To wonder if it's too late to get fit at 33?

[Paddingtonbearscoat]

So I'm 33 years old, I've always been unfit, never been into sports/exercise. I used to do a bit of walking and swimming but I'm talking walking a few miles or swimming 20 lengths. I used to go to the gym but I was never very fit even then and only walked on the treadmill.

Ive never had much of a weight problem but after my second child I'm now at the limit of my bmi healthy weight and to be honest i feel overweight, I just know I am. I get hot and sweaty and uncomfortable and my clothes are too tight.

I like my food and I'm just not up for any major dieting.

Before my second child we were doing a bit of cycling and swimming as a family and I was unfit then but the extra stone I'm carrying has made me worse.

I just want to get in shape and shift this extra stone but mainly just get a bit fitter so I don't get tired just pushing the pram to the park.

Trouble is I've hardly got any free time, I'm falling asleep on the sofa by 9 o'clock, I work in an office and no lunch break because I work less than 6 hours so no option for a lunchtime walk. Any exercise would really need to be with two children in tow.

We have got a bike seat for the toddler but dh gets annoyed with me because I'm so slow. Dh is more overweight than me and even he can manage the hills on the bike!

I can't see me ever running marathons but how can I build a reasonable level of fitness so I'm not destined to be a couch potato?

Has anyone been like me and managed to turn it around? I don't know where to start.

[AuldHeathen]

Of course not. 33 is young actually, from where I'm standing!

[skyzumarubble]

Of course not! I'm fitter than I've ever been at 39. Go for it!

[caffelatte100]

You are still so young at 33, but maybe tired with the young kids though!

I would cut down carbs and cut down on portion size, eat more fresh foods which is easier now it's summer. Then get a bit more active: e.g. try to swim once a week, walk with the kids in the pram, get more active. Instead of meeting friends for a coffee (and cake) I now just walk with them and the time goes fast while we chat. Could you do this at the weekend as I know you said you work and are busy in the week? I like to do the exercises on youtube by rebecca louise (just search her and she has masses of stuff) though some of the other suggestions by pp also sound good.

[SheepyFun]

Cycling is what works for me - I'm somewhat older than you, and have weighed more (at least relative to what would be good). We have a very elderly cargo trike which I use with DD - it's how I get everywhere within a 5 mile radius (if she's not with me I use my bike, but am not confident enough to use it with her on it too). It means I can exercise while caring for her, though I can go faster and push much harder on my bike.

I cycle to work (only 1.5 miles, so not far), and when I have the time, take a long (up to 10 mile) route home - I'd be getting on the bike anyway, so there's very little faff to cycling further.

Cycling is kinder on your joints (than running), so may be more comfortable. Also, I'm just not made for running - one summer (many many years ago!) I ran every morning for 3 months. It hurt just as much at the end of the summer as it had at the beginning. Whereas cycling doesn't hurt (for me), and I enjoy pushing myself (some of the time). You may find a different form of exercise works for you.

[twofloorsup]

I'm 42 and have just started jogging. I have been able to manage 4 minutes walk and then 1 minutes jog for 30 minutes.
I'm just starting to really enjoy it but my knees are absolutely killing me.
Do I need to stop altogether or push through the pain and build myself up ?

[Everyoneafter3]

Of course you aren't too old! I took up running a couple of months off my 37th birthday last year and today I finished my third 10k (nine minutes faster than my first a year ago). I'm never going to be the quickest but I'm the fittest I've ever been.

I can really recommend the NHS c25k programme: it's been a life-changer for me.

[moutonfou]

twofloorsup it depends on the type and location of pain. Knee pain can come not just from the knee but from the feet, hips, or surrounding tendons. It could be improved by better technique/posture, better shoes (that correct any posture issues) stretching, strapping/support, or there could be an underlying issue. You could try to do some googling of the location/type of pain for an initial idea but if it persists a physio would be able to point you in the right direction.

[twofloorsup]

Thanks moutonfou.

[millymollymandy82]

I never used to exercise, but I started about 4 months ago now and for the first time ever I've stuck at it, I even quite enjoy it.

However, I haven't lost so much as 1lb.

You really need to address your diet, exercise alone won't help you shift the pounds. I still eat too much, and if anything all the exercise makes me hungry.

[BrexitSucks]

Actually... mentioning cycling: I know a gal who did this. About 10 yrs ago, she was about age 42, didn't do any other exercise except a bit of dog walking. Started out cycling 4-5 miles 3-4 days a week on a clunky horrible bike. After about 12 months she got a whippy little dropbar bike. Eventually Joined a local club & joined their regular social rides. She started to go on big organised rides. 50-100 miles. Very impressive. Shoots up & down our road with impressive bike-handling skill now.

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

Twofloorsup: I started C25K a couple of years ago the same age and had the same problem at the same stage. I oersevered but the pain just got worse and worse so I stopped in the end - my mum has arthritic knees and think I'm starting with it too so really didn't want to do any long term damage. And I considered that most human bodies are not designed to pound concrete and tarmac for very long. On grass, earth, sand, yes, but not man-made ground.

Shame really as I feel very energised after each run. Haven't found anything that's suited me since so I am back to being very unfit again.

[Sunnyjac]

At 42 I'm fitter than I've ever been and have discovered enjoyment of and ability to run up hill. Go for it

[thenightsky]

A stone's nowt.

I trained for my first 10k in my 40s. I've never come in under an hour yet.

Go for it OP.

[thenightsky]

under and hour? I mean over obv!

[JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff]

Twofloors - as others have said, knee pain after running has various causes but in some cases quad stretching can help.

If not try to see a physio who specialises in running. They shouls be able to do gait assessment and help you out with exercises.

And also, it's not for everyone! I love running but not everyone gets on with it which is fine.

[StrawberryStar]

I have never enjoyed exercise, I've never been fit enough to do exercise and I love love love my food, until I took up the couch 2 5k and for the first time ever I could run. I have arthritis and since running I've managed to reduce my meds because I'm strengthening my joints. I get up at 6 and run before DC are up, if I leave it until the evening I know i find an excuse to go.
If you can I'd find a running buddy or 3, the only way I do go out of an evening is if I've made plans with someone.
If you don't like the idea of running take your bike out for 20 mins by yourself. It took me a while to find what I enjoyed.

[twofloorsup]

Thanks Curly and Johnny for your replies. I also swim but as I can't do the breathing techniques that means I do breast stroke which is never going to make me fit.
Any other suggestions for something that I can take on ?
I'm not remotely into sport or fitness and have always avoided it !

[RockyTop]

Definitely not too old, I've dipped my toe in and out of exercise all my life but never really stuck with it. Something finally clicked last year (at the age of 33) and I've just run my first marathon!
For me the trick was having a goal and a plan, something visual to tick off motivated me. Also appreciating that if I wanted to do it I sometimes had to get up early/stay up late to fit it in, or incorporate the kids into it - running buggy or they love 'joining in' with a workout DVD, planking with a toddler on your back is a challenge!

[Paddingtonbearscoat]

Well I'm thinking I might try the couch to 5k. It's a goal to work towards to might give me the motivation to stick at it. My eldest ds can do it with me so would give us some time together.

Trouble is I think I'd struggle even doing the first week, I'm THAT unfit.

That's why I mentioned even though I'm not very overweight I'm very unfit.

[FoofFighter]

Two floors up- I think I'm correct in saying breaststroke uses the most calories of the 3 main.

[twofloorsup]

Not at the speed I do it

[Foxysoxy01]

I second the FitnessBlender website (they are on you tube too)
They have all sorts of workouts and you can search by time/calories used/area of body/type. It's all free and you can't get bored there are so many! The people on it aren't annoying either.

[SamoanSamosa]

I'm 32 and have turned my life around this year. The key for me has been making it a priority. I was forever complaining that I didn't have time to exercise or eat healthily but in reality it just wasn't high enough on my agenda and I always had an excuse. I made exercise my number one priority so whenever I got a spare half hour or hour I would exercise. It was hard to begin with but it's now habit and I love working out.

I also meal prepped in advance so made up salads in threes; one for today and two for the next two days. This way I never got to lunchtime starving hungry and craving carbs.

[CaulkheadUpNorf]

Find something you enjoy doing and do it with other people. I don't really like running but love climbing and cycling so do that. It's easier to motivate yourself if others are waiting on you.

Do you have any parent and child exercise classes? We have loads of buggy fit style things here and they seem fairly common around the country. If not, junior park run? Even walking it with children will be more exercise than before and might help you feel more confident before doing couch to 5k

If your phone tracks steps, try and add an extra 1000 on as many days as you can. Are there some journeys that you currently drive that you can walk instead?

I found I had asthma aged 30 and that made a huge difference - I can now cycle or walk for longer without getting so out of breath.