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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Losing weight and exercise

41 replies

Lessfatmorefit · 16/02/2019 22:15

I've been making efforts to lose weight since August by joining slimmingworld and going to the gym. I'm 4.5st down, which is great, but i still have 2.5-3st before I'm within normal BMI, so a way still to go.

I'm going to the gym 4 times a week, 3 times I do 10k brisk walking with some jogging (i am too heavy to run for longer than 2k so it's mostly walking) and the other time I do 30 mins uphill walking. I'm not sure if this is enough or if I need to do anything different? I dont really have any more time tp do much more I dont think as I struggle to fit in these sessions, I go after work so it means I'm not home til nearly 8pm on the 10k nights.

OP posts:

ShirleyPhallus · 16/02/2019 22:17

Weights is your answer

MissClareRemembers · 16/02/2019 22:19

What about yoga or Pilates? Your doing a lot of cardio so maybe some core work would be good?

I admire your stamina and commitment. That’s truly awesome.

PositiveVibez · 16/02/2019 22:23

Well done! You have done amazing. Can I lend a bit of your motivation please!!!!

Original poster

Lessfatmorefit · 16/02/2019 22:25

I've been staying away from weights because i remember someone saying to me not to lift weights while you're fat because you'll just lay muscle on top of fat I'm not sure if that's true or not though?!

I hadn't thought of yoga/ pilates but I will look into it, my core is a bit weak and I have awful posture so that might help me!

OP posts:

Bambamber · 16/02/2019 22:25

I don't have any advice, but just wanted to say well done for your weight loss so far!

Saltandsauce · 16/02/2019 22:25

Well done that’s amazing! To be honest if you continue as you are the extra weight will come off, but I agree with ShirleyPhallus, weights will definitely help along the way!
Keep going! Xx

Calvinlookingforhobbs · 16/02/2019 22:26

Amazing! Sounds like you’re really focussed and determined and have achieved loads so far!

To be honest in my esteemed opinion, diet is70% of the battle, exercise is 20% and genetics do play a role of10%.

Your plan sounds good but it’s is achievable long term? 4 times a week sounds like a lot. If I were you, I’d aim for 2-3 and get yourself a session or two with a good PT who can advise you on a programme to work on yourself. It’s the difference between playing with your car engine and getting a mechanic to do it.

BusySnipingOnCallOfDuty · 16/02/2019 22:26

Pilates worled wonders for.me and started to tone.me.too

Fetching · 16/02/2019 22:27

because you'll just lay muscle on top of fat

And the fat will get trapped by muscle and be stuck there permanently?

I don't think it works like that!

twinkletoedelephant · 16/02/2019 22:29

Following I have also lost 4 1/2 stone with 2 1/2 to go the trainers at my gym have got me doing some weights but I am building up slowly as it's not something i enjoy

Hoopaloop · 16/02/2019 22:32

Well done, you seem to be smashing it!

The muscle/fat thing is pure bonkers. If you do big core lifts like squats and deadlifts, and you keep adding weight every session, you'll be burning a whole heap of fat and toning too.

Thiswayorthatway · 16/02/2019 22:34

Fab weight loss so far well done! You need to vary your gym work, weights and resistance burn calories and fat after you have worked out, mix it up with cardio.

thirstyformore · 16/02/2019 22:36

Weights and cardio. You can run when you’re overweight. It’s a bit more difficult but 3 stone overweight isn’t too “big” to run. Sounds like you’re body has got used your exveecuse regime and you need to mix it up a bit.

Why not try to run a bit longer during your 10k walk/run. With shorter walls in between the running.

unicornsarereal1 · 16/02/2019 22:36

You're doing amazing!

My mum is also doing slimming world and has lost 2 stone - she found swimming was a good way to aid weight loss and tone at the same time; she swims 3 times a week and goes into the gym 2 times a week

Would you consider swimming?
Obviously it's not for everyone - but you're doing amazingly!

RainbowMum11 · 16/02/2019 22:38

Well done - brilliant loss!
Yep, def strength training to underpin & support the cv exercise, not just weights, but Pilates/HIIT are good too.

countdowntonap · 16/02/2019 22:40

If you still have 3 stone to lose, I don’t think you need to worry about muscle. A muscular, low fat body is the kind of body that is seen as toned.

Hont1986 · 16/02/2019 22:48

You don't need to worry about more exercise if your goal is weight loss. Obviously exercise is good for your health and fitness, but weight loss can be done entirely through diet.

Download a calorie tracker app and keep an eye on how many calories you're ingesting vs expending.

Original poster

Lessfatmorefit · 16/02/2019 23:01

The fat/ muscle thing is probably stupid but it stuck in my mind! I'm desperate to lose the fat so didbt want to risk it getting stuck there...although I'm now realising that sounds stupid!

I am building up my running little by little...before Christmas i couldn't run for more than 30 seconds, and that was at slow speed. I'm now able to run/ jog at 9-10k for about 2k. I do try to keep going for a little bit longer each time.

One exercise I can't do is swimming, i can't swim and am really scared of water. I have tried many times over the years but it's just not for me. Which is a shame I know as its a great form of exercise.

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LifeofClimb · 16/02/2019 23:03

Just wanted to jump in ... it sounds like you're doing really well already.

The more muscle you have, the higher your basal metabolic rate will be (at rest) so it's in your own interest to weight lift ( it doesn't have to mega heavy and it's really really hard for women to look like body builders so don't worry about that!!). You will burn more fat the more you build muscle. It also means you can eat more calories.
Plus, it's really good for women to weight lift to increase bone density. It helps prevent osteoporosis. Particularly past menopause.
When you're more confident, you could look at HIIT classes - they're designed to be shorter workouts that get your heart rate up and get you burning calories through a mix of cardio and strength. (since time is a factor for you)

Does your gym do any free PT sessions? Some offer a session to help you build a programme. You could burn more calories in less time with some help. Worth asking!

Don't forget exercise is mainly for toning and shaping your body (though you cannot spot reduce), diet is what will primarily determine your weight.

Something to consider is your NEAT - Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis
Mostly, when we think of people who are "naturally skinny" there are two main factors that contribute - low calorie diets (intentional or not, healthy or not - low calorie doesn't always mean healthy!) and movement in the day. This doesn't have to be exercise. NEAT is not exercise - it's all the movements in the day that you do that aren't exercise. Make small changes - always take the stairs, park further away, walk around at lunch time or breaks, do manual labour tasks instead of using machines or automation.

CCSA · 16/02/2019 23:10

Great job so far, well done. You must feel a whole lot better for it.

Some functional / active strength work with kettle bells (appropriate weights, doesn’t need to be super heavy) would be a great addition for you. Super quick to do 2 x 20 mins at home - will raise your heart rate and increase metabolism effectively to help promote fat burning.

Plenty of good YouTube tutorials out there for beginner kettlebell workouts.

And you can’t lay muscle on fat... whoever told you that needs schooling.

ivykaty44 · 16/02/2019 23:15

You’ve done amazing so far & well done for continuing.

Have you thought about hopping on the exercise bike & doing some cycling? You could do some sprinting, sit with your cadence no lower than 65 rpm and up the rpm every now and again - try the bike instead of the treadmill one session and see how you go, or do half and half one session.

If you like it you could think about trying a spin class - but be careful they can be addictive

NicoAndTheNiners · 16/02/2019 23:24

Muscle gain is good for weight loss as it raises your BMR so you burn more calories at rest. Get lifting.

Also mix the cardio up. 10k brisk walking 3x a week on a treadmill could lead to injury. I'm not saying it will but I've knackered a tendon by doing that and am now facing major surgery. I would mix it up with some other stuff. My PT friend says rowing is a great cardio to do.

Treble9 · 17/02/2019 08:05

Weights, weights, weights!

Not useless 1-2kg weights either. Proper weights. I guarantee you are stronger than you think you are. The correct weight is the weight where you can just about do 10-12 reps with good technique.

Get a PT to show you how to perform the big compound moves, incorporate those into your routine and bin a 10k walk.

MollysLips · 17/02/2019 10:03

Have you tried the rowing machine? You get to sit down (which I love, lol) but it still gives you an amazing all-over workout. You could do 5k in 25 minutes.

Get an instructor to show you the correct technique, then you'll be flying! Listen to music, it's really good fun.

Original poster

Lessfatmorefit · 17/02/2019 10:17

I have tried rowing...but I could only keep going for a really short amount of time (less than 10 mins) which obviously didn't burn many calories! I try to do about 650-700 on the treadmill. Will try and add the rower in on one of my 10k days and maybe reduce my 10k to 8.

I will try the weights too. Slightly offput by the fact the weights area in our gym is always full of bodybuilder types blokes loudly grunting!

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