Lean, toned and fit people - how much exercise you do a week?

[MissMildred]

And what has most helped your body? I'm fed up. I'm not hugely overweight - a size 12 occasionally at most, but this is heavier than I've ever been in my life and it's also the fact I'm very flabby and developing c-section overhang that is upsetting me. I know I shouldn't compare myself, but at school I am surrounded by skinny mums. I know exercise is a big thing here (I think there's definitely underlying competition between some of the mums - this is a Surrey prep after all ) and some seem to do nothing but exercise, but others - I don't know how they fit it in. They look toned, thin and great. How do you fit it in? What do you fit in? Have I just reached an age where genetically I'm going to pile on weight?

I'm presuming this is an age thing (early 40s). I definitely don't overeat, watch the carbs, don't snack much at all and don't have a sweet tooth. I do have a glass of wine most nights of the week though. One thing I do accept is that I move less due to changing my job - it involves a lot more sitting, but otherwise I'm rushing around the house, shops, school etc...

I realise this sounds like a very self-indulgent post, but I'm just so down and wondered if I just don't understand how much I need to do to stay in shape.

Frosty, how about getting some heavier weights, and make sure you're working on your triceps, shoulders and upper back. So tricep dips, tricep extensions, overhead press, press ups etc etc

@Emma I’ll do that. Are kettle bells worth getting too? I’m so weak when it comes to my arms and can barely manage 5 press ups so I definitely need to work on strengthening those muscles up

At home I've built up a small collection, so I've got 3kg and 5k dumb-bells, an 8kg kettlebell and some resistance bands, but I also do a lot of bodyweight stuff.

Yoga is also great for upper body.

I'm not lean but I'm toned. I do 15 mins of HIIT and 15 mins of weights 5 days a week.

The way I'm built means that I'll probably never look lean, as I'm an hour glass shape and even at my thinest, I still had boobs & hips.

I think you have to be realistic about your build & genetic disposition and then work with that and do stuff you enjoy and that you can fit in on a regular basis. When my DC were younger and it was hard to get out of the house, I used to do Callanetics & Pilates on DVD. I thought the Callanetics was amazing for toning & lengthening - but it may not be as good for different shaped people.

I used to go to the gym a lot but my job and life doesn't leave enough time anymore. I realised I couldn't just do nothing as I put on a lot of weight and developed a substantial middle aged spread (I'm 46) over the course of about 2 years. So I decided to think about what I could do, rather than what I couldn't fit in. I started with the 5:2 diet and have lost about 9lbs in 3 months. Now I'm used to it, I'm going to stick with this way of eating for the foreseeable future as I've found it quite easy to do, having never dieted before. I try not to drink alcohol at all in the week, but if I do I've replaced wine with gin and diet tonic. I still have a few glasses of wine at the weekend though.
I also invested in a set of weights and try to do my arms and side dips for my waist about 4 times a week when I can fit it in. I just do it in my pyjamas or work clothes most of the time rather than having the faff of changing into gym gear. I have noticed I'm looking much more toned lately. I've also found I can fit in a run with the dog in the morning when I work from home one day per week, and I also try to run one day at the weekend. I make sure walking the dog is my chore at the weekends and take him out for at least an hour if I don't run.
I've also started doing yoga from you tube a few times a week (yoga with Adrienne is fab). Each session last about 20 mins so it's easy to fit in on an evening and I've really noticed the difference in flexibility and a reduction in aches and pains - I figure it must be doing some toning too. Overall, I look and feel a lot better just by eating a bit differently and fitting in some physical activity as and when I can, rather than worrying about finding the time to battle through the traffic after work to getting to the gym.

Even though I do do exercise this thread still makes me feel rather inadequate 😂

Something like 60% of the popn do feck all. Anyone who regularly exercises is doing great.

I always walk about 5 miles a day. I run 3x a week, weight train 3x a week and do some yoga if I have time. I'm not sleeping well at the moment with the heat, but I can get up early and do something as DH takes child to school and I don't start work till 8am. The best thing to do if it's possible is to replace some journey you have to do anyway with an active journey e.g. walking, running, cycling. I work 6 hours a day so not quite full time. I don't really have a body to envy, about a stone overweight, but very fit and have been for years. I just fit it in where there's a crack of time, so if I get to school pickup 10 minutes early, I have a brisk walk or run round the block. I do a run while child is in one of their leisure activities. I'm not self conscious of going to pickup all sweaty in my gym clothes!

And diet - I restrict carbs, snacks and alcohol. And I'm still overweight! It's hard as you get older (am early 40s).

Zoned out at ‘Surrey Prep’

Be fit for yourself not some jumped up wannabes.

Size 6 , cycle everywhere (about 30 Kms a day), no pasta/rice , one slice bread a day.

3 glasses of wine a night

I very rarely drive, walk the dogs fast for an hour a day, don’t eat breakfast with the DC & DH but have a substantial (healthy) brunch. I rarely eat lunch but have whatever I want after supper.
I also have a big garden I’m solely responsible for.
With work, family and friends that’s all I have the time or inclination for.

When I did go to the gym, I found it a chore (even classes) and it didn’t make a huge amount of difference.

I’m size 10 and 5’5’’.

You need to knock the nightly wine on the head op - it would help you hugely.