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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:
CouldBeTime · 11/09/2021 20:40

I paid for a block of 8 sessions with a PT. Best money I've ever spent on myself. Totally changed my relationship with exercise. Discovered I love lifting weights.

7 years on, I've been consistently working out 2-3 times a week ever since. It was honestly transformative

IBelieveInAThingCalledScience · 11/09/2021 20:49

Peloton changed my life.

Not just the bike (although the classes and the sheer choice of instructors/music/themes is unbelievable), but all the other classes.

I got the app first (free for a month).

Now I run (half-marathon), cycle and do strength training. I use their core, barre, pilates, yoga and weight training classes and never ever get bored.

I agree with PPs when it comes to building some aerobic base fitness first (slowly and very regularly).

I religiously do 10m core classes daily, for example. Not a huge commitment, but changed my figure and form completely.

Nayday · 11/09/2021 21:20

Start small, start where you are fitness wise. Better to start with 5 mins of yoga/walking/whatever you like per day, gradually increase over time and still be doing it - vs plunging yourself into x5 sessions of CrossFit a week immediately, getting injured and 2 months later be doing nothing at all. Sustainable and continuous. Listen to your body. It should be challenging, but not painful. Find out what you like, and if you don't like it - stop. I made myself road run. I hate it. Hate it. Turns out I actually like the gym, abd running on a treadmill.

FusionChefGeoff · 11/09/2021 21:25

Try as many different types of exercise as you can until you find something you really enjoy.

Running, walking, boxing, step aerobics, swimming, skipping, Zumba, body combat, body pump, HIIT, classes, gym, at home workouts, cycling, spinning, yoga, Pilates

The easiest way to get fit is by doing something you enjoy.

XenoBitch · 11/09/2021 21:32

I use Virtual Reality. There are loads of apps to use to get fit, and all in the comfort of your own home with no one watching too.
It is vital you do something you enjoy.

Rocketpants50 · 11/09/2021 21:47

You started that is the biggest hurdle I found. You have to find what works for you. I did couchTo 5k with a friend and that helped, just having someone to do it with, alongside this I have been doing Joe Wicks, signed up to his 90 day. Its good but what really helps is the support from the facebook page. I now am doing Sydney Cummings workouts as I find her really motivational. I find going to a gym a waste of time as driving there back is time I could be doing other things. Saying that pre covid I did a PT for a while and really enjoyed it.
Do a range of things and work out what's good for you, but honestly well done for starting. I love the feeling of feeling healthier and stronger.

TheVolturi · 11/09/2021 21:57

I started c25k last year age 39. I run every other day now. My resting heart rate has come down from late 70s to 60. I feel less anxious and so much fitter! I couldn't run for 1 minute at the start and now I can run for as long as I like. I won't ever stop running.

Original poster
coodawoodashooda · 12/09/2021 14:02

Thanks everyone. Today i did 0.5km. Not much but more than before.

OP posts:
2000lightyearsaway123 · 12/09/2021 14:37

Hi Op,

I'm not fit yet but I'm 7 weeks into this journey which is the longest I've ever stuck at anything fitness related! I think they key is I've found an activity I actually enjoy so every workout doesn't feel like a chore although there are still of course days I have to force myself to do it. Sounds like your making plenty of progress. Go you!!

pecanmix · 12/09/2021 14:39

I was very kindly given an Apple Watch. I got a free trial of their fitness+ app which I use without fail every single day. I lift weights now and I can run laps around the park with my daughter without feeling like I'm dying. I'm still pretty fat but I'm really fucking strong. It gives me a proper high from doing it.

AliceAbsolum · 12/09/2021 14:47

I think for me it was about accepting that about a 3rd of the time it wasn't going to be fun and enjoyable but it was going to be worth it.
I'm recovering from a 10 mile mountain race yesterday and I feel really tired and sore but it was great and running has enriched my life in so many ways.
Join a local running club?

PurpleDaisies · 12/09/2021 14:51

That’s a great start-well done! Did you enjoy it/enjoy having done it?

Skade · 12/09/2021 16:09

I had Covid in May last year and my lungs were a mess (they were never great before that). By July I decided that I needed to do something to try to improve them so I started walking every day, first for half an hour at 6am then increasing to an hour every day.

In December I was feeling much fitter and the weight had started to come off, and I decided I wanted to try to run - at 47 years old I had always been the one shouting that I would never be able to run. I downloaded an app called None to Run and did my first session on 19 December - it consisted of walking for 2 minutes and running for 30 seconds. I was completely knackered! But it gave me a buzz and I decided to continue for the remaining 12 weeks.

Fast forward to yesterday and I ran 20 miles in preparation for the London Marathon on 3 October. I'm 3.5 stone lighter and I do some form of exercise every day - my life has changed entirely and for the better, and I have fallen in love with running - it has saved my sanity over the last year.

The point of this essay is... baby steps! You have done a little bit more every time you've got on the treadmill and that's awesome. Don't overdo it, do what you're comfortable with. If you injure yourself it will put you off. Just try and do some form of activity every day, with an increase as and when you feel able. And if you fancy trying the running, I can't recommend None to Run enough! Best of luck Smile

catfunk · 12/09/2021 16:12

Yes I signed up to a functional fitness type boot camp 3 mornings a week with an instructor who was quite sassy and shouted at us which is totally what I needed.
I was naturally strong but very unfit.
I lost a stone or so as a by product (gained a lot of muscle too) but got to a point where I genuinely enjoyed it and loved doing burpees.

The first week however was awful. I could barely move I was so sore!

lazylinguist · 12/09/2021 16:32

I find habits much better than goals. Goals are usually a bit arbitrary imo - either you reach the arbitrary goal and go 'Ummm... now what?' or you fail to reach it and feel like a failure. Whereas if your aim is just to do something regularly that's good for you, every time you do it is a win!

I do a 40 min fast, hilly, sweaty walk followed by a short weights or yoga session every day, except Saturday when I do Parkrun. When it gets too easy, I walk a bit faster/lift a bit heavier. If I get bored, I change my walking route or my yoga routine.

ghostyslovesheets · 12/09/2021 16:39

Things that work for me

Paying for classes in advance
varying what I do rather than doing the same thing over and over (I do aerobics/weights/boot camp/running)
Find something you enjoy
go with people
work as hard as YOU can - do not compare yourself to others
Don't give up when it's hard or you don't see instant results
Sports massage is worth the cost
and I agree - consistency is key

user1471523870 · 12/09/2021 16:43

Consistency is the most important thing, even few minutes are better than nothing.
Set achievable goals and stick to the plan.
Once you are in a better shape, push yourself over your limit.

SusieBob · 12/09/2021 16:49

The very best way to get fit is as a byproduct of it being something you enjoy doing. People who have to force themselves to exercise will always find excuses to not do it and will do the bare minimum.

cloudjumper · 12/09/2021 17:12

Agree with finding something you enjoy - nothing is more soul-destroying than exercise as a chore, and it'll be so much easier to stick with it.
A good instructor/coach/PT is worth their weight in gold.
Be consistent, make exercise part of your weekly/daily routine, plan & ensure to make time for it.
Keep in mind that it's ok to dial it down sometimes, it's fine to have a few days or a week where you put a bit less effort into it and dial it down.
Rest days are important!

Youdoyoutoday · 12/09/2021 17:26

Thank you for this thread, I'm have no advice but I'm finding it really helpful.

I've started swimming twice a week but I do need something else as my weight is just not shifting. I've downloaded the C25k app so I'm just logistically working when I could do it, possibly when toddler is napping I just leave DP who is WFH to just keep a listen out for 30/40 minutes

lazylinguist · 12/09/2021 17:36

Consistency is the most important thing, even few minutes are better than nothing.

Yes, this is true. I'm seeing so much more effect from doing 15-20 mins of either yoga or weights every day at home than I ever did by signing up to a 60 or 90 minute class and not being able to make it once a month or so. No excuse not to do it if it's only 15 minutes!

Mankini · 12/09/2021 18:05

Again, find what you enjoy. I like weight training three times a week and a daily half hour walk - the most important thing you can do though is to be consistent with your exercise and eat well. No processed foods and reduce the starchy carbs - potatoes, pasta and bread.

You can never exercise off a bad diet.

EBearhug · 12/09/2021 18:23

I'm seeing so much more effect from doing 15-20 mins of either yoga or weights every day at home than I ever did by signing up to a 60 or 90 minute class and not being able to make it once a month or so.

I agree. I have been working through all the different 30 days of yoga with Adriene one classes since March, one a day, and I am definitely more toned, and I can do balance postures for longer, and side planks and dancer pose, none of which I could manage well/ at all in February - and I've done a weekly yoga class for years. I've also been swimming since we were allowed again in April mostly because I missed it so much, so that is my aerobic exercise. But the daily yoga has really shown how little and often does make a difference.

Leftbutcameback · 12/09/2021 18:33

@skade - that's amazing and good luck at the marathon. You have inspired me (not to run, but to push myself further)

Dontbeme · 12/09/2021 19:23

I started my fitness journey about three months ago, so still early days and not an expert, but my advice for what it's worth is
-don't miss two sessions in a row,
-don't expect to be motivated to exercise, the motivation comes at the end of a session so feeling stronger or whatever will get you to exercise the next session.
-Find activities you like, and mixed sessions up, I now (very slow) jog, do HIIT, some weights and a bit of yoga.
I don't do these things because I necessarily enjoy them but they help me in doing what I love which is archery and walking the countryside bird watching. I also want to be active into old age and have lost my FIL and sister to cancer, and another sister just learned that her cancer is terminal. I'm trying to put in the work to be mentally and physically active as I can be.

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