Weight loss/toning/increasing fitness

[Lj8893]

I need to lose a lot of weight, am managing fairly well with 5:2 but seriously need to do some exercise.

I have joined a centre with a swim and classes membership. I intend to swim or do a class at least 4 times a week (sometimes may be less, sometimes more).

I am not aiming to be super fit, just want to lose weight and tone up whilst increasing my fitness and energy levels.

Does this plan sound ok? Or not enough exercise?

How regularly do you exercise at the moment? If it's not that frequent then I would aim to start with just 2 or 3 times a week for the first few weeks. You don't want to burn out by the end of the first week and give up! Start slow and build up to it

Very little. I walk a lot and have an active job but that's about it. Occasional jog, like once or twice a month.

Will 2 or 3 times be enough though? Will it make any difference to weight loss?

You could start with
1x cardio/body weight
1x swimming
1x pilates/yoga

Then add more classes as you build up fitness, and lessen the risk of injury by having rest days.

Exercise doesn't make a huge difference to weight loss anyway, it improves your general health, but diet is the key factor in losing weight. Plus two or three classes a week will make a big difference if you're only doing very little at the moment.

I've made that mistake in the past, taken on too much, got tired and quit. Far better to ease into it.

Thanks all, will start slow and build it up!

Is there any way you can stretch a bit for a session with a trainer?
Part of my membership includes this and the difference is amazing.
We had a brief chat about what I wanted, basically the same as you. He walked me through a cardio program for the first 4 weeks, when I have a refocus thing and more will be added.
Plus there was some food and drink related stuff.
It made a difference as I'm not just randomly using equipment and getting sore doing so. Even the first session there wasn't much muscle burn which was awesome. This has made me go back.
He suggested 3 times a week, but I do more to do 2 days and have a day off.

Can't stretch to that. I'm only paying £15 on a student membership and definitely can't pay much more than that!

And I'm not paying to use the gym either, just swim and classes so don't think a trainer would work.

What classes do they have? I second the advice not to do too much too soon, you're more likely to give up. Build up slowly, start with Pilates and maybe something like body conditioning and add to it once you feel the benefits and want to do more.

All the usual sort of classes.

I should have mentioned that I used to dance 5 days a week, about 5 years ago, so although i don't currently do much exercise, my body has done lots in the past.

I used to do a lot of Pilates and love it so definitely intend to do that.