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.

[Wingbing]

I also suggest couch25k

It's designed for those that are unfit, which is why it works. I have surprised myself each week by completing the carefully timed runs and I was proper unfit.

There are a few threads which are very inspiring.

I am a little evangelical about it tbh.

[Wingbing]

Oh and I'm 42 btw.

[ChristmasFluff]

Insanity Max30 is great. You could begin doing all the modified moves (there's an option to have the modifier on screen all the time), and gradually introduce the main moves. Lots of different routines, and Shaun T is really motivating, plus, because it is HIIT, you will see a change in your fitness quickly, which is motivating - you record your 'max out' time each workout and see your progress each week. It's also only 30 minutes out of your day. I was the (cardio-wise) fittest I've ever been at 50 after doing this, although I now mix it up with lots of other workouts because I like to lift weights for strength and do yoga for flexibility/balance etc.

For weight-loss though, you really have to look at your food - exercise alone won't get you there.

[Mummysh0rtlegs]

As Christmas says, diet for weight loss, exercise for fitness and tone.

I actually started with 30 day shred and the fact it was 20 minutes in my lounge I started doing it. I can't run because I have DDH and my consultant and physios have said no. I do spinning and gym classes and they work for me.

[RoseHarper]

I started last year age 42. I really wish i had started at 33! I have seen such an improvement in my mental health and general wellbeing as a result. Doing 3 bootcamps a week has definitely improved my fitness levels but i didnt lose weight, you need to improve your diet for that. My approach has been to look at it from a health perspective and dont focus long term...dont make big promises as you set yourself up to fail. Ive just recently overhauled my diet and rather than thinking "i need to stick to this for 3 months or whatever" i just aim to eat well and excercise THAT DAY. Before you know ut the days have added up and it feels much less pressured and doomed to fail. If i miss a day/have a cake i just re-boot the next day.

[BrieAndChilli]

I'm 36, last year I couldn't run 200 Mtrs without dieing.
I can now run 5k.

[C0untDucku1a]

I struggled with the first week of couch to 5k. It is amazing to think back and know 8 weeks later I was running 5k 3 times a week! I needed the motivation of the group I was on though for best times.

Also exercise is not a small Part of maintaining a healthy weight. The majority is down to diet. That doesn't mean go on a diet. Just eat less of what you want to eat.

[Gennz]

Hi Paddington

It's not too late. I've always hated running - last at cross country at school etc. I'd go for long walks and swim 1km in summer but never thought of myself as fit.

On January 5 this year I weighed in at 74kg, today I am about 67.5kg (scales broke last week so not quite sure!) - I'm 5'6 so this take me from overweight BMI 26ish to about 23.9 or something. Yesterday I ran 9.84kms - before Christmas I struggled to run 3km.

Spring is a great time to get into it

• it's winter now where I am it's it's really hard to get up!
  

Here's what I did:

• Running 3x week, one run on the weekend, 2 before work. I got up at 6am. Initially I'd run 3 min, walk 2. Gradually I could run a bit longer and walk shorter. It took me at least a month - maybe 6 weeks - til I could go for my whole loop (about 6.5km) without stopping. Start off really slowly - just a tad above walking really.
  
• I have a 2 egg vege omelette every morning. Sets me up wellor the day & I find keeps me fuller for much longer. An easy way to improve carbs/protein ratio without thinking too much about it. I LOVE carbs, bread especially, but I find if I eat too much I get v hungry and also quite tired during the day.
  
• black coffee only. I am a caffeine addict & I have 2-3 a day. That's 0 calories if they're black but 200-300 if they're flat whites.
  
• at least 5 alcohol free days a week (this helps me get up for a run - no way would I do it if I'd had a few wines the night before). Helps my sleep quality too.
  
• try to log all my calories on MFP on Monday - Friday & stay around 1250 cals net. Doesn't sound like much but if you have a 250 omelette for breakfast & then you burn 500 cals on a run (and don't waste any cals on wine or coffee) it means you can eat quite a bit. If we go out for dinner or have a big night I don't bother, I just try to have a good day the next day to make up for it (unless I'm really hungover 🍕🍕🍕)
  

Sorry this is a bit of a novel. If a lazy, tired, full time working mum of a 2 year old can get fit(ish) and lose a stone in 5 months anyone can! I'm not going to win any gold medals for running, I'm definitely a 🐢 But I actually really enjoy my runs now - not something I ever thought I'd say. I'm amazed at how far I've come. Plus so great to have finally lost the baby weight (now about to start TTC and put it all back on 😰)

[Firef1y72]

It's never too late, I'm 45 and 18 months ago weighed in at 20st9lb and could barely walk across the room. I've still got a way to go but now weighed 11st12lb, can deadlift 100kg, squat 74kg and yesterday completed my first half marathon.

[Paddingtonbearscoat]

Thanks everyone. Lots of great advice here.

Well done to everyone who's managed to get fit and healthy, very inspirational.

Just to say I know I can't completely ignore diet, I know I can't live on pizza and biscuits and expect to lose weight, just I don't want to do any faddy or extreme diets, I want to still be able to enjoy a meal out with my family as part of a balanced diet.

I feel like getting fitter will be a good place for me to start for my weight but also for my mind, to tone up, want to set a good example to my dc so that they see exercise as part of life.

[Mummysh0rtlegs]

I think that's one of the things that really motivates me, my elder son is 4 and knows I go to the gym a lot and I exercise, I am hoping that will help him get through the teenage years when kids stop exercising.