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Original poster

Please help me get fit -50 with no energy or willpower

42 replies

Oodieandacuppatonightplease · 27/03/2023 16:56

I am lazy, very busy and I’ve had enough. I also lack patience and willpower. At least 1 stone to lose. I’m 50, work full time, generally knackered.
Luckily (?!) we have an exercise bike and treadmill lurking in the garage. Currently used to hang random things on.
Did couch to5k many moons ago but can’t make myself do it again.
what worked for you? What, apart from a rocket up my backside, can I to make myself actually take action? Don’t want to continue this lethargy and guilt 😞

OP posts:
Nopinnogin · 27/03/2023 17:04

Walking everywhere. Getting some dumbells. Standing in front of the TV walking/running/doing jumping jacks instead of sitting down. Stretching is so fun and relaxing, love that.

rookiemere · 27/03/2023 17:06

Can you build walking into your daily commute?

On the weight I've basically stripped out all obvious carbs and seem to be having some success with that.

MsMartini · 27/03/2023 17:20

I would try to walk a lot more, in trainers and comfy clothes, and as quickly as you can. And try to find one activity/class/group a week that you enjoy and will stick to. Doesn't really matter what it is for now, whatever you will enjoy - pilates, boxing, aqua aerobics, park bootcamp. Anything that you will stick to/feel committed to because you have booked, paid and arranged things around. And hope to get a bit of a buzz and some fun from the group.

And take it from there. It is important to get both strength and cardio in each week as per the NHS guidelines, but I would worry about that once you are moving more, and feeling the benefits.

I love exercise (strength training, running) but still find it much easier to motivate myself now I am back in a gym with stuff booked, than doing albeit excellent (les mills) classes at home during the lockdowns or training on my own in parks.

Interested in this thread?

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Exercise & fitness Fitness
frozendaisy · 27/03/2023 18:23

Can you get the exercise bike and/or treadmill into house in front of a TV.

Then you can do a half hour here and there whilst watching TV at the same time

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 27/03/2023 18:27

I went out for the day a couple of months ago and realised I'd walked 10000 steps. This changed my life as I then decided to start walking at least 10000 steps a day. This led to me joining slimming world and I've lost 1st 1lb in 8 weeks! For context and comparison I would say I have about another 2 to lose

Laiste · 27/03/2023 18:30

Get the exercise bike out and bung it in front of the TV.

Aim to do x amount of mins per day and make a note of it when you manage it.

And/or get yourself a yoga mat and chose one of the many online yoga teachers and do the videos from beginner onwards.

Or

Tell yourself you are going to do x number of crunches a couple of times per day (20/30 building up to 50/60) and gradually up it. I find that starts to firm up the tummy really quickly and a bit of success in one small area really makes me want to do a little more. Like starting the yoga.

Laiste · 27/03/2023 18:32

The good thing about the crunches is you can just fling a towel down next to the bed or where ever and do it when you think of it and then get up and walk off. No special clothes or equip and takes as many seconds as the number of crunches you're doing!

NinetyNineRedBalloonsGoBy · 27/03/2023 18:38

Start by not trash talking yourself OP! You call yourself lazy, lacking willpower and lacking patience! Would you describe a friend like that?!

Change it to: lover of comfort, a stickler for evidence based research and skeptical of quick wins?!

I'm in your position and I make myself go swimming every Sunday afternoon with a friend. I can't let her down so I go even when I don't want to I never want to

mynameiscalypso · 27/03/2023 18:50

I'd go for weights / strength training over cardio. Quicker to see results and less time needed to get them.

JaneFondue · 27/03/2023 18:53

I hate structured exercise and gyms but I love walking. Luckily I am in London so I just walk everywhere, usually over 10 k steps a day. I also do weights in front of the TV. That said, I can't outwalk my diet. I always lose more if I watch what I eat ( while not starving myself).

HaroldTheStallion · 27/03/2023 19:03

Get a Meta Quest VR set and exercise in virtual reality using Beat Saber, FitXR, and other games. It's pretty fun and a real workout.

MagpiePi · 27/03/2023 19:26

Set yourself a measureable goal, so not just ‘get fitter’ or ‘lose weight’ but something like run 5k in 30 minutes, or cycle 10k on the bike without stopping. Get a proper training plan (loads on the internet) rather than just thinking you’ll do some exercises in front of the telly. There’s always a reason not to.

Either enter a competition or event, or pledge an amount of money to be paid to a cause you detest if you don’t achieve your goal. I think there’s an app or a website for this.

If you did C25k before, is there a reason you don’t want to do it again? I find it really helpful to think ‘I’ve done this before, so I know I can do it again.’ You could enter the Race for Life.

Mojoj · 27/03/2023 20:37

Start really small. Go for a walk in the evening for half an hour. Look what's on your plate everytime you sit down to eat and ask yourself if there's anything you can reduce slightly. Don't tell yourself you've no time to exercise. People who say that can find the time to watch shite on the telly. Invest in you! Good luck.

Meredusoleil · 27/03/2023 20:37

You sound similar to me. Wrong side of 45. No motivation at all. But I know my issue is weather related, as I usually go to the swimming pool twice a week from April-October. Just need to get going again, anytime soon now🤞

Original poster
Oodieandacuppatonightplease · 27/03/2023 20:39

Oh wow, only just had a chance to come back to this and so many fabulous ideas! Thank you so much everyone for taking the time. I sm going to read these all in peace tomorrow lunchtime and come up with a plan, something I’ll actually stick to. I usually sim so high and last about four days which obviously isn’t helpful.
You’re all very knowledgable and yes, I do need to be more positive rather than putting it off.
Forgot yo say do have gym membership through work, I will book an induction, currently only go to drop the kids off 🤣
Must stop making excuses.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oodieandacuppatonightplease · 27/03/2023 20:41

Already walk 10k most days and don’t overeat so suspect I need to up the steps as well as more exercise.

OP posts:
Verylongtime · 27/03/2023 20:42

Can you do something at lunchtime? Make it a habit. It’s nicer weather now, so hopefully easier to force yourself outside. Start with a 30-minute brisk walk -as brisk as you can make it.

Original poster
Oodieandacuppatonightplease · 27/03/2023 20:44

Yes, I get the steps but not all in one go and definitely not fast, so not as useful for what I need.

OP posts:
ChocolateHelps · 27/03/2023 20:47

I listen to a lot of the doctor and food type podcasts and I'm convinced that weight loss is more to do with food and the quality of food and low GI than exercise.

If you don't have a good diet you can we exercise all you want, you'll just eat more

(loved your title, I'm so the same...sitting here eating a creme egg and on 2nd glass of very delicious red!)

Original poster
Oodieandacuppatonightplease · 27/03/2023 20:55

ChocolateHelps · 27/03/2023 20:47

I listen to a lot of the doctor and food type podcasts and I'm convinced that weight loss is more to do with food and the quality of food and low GI than exercise.

If you don't have a good diet you can we exercise all you want, you'll just eat more

(loved your title, I'm so the same...sitting here eating a creme egg and on 2nd glass of very delicious red!)

Oh don’t tempt me, that’s not what I need!!!
But yes, I agree about diet but thinking about that adds to my guilt, really feel I’m not doing anything very well.
Enjoy your treats!

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 27/03/2023 21:17

NinetyNineRedBalloonsGoBy · 27/03/2023 18:38

Start by not trash talking yourself OP! You call yourself lazy, lacking willpower and lacking patience! Would you describe a friend like that?!

Change it to: lover of comfort, a stickler for evidence based research and skeptical of quick wins?!

I'm in your position and I make myself go swimming every Sunday afternoon with a friend. I can't let her down so I go even when I don't want to I never want to

Lover of comfort 😂😂

I love how you rephrased it all. Its perfect,

itsakindoftragiccc · 27/03/2023 21:24

Absolutely hideous before photo but I use it as motivation...I was well over 2 stone overweight and the only thing that shifted it has been personal training.

I was already fairly active, gym going, walking and running but nothing would help me shift the weight.

My after photo is after 12 sessions of personal training. If you can afford it and find a good one I highly recommend it.

itsakindoftragiccc · 27/03/2023 21:24

Oops, can't add the photo

Original poster
Oodieandacuppatonightplease · 30/03/2023 21:56

A positive update - have begun Couch to 5k again and am speeding up on any walking I already do. Little steps but am telling myself it’s better than nothing.
thanks for all your encouraging words and ideas, I felt quite inspired.
now, how to keep it up…

OP posts:
Greensleevevssnotnose · 30/03/2023 21:59

Maybe see about HRT if the lethargy continues