What exercise do you do each week ?

[Rainydays55]

What exercise do you try and do each week and what benefits do you see from it? Looking to try and get into it a bit more but not sure where to start!

@Vallmo47

I swim 5 times a week, started in January. Not only have I lost over a stone, before I even noticed a weight loss clothes fit better and body became more trimmed. Mentally I’m equally amazed - I completely unwind in the pool, forget about the world and just focus on what lap I’m on. You get to know the regulars, they spur you on and I actually miss it on the weekends. Sleep has also improved lots.

Think you just persuaded me to join the gym to use their swimming pool.

I run a couple of times a week and also try to do some strength and conditioning. I enjoy bodypump and circuits. If I've only got half an hour for the gym I'll do 15min on the cross trainer and 15mins on the rower.

Yoga three times a week (different types), swim once or twice a week, ride once a week, gym usually once a week, and thirty minute walk at lunchtimes

@DespairingHomeowner

A 45 min workout most mornings (YouTube cardio, weights or HIIT)

45 min walk at lunchtime

A weekly yoga class

And couch to 5k 2 nights a week - temporarily (will replace 2 of the workouts with a 45 min jog in time)

1 PT session a week with weights

This is plenty for me

And benefits:

• the morning HIIT wakes me up/puts me in a good mood (plus strength, weight control, health)
• lunchtime walk - stress relief, vitamin d, listen to podcasts for entertainment, possibly pop to shops
• yoga - social & mental challenge as well as flexibility
• weights: v effective for keeping muscle while losing weight, improved body shape
• jogging: actual cardio fitness (same as the HIIT), plus stress relief as I find running outside mentally relaxing

But the best exercise is what you enjoy & fits your lifestyle/circumstances as that’s the exercise you will do!

Sorry - forgot the benefits! Swimming is great for my lungs, and a time for a bit of mindfulness. Yoga supports my other exercise and overall well-being. And riding is just fun! Although also the satisfaction of progressing.

Up to November I was doing weights at home 6 times per week (only 20-30 mins) & running a few times per week, usually just a couple of miles at lunch and park run Saturday mornings. I lost the weights habit during house renovations and diet slipped a bit but mainly kept up the running until a couple of weeks ago and slowly but surely started to regain weight and started getting quite squishy again, clothes still fit but not as well. Im now back on the weights and loving the post work out aches but left it too late to undo the damage before my upcoming holiday.

I also walk or cycle anywhere I can.

Even though I am not that fit, compared to others (was a total couch potato before) I am a bit evangelical about exercise now. It took me about 4 months to not hate running and now even if I have to force myself to go sometimes I have never regretted a run. I have only managed 10k a couple of times but was so chuffed when I managed it... Think I will do a 10k tomorrow, thanks for motivation OP

YouTube yoga with Adrienne roughly one 40mins ish session per week. Feel more relaxed after like to think is helping with flexibility strength though need to up the amount I do.

One hour cardio/dance/boxing fusion type class per week lots of fun good for cardio and strength

Dog walks twice a day min of 5 times a week good for physical health and mental benefits

Joe wickes hitt 20mins YouTube workout from time to time hard work but good for quick full body workouts

Genuine question - how do you force yourself to fit it in? I just can't make myself get up that hour earlier to do it or to go for a walk/run instead of sitting watching tv at night.

I know I need to for my health but I just can't!!

Walk the dog 1-4 miles a day. Run 3-4 times a week, usually 3-6 miles. Occasional yoga. As much for my head as for my body.

Weight training once or twice a week
Walk c 7000 steps 6 days out of 7
A couple of very gentle restorative yoga classes

For me, this is good

Weight lifting 35-40 mins during the week have to force myself to get up early to get it done though
Try and fit in a 30 min walk during lunchtime
Weekends go for a 45 minute walk usually

I try and go to bed at 9ish and don’t look at my phone after 8ish. If I go to bed early I naturally wake up early. I know in advance what I’ll be doing and pysche myself up. I find that it’s only 30 mins a day so doable.

@waitingformytakeaway

Genuine question - how do you force yourself to fit it in? I just can't make myself get up that hour earlier to do it or to go for a walk/run instead of sitting watching tv at night.

I know I need to for my health but I just can't!!

Well you can - you just don’t want to (neither would I)

Can you figure out what you would be prepared to do?

CrossFit/ functional fitness type stuff. I'm no supermodel but my body feels amazing, strong and flexible, I feel very capable and my Immune system is much better.

@Vallmo47

I swim 5 times a week, started in January. Not only have I lost over a stone, before I even noticed a weight loss clothes fit better and body became more trimmed. Mentally I’m equally amazed - I completely unwind in the pool, forget about the world and just focus on what lap I’m on. You get to know the regulars, they spur you on and I actually miss it on the weekends. Sleep has also improved lots.

Hmmm I am going to give swimming a go having read your post.

I run almost everyday. Love it. So many positives. On my third pair of trainers. I do get a bit addicted but have learnt to stop once I need too.

@waitingformytakeaway can you get a small trampoline, rower or treadmill that you can use while watching the TV? There was a thread on mini trampolines recently, they're fun to run on.

I fit in exercise by doing the same as my kids - I have to take them & wait, so just join in (6hrs of tae kwondo a week!). I love it though - there's quite a few of us 50+ parents, so don't feel out of place, there's camaraderie & a real sense of achievement, plus I can do the splits again now, from all the stretching.
Also started parkrun each week, to try to improve aerobic fitness, plus 2 morning YT workouts a week & usually a Sunday Les Mills session (I love group fitness, the choreography challenges my brain).

Doing less now than before Covid, was never smaller than a chunky size 14 so don't dare give up as I don't want to reduce eating!
I see it as an investment in my future - heart health, osteoporosis prevention, joint flexibility & strength, plus balance improvement (and, apart from parkrun, I enjoy doing it all).

Combat twice a week. Shabam once a week. Netball two or three times a week, training and matches. I love the social side of netball, and Shabam. I started combat about 15 years ago and loved it from the first class. It's kept the bingo wings at bay, and my fitness levels up.

Lots of walking and aerobics 3 times a week.

I also have to do physiotherapy every day so lots of stretching which is great as I can incorporate yoga into it.

I’ve found some really good YouTube videos for larger women that have been great fun and slowly build up your confidence as well as your stamina. If just starting to exercise or you’re on the bigger side do not start with shreds or Davina or people like Joe Wickes. 1) You will give up very quickly as they’ll be too hard and you’ll lose motivation and 2) even when they say they’re beginner friendly they’re not. They’re for people who are already used to exercising.

Start simple. Gentle exercises, stretching, walking and swimming etc and build from there.

2x 1hr Zumba
3x 30min hiit
Fast walk every day for at least 30mins
Swim 1x weekly
Run 2 or 3 times, about 5km at the moment but increasing the distance gradually

I hate the gym and running but I love classes. Been going to the same place a long time so I think once you’ve found something you like you’ll actually look forward to it. For me I need some kind of instruction so I push myself.

I try to do 3 a week but it is a struggle to fit it in around work/kids/dinner/chores etchings . Those who do more I don’t know how you do it!

Run 3-4 times a week (early, usually 5-6km each time, sometimes double that on a Saturday morning because there’s more time).
Body Pump twice a week, Body Balance once a week.

The pump class has made me stronger while the running has given me general fitness and stamina - and it’s all really good for my head.

I do a Joe Wicks type 20 minute HIIT workout most days. It's hardly any time out of my day, but I'm so much stronger and loads more toned.

Not much tbh. I do run around with the kids a lot and last week did x country skiing every day but that's only because we were on holiday. I try and have a walk outside for one hour per day during my lunch break.

In the summer months I bike, which really helps.

Just walking. I aim to do 25 miles a week, sometimes fall just short. I listen to podcasts all the time that I walk and that helps alleviate the boredom.

I’ve lost nearly a stone since the start of the year by walking and staying at 1300 calories a day (just below my TDEE). I’ve had a some days of slip ups but less than five in over two months. Another stone to go, but I’m expecting the rate of weight loss to slow down considerably.

Walk the dogs everyday. Was planning on taking them running, but one can’t go off lead and is a dick on it. It’s good for my wellbeing and I enjoy it, but it’s not really cardio!

Yoga on YouTube a few times a week. Keep planning to do HIIT workouts but I don’t really want too, I just need to!