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Original poster

What exercise do you do and why?

80 replies

christmas2022 · 05/12/2022 21:10

Why do you exercise?

What exercise do you do and why?

I haven't been able to find something that I like enough to do it consistently.

I like to exercise as it helps me to eat better feel better and look better. But I don't really do it enough for any of those things to really come to fruition.

I tend to run, gym or home workout. Don't particularly like home workout so reason for doing that is logistically easier.

OP posts:
AutumnOcean · 07/12/2022 13:48

Kickboxing. Gets my heart rate up, builds confidence and my whole body feels so much stronger.
Also love to swim in the ocean, but rarely able to.

FlowerArranger · 07/12/2022 13:49

Was shocked to lose 3 kg in a month (I wasn't remotely overweight) and love what strength training is doing to my body. At my age it's far more important to do strength training

Amen!!!

Have you discovered Caroline Girvan yet? Totally life-changing. I'm in my 60s and fitter than I ever was.

SwanAnn · 07/12/2022 13:51

Weights (small!), running, ballet.

Add on of drop in exercise and yoga classes. Including old fashioned step classes, which have been interesting.

TheFormidableMrsC · 07/12/2022 13:52

I do a speed walk at 7.30 every morning which takes about 45 mins (incorporate it with school run and son on bike or scooter). I also do daily strength training (currently doing Caroline Girvan Fuel series). A bit of body combat too.

Scarecrowrowboat · 07/12/2022 14:11

Weightlifting, I powerlift as I have v short attention span and if I was mainly doing sets of 10 I would die of boredom. yoga, pilates and long walks.

PollyCreo · 07/12/2022 17:39

Pilates twice a week - great for core strength and gives you a truly amazing arse that points upwards 🍑😁

3 x gym sessions a week that includes cardio and weights - I love being strong and fit and at my age (50) I want to make sure I maintain muscle mass and bone density.

During the summer (I live abroad) I swim three times a week in the sea for an hour each time, mostly to cool off but find it very therapeutic too. Winter, I walk for an hour every morning before work - it's light at 6am and I love seeing the world wake up.

I realise most of the above makes me sound like a massive knob/ bore but I also love my food and would be the size of an elephant if I didn't exercise 😂

pandora206 · 07/12/2022 17:46

Body pump x2
Zumba and Shbam
Gym circuit x2
Yoga x1

It's all part of my routine. I go early in the day to get me up, and have chosen the combination of classes for balance. I love pump and zumba, the rest less so but they seem to fit together well. Yoga, in particular, stops me stiffening up, and is a lovely start to a Sunday morning.

I am in my 60s and find that fitness training keeps me healthy, slim and feeling strong.

samthebordercollie · 07/12/2022 18:26

@FlowerArranger yes to Caroline Girvan. I don't belong to a gym, just spend an hour every morning with her videos and dumbells, and or Pilates with Lottie Murphy. I'm a long way off from the weights used by CG!

FlowerArranger · 08/12/2022 16:02

Interesting article about the importance of strength and resistance training in today's Guardian:

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/dec/08/strengthen-your-heart-bones-and-maybe-even-your-brain-a-beginners-guide-to-weight-training-at-any-age

If you want to try strength training, a good place to start is Caroline Girvan's Beginners series:

Use fairly light dumbbells (3-5kg) if you are a beginner, listen carefully to her explanations, watch each workout before you actually do it, and repeat the Beginners' series as many times as you need to until you feel comfortable. Then progress to EPIC 3, EPIC Heat or EPIC Endgame, which (I think) are actually easier than EPIC 1 and 2.

You can make it as easy or as difficult as you want to by using lighter weights, doing the exercises at a slower pace, or modify anything that you find to difficult.

There is a thread in the Exercise forum where posters share their experiences of Caroline and ask questions.

Namechangeforthis88 · 08/12/2022 16:15

Cycling for commute, generally getting around and sometimes just for fun. That way exercise is automatically part of daily routine without having to make time for it.

Also paddlesport (canoeing and kayaking). Fantastic for my mental health. I've been doing that twice a week since summer and muscles are becoming visible. Unfortunately, the relevant body of water is freezing over now so I'll be hitting the gym to keep momentum and hopefully come back in spring and take it all by storm.

comical2023 · 13/12/2022 11:29

Reformer pilates 3 x a week. It has changed my body completely. I plan to also add in a couple of 5k runs a week too, haven't started that yet but will in the new year

samthebordercollie · 15/12/2022 08:13

@FlowerArranger what size weights did you start with and what are you using now? I'd never be able to lift what CG does!

FlowerArranger · 15/12/2022 09:23

3kg, then 5, 8, 12. Currently looking to buy 15. Over a period of about 18 months.

I know some people are happy with adjustable dumbbells. I'm in two minds. It's a faff to have to change weights during a workout. I might have bought adjustable ones if I'd known what I might be capable of lifting now. But I didn't - I'm still amazed at how strong I've become.

If it's any consolation, virtually no woman lifts Caroline's weights . I generally use between 1/2 and 2/3 of hers...

jeffersonsam · 15/12/2022 10:51

I answer for your 1st question why? - I m doing exercise everyday because I want to keep my body fit and strong. It is also good for my body health.

2nd question What ? - Most of the time, I m doing running, walking, swimming, and playing outdoor games.

Tessasanderson · 15/12/2022 14:12

Weights. The bigger the better. I do a full PPL routine now and have never felt fitter or stronger in 25 yrs. A few sessions with a PT to work on form and now i do it all myself. I can do over bodyweight squat & deadlift and working towards bodyweight on press. Loads of other exercises built around the compound lifts.

I have done marathons and competed in team sports when i was younger and the thought of running makes my blood run cold.

Find something you truly enjoy for whatever reason, improve your eating a bit at a time and enjoy the benefits, whatever it is.

SwanAnn · 15/12/2022 14:27

Caroline Girvan is great and no mistake. I'm completely in awe of her capabilities. Though in one or two of the aerobic type videos she briefly stops mid exercise and will rub a leg then continue. I'm not saying it's acting, but I can't believe she finds it remotely difficult.

She could have had trouble with a pulled muscle I suppose.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 15/12/2022 14:36

Walking the dog, have managed 2.5 stone loss in a year without changing food habits, there is always a slope or a hill round here to walk up

sea swimming, managed to get to end of October this year and then I got Covid and lost the momentum, will start again April/May next year

TheOrigRights · 15/12/2022 17:22

I run. I love it.
That's it really.

samthebordercollie · 15/12/2022 17:34

I loved running until my bunion op a couple of months ago, I ran every day. I actually don't miss it like I thought so would. I miss running with my club friends, but am finding the changes to my body through weight and Pilates which I'm doing instead, really positive. Core strength is so much better and I have much better muscle definition than I had through running.
@FlowerArranger thanks for your tips on weights your progress is very inspiring! My 4kg are now too light, but the 7.5kg to heavy for the over shoulder and over the head work.

Swallowedbyasnake · 15/12/2022 17:41

I have a Beachbody subscription and workout in my garage 5-6 times per week. They have programmes ranging from 1 month to several months long and new live classes like Peleton. Have previously done step programme and a heavy lifting one among others. Currently doing 9 Week Control Freak which is a mix of TABATA and muscle endurance.

I do it to feel less guilty about eating cakes, because I love feeling strong, and for the endorphins

FlowerArranger · 15/12/2022 20:06

@samthebordercollie - two things you can try: do as many over head presses as you can do (with good form!) with your heavier dumbbells, then switch to the lighter ones; or use the 4kg with wrist weights.

Echobelly · 15/12/2022 20:09

I go to the gym twice a week for about an hour each time and use equipment - warming up 12-15 mins on cross trainer, various weight machines, then finish up on the bike 12-15 mins.

I also do 20 mins of yoga or HIIT most mornings, but sometimes miss out if going into the office.

I don't fancy exercise classes as I have a dodgy hip and can't do jumpy/lungey things, plus they are too much hard work for me, I don't want to get quite that sweaty! I don't enjoy the gym as such, but I like the way I feel afterwards.

Withnoshoes · 15/12/2022 20:22

Currently I spin 2/3 classes a week. I also walk a fair bit. The outdoor walk is under rated! I do yoga and weight resistance bands/kettle bells although I was injured recently and need to pick that back up.
In the past I’ve also swam, body combat and so on.

I do cardio for my anxiety. Hit type work outs and the post exercise rush really help. I also exercise for health, my I want to live with a good quality of life if I can. I also eat nutritionally ok( lots of veg, fruit,nuts seeds etc) still like a bit of junk here and there tho. No fads or cutting out carbs. I like bread!! I’m a size 10-12 it’s not for weight loss.

If you exercise you want to eat well to reap all the benefits. If you eat a healthy diet it helps you exercise and gives you more energy.

quinceh · 15/12/2022 20:26

I swim twice a week and do either gym or a run a couple of times a week, plus Pilates to try and increase flexibility a bit.

bagsofbats · 15/12/2022 20:33

10 mins of abss most mornings in my pjs, antigravity yoga once a week, clubbercise once a week. I used to swim weekly but our baths have been shut for months and I miss it.

Why these things? They were what I could fit around work and family. I am of an age where I should be doing weights but I hate gym.