Sort out this discussion?

[StealthPenguin]

As some of you already know, I've got body issues etc. Have suffered with eating disorders in the past and partner is really helpful towards my self-esteem.

I'm joining a gym. We've budgeted for it, my mum is going to help out to the tune of £10 a month and DP is going to take one class a week with me because it's only £3.50 a time if you aren't subscribed.

I used to be a VERY active person. Ran twice a day, choreographed dance routines, taught hip-hop and freestyle dance at a local theater group, would cycle to wherever I needed to get to and did karate.

My current gym schedule is as follows:
Monday - Fitness class 10-11am, Gym floor 11-12pm, Circuits 12-12:45.
Tuesday - Zumba 7-8pm
Wednesday - OFF
Thursday - Zumba 7-8pm, Kickboxing 8-9pm (DP will join me for Kickboxing)
Friday - Nighttime gym floor - 9-10pm
Saturday - OFF
Sunday - Spin class 11-11:45am, Ab workout class 11:45-12:15pm

I think that's pretty relaxed considering what I used to do and considering that I actually wanted to do far more classes but DP vetoed it because he thought I was taking on too much.

He still thinks I'm taking on far too much and that I should take it slowly for the first few weeks. But I'm absolutely raring to get back into the swing of things. I've hated being sat at home with only Just Dance on the Wii to break up the boredom, so I think he's being unreasonable. Especially since I've already hacked and chopped my schedule down to half of what I wanted to do!

So am I being unreasonable or is he?

it sound obsessive to me but I do no excercise at all and am fairly happy at just under ten stone.

same question as Serinitysutton ...?

I'd keep the Friday class and drop one of the Monday activities. You have 3 things in a row there, which is a bit much. You might find it hard to have both Friday and Saturday off. An hour on each day seems more balanced, rather than 3 hours on one day and 2 days with nothing.

No, I promise you I'm not! chance would be a fine thing

Seriously though, I've suffered in the past and have overcome both anorexia and bulimia. I eat very well now and I'm VERY proud of that fact.

And Nonno - I wouldn't be envious. I'm doing this partly to make myself healthier and partly because I miss being in work. I live in the back end of beyond and the only things anywhere near me are a Co-Op, a hairdressers and this gym. I can't drive, and even if I could then it would still have to be a parttime position because it'd be a shared car. I hate living so far out in the sticks - I'm a city girl at heart!

What otchaniye said

Right anyway, I have to leave the thread - optitians and then doctors for my conjunctivitis!

Please keep leaving suggestions!

Hiya Stealth,

Knowing eating disorders the way I do I would also get DP to pick you up from the gym whenever he can in case you get "tempted" to do a little bit more, just for fun, you know.

If you have suffered in the past then please remember how easy it is to get sucked into all the little tricks that your mind will play on you, telling you that this is a healthy way of losing weight and looking good. Keep it in mind.

that you have time for this

i say, go for it, sounds fun

you can cut back if you feel its too much. Aim for the sky an all that

Way, way ott.

Also agree with otchaniye.

I think (looking at that schedule) you're setting yourself up to fail.

There's nothing wrong with taking small steps and building up to bigger ones.

What would you tell a vulnerable daughter of yours with a comparable history of disordered eating and body image if she proposed this to you?

Bloody hell I'm knackered just reading your OP!

If exercise makes you happy and you love it, then I don't see the problem if its affordable and you have the time. It does seem a lot to me, but then, I'm a natural born Sloth and its an effort for me to do my (as promised to myself) 20 minutes a day!

If your DH thinks its too much, and yu have a good relationship I will say you can compromise, your reworked schedule looks a lot less stressful to the eyes of someone who's just not that into exercise... I'd respect your Dh's opinion, and start smaller.

Oh I'd also swap any weekend gym session for something more family orientated, like a family cycle ride (you can always steam off ahead and keep returning to the pack) or a ramble.

If you are very fit and fitness is your hobby I don't think that's excessive. I know someone who practises yoga 2 hours a day; someone who runs competeitvely and runs 50 miles a week + spinning a few times. Both are unusual but not unhealthy.

However, you know you have to be careful with this. You know as a former anorexic you have control freak/ perfectionist/ excessive tendancies. You also know that exercise isn't the best way to lose weight so high five for controlling the eating problem.

A friend of mine is a former anorexic, and once, by mad coincidence, asked my opinion on her training schedule. She was obv still ill. She got very into astanga yoga (which is high impact aerobic wise but also spiritual with a huge emphasis on loving and appriciating your body) it changed her life and she looks back with sadness at the way she punished her poor body withhigh impact limb damaging workouts.

Why not try it?

I would definitely swap one of the classes for something less high-impact and more about getting in tune with your body and working on core muscles if you see what I mean - yoga or pilates would be excellent, and I think would complement the exercise regime to truly bring you back to a sense of peace and connection with your body, which is what you sound as if you want.

On one of the days where you have consecutive sessions, could you end with a 'wind-down' class such as this? Or do pilates/yoga for one of the evening classes?

I think it's too much to start with. You run the risk of becoming disheartened if you find it hard at first.

Also, if you exercise beyond your fitness level you'll run the risk of injury.

I'm all admiration for you though. Good luck and have fun.

SP It does look like a heck of a lot!

I think the suggestions for one class a day with a day off in between to start sounds like a good place to start.

I've recently started the C25K running programme and they are quite clear about you needing a day off in between to allow your muscles chance to repair themselves.

Obviously, it can be increased as fitness increases. The pilates sessions are a good idea, what about swimming too?

Your schedule looks pretty extreme to me. If you've been out of the swing of exercise for a while, you might want to build up slowly to that or you could risk injuring yourself.

Also remember (I'm sure you know this already!) that rest and recovery days are essential to build fitness, as that's when your body has a chance to adjust and grow the additional muscle/bone density etc you need for more strenuous activity. Overtraining can also suppress your immune syndrome.

I used to be a yoga junkie, running and cycling enthusiast and very active. I recently started running again after a break; after the initial gentle beginning I decided I was fit enough to up my running to 4/5 days a week including hill reps, and promptly pulled my soleus muscle. I'm now forced to rest it until the muscle has re-knitted; I'm itching to get out running again but am confined to yoga meanwhile or I'll be at risk of shin splints or even compartment syndrome. Argh.

All of which to say take it easy to begin with so you don't end up injured - and don't forget to make some time to spend with your DP as well (who sounds lovely btw)

Hey stealth, it sounds good to me!! I do a lot of fitness too and sometimes do two sessions per day. However, your muscles do need a day of rest inbetween so just try and make sure that if your legs get a work out one day, maybe do a class the next day that focuses on upper body etc etc.

I am a qualified fitness instructor although I dont actually work in the industry anymore - I am a spin and pole junkie so dont actually practice what I preach (who does, lol) but yeah, a day of rest is best :)

Personally I wouldn't start off that intense if I hadn't exercised for awhile, but it's your decision not your DP's (unless you have childcare responsibilities or suchlike).

If you're seeing a trainer to start with, then get them to set the schedule based on what they think you should be doing.

They're trained to do it, let them dictate it.

Hi all! I'm back! Ok, so I've had words with DP and I'm going to start off just doing Monday and Thursday for a few weeks and then when I feel ready I'm going to add in Tuesday. Then I'll see how it goes for a few weeks and if I'm up to it I'll add in Friday.

I know a lot of people think it's obsessive or addictive for me to be doing this much... but I promise it's just how I am! I'm a very ants-in-my-pants type person. DP had to keep telling me not to go for walks with the baby "because it's raining/it's freezing/it's windy"! I have my moments when I just want to sit down and relax with a mug of tea and some Mumsnet!

And I know that some people are a bit about how I have te time to do this, but it's because I have nothing else to do! I currently live with DP's parents and I am managing to keep a tidy house without too much effort.

It's just boring sitting around doing nothing.

It is boring sitting around doing nothing, you're right!!

It sounds like you've come up with a much more workable starting position with a plan for increasing your activity. Sounds good!

I know what you mean about being ants in your pantsy!

I'm a bit of a "all or nothing" girl and the problem is I start off doing it all and invariably end up doing nothing.

I think the key to success in anything is gradually build momentum. Start off just doing 3 classes a week. If you feel motivated add another then another. Even looking at your revised schedule I would be surprised if you are keeping that pace at Easter. It's not just about fitness its also about interest. Even a beach in the Maldives would become boring if you had too much of it.

Sorry just read your latest post. Sensible plan.