Getting fit

[plutosnose]

I know social media is awash with these new year new me fitness posts as is the case every January.

But I do want to try and get fitter and healthier this year. It's not so much for aesthetic reasons, although having had two c sections and an unhealthy obsession with processed food I could do to lose some belly fat too. It's more for the sense of having a stronger, more capable body. I don't look after my body. It's flabby and sluggish and if I needed to run away from an attacker or fight off a disease or lift something heavy I'm not sure I'd be able to.

I've done weight training and weekly workouts in the past and noticed how much easier I found things such as climbing hills, lifting my shopping etc, I guess I just want to get back to that. Im in my late 30s now so not old but probably past my peak fitness days.

Does anyone have any advice for a novice? I have seen people here suggest things like 10 squats while waiting for the kettle to boil etc. well I did this the other day and my legs were in agony for days after!!!

I walk a lot and sometimes practice yoga but other than that there is no exercise in my life whatsoever. Does anyone have any tips?

I start these fitness routines regularly 🙄so these are my tips... First for me is accepting I'll be in some pain for the first week, but keep going! As long as its not an injury pain, have a recovery day after (walk/swim/yoga) to ease you out then go again the next day. Second, I need a programe of some kind. Jillian Michael's 30 day shred is really good and on YouTube. It's a half hour and although it says every day, I usually do it every second day and it works well to use lots of muscles and get you going (about 5 years ago I lost a lot of weight and put on a lot of muscle, starting by using 30DS). She has variations for easier and harder levels so you can do whichever suits you. And third, the most important one for me is keep doing it, even when I don't want to (my current problem). I read somewhere once that you'll regret the session you don't do, not the one you do, and it is true.

I'm going for a swim today to start myself back into a habit properly next week. Good luck with it. As I've been telling myself all week, it's hard but worth it!

@AinmÁlainn thanks so much that's fab advice. I think a plan or programme is a good idea, I tend to do better when I have a focus like a month long daily challenge or something. I think I'm at the age where I've realised I can't keep neglecting my health and fitness and still expect my body to function well. I'm slow, sluggish and not very strong.

I've been on and off in fitness for a few years, but I started strength training seriously again in December 21 and I'm still going.

You will get sore after the first time after doing squats - everyone does - but once your body starts to adjust that soreness goes away. In fact if you're feeling uncomfortably sore after a few weeks in, it's a sign you're over training.

I know it's not possible for everyone, but if you're able to join a gym or a class I really would encourage it. It's hard to motivate yourself to work out at home - there are so many other distractions. If you train away from home, you just need to get through the door. When you're there, you're focused

The best exercise is the one you will do consistently. While any exercise might feel uncomfortable when you first try it, if you hate something you won't stick at it. So try things - whether it's strength training at the gym, Zumba, cycling, hill walking, dance classes, martial arts - if you're in a position to do so, try a few things and see if you can imagine making it part of your life. If it's something you're doing for punishment/that is inconvenient/impractical it's not likely to stick.

I agree that having a programme is important, and helps keep motivation. If your goal was to renovate your house and you just one day bought a load of materials and decided 'I'm going to renovate my house' without thinking about what/how you were going to do it, you'd likely make a mess and be disheartened after two or three attempts. If instead you had a plan and knew that the first couple of weeks were going to be a declutter and a deep clean, then next month you move on to sorting out the roof, then after that you're going to start painting... you'd be much more likely to see the 'point' in continuing long term and not stress that you aren't seeing instant results.
Good luck!

I would second joining a gym - I am not particularly self motivated and give up easily on my own but I have my regular weekly gym classes that I have to finish and that feeling you get after the class is all I need to go again. I couldn't even walk the length of myself when I started - but it was fine. There are classes available for every level in my local council gym and I just worked my way up. I wouldn't be without it now (and I am the least likely person you ever met who would love the gym!)