non active. what would be the best exercise for me?

[cheesesarnie]

i gave up smoking 2 weeks ago.
am thinking that i need to start exercising (no idea what's come over me!).

what would be best?

get yourself a pair of decent trainers and start the couch to 5k programme

in 9 weeks you'll be running 5k!

It's easy honest - I am in no way a runner but have done this programme a couple of times.

Can you ride a bike? A couple of laps of a local park should start you off gently, it's a good way to get your heart pumping, and saves petrol for shortish journeys too far to walk.

I find the best exercise for me is anything where I'm not alone and relying on myself to get out and do something.

Could you and a friend try a new class, pilates is very gentle as a introduction to exercise or perhaps something fun like Zumba?

I joined a local "for fun" netball team 6 years ago and am now great friends with all the girls and we have progressed to playing competitively, the fact I am part of a team means I can't let others down and have to put in an appearance at training.

if you are totally unactive what about starting by going bowling or ice skating at the weekends? thats fun and you'll be burning calories.

If you'd really prefer to exercise alone I'd suggest putting specific times in your diary like you would an appointment - that way you are less likely to find other things to fill the allocated time.

zumba wouldnt work as have the coordination of an ardvark.
netball gives me nightmares.
bowling and ice skating i dont think i can do near here.

couch to 5k looks interesting!

oooh bike! i have a lovely bike lurking in the garage!!!

should say- don't want to loose weight!

Couch to 5K is excellent and a huge shock to the system when you first start as even running for 1 min is a challenge. - sounds easy doesn't it.

But after the first week, the pride that you earn in your achievement in being able to actually keep up with the programme and progress on is fantastic.

I'd second the Couch to 5k. If that is too scary, start by having a brisk walk every day or two for half an hour or so for a couple of weeks.

Cycling is better for your joints than running imho. Plus a gynacologist told me that running makes your uterus falls out!

oooh don't want that!!

i'm attempting to go into a gym for the first time in my life next week!

running makes your uterus fall out

Should I call the papers? I have visions of thousands of uteruses (uterii?) left behind on pavements and in parks up and down the country. Do councils have recycling facilities?

Best excuse for not running ever

Seriously OP - couch to 5k.

cheesesarnie
have a look at this thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/sports_and_exercise/1581458-Fat-people-in-the-gym
the OP's friend had a great time when they got there
NO need to be scared.

In the mean time, walking and LOTS of it, cycling, swimming, yoga, pilates

Well I'm sure he meant more of a prolapse than literally your uterus falls out.

But still put me right off, plus my knees were hurting.

Erm, I did the Couch to 5k last year and i am now in bed recovering from surgery to repair my prolapse. It didn't all fall out (quite) but I think it's power walking for me from now on . All I can say is if you are going to run, do your pelvic floor exercises seriously too, especially if you have had any difficult childbirth experiences.

What about swimming?

whoknows
PILATES
PILATES
YOGA
PILATES
YOGA
YOGA
the best way to make sure that your pelvic floor will be fit for the rest of your life

I did both for years pre DCs Peace, unfortunately for me it wasn't enough (childbirth related damage). I can't do yoga now because of back problems and you have to be very careful with Pilates if you have even a mild prolapse, which many do without realising it, like me, it can put way too much stress on that area. I still do Pilates (well did till my op and will go back) but can only do it in a fairly limited fashion now, no double leg raises. To be honest the strongest pelvic floor in the world can't prevent prolapse if the damage is there, but it might hold it off for longer.

I was going to say Bum
but realised it was the wrong word
bother!
One of my Yoga teachers is specially qualified to deal with back injuries and medical referrals
she's a BWY Vini instructor ...

Can you still do down dog as that is the king of pelvic floor strengtheners ?

Haven't tried it for years TBH. What I can't do back wise is anything where you lean sideways over your pelvis, the triangle for example. Whereas Pilates is mostly linear. I have very little choice of instructors (out in the sticks) but my Pilates one is Body Control trained and that's all she does, she is very good at adapting the group to all our ailments!

my teacher is very wary of side bends - we have lots of hip replacements in our class !

Well, I'm not going to be doing any of it again this side of Christmas, so plenty of time to consider all the options, in the meantime I am indulging my inner couch potato