Stuck in a rut & need some advice

[n3wmum20]

I have absolutely no determination or will power to stick at things when it comes to fitness. The want is there but I just don’t find any enjoyment in it, & give up pretty quickly!

I used to be so slight & skinny and never listened when people would tell me I wouldn't always be that way. However now at 28 after becoming a mum i'm unfit and really need to lose weight and tone up.
I have a goal to be fit for my 30th next year -so pretty reasonable I think!

Im a UK size 16, I eat pretty healthy (give or take a treat or two a month) it's just residual fat and saggy skin around my stomach that needs to go.
However... I've no idea where to start and my fitness level is very very low (I wheeze after walking up the stairs!) 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Any ideas on where to start or any apps that may be useful in teaching / instructing an absolute
Novice would be greatly appreciated.
Ive looked at the likes of 30 day challenges but question whether they're actually worth it or do anything?

Are you able to join a gym and have sessions with a PT? I was an absolute novice and had no idea what I was doing, and found a PT invaluable.

It doesn't have to be a fancy gym, just one that is easy enough to get to in order to make attending easier. I walk to mine after the morning school run.

In terms of willpower, a PT will give you the accountability to keep going and progress. I'm the same and gave up on exercise very quickly, having the PT means I have the sessions booked so can't give up.

I hadn't even thought of a PT as money is very tight at the moment even a gym membership is a pretty crippling thought. But will be something I will consider in the future 100%!

Do you have any exercise you actively enjoy? Even if it's walking with podcasts or an audiobook?

My firm firm belief is that the best exercise is exercise you actually do. For me I know that's swimming and (surprisingly to me!) weights. I also like cycling but only when the weather is good, and like walking as well.

For you it might be yoga from YouTube or couch to 5k or something else altogether.

If you're currently at a point where you wheeze from climbing the stairs and where money is tight then, if you don't have an obvious preference, I would start by doing something free and generally not unpleasant - like walking. You can fit it in either by converting things you already do (like the school or nursery run) to being by foot if feasible, or walking in your lunch break. You will propose want to add more things in later, but in my eyes this is a good start.

Having done a transformation from quite unfit to now quite fit, what I realised was that I was trying to things for "fit" people, then finding them horrendously hard, then giving up. I'm still overweight, but I am a much fitter overweight person than a couple of years ago.

I was going to say something similar to Gladioli23
You need to find what interests you, and it could take a while. Try loads of things, swimming, fitness classes, walking, cycling, even things like orienteering, climbing, and see what takes your fancy.
I love running (jogging is more my pace to be fair) in nature - so woods, country parks, seaside. I happily stop and walk if it's getting too much, stop for a snack. But I love just exploring new places outside.
I used to go to the gym when I was younger but that's not my happy place anymore.

I agree that if money is tight and fitness is poor, I'd start with as much brisk walking as you could manage. Couch to 5k is also a great option and you could easily find a buddy for accountability. But it's better if you start in a sustainable way for you and keep your goals small. A basic fitness tracker is good for counting steps and if it also measured your resting heart rate you can see it go down as you gain fitness, which is motivating.

Is there anything you do like? Swimming? Dancing? Something peaceful like yoga or bopping about to high energy music?

On line walking vids.
Lesley Sansone or Rick Bhullar on YouTube. You can choose your own pace of walking and the length of the time you want to spend doing it, anything from 15 minutes to 5 miles and all free.

Get a PT - it’ll be the best money you ever spend. I was you this time last year - also a 16, and a blood test revealed high cholesterol and low iron so it was a kickstart to change. I haven’t set foot in the gym or gone on a diet but I did get a PT and start running and now I’m a 10 stone size 10 and can’t quite believe it

I'm sure you can get very cheap online gym memberships now for online classes I've seen a fair few advertise since Covid. Even one or two sessions with a good personal trainer would be invaluable though to make sure you've got the form right on exercises and you don't hurt yourself

https://signup.lesmillsondemand.com/?&msclkid=0229510e892517d8a7103306982ba6e7&utmsource=bing&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=%5BMAds%5D%20LMOD%20-%20UK%20-%20EN%20-%20SE%20-%20Brand%20-%20Core%20-%20Exact&utmmterm=lesmills&utm_content=Brand%20-%20New%20Visitors%20-%20Exact%20-%20Core&gclid=0229510e892517d8a7103306982ba6e7&gclsrc=3p.ds

I started C25k when DS was 5m as it fitted between his feeds. My fitness was trashed by about 7 months of SPD that had finally buggered off, and I was finally limping from habit not pain.

The youtubers suggested are good, and do short videos that are easy to fit in.

Lighter hand weights are quite cheap. Starting strength work now will maintain your bone density now it's around its peak.

A mix of cardio and strength is good for general good health. Alas (and I speak from experience) not much can be done about skin, but it's good to focus on a healthier body.