thread asking how much people exercise per week and everyone's replies are about 8 hours, with 9 mile runs, daily weight sessions etc. I thought I was doing quite well doing 2 runs a week and now feel quite disheartened!

OP posts:
Ruthy45 · 19/02/2023 04:37

Run? what is this word you speak of? 🤣
I just walk. I keep saying I'm going back to the gym but still hasn't happened.

Original poster
BakerMorning · 19/02/2023 07:46

Wow so many replies and so interesting to hear the different takes on it. I definitely have an issue with my life being inactive by default so feel I would need to compensate and do some actual hardcore exercise when I do get an hour or two.

Not liking exercise is also a big issue for me, I really only enjoy walking/running. I have joined gyms before and don't get the point at all.

I keep reading about women needing to do strengthening exercises, what does this actually consist of? Weights?

Very jealous of those of you who don't put on weight, this used to be me, but as I'm getting closer to 40 it's creeping up!

OP posts:
Original poster
BakerMorning · 19/02/2023 07:47

Nancydrawn · 18/02/2023 23:24

A medium pace walk for twenty minutes a day has something like 85-90% of the health benefits of being a hardcore runner. I find this comforting.

I like this, I think it's motivated me to be disciplined and get out for 20 mins at lunch when I work from home.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

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Exercise & fitness
ShirleyPhallus · 19/02/2023 07:51

I really think that on mumsnet, a lot of what’s written on the boast threads is bollocks

15 hours of exercise really is such tripe

ShirleyPhallus · 19/02/2023 07:53

BakerMorning · 19/02/2023 07:46

Wow so many replies and so interesting to hear the different takes on it. I definitely have an issue with my life being inactive by default so feel I would need to compensate and do some actual hardcore exercise when I do get an hour or two.

Not liking exercise is also a big issue for me, I really only enjoy walking/running. I have joined gyms before and don't get the point at all.

I keep reading about women needing to do strengthening exercises, what does this actually consist of? Weights?

Very jealous of those of you who don't put on weight, this used to be me, but as I'm getting closer to 40 it's creeping up!

i keep reading about women needing to do strengthening exercises, what does this actually consist of? Weights?

its weight bearing exercise. So things like body weight lunges, squats, modified push ups etc. Then if you can do those then add in weights.

it’s really good for you and much more enjoyable than slogging away at cardio IMO!

midgemadgemodge · 19/02/2023 07:56

The why for weights is often related to aging . Women in particular suffer from osteoporosis and having strong muscles helps protect the bones , reduce the risk of breaking them

As a side benefit more muscle burns more calories and looks thinner than the same amount of fat

Amazingly yoga can count as part of weight building

If you like walking , take a heavy rucksack

BigButtons · 19/02/2023 07:59

BakerMorning · 19/02/2023 07:46

Wow so many replies and so interesting to hear the different takes on it. I definitely have an issue with my life being inactive by default so feel I would need to compensate and do some actual hardcore exercise when I do get an hour or two.

Not liking exercise is also a big issue for me, I really only enjoy walking/running. I have joined gyms before and don't get the point at all.

I keep reading about women needing to do strengthening exercises, what does this actually consist of? Weights?

Very jealous of those of you who don't put on weight, this used to be me, but as I'm getting closer to 40 it's creeping up!

Yes- weights are ideal. I do weight bearing exercise. I don’t particularly look forward to it and would rather not, but I need to protect my bones and muscles. I do them at home for free. Not interested in joining a gym.

BogRollBOGOF · 19/02/2023 08:33

I do a lot because I don't want to be dead from heart failure in my early 50s like my dad, and I don't want to be breaking bones in my late 50s like my mum and spend 30 years painfully restricted by arthritis and poor bone density. I am able to do a lot- currently marathon training and that's obviously not practical or desirable to a large proportion of people.

Exercise doesn't have to mean marathons. OP's two runs around the block is great for her. Little and often makes a big difference- that's the approach I use with yoga and other home workouts. There's also diminishing returns on high volumes/ intensity. For people who have the demands of work and family on their time, a couple of 10-15 bursts most days will make a great difference to health. With youtube, that's easier than its ever been.

Your body needs to move to stay healthy.

StaceyMeloni · 19/02/2023 08:33

@ShirleyPhallus , why do you think it’s tripe? I do more than 15 hours a week. I swim for an hour every morning before work and go to the gym for an hour after work. It’s not difficult if that’s your priority. My kids are late teens.

lifter · 19/02/2023 08:37

ShirleyPhallus · 19/02/2023 07:51

I really think that on mumsnet, a lot of what’s written on the boast threads is bollocks

15 hours of exercise really is such tripe

Hey, I'm one of the ones who does absurd amounts of exercise (and posted over on the other thread this morning). But I don't have children and it's my main source of fun.

I do think I'm a bit obsessive about it but then again, there are worse things in life to obsess about Grin

MrsMurphyIWish · 19/02/2023 08:45

StaceyMeloni · 19/02/2023 08:33

@ShirleyPhallus , why do you think it’s tripe? I do more than 15 hours a week. I swim for an hour every morning before work and go to the gym for an hour after work. It’s not difficult if that’s your priority. My kids are late teens.

Agree. I’m just back from an 8 mile run. I teach 0.8 and manage 4 runs a week. This afternoon I’ll be swimming with the kids. I do shorter runs with my kids too.

It is possible to have a busy job, kids (they also do a lot of extra curricular so driving here and there) and I don’t outsource jobs either. It’s what we choose to prioritise.

tbh, I think if I did a less stressful job I would do less exercise - it’s stops me thinking!

hoardod · 19/02/2023 08:46

@lifter I probably did similar pre dc tbh, maybe not quite 15.

GotABeatForYouMama · 19/02/2023 08:47

I have quite a physical job so I do 37.5 hours "exercise" a week and zero at weekends.

ShirleyPhallus · 19/02/2023 08:51

StaceyMeloni · 19/02/2023 08:33

@ShirleyPhallus , why do you think it’s tripe? I do more than 15 hours a week. I swim for an hour every morning before work and go to the gym for an hour after work. It’s not difficult if that’s your priority. My kids are late teens.

I think for some posters they manage 15 hours of exercise a week but yes, I definitely think that people on that thread have lied about what they do. It’s extremely naive to think that everyone always tells the truth on the internet!

Pureradio · 19/02/2023 09:01

This thread is like the other one in reverse, some posters so proud that they do no exercise at all. Well good for you but unless you have genuine reasons for not being able to exercise then surely you accept that it will most likely be to the detriment of your health in later life? I'm baffled by people's attitudes.

As for being obsessed with exercise, jeez how can that possibly be a bad thing unless it impinges on your relationships?

Pureradio · 19/02/2023 09:04

ShirleyPhallus · 19/02/2023 08:51

I think for some posters they manage 15 hours of exercise a week but yes, I definitely think that people on that thread have lied about what they do. It’s extremely naive to think that everyone always tells the truth on the internet!

Show quote history

Why would people lie about how much exercise they do? I posted on there, do about 10 hours a week of various exercise, not sure how it would benefit me to add a couple of hours onto that, no one would care, can some posters really not grasp that some others really do love exercising?

MrsMurphyIWish · 19/02/2023 09:06

My DH probably does about 20 hours + exercise a week. He trains for marathons, is part of a tennis team and plays football socially. He also comes out on the shorter runs and swims with our DC.

Its not lying or obsessive - this is just normal life for us.

ShirleyPhallus · 19/02/2023 09:07

Pureradio · 19/02/2023 09:04

Why would people lie about how much exercise they do? I posted on there, do about 10 hours a week of various exercise, not sure how it would benefit me to add a couple of hours onto that, no one would care, can some posters really not grasp that some others really do love exercising?

Show quote history

Why does anyone lie on the internet?!

CarpingOnwards · 19/02/2023 09:07

@Pureradio I'm definitely not proud. I'm depressed, which is both a cause and an effect of no exercise.

My point is not that anyone shouldn't be proud of being fit, or that being unfit is a good thing. My point is that the thread title is disingenuous, and i thought i was going to get a more supportive thread.

BigButtons · 19/02/2023 09:11

I don’t get why anyone would boast about not looking after their body. You only have the one and if you don’t look after it then you increase your chances of poor health and a diminished quality of life in your later years 🤷🏻‍♀️

lovemypuppa · 19/02/2023 09:12

I'm probably 20 yrs older than you but have never exercised regularly, apart from wall my dog 1-2hrs a day. Weight easily maintained by eating healthily and small portions. Occasionally put a bit on if I drink too much. Lose it by stopping. That's it.

MiddleParking · 19/02/2023 09:13

lovemypuppa · 19/02/2023 09:12

I'm probably 20 yrs older than you but have never exercised regularly, apart from wall my dog 1-2hrs a day. Weight easily maintained by eating healthily and small portions. Occasionally put a bit on if I drink too much. Lose it by stopping. That's it.

Walking 1-2 hours a day is regular exercise!

mrsoodles · 19/02/2023 09:15

Goodness me I barely move Grin

I take the baby for a walk at some stage for about 45 minutes and I've a 5 bedroom house to navigate 🤷🏽‍♀️

I'm also 5ft 1 and 8 stone with no health worries

I did do a Pilates class for a little while but I hate exercise, it's not for me

Whyisitsososohard · 19/02/2023 09:16

I really struggle to find the time to exercise. I think it's because I don't like it and I don't get that endorphin rush people are talking about. But building it into my life is a priority over the next year. I've just moved house do hasn't Vera priority recently.

I want to build it into my life as I've seen my grandparents age and my grandma pass away recently. My grandad has his allotment and is really stong at 88 so I think exercise has played a role in this

mrsoodles · 19/02/2023 09:19

Also to add: people talk about endorphins and whatever. That's great for them. I've never once felt better for exercising, I used to go to a PT about six weeks before holidays to Ibiza so I looked a bit better in my bikini but I hated lifting weights and hated the pain over the next few days

I have two children, work full time and I'm busy

If I found the exercise for me, that I loved, would I do it? Absolutely. But I've yet to find anything that makes me feel better