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Original poster

Will exercise ever feel easy?

35 replies

seriouslyunfit · 04/02/2021 13:03

Hello,
Just need a bit of advice really,
I have two young DC's, my youngest is 3 months!
Nows the time I'd like to start shedding some weight - I know I'm not huge (I'm a size 12-14 and pre baby I was a 10-12) I have a bit of a wobbly belly going on which I'd like to lose - it used to be quite flat!
I'm eating healthily, and just started some home workouts..afterwards I literally feel like I'm going to pass out, my chest and throat burns and I ache all over, feel sick etc.
Will it eventually get easier or am I just stupidly unfit that it's going to take forever?

I walk everyday and push a pram but because I have my other DC with me (3 yo) I'm walking at a snails pace so never really work up a sweat Sad

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 04/02/2021 13:11

it sounds like you're maybe doing workouts that are beyond your current fitness level? A good workout should leave you out of breath but you shouldn't be feeling like you'll pass out on a "normal" training session.

2021ComeAtMe · 04/02/2021 13:12

I'm going to say yes!

I started properly exercising, 5-6 times per week, between Christmas and new year and thought I was going to die Grin

Now I feel much better, and it's so much easier doing things that I found hard then. It's funny though, because I feel so good for doing the exercise now that I can't keep pushing myself more, so I'm now doing things that I still find hard, but hope will be easier in 6 weeks time if I continue Smile I hope that makes sense.

Original poster
seriouslyunfit · 04/02/2021 13:14

@emmathedilemma I did wonder this, I was just following a 10 minute YouTube cardio workout! Maybe I should search for more beginner friendly work outs! I just feel too heavy to do any of them which is silly because I know I'm not stupidly overweight, must just be my body struggling with it as I'm new to it I guess?

OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 04/02/2021 13:17

Yes and no.

If you start at the right level it should feel hard but not impossible - it sounds like you are starting to hard. You need a really good beginner.

So I started beginner and low weights and that is now easy for me. The App I use I do some beginner for warm ups, Intermediate mostly and advanced when I feel like pushing myself. Advanced (lots of burpees, squat thrusts, plank work) is hard. As is using my 5kg weights rather than 3

What workouts are you doing?

3dogdnorth · 04/02/2021 13:17

Yes it will get easier. I don't know what kind of workouts you are doing but could really recommend Bodyfit
By Amy on YouTube. She does a lot for pregnancy and new mums. Also, try and find a style of exercise you like to start with and it's going to feel much easier. If you don't like cardio, don't do it, do some stretching or weights etc. Well done though on getting exercising!

Original poster
seriouslyunfit · 04/02/2021 13:18

Haha yes @2021ComeAtMe I literally feel like I'm dying at the moment after just doing about 8 minutes!
It's good to know it will eventually get easier though, I've been feeling a bit unmotivated and just feel like an unfit lump haha!

Before I had my children I walked a couple of miles to and from work and had a very active job, and now I'm a SAHM I'm finding it hard to exercise unless I follow home workouts - just need to find the right one I guess!

OP posts:
GeidiPrimes · 04/02/2021 13:18

It does, honestly. I quite enjoy it now (HATED it at first!)

And yeah, it does become addictive because like 2021ComeAtMe says being physically stronger/fit makes everything else easier.

Original poster
seriouslyunfit · 04/02/2021 13:21

@Quartz2208 yes that makes sense!
I just went onto YouTube and I've literally just finished the one I have attached!

I don't think it should be that hard really but I'm so unfit that's probably why I'm struggling!

Will exercise ever feel easy?
OP posts:
Original poster
seriouslyunfit · 04/02/2021 13:22

@3dogdnorth oh yes thank you for the recommendations! and that's a good idea to pick an exercise I like! didn't even think of that!

OP posts:
Original poster
seriouslyunfit · 04/02/2021 13:23

@GeidiPrimes thank you so much for the reassurance! I won't give up now haha Grin

OP posts:
username44416 · 04/02/2021 13:29

I was unfit and started doing 10 mins a day but it was Qigong, not cardio. I built up to 20 minutes but usually do about 30-40 mins a day. The exercise involves things like squats and stretches and I often sweat so it's a good all rounder.

I can now stand with my legs bent for 40 minutes. Try it, it's hard! I have firm thighs now and my stance is good. It's improved my posture. I have good definition on my arms and my stomach is flattish. I also have good stomach muscles because as you improve you are holding all your muscles firmly.

I do it every day and have been doing it for six months.

Original poster
seriouslyunfit · 04/02/2021 13:33

@username44416 this sounds interesting! Thank you I'll have a look into it!

OP posts:
username44416 · 04/02/2021 13:36

I subscribe to Yoqi and started doing her videos. You can check out the beginners here:

You can subscribe to her website and her videos are all free for a month. I do a different workout every day so I'm using all my muscles and no overworking anything.

Quartz2208 · 04/02/2021 13:48

Popsugar fitness has some good beginner workouts.

Did you warm up before it as well with gentle stretches and how close to eating were you?

Original poster
seriouslyunfit · 04/02/2021 14:03

@Quartz2208 I didn't warm up at all Blush all becoming obvious now what Im doing wrong haha! It was about an hour after lunch!

OP posts:
zzizzer · 04/02/2021 14:52

Sounds like acid reflux? Maybe try on an emptier stomach and eat something protein heavy within half an hour of finishing.

And look for something you enjoy - I'm loving the boxing game on the switch for example!

HerNameIsIncontinentiaButtocks · 04/02/2021 14:54

Yeah, do it before lunch! It's double-effective then, makes you not want to eat so much I find (other appetites may differ, weight may go up as well as down etc etc)

Also you're only three months after birth right? Don't overdo things, particularly if you were csection.

Gwenhwyfar · 04/02/2021 14:59

Most youtube workouts will have warming up as a part of them. You're not usually advised to exercise within about two hours of eating.

costco · 04/02/2021 15:27

Ideally you would be doing four workouts a week, but not all of them should be intense. You could for example go for

  • a slightly more challenging walk, like a few hills maybe, for an hour once a week,
  • one home workout that feels uncomfortable (mix of body weight and cardio, resulting in tomato face)
  • one easier weights workout with low weights and high reps or thera bands,
  • one balance and stretching type session (yoga, Pilates)
You don’t sound too unfit, it’s also just a shock to the system when you start more intense exercise. Keep going!
Original poster
seriouslyunfit · 04/02/2021 15:35

Thank you so much everyone! All your advice is so helpful! I'll try all your suggestions!
And no it wasn't a c-section, I was lucky and it was a very straight forward 2 hour labour haha!

I'll try before lunch, find something I enjoy and take it easy to start with!

Thank you again Grin

OP posts:
Squashpocket · 04/02/2021 15:57

Even 3 months after the birth I still felt like my body was put together wrong. It was like all my muscles were in the wrong place 😂 My posture was all messed up for ages and my pelvic floor was shot to pieces, but it has all gradually come back together.

Original poster
seriouslyunfit · 04/02/2021 16:03

Omg @Squashpocket you've nailed basically how I feel!
I'm trying to exercise and my body is just like nope haha! It just doesn't feel right!

OP posts:
noodlmcdoodl · 04/02/2021 16:41

Nope! It never gets easier!! You just go quicker, longer, further, faster or lift more. Embrace the pain and suffering and get used to it. 😬😬😬

zzizzer · 04/02/2021 17:05

I disagree on that one, I found it got much much easier over time. I've lost weight and built muscles and things that were hard a few months ago are now simple. I can keep moving in a hard cardio workout for about an hour now, that would have been unthinkable back in the "gasping after one minute" days!

Quartz2208 · 04/02/2021 17:14

Oh I have just looked at what you tried to do 3 months PP, with no warm up and an hour after lunch!

It says intense and it was - that was full on and not for a beginner.