I feel like I'm so unfit that getting fit is going to be actually impossible.

[OhioOhioOhio]

I feel like across between a slug and an elephant with a sore head. I'm so unfit and fat it seems pointless to even try. Can anyone give me any advice or pointers? Thank you.

On holiday In September 2017 I almost collapsed during a 6 km walk on the flat, September 2018 our holiday was walking 170 km through a (very hilly) forest in 8 days. I was exhausted at the end but man was I proud!!

Brisk walking is magical, just half an hour a day, can split it between 2 or 3 walks if that’s better in the beginning. I found my fitness level improved astonishingly quickly. Then I started longer hikes.

Good luck! You can do it!!

Sport should be an addiction, not a chore. It might be hard at the beginning, but you should do something you actually enjoy.

OP ,if you had your dream body, what do you picture yourself doing?

Start slow, but be consistent. Better 3 gentle exercise a week for 6 months to start, than going crazy every day for a week and give up!

Some people cannot exercise on their own, they can't find the motivation and they need a class of some kind. That's absolutely fine! Don't be ashamed or embarrassed to start - real sporty people are actually very supportive and never look down at someone even obese trying to join them.

Find whatever you like, ideally a combination, and stick to it for at least a year. You WILL hurt, you will be sore, but you will feel good. just don't go crazy, and enjoy zumba/netball/jogging/ tennis/ martial arts ,.... whatever it is you like.

3 hours.. just 3 hours in a WEEK, that's nothing is it?

I realised today that I feel so gross there seems little point in even bothering. That's a big, big mental block that I don't know how to overcome. I've tried youtube, ill keep trying. Honestly it quite overwhelms me.

Why don’t you just get up and go for a walk. Set a timer for 15mins. Walk then when your timer pings, turn around and come home.

Half an hour of walking is so good for you.

Just do it.

Push that block over.

Op have you got a green area nearby? Woods?
Go and have a walk there. Being in nature can really uplift you and can make you feel better.
Don’t think about it too much. Just do it.

If you’re really struggling of course, then it might be worth having a chat with your gp.

How old are the children? Can they be left for 30 mins? Last year when I did c25k I used to go out in the morning just after 6 am and get back in time to wake them for school. Even if you don’t run yet, an early morning walk is a good start to the day.

I also generally preferred podcasts to music - I found myself mentally counting each 2.5 minute song and feeling dispirited at the number of songs I still had to get through, whereas the time seemed to pass quickly with a good podcast.

duck your fitness routine sounds ace!

I can't get on with youtube videos personally. Nothing wrong with them, but I find them really un motivating.

Have you checked if there are any "bootcamp" kind of things near you? There are some lovely personal training sessions around my area, at the moment it's a group of 5 plus trainer in parks or outdoor spaces, and some have real beginners.

Or you could get a fitbit and increase your walk.

The hardest thing is that it WILL take time. No result over night or even over a few weeks. You do need to stick with it. Give yourself a realistic date (New Year's Eve for example) with a half-goal sometimes in October and go for it.

Take a photo and ignore everything but your goal in 3 months time, and stick with it until then. You will astonish yourself, but you do need consistency.

You are all so kind. I really appreciate this. The kids are too little to be left for the next few years anyway. It's my head I need to sort out I suppose. I don't know why I self sabotage. It's exhausting.

Very young children can be pushed in a buggy and you run.

young children can start using a mini-scooter and ride a bike and you run behind.

older children can cycle and you really run to keep up.

OP, don't be stopped because you have children. Use them instead! I remember an article about a mother running for hours pushing her 3 in a buggy! That's extreme, but you get the idea.

Don't allow circumstances to drag you back. You are worth more than that.

Thank you. Yes pp. They are really good mostly. But going walking still involves looong and lots of dilly dallying.

OP - when people say (with really good intentions, and it works for many) "Find an activity you enjoy", I realise that there is no physical activity I actually enjoy. What works for me is using physical activity to serve a purely practical purpose - e.g. I've never learnt to drive, but I walk everywhere. (Have always walked most of the time but since lockdown I never use public transport at all.) Try to get up at intervals when you feel you just want to slump on the sofa, and do something that involves movement (quick household tasks work for me but it really doesn't matter).

But then again, you may be one of the many, many people who actually turn out to enjoy dancing or swimming or netball when you don't like other exercise, and that'll work for you.

I’ve just started - I haven’t died yet. Apparently you jog 1 min, walk 1 min etc. I got a good plan from a charity website (either Red Cross or cancer research) for 0-5k a couple of years ago and did that.

I just need to sort out my diet and sleep and I am zonked by about 3pm!

@OhioOhioOhio ... Sorry I've not read all the thread, just to page 2 when you mention the kids. How old are they? Can you not take them with you? When DS was younger (7ish) ... he would come on his bike when I went for a run.

"Find an activity you enjoy", I realise that there is no physical activity I actually enjoy.

fair enough but you can still use the advice as not choosing the thing you actually hate. Some people become addicted to running, others will never like it. It is just easier to motivate yourself when it's not a chore - even if you just go for the social aspect first.

Have a look on the internet for sun salutations for beginners - a nice little routine that involves stretches and strength positions with good breathing.

Between the ages of 5 and 8. I honestly couldn't jog. If I did I'd be done in. It is so disappointing. I used to be pretty together.

Of course you can jog. For a short time and over a short distance but you could. unless you have a physical problem and I do apologise

Thankfully, you don't have to

What do you like to do?
Once things are back to normal, you can also join classes and try a few various things a few weeks at a time.

@Pikachubaby

Start small, be patient, drink enough, eat some carbs food beforehand (not jaffacakes but toast or porridge etc)

I agree with start small. But you really DONT need to eat carbs beforehand. Your body has plenty energy stored up.

I had a real mental block about it too, and eating better. I had hypnotherapy over webcam (I shit you not!) 3 sessions, I’ve lost a stone haven’t smacked in a month, and am regularly Exercising and loving it. I normally do dance workouts on my VR headset and walk my dogs but ride my bike, and I’m going to go swimming when I can again. I can’t run so I won’t do that but I quite fancy tennis. I really recommend the hypnotherapy, I’m still massive but you know I feel better, I’m happier and more positive and I actually want to make a change. You’ve got this!

Snacked - although I haven’t smacked either

I used to feel the same and got out of breath walking up the stairs. I decided I really needed to do some exercise and chose to do the couch to 5k as it was free and structured it was someone telling me what to do and it was a gradual build up. I could also fit in going out and doing it when I had time in the day. I used to go out after dark to start with so no one would see me. I admit I ached for the first few weeks and I didn’t find it easy but the results in the end were well worth sticking with it.

Just a thought, but when my kids were small we used to have "disco time". Turn the lights off and put on a coloured light/flashing lights whatever you have. Put your favourite music on and just dance for 10 mins. If you can manage this every day, that's a good hour of vigorous exercise each week.

Or do it alone once the kids are in bed. Great mood enhancer too.

Check out Feel Better Live More podcasts too, as they're incredibly helpful in terms of eating, sleeping and exercise.