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Original poster

Can you tell me about your experience of getting fit?

94 replies

coodawoodashooda · 10/09/2021 15:13

Im about to start to try and get fit. Properly fit without giving up. Ive never been this out of shape before and am very daunted by the prospect. Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
TopTabby · 10/09/2021 21:34

Take it steady & you'll get there.
When my younger dd started playgroup I decided to start running. I was very unfit & could do 2 minutes downhill before almost collapsing in a heap.
I kept at it, it took me at least 6 months to build up to a 2 mile route around the estate. Once I'd done that I pushed myself to do a bit more. I always had music to run to & it was my time to myself. A year later I did my first 10k, it was a small event in a very hilly park. I came last! I didn't let it put me off though & entered bigger city 10ks & eventually built up to half marathons.
Over the first year I went from a size 18 to a 14 & eventually down to a 10 where I've stayed ever since. It sounds a cliché to say the weight just fell off but it did! I wanted to eat well to run well & got into a healthy cycle which was amazing as I was the ultimate yoyo dieter.
I kept up the half marathons for years & wouldn't rule out another but just plodding steadily along for now.
You've got to find something you enjoy, buy good underwear & shoes & most importantly do it for yourself.

Leftbutcameback · 10/09/2021 21:36

Agree with others about finding what you enjoy, but also worth knowing that if for example you cycle lots you may get better at that, but not fitter at other activities. I think variety works well. Decathlon is excellent for kit if you have one near you. Don't neglect core and flexibility - try yoga or pilates once a week (YouTube is good for this)

Snowpaw · 10/09/2021 21:36

Find something you enjoy. Have you ever heard of Parkrun? Free, timed 5k runs at 9am every Saturday all over the UK. You don’t have to run it. There is a volunteer who walks at the back so you’ll never be last. I absolutely love them. I have done them for years and I love it. I usually do a mixture of jogging and walking. I feel great after and it starts the weekend off on the right foot. I love group exercise in general - spinning, aerobics, body pump etc. I have learned I don’t enjoy solo exercise. To stick at something you have to enjoy it.

Theredjellybean · 10/09/2021 21:39

Always remember "some is better than none"
So do not be ashamed of 0.2 miles... Many people are sat on sofas stuffing crisps in their mouths while you did real exercise.
Tomorrow do 0.3 miles..
I run.. I like the monotony and ability not to think or concentrate, plus is cheap.
I just worked on running a bit further each time, then entered an event to have a goal to work to.
You could do that, or lots of the exercise gurus on ytube have challenges, I like lili sabri... Her stuff is free and often it's something like a 20 day challenge

GoWalkabout · 10/09/2021 21:40

I enjoy cardio (running) but my fitness is totally non responsive to it. I build muscle ridiculously easily though with 2 x 20 minutes strength training a week.

Pilatesteacheruk · 10/09/2021 21:43

@speakout

Do you need a goal?

I exercise a lot, not sure I ever have goals.

Not everyone does but many people starting out find it useful. If you already exercise regularly and enjoy it or feel the benefits, then you probably don't.

Personally I have various goals or things I'm working on because it helps keep me focused.

Anyway op, finding something you enjoy will definitely help. Maybe try and find an accountability buddy too, someone you can workout with, if you find that keeps you on track more.

expatmigrant · 10/09/2021 21:48

Well done on the 0.2 miles on your cross trainer. You have made a start and got off the couch. The most important thing about exercise is finding something that you enjoy doing. This can be at home, in the park ,in the gym. Find your space.
If you can afford it, invest in a PT as per PP. They will encourage you and keep you going when you want to give up.
If not, there are some excellent exercise options on youtube. Joe Wicks is brilliant and there are many others.
It will hurt for a bit but it will get better. Keep going. Eventually it will become part of your daily/weekly routine.

Stellaris22 · 10/09/2021 21:49

Consistency and a routine that you can keep to.

If you can, invest in a PT. I've been going to mine for 5 months and I honestly don't think I'd have made the progress I have without her. Having sessions to go to means you can't just 'put off' a gym session.

Also look at what 'fit' is for you and have goals for this. Do you want to be able to run, lead ft weights? Finding exercise you enjoy will stop you from giving up.

Gingembre · 10/09/2021 21:50

OP Your 0.2 miles is great. Why? Because you did something and didn't get an injury. That's one of the biggest problems when starting to get fit. Injuries are motivation killers. Any workout that you do that doesn't prevent you from doing the next one is not to be scoffed at.

Write down your 0.2 on a piece of paper with the date and every time you workout write it down. It won't rise every time, but over a month it will (assuming you do some more in the month Wink The passing of time alone won't make it rise!)

PuggyMum · 10/09/2021 21:53

Interesting timing! I've just checked into a hotel to do the Blenheim Palace triathlon on Sunday. I was 16st 12 months ago. Lost 4st and now consider myself to be pretty fit.

I could still do with losing another 2 stone but life is very different.

I do some kind of activity most days now.

I'm not fast at all but every day is still a PB day.

Polkadots2021 · 10/09/2021 21:54

@coodawoodashooda

Im about to start to try and get fit. Properly fit without giving up. Ive never been this out of shape before and am very daunted by the prospect. Does anyone have any advice?
As a PT I can say...the magic word is consistency. Find something you like, that is as convenient as possible, and just do it every day. I often roll out the exercise bike in front of the TV example as it's really a great way of getting 30 mins exercise per day in the comfort of your own home and it is most likely to keep you consistently on track with just exercising every day. Just doing that can give major results.

Throw in a daily multivit in the mornings and multimineral in the evenings and you're doing a lot of good stuff for your body with minimal extra effort.

After 20 years I can tell you this, you don't need anything fancy. It's consistency, all the way. Just start and do not give up.

Polkadots2021 · 10/09/2021 21:56

@coodawoodashooda

So i just did 0.2 miles on my cross trainer and i feel awful. Shame.
Oh and do NOT beat yourself up. Ever. That's a golden rule. Just positive stuff.
Fromwhenceshecame · 10/09/2021 22:09

You did 0.2! That’s more than yesterday. It’s exercise you wouldn't normally have done. I’m not fit, but I’m improving, and so are you. Every little bit you wouldn’t have otherwise done is a positive step.

Original poster
coodawoodashooda · 11/09/2021 19:29

So i did 0.3 today. Positivity all the way.

OP posts:
allfurcoatnoknickers · 11/09/2021 19:33

Consistency - especially when you're starting out and need to form a habit. Even if you just do a stretch, make sure that you do something every day and don't fall off the wagon.

I was an exercise hater for years and could never stick to anything. Then I joined Peloton because it was free for 3 months and now I'm a daily exerciser and I feel rubbish if I don't do something.

ConsulTremas · 11/09/2021 19:37

It costs a bit but for me getting a personal trainer sorted me out. It meant the time I spent in the gym was used effectively, that I did more when I was actually there and I got sound advice on diet and non-gym exercise. It also acted as a motivator - had a weigh in every week and I would’ve been mortified if I’d put on weight.

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 11/09/2021 19:43

Well done OP!

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 11/09/2021 19:59

@coodawoodashooda

So i did 0.3 today. Positivity all the way.
Yes! Well done. This is the way to go 🙂
ShinyMe · 11/09/2021 20:08

I have never managed to 'get fit' by myself. I would go out for brisk walks but then be sidetracked by weather, or something on the telly, or wanting to sort out the back bedroom, or anything to stop me from actually doing it.

What changed things for me was joining a gym with a swimming pool and having some PT sessions. The woman I worked with was so good. Encouraging and reassuring and started very small. We started with a few of the machines (maybe 3 of them) and some very gentle weights exercises. She didn't make it too overwhelming or too daunting. Because I was booked in with appointments, I couldn't chicken out of going, and because she set me homework (do xyz, this many times independently before I next see you) then I stuck to it, and started to see more results, where she introduced more exercises and encouraged me to move up to bigger weights and so on. I've been going for about 4 months now and have really enjoyed it, and can see the progress in my fitness levels and in my body. I've lost 2 stone so far and am much fitter than I was. I swim maybe 4-5 times a week and over the summer I was doing a weights session maybe 5 days a week, although that will be less now that term's started. I find that if I go 2 days without doing some weights then I start to miss it and feel itchy to do some! And as someone who never ever liked exercise, I find that a bit mind boggling.

RowanAlong · 11/09/2021 20:13

I think it helped me to mix it up a bit so as not to get bored and to get different fitness benefits. I do swimming (which did wonders for my flabby arms and back), yoga (which helps my posture, flexibility and mental health) and any kind of YouTube fitness videos incorporating interval training to get fast fun aerobic exercise.

ByGrabtharsHammerWhatASavings · 11/09/2021 20:16

I'm also doing couch25k and think it's great. On my first run I was struggling just to keep going for a single minute, but now I'm on week 7 and can run for 25 minutes. I haven't lost any weight but that isn't my goal, I just want to increase my fitness.

Aubree17 · 11/09/2021 20:21

Buy a fit bit.
Join a gym and get some PT sessions.
Find a friend to walk with.
Commit to 4 x 45 minute sessions a week.

ilovespinach · 11/09/2021 20:23

A fitness watch has really helped with motivation.

crummyusername · 11/09/2021 20:27

Ideally, find something you love. Try a few things out (I did C25K and I love running but it’s not for everyone). Walking is great if you have time - purposeful, decent paced walking, somewhere nice if at all possible and even better if you can find a friend, or even a local walking group. Gyms and home fitness require a LOT of self motivation to stick to - personally I find them dull. I’m pretty fit now from the running, and more recently running and cycling, and I’d say the key has been doing sport outside - massive mental health benefits; finding local groups to join in with; and not going full pelt (as a PP said), as that’s not going to feel enjoyable for most people.

pinkcattydude · 11/09/2021 20:37

You are doing well good for you! I found something that fits in your life easily works for me I’ve never been able to stick to any exercise but I am a creature of habit. I whack my lunch in the oven on the timer for 30 mins and then I do 30 mins on the treadmill but I also have Netflix running I’m going through box sets but my stamina is improving. I know I’m never going to be super fit but at least I’m doing something and I’ve kept it up for 6 months

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