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Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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Original poster

What do you really need to do to stay in shape?

17 replies

busybeeee222 · 12/12/2022 21:59

Just wondering as we get older what do you need to do to stay in shape?

What exercise do you do and how often?

I enjoy weight training, yoga and group classes like zumba. But I find when I'm very busy with work etc exercise goes out the window as I am a single mum, I am self employed and life is busy.

I could work out at home but when I'm so busy I just can't be bothered. I was heavily into fitness for a dew years and felt great.

Now I do not feel like I can dedicate as much time to it.

So wondering how much is necessary to feel in good shape?

OP posts:

Dacadactyl · 12/12/2022 22:03

For me to feel in my best shape I need to be swimming 3 times a week, running 3 times a week, doing one weights session a week in the gym and 2 youtube bodyweight/home weight exercise videos a week. I also eat fantastically when I keep up the above exercise schedule.

For me to feel in reasonable shape, I need to be swimming 3 times a week and running once or twice a week. I find this schedule a hell of a lot easier to maintain than the above.

Currently, I'm doing a bit of running and that's it. I'm eating shit and not feeling in good shape. Need to get back on it after Christmas cos I feel a difference mentally.

shivermetimbers77 · 12/12/2022 22:06

Hi- also a full time working single mum here and I find I have to make working out a non-negotiable part of my routine , like brushing my teeth , or it falls away. The online platform Les Mills on Demand works brilliantly for me as there is stacks of variety between cardio, strength training, dance, combat, yoga , etc etc impossible to get bored . My diet could defo be better though: I rely too much on coffee and toast ! However I have found extending my fast by not having breakfast until after 11am has helped me shift some weight. Good luck!

BedTaker · 12/12/2022 22:08

I have fallen off the wagon due to illness etc but I actually really do believe that strength training/lifting weights is the fastest and easiest way to get into shape. It doesn't have to be super heavy weights in the gym either, Body Pump or Caroline Girvan type stuff is really effective.

Original poster

busybeeee222 · 13/12/2022 11:16

@Dacadactyl wow how do you manage to fit all of that into your schedule?

I'm sure I would be in great shape too if I could manage all of that exercise in a week.

I honestly just can't seem to find that much time.

OP posts:

Original poster

busybeeee222 · 13/12/2022 11:18

@shivermetimbers77 I did use that before too but I have to be very motivated to keep at it when it's exercising at home. How many days per week do you work out?

OP posts:

showysnowy · 13/12/2022 11:20

For me I need to consume max 1600 calories a day to stay in shape and walk up to 10k steps.

Original poster

busybeeee222 · 13/12/2022 11:21

@BedTaker I agree, I think weight training in the best way too, have you done much of Caroline's workouts? I came across her classes online recently and wanted to give them a go, but I'm feeling very unfit at the moment so wondering if I should start with the gym first maybe to get my fitness levels up abit first.

Which programme would you recommend as a beginner?

OP posts:

skippy67 · 13/12/2022 11:26

I do two combat classes a week, with a dance class sandwiched in between. I've recently started doing Pilates once a week, which I'm enjoying. Outside of the gym, I play netball twice a week which I absolutely love.

Foodwise, I don't really have breakfast. I tend to have an early lunch at about 1130, then dinner at about 6-7. I need to add some strength training to my "regime" I think a I'm an old biddy...

Dacadactyl · 13/12/2022 12:14

busybeeee222 · 13/12/2022 11:16

@Dacadactyl wow how do you manage to fit all of that into your schedule?

I'm sure I would be in great shape too if I could manage all of that exercise in a week.

I honestly just can't seem to find that much time.

I am part time and only work 2.5 days so that helps. Also, the kids do a number of their extra curricular activities at a local leisure centre and they are old enough that I don't need to stay and watch. So I use the time to either go for a run, do a swim or hit the gym.

If I worked FT and was on my own it'd be a lot harder and I wouldn't have the energy. But I'm a big believer in not having "dead hours" when the kids are at extra curricular...i try to do some exercise during that time if i can.

RayKray · 13/12/2022 19:36

Depends what you mean by good shape. I go to the gym to do heavy weight training 4 times a week for an hour or so and feel awesome.

lljkk · 14/12/2022 14:55

yeah, I dunno what "in shape" means to OP.
If I take it to mean BMI about 21 and generally able to do things, some energy for exercise, then I quite like getting 1-2 hours of physical activity in every day.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 14/12/2022 16:56

For me it’s all about food. I run 3/4 times a week and do 3 dumbbell/hiit classes a week, and I walk every day. But when I eat crap, I feel crap.

I’m actually really looking forward to January so I can clean up my act. I currently eat way too much sugar and bread, and I really feel it.

ImBrian · 17/12/2022 20:55

I’d class myself as in good shape and I weight train for 4 1 hour sessions a week and climb for 2. I’m crap at getting my steps in. But I do walk in the lakes fairly regularly

TheOrigRights · 23/12/2022 20:40

Run 3 or 4 times a week, circuits once (aim to get there twice but we'll...), a bit of swimming. Power walk on the other days.
I love my sport; that it keeps me feeling good and in shape is a (big) bonus.

TheOrigRights · 23/12/2022 20:42

I am lone parent to a 13 yo (and adult child) and work full time - just getting lots more time to myself. This means I can do more group sport (run club) rather than nip out at lunch when DS at school.

FrangipaniBlue · 03/01/2023 00:31

I do triathlon so a mix of swimming, cycling, running, Pilates and weights in the gym.

I train every day, sometimes twice a day.

Diet is also key. Very little processed food, lots of fruit, veg, carbs and protein.

I don't drink alcohol and eat very few things containing refined sugar.

Lots of water!

I'm the fittest and healthiest I've ever been and my hair, skin and nails are in amazing condition.

BigSkies2022 · 16/01/2023 12:13

57 here. I need about 40 minutes brisk walking (sadly, dog walking doesn't really count, too slow) daily. We're quite hilly round here, so that helps. Plus a good 40 minutes of yoga/ballet/Pilates/bit of HIIT for strength, flexibility, balance, posture. I often split that into 2 sessions, morning and night, so I can fit it in better. Occasionally sign up to a longer online class for ballet. And then try and do longer hikes when we're on holiday/weekends.

I love my grub, and cooking, so I don't restrict myself on food too much, but I find sticking to a loose 16:8 and not going too mad on sugar keeps my weight down. The big one for weight loss, for me, was giving up booze and increasing water. It just seemed to sort of reset my metabolism - I burn food off faster, and I'm more inclined to be active and not reach for rounds of toast and biscuits.

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