What exercise gave you the most noticeable difference?

[HelloVeritas]

In my 50's, menopausal, on HRT, low energy, loss of fitness, weight gain etc blah blah blah!

I need to start an exercise routine (I do a brisk walk with dogs everyday but it's not enough). I want to lose weight but to also massively tone up. Bum, tummy, thighs, arms - everywhere really.

I am going to start couch to 5k again and see where my running gets me (managed a slow 10k once but menopause has massively affected my energy levels). Have also drastically reduced alcohol intake and tackling portion sizes and carbs.

But I'd love to hear what's working for everyone else and what you did to notice the most difference.

I keep hearing about the benefits of weight training and would love to give this a go but feel quite intimidated by the thought of turning up at a gym (I really am very out of shape).

Inspiration please!

Find a Les Mills Body Combat class - or, -as I call it, “Smashing Imaginary People In The Face” class. If is perfect on every level.

Running. I am a competitive runner and still dither and procrastinate before going out for a run, especially on cold and rainy days! But I never regret it after I've finished. I run approx 25-30k a week. Life is busy with 3 kids and FT work but I just shoehorn it in. Something has to give. Normally housework! Helps that I have a supportive husband who knows how important it is to me so gives me the time/space to bound out of the door (after a good 30mins of procrastinating).

And also... Weights. I bought myself a set of 3kg dumbbells back in the summer and started out doing a high number of reps with them. In the kitchen waiting for the pasta to boil. In the bathroom while the DC are in the bath. In front of the telly.

I then worked my way up to 8kg but with fewer reps. I have had compliments on my muscle tone from lots of people and feel strong and healthy and it has massively improved my running too! Who knew!

I've been skinny before but I was 'skinny fat'. The combination of running with weights has made me lean and defined.

This is a good free programme. 3 workouts a week 1x cardio, 1x core and 1x legs n tums. Set up like C25K where it gets progressively harder week on week.

couchtofitness.com/?ref=betterhealth

Ashtanga yoga . it’s weight bearing, cardio, good for the soul all in one. I can’t recommend it enough!

Doing exercise that enjoy rather than what others enjoy! There’s no point in me deciding to go for a run because I won’t stick to it but I enjoy weights, Pilates, yoga, core, walking and dance. I show up week after week because I enjoy it.

Oh my god i just wrote an almost identical thread but am in my 40s. Am here if you need a motivational buddy xxx

Jillian michaels 30 day shred, lost a size last time I did it, felt strong.

This time I’m a lot older so did beginner shred instead, didn’t lose a lot (an inch off each of my waist, belly and bum) BUT I felt a lot stronger fast and it’s 20 minutes a day. I do 5 a week and keep weekends for rest days so takes me 6 weeks to complete. I was also kinda watching my cals but not seriously (about 1600 cals but I started at almost 13st) and dropped half a stone.

I’ve just started 30 day shred and the beginner shred was a good base from which to start building back some fitness and strength.

Weight and/or resistance training by a country mile.

Sorry should have said it’s circuits, combo of strength and cardio, beginner shred introduces cardio slower and I just pushed up the weight I was using as soon as I felt comfortable.

It's all v personal, but I find vinyasa yoga brilliant. It makes me feel bendier and stronger really quickly. I did weight training with a PT and although it was good, I didn't enjoy it as much as yoga so it fell by the wayside a bit

@Noicant do you download the beginner shred? If so where from? And what size weights did you use? X

Hi OP. I go along to Body pump, legs,bums and tums, circuits and a boxing class. I use weights in most of my classes and really see a difference. I am 50, lost 4 Stone a while ago and kept the weight off. I also watch my diet especially cutting down on bread, pasta.
If I can do it anyone can. I dog walk every day which has also made such a difference. 4 years ago I was on Holiday and had a awful photo taken of me which made me change my life style. It was either buy a whole new wardrobe with bigger clothes or get myself fit/healthy eating. I joined a gym and haven't looked back.
In lock down i was working out with Davina workout DVD's. Bought on e-bay/Amazon. It helped me to stay focus. Good luck and I hope you find something that works for you.

Try Barre!! I'm amazed what a difference it's made.

Reformer pilates and swimming!

Caroline Girvan also comes recommended for weight/resistance training - free on YouTube

I'm 57, was a runner for 10 years, marathons, trails, running 50 miles a week and most days: I didn't realise until I started doing free weights following Caroline Girvan you tube videos that I had no strength or muscle definition at all: The transformation even just in 3 months is amazing, so definitely weight training makes the most and fastest difference: I still run but much less, strength training is far more important at my age and moving around and life in general is sooo much easier!

Squats and deadlifts.

Proper compound lifts, with progressively heavier weights. I started lifting properly at age 58, and now 5 years later, I deadlift 100 kilos, and can do a barbell squat of 67.5 kilos. I have very tight abs and really strong legs, with great definition.

I've just started running and this is just what I wanted to hear.

I have just turned 50 and really want to start lifting weight but every time I start, even light weights I hurt for weeks after, does anyone know if that’s a perimenopause thing?

Bit older than you but at about 50 started circuit training. I love it. And recently l started pilates as well which l find helps with posture and core strength. Definitely do something where you have a coach to get started so you know you are doing it right. I feel stronger, more toned and generally have more energy and its fun.

Also find a supplement from Boots called The Complete Woman very good as it has everything you would need.
And agree with getting the proper clothes for a feel good feeling.

I tried to loose weight for years, however running was what worked for me! My weight started to drop off!

I've started to do weight training now also and am slowly starting to see progress.

I'm 63 in a couple of weeks, I run a bit ( although not if raining! ) ,watch what I eat, go to the gym. I also do pilates , recently bought a new dvd which I love. It's made quite a difference to my body. I feel more toned and my tummy is shrinking. The dvd is 30 days to total body tone by Caroline Sandry. I've lost 8lbs since January. Just reached target weight. I would recommend the dvd , I had a beginner dvd beforehand but it wasn't very taxing. I've been doing this dvd for about 4 weeks. I do it most evenings, you can do ten minutes if you like. I usually do 20 to 30 minutes, it has 10 minute segments concentrated on different parts of the body.

Weight training. Didn't end up looking like a man (as many people fear), just a really good femine toned shape

Can I just jump on here to ask - how on earth do you runners stay motivated to get out regularly? I've tried to get into running so many times, I love the idea of it but can't seem to commit to doing it consistently

@traytablestowed honestly?! Because as much as I really really don’t want to go running some days, I don’t want to be overweight even more.

Also ParkRun, clubs, arranging to run with someone else holds you accountable

Try to find an independent gym focused on weight training. Powerlifting is great, fantastic community, very diverse with a wide range of age and weight classes