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Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

What difference will it make?

29 replies

Changedusernamehahaha · 21/02/2021 19:41

A bit unfit, I’ve signed up for 3 one hour sessions with a personal trainer. If I eat well and stick to it, how soon will I see a change in my body?

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Changedusernamehahaha · 21/02/2021 19:42

Meant to say - 3 sessions per week.

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JackieWeaverFever · 21/02/2021 19:43

After 4-6 weeks.

Depending on your body you may not notice it until the 2-3 month mark

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 21/02/2021 19:46

You'll notice a change in your fitness level within 3 weeks, you'll be able to do on week 3 something that seemed impossible in week 1.

Body will depend on your starting point. I went from size 22 to size 16, it took me about 25lb loss to really notice a change in the way my clothes fit and how my body looked. If you're starting at a size 10 you'll probably see changes within a few weeks.

fellrunner85 · 21/02/2021 19:51

Depends on a few things really; not least what programme s/he sets for you, and how much effort you put into it.

Changedusernamehahaha · 21/02/2021 19:56

Thanks all and for your experiences. Yes it’s hard to say! Just dreaming of losing pounds and toning up. I might start to do my own sessions in between to speed things up.

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ThursdayLastWeek · 21/02/2021 19:58

You will notice things like improved sleep, mood and confidence sooner I reckon.
Massive bonus.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 21/02/2021 20:00

@Changedusernamehahaha don't do additional sessions, your body needs rest days otherwise you'll do yourself an injury and won't be able to perform as well in your paid for sessions as you'll be too tired and muscles too achy.

Changedusernamehahaha · 21/02/2021 20:01

Ooo sounds good @ThursdayLastWeek

Thanks @HalfShrunkMoreToGo you’re right I need to pace myself!!

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Changedusernamehahaha · 21/02/2021 20:02

Especially looking forward to improved confidence.

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ThursdayLastWeek · 21/02/2021 20:04

It’s really hard not to be pleased with yourself when you’ve done something you thought you couldn’t do!

DenisetheMenace · 21/02/2021 20:06

You may not necessarily lose pounds initially but you will lose inches and tone up as your fat/muscle ration changes.

3 sessions a week will give you results pretty quickly. In a couple of months you should really see a difference. Good luck.

DenisetheMenace · 21/02/2021 20:06

Ratio, not ration Grin

Haggisfish · 21/02/2021 20:08

Actually I noticed pretty quickly-within three weeks I knew there was a difference. You definitely will.

Kimye4eva · 21/02/2021 20:09

As a PP said don’t do proper fitness sessions in between if you are doing 3 sessions a week. But you might want to think about having a decent walk on the other days. There’s a lot to be said for general level of activity and if you are working from home or have a desk job it’s really difficult to get your calorie burn levels up if you don’t try and get out most days.

gamerchick · 21/02/2021 20:10

Your fitness will improve quite quickly. You'll hurt a fair bit after the first time but that's the only time it'll be that bad and the next one will sort it.

Don't up them until you're ready. 3 is plenty to start with. You'll notice a change in sleeping and general well-being/mental health far faster than an obvious change though.

Kimye4eva · 21/02/2021 20:12

Also I find that if I spend all day sitting down I really feel the effects of a workout more so getting out for a decent walk helps me to feel less stiff.

Good luck with your workouts! It’s a really positive lifestyle choice to be making. I feel so much better when I exercise and I think you will feel the energy level benefits pretty quickly.

ThursdayLastWeek · 21/02/2021 20:14

@Kimye4eva

Also I find that if I spend all day sitting down I really feel the effects of a workout more so getting out for a decent walk helps me to feel less stiff.

Good luck with your workouts! It’s a really positive lifestyle choice to be making. I feel so much better when I exercise and I think you will feel the energy level benefits pretty quickly.

I totally agree with this.

This lockdown I’ve been counting walks of 3 miles + as 'exercise' because they help my head as much as my body.

Changedusernamehahaha · 21/02/2021 20:55

All of you have really motivated me and yes I’m so glad I’ve gone this. Expensive but worth it!!

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digginthedancingqueen · 21/02/2021 20:58

It will change you physically and mentally. Exercise has kept me sane and happy before and during lockdown. It has such a positive effect on my physical and mental health, can't get enough of fresh air and exercise. I run with my husband or alone but cycle or walk with friends and it leaves me feeling great. Good luck.

Changedusernamehahaha · 21/02/2021 21:26

@digginthedancingqueen I aspire to be like you and come to depend on it too, hopefully motivated enough to do it without a PT agree a while. Thanks Flowers

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Changedusernamehahaha · 21/02/2021 21:27

*after a while!

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Cormoran · 21/02/2021 23:28

Exercise is great for physical and mental health, but won't make big differences on the scale. For that, you need to focus on the food. Eating well means very different things depending on what one defines as well.

How have you changed what you eat? What have you removed and added?

Changedusernamehahaha · 22/02/2021 18:17

@Cormoran I’d be happy with losing inches and toning up tbh but shedding lbs would be amazing.

I’m giving up ultra processed foods and swapped white carbs for whole meal when I do have carbs. No carbs in evening meal and no snacking after 6pm which is hard at the moment. I’m also trying to go sugar free. No fried foods except for one day a week and focusing meals on lean protein and veg mostly.

I’d love to drop a stone so any suggestions welcome!

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Cormoran · 22/02/2021 19:15

Giving up ultra processed food, fried food and added sugar is the right step. Careful not to go for sweeteners as an alternative to sugar free.

If you could give up snacking all together, your cravings would probably go as well. It is out of habit and not hunger that one snacks. Because you are used to eat while watching tv or other daily gestures. By cutting snacks and adding veg, you will change your gut bacteria and get rid of craving. I would even give up the weekly fried food until you reach your weight because it will only feed your taste for such food. Your gut bacteria will shout and scream to receive the food they like, so to really change those scream , you need to change what you eat, not reduce it because it will only make the screams louder.

Go for variety as much as you can, so yes to an enormous amount of vegetables. Boil 1 kg of green beans and leave them in fridge ready. For dinner have them with a boiled egg in a version of the classic nicoise salad. Have a cucumber-tomatoes -tuna- onion salad for lunch. Have grains - cereals only once a day, so pick if you want them for lunch or dinner. Consider soups a couple of evenings per week, possibly homemade and without cheese or bread.
Don't give up on taste and go for fresh. A fresh butter lettuce will taste so much different than a salad in a bag. Make a mountain of grated carrot, add fresh parsley, and then extra virgin olive oil and a bit of vinegar.
Boil a whole cauliflower and eat it with some sautéed lentils on the side.
Have some boiled cod in the fridge and you can crumble a piece in salad cold.

Try to add new veggies you haven't add for a while, so asparagus, roasted zucchini.

To make a meaningful change, you need to get rid if the usual sauces that cover your meals if you are used to them. You don't need a jar or sachet to give flavour to your meats. Coat a plate with mixed herbs, a bit of smoked paprika, and flattened a chicken breast on both side until totally covered. Then put on oven tray layered with baking paper and cook in oven.

Buy some moringa tea, and when you are going nuts about having some junk, make a cup, drink it and chances are your craving will be gone.

It is quite simple to state and even if it seems difficult at first it comes down to eat real food, mostly plants and not too much, as Michael Pollan said
But make it happy, so challenge yourself to discover new vegetable. Okras in a pan with garlic and soy sauce and enough water so that they don't burn, a fennel salt with squeezed orange, roasted leeks covered with smoked paprika and nutritional yeast, kale chips, ...

Soups will be your friend. Look for nice recipes, because taste will be your ally if you don't want to fail
Good luck @Changedusernamehahaha

Changedusernamehahaha · 22/02/2021 19:42

@Cormoran
I really appreciate all that advice and the tips - I had some of DH fish and chips over the weekend and felt disgusting after it so my tastebuds/gut bacteria must be responding to new way of eating.

The hardest is the evening and like you say, it’s completely related to watching TV! I associate snacks with relaxation, but I’ve been having chopped up veg like peppers cucumber with low fat cottage cheese for snacks but I’ll try that moringa tea.

Sauces are a problem so I’ll try your suggestions and have those things prepared in the kitchen to grab.

You must feel fantastic with the way you eat!

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