How many times a week do you exercise ?

[shaketheshame]

I have just started a new gym regime yesterday. A personal trainer made me a plan. I'm supposed to go this plan 3 times a week.

If I add a couple of classes (spin, body tone etc) and a 1 or 2 5k run in the mix, do you think I'll see some results ? I'm 2 stones overweight and 34 years old.

I'd like to hear from you !

So does that mean you would be doing up to 6 things a week? (3xPT plan, 2 classes, 1 run?)

I managed to lose 2 stone and during that time did 4 'things' a week: two classes, one gym session of up to 45 mins, and one 'outdoors' thing at the weekend like a bike ride, a long walk, tennis etc.

Well for example, yesterday I did an hour session of gym. Tonight I was thinking of doing Zumba for an hour or 30 shred at home. Tomorrow I have a body conditioning class for half an hour plus maybe an hour gym session (I'm off tomorrow). Thursday, maybe a run. Friday off.

Saturday, spin class. Sunday run.

I'm all over the place at the moment, I have started the gym 2 weeks ago and I love going...

Well done on the 2 stones lost, I have lost a stone since the beginning of the year thanks to running but I'm really struggling at the moment because I eat too much crap. So my plan is to use myfitness plan and loads of exercise. My target is to lose 2 stones by may 2013.

I go 3 days a week - tuesday is Body Pump, thursday is Zumba and LBT (metafit style!) and friday is either Body Attack or Powerhoop. I dont like the gym much so tend to go to classes instead.

I'd like to have a schedule too but it's hard.

5 to 6 times a week on average - 1 or 2 pilates classes, one or 2 body combat classes, a gym session and a boxing/kettlebells session

Though I only saw weightloss happening when I was doing 8 or 9 times a week

Thats why I cancelled my gym membership.

I hate the commitment, have to do this at 10am, this at 6.30pm etc

Now I just go for a run 3 to 4 times a week and those days I dont run, I just take the personal trainer dog on a walk. I prefer it this way - more spontaneous

Dinky - how did you manage to do it 8 or 9 times a week ??

typi - during the nice weather I was doing the same as you but I have lost a bit my modjo regarding the running...it became bring hence why I have joined the gym.

I go to classes 3 to 4 times a week, I don't really bother with the gym as I find I put more effort into the classes. In regards to weight loss as my GP friend says it's 80% diet 20% exercise so don't look for the exercise to make a huge difference.

Wow at 8/9 times a week. I do running (5k) 2-3 times , bike 1-2and 1X pilates. So 5 on average. It depends what "counts" tho. Went ice staking with dcs at the weekend, would you count that ?

Any exercises will count naughty, like the walk to the corner shop in order to get an m&ms bag ! On a serious note, I'm really impressed by what I have read...I work 8 till 6 so I find it hard to always be on time for the evening class but will try to stick to a realistic plan.

5 or 6 times a week. Don't belong to the gym - DH away a lot and a long work commute means I would rarely have the time or opportunity. Instead I do (hard) workout DVDs (have a selection of weights at home) plus running. I also have a cross trainer that i use when I can't get out to run. Sessions range from 30 mins upwards, depending on how much time I have available.

Shake - Bodycombat monday lunchtime, zumba monday evening
Circuits Tuesday morning, Pilates Tuesday lunchtime
Pump or pilates Wednesday lunchtime
Gym session Thursday morning, Bodycombat Thursday lunchtime
Friday - pump or spin or day of rest
Saturday - day of rest or run or yoga
Sunday - kettlebells/boxing

Mixing it up worked well for me and squeezing in sport before work and over lunch helps. Then bust my knee falling downstairs, told cant run again - so running and spin (which jars my knee rather) are out - so down to 5 or 6 times

Bloody hell dinky. That is hardcore. There is no way I could take enough time at lunch in my job to exercise everyday unfortunately. You are lucky!

Twice a week Crossfit, if weather is up for it a surf/paddle/kite once a week. I would do more if I had the time!

Dinky - wow simply wow...with the nature of my job I cant take long lunch break but anyway if I'm honest I don't think I will exercise as much as you...My, you must be superfit !!!

drownin - what is crossfit ?

I walk to work and back weather permitting, 5 days a week, from the car park, it is just under 1.5 miles each way.

I walk everywhere! And fast! That's hours and hours of fast walking every week, several times a day.

I was superfit and had the bodyfat percentage of a professional athlete when I did that amount of exercise. I work in the city and take 55 minutes for lunch (2 min walk to gym, 45 min class, 2 min shower) and tend to work fairly long hours so the time out for exercise is my me time. Now doing 5 or 6 slots a week - and cutting out all the hardcore stuff apart from gym/kettlebells and boxing - I am merely fit but slightly overweight.

I think you'll see great results in your fitness levels and look more toned - but I agree with others that diet is the key to losing weight.

The problem is that I already have to spend 2 to 3 hours commutting and driving between meetings a day. Leave the house at 6am and return at around 6pm (with further work in the evening when bath and bed are done.) If I took an hour at lunchtime rather than working through and checking my emails then I wouldn't be home until 7pm and would have less than an hour a day with dd (leave the house before she is up in the morning.) I do like to exercise and think I am pretty fit - plus have no problem with the concept of carving out some time for myself - just really can't see it happening in my average working day unfortunately. I imagine you live slightly closer to work Dinky so you could fit it in and see kids. Impressive.

Whatever you can commit to and maintain long term is the only way. Losing weight is almost all about what you eat, changing you body shape & body composition is more to do with exercise.

As a trainer, I workout hard 5 times per week but obviously do more small portions of exercise along with clients. I am super-fit but not hardcore low body fat because I eat too much and drink too much wine :)

Do your 3 times per week with the trainer (as you'll work harder and more efficiently), then make your real life more active. Can you increase walk/bike to work etc? Add in more exercise sessions slings long the way as you build up stamina. Rest is important too, as is lifting HEAVY weights. If you're doing that right, you'll be great with 3/week for now. Think long term!

Slings???

does mumsnet count as exercise?

That's a lot of exercise in one week, I'm not sure you will be able to do it for long. Losing weight is done more successfully by reducing calories, whereas exercise will tone you up. I personally only do about 2-3 classes per week but that keeps me fit and feeling good.