Anyone want to join me in a get a bit fitter support thread for the seriously unfit?

[amillionyears]

When I say seriously unfit,I mean I am one of those people who I dont think has ever got the whole way through a warm up routine on a DVD.

So I am not expecting miracles,but would like it if anyone were to join me to help me and perhaps themselves to start getting a little bit fitter,even if it is only for 1 month.

Personally I am in the process of digging out old DVDs/videos,and about to stick one on,and see what I can cannot do.

Well how is everyone doing this week?

I have been using my Rosemary Conley dvd's every day over the last week. She is very gentle but I still struggled at first but I am feeling stronger now. Another month of this and I might dare to dust off my copy of the shred.

I would love to be more flexible. Has anyone got any cheapish suggestions?

Well done whyme2.

I am doing so so.
Have had more aches than I would like.
My daughters say I should do more exercise,my DH says I should go slower.

I did the Rosemary Conley video on Sunday.I managed to do 7 minutes more than before.An improvement I guess.
I think I have started from such a low level that I have a lonnng way to go.

I think I could do with another next step up sort of dvd too.
I have got a Mr Motivator one,he may be next!
He will make me smile anyway!!

Thats 7 minutes more than 3 weeks ago.
Thats pretty poor really the more I think about it.

argh. i want to join.

Trying to run as per medical advice for depression and fatigue. Can't manage 4 mins without pain and having to slow down and walk!!

Also very mood dependent, managed 20 mins one day (stop start and with pain!!) then only 10 the next.

A lot of muscle pain esp in ankles...just from a flipping jog!!!

My doctor tells me the thing about 20 mins walking per day being 'enough' is BS and everyone needs to run for HALF AN HOUR.

how?? how???
I've never managed to run solidly for more than 10 mins in my LIFE!!!

welcome domesticgodless.
There are others on here who will be able to help you with it all better than me.
The one thing I would say is do you have a pair of trainers that give you good ankle support.
I have 1 weak ankle,and good supporting shoes make a lot of difference.
To my mind that GP is not being realistic.I have also never run half an hour in my life.

Hmm. I don't think my trainers are right.

(Am now tempted not to go running today in case ankle twists. Am I being a copout???)

I agree. He was v rude. Basically blamed me for all my problems cos I am 'unfit'. He had a lot of theories about human evolution and how we are all living in an unnaturally sedentary way. Probably true. But can the majority of the population realistically live like hunter gatherers or even mid-Victorians now?

he suggested I ought to train for marathons etc. Coming out of severe depression to do that seems a big ask- but heck what do I know. Left the consultation angry and inadequate rather than encouraged.

Oh btw I'm also a single parent half the time and he said I ought to 'tke the kids exercising with me'. He has 4 children apparently and 'managed it', but then he does have a wife, which probably makes a big difference.

If any of you do manage to take a 9 year old and (truculent and highly sedentary) 5 year old with you on aerobic exercise missions I'd love to hear how :) honestly any ideas welcome.

Well I would be wary if his advice is to just go and run for half an hour. I think you need to build up to that level. I am also convinced that brisk or power walking is very beneficial and much easier on the joints, especially if you are overweight. I did try running a couple of years ago when I was about 4 stone overweight. I did build up some stamina but I could really feel it on my knees and ankles and I knew I would knacker my body by pushing on with it. I do a lot of walking now.

Amillionyears I don't think that is poor. You know your body best and that is still an improvement. If you are feeling okay with that I would keep going. I did at Mr Motivator. He always made me laugh when he was on morning telly. and he also had a rather lovely backside

Ah DG don't feel bad. Your gp sounds like a twat imo. If you read the depression alliance website I think. Exercise can be very beneficial especially the being outdoors bit. Not only does he have a wife he has money to pay for a babysitter. Sounds like he had no understanding of your life or the demands on you.
As a family we do swimming (the kids get far more exercise than I do though), walking and rarely bike riding. Fortunately my 9yr old loves climbing trees which is a good bribe.
The other thing I do is let the dcs ( I have 4) watch a film in my room while I do a workout dvd downstairs. If I let them watch they all want to join in and I get nothing done.

I did do a brisk 30 min walk with a couple of hills last night in the wind. And it helped. I felt less depressed.

Yeah v sick of that sort of 'advice' generally. Do exactly as I do... even if you can't...you're just making excuses.

Tbh I don't think severe depression will ever vanish however fit you get but then I'll never know as I'll never get really fit :D

9year old would run with me bless him :D 5 year old would rather eat a whole plate full of greens than that :D

Hello everyone. I went into hybernation mode a bit. I did go back to the gym today though.

This rain makes me just want to go back to bed.

Hi domesticgodless. I think if you can run for one minute and walk fast for twenty you're doing better than me. I posted before that any exercise is better than none so just because your gp says you have to run half an hour doesn't mean that anything else you do doesn't count for anything. As long as you are doing it regularly you will get there!!

Well done whyme2 and amillion. You've both done well too. I agree that you have to build things up and just try to go a bit longer each time.

Exercise for ankles : (I learnt this the other day). Raise to your tiptoes slowly and hold for a few seconds then slowly lower back down. It strengthens the ankles apparently.

Also exercise for flexible legs : (I used to do this one when I danced). Sit on the floor in front of the tv with you legs spread as wide as you can keeping them straight, walk your hands forward in front of you and stop when it just gets a bit uncomfortable. It shouldn't hurt. Hold that position whilst watching telly and every few minutes try to spread your legs wider and put your hands further forward. Do this every time you watch telly and in the end you should end up in the splits with your stomach and head resting on the floor.

Oh and thank you GlassofRose.

Right sorry for the mammoth post I'll shut up now.

Please do tell me if I'm getting annoying.

thanks theone I needed to hear that!!

Psyching self up to go out. Soooo much easier if it's walking than running!!

And it keeps raining every 5 minutes :D

:)

You're lucky. It's rained non stop for the last 48hrs here. All rds are nearly impassible.

Odd because we had a BBQ on Saturday evening! Now it's winter. :(

I still haven't gone out yet :D

Get going!!!!!!!

ok ok!!! 30 minute walk I think

Hello can I join in please, I got on the bike the other day and felt like a slug!! I have a pilates type dvd (which isn't exactly hardcore exercise) and can only do the warm up and warm down!!!

I have a pair of running trainers which are still in the box I feel too embarassed to even attempt running as would probably pass out or throw up!!!

Where do I start??!!

Hi girliefriend. Don't kid yourself. I did Pilates for the first time last week. It may not be jiggling around but it was bloody hard work! I ached for two days afterwards.

What kind of exercise (if any) do you enjoy?

Welcome to girliefriend.
I've never thought about the warm downs so have never done any!

I used to do a few laps around my house in my younger days when I was a wee bit fitter.Can you do that?

Hello ladies, I am fitter than I used to be but still fat and un-hardcore. I certainly couldn't run for 4 minutes!

domestic - sorry gp was so negative. if you want to build up to 1/2 hour running you could try couch to 5K. but I didn't get very far with it (fell and got infected cuts) which put me off!

girlie - pilates is hard, I should do it for my sore back but lack motivation, maybe we could be pilates buddies? obv starting point would be to do 5 mins of the workout and bild up to full?

whyme - for cheap DVDS (you could cough try youtube). Or charity shops/2nd hand shops like cex are your friend, and HMV is q good. Ministry of Sound, Davina (parts of ) and Billy Blanks Taebo are kind of in between Rosemary and the Shred!

TheLightPassenger welcome.
2 new recruits tonight!

Hello off the back of this thread I got my dds skipping rope out last night and managed 50 skips before having to stop because my lung was about to collapse!!!

I might try and get the dvd out again tonight.........maybe!

How do you start with running?!

Dont know about the running.
I was thinking about finding our old skipping ropes.......hmm..where did I last put them?

gah utter fail. I have put off exercising until too late every day (cos of rain etc :/) then fallen asleep on sofa at 9pm.

Today had to drive to work thus sitting in car for hour and 10, then sitting at desk.

On the positive side cutting out wheat and sugar really seems to have helped my mood and energy level.

You may be better with doing eg situps,lunges etc.
Stuff that you can do indoors,and stuff that doesnt take up chunks of time.
Hark at me.what do I know?