How to get fit

[clpsmum]

I'm mid forties and overweight and very unfit. Currently calorie counting to lose weight but desperately want to increase my fitness levels. I have a disabled DC that is only getting bigger and harder to handle and really need to be as fit as I can be to do this.

All and any advice/suggestions welcome. I'm willing to try anything

Find something that you can do and then do it. Sounds simple and obvious but really that’s what it takes. Walking- when can you fit in a walk each day? Or running? YouTube dumbells or fitness videos? Skipping rope or hoola hoop. How much free time do you have with work/family commitments? The key is to find something you enjoy enough and can manage to accommodate. There’s no point committing to a goal that’s not going to be possible,

my exercise routine is 2 6am circuits classes - I used to do evening but I kept cancelling and so get up at 5.45 twice a week because I know I can commit to that and nothing but myself will get in my way . And running- three times a week- either I get up early or I go after work. I wfh but I can’t get out in the day, so if I want to get the results I have to fit it in. I’m lucky that dh does the dc in the mornings and I do the after school stuff, it works for us.

I started 5 years ago with a 2nd hand treadmill, promised myself I’d do ten minutes a day. I was absolutely unfit, overweight, smoked and had PND. The first Time I ran I threw up. However I stuck at it, eventually running outside, and longer distances, and ended up running 1000 km that year, and 1000 miles every year since. Good luck 🤞

Find the thing you love and it's easy. I would never have thought I'd say this.

I used to never stick at exercise, then I found strength training which I absolutely love, so am very motivated to do it. If you can find what you enjoy it's so much easier.

It depends on what kind of person you are: all or nothing or gradual build up. I'm the latter. I started off doing Pilates, then swimming, and I'm now getting enough of a buzz from it that I'm doing home workout classes as well.

Do you have time/money to do group sessions because I found it much easier to motivate myself if I was having a social interaction as well as the exercise? It doesn't have to be a gym, it could be a local walking or cycling group. If there's nothing suitable you could start one up in your local area?

Get some weights as well as you can always fit in a few reps at different times in the day. YouTube has tons of videos. Pick someone you like. I'm older so do Fabulous Fifties because she's very warm and friendly but there will be someone who motivates you.

Good luck!

Assuming your time and opportunities are limited, a mix of youtube cardio and weights videos would be practical for your needs.

Get Fit With Rick does "walking" workouts, basically low impact aerobics that can be done in a limited space.

Try some body weight exercises first. If you're used to supporting a growing child, you may be stronger than you think. Cans/ bottles can be temporalily used as weights if you're working out what level you're at before buying any weights.

Caroline Girvan is popular for weights. Most people lift much lighter than her weights though!

There's a lot out there if you search for something like "15min beginners weights"

Aiming for short blocks regularly is better than being put off by struggling to fit in 45min, hour long sessions.

I would start with swimming and walking and then maybe try the gym? I think walking is under estimated as great exercise. I walked lots during lockdown and really toned my legs. I also love swimming because it’s exercise but also relaxing and good for the mind I think. Aquarobics maybe? I have never tried it, but looks like fun.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I love swimming and I love walking so that's two ideas I'm definitely onboard with. Thank you for the YouTube recommendations will go and investigate. I have some light weights and a dumbbell so they definitely look like the kind of workouts I could do.

My Dc is a wheelchair user (although not confined to it). We were away for the weekend and it was quite hilly and it absolutely killed me pushing the wheelchair so I definitely need to get cracking with all these ideas and get my fitness levels up. Thank you so much again everyone x

I have an exercise bike tucked away in the corner of our lounge and I use it most days for around 40 mins. I also try and mix it up with some walking workouts from YouTube which have the steps already calculated for a set time/distance.

I think sticking with something new is much harder to do alone - otherwise you'd already be doing it, right?

From your last post about pushing your daughter's chair up the hill, how about doing more of that? Functional fitness that is involving your DD, and specific to your situation.

Also, can you go to any kind of class with someone else? I find having someone else helps me turn up as you don't want to let them down (especially if they're giving you a lift!).

I don't know about your time and budget constraints, but when I started trying to improve my fitness after DC1 was born (18 years ago!!), I paid upfront for some personal training sessions at a gym local to my parents. They looked after DC for me while I had an hour's training. I saw the PT monthly, and he gave me work to achieve in between our visits, which helped keep me accountable. A PT will always work you harder than you push yourself.

Can you define what 'fit' means to you, @clpsmum ? I'm a PT and will happily offer advice. For some people it means 'strong', for others 'muscly', for others 'slender', for others 'Able to run a 5k'... what is it you want to be able to do? How do you want to look? What's your diet like? PM me if you like :)

Apologies, my post above is really badly worded. It should say:

If you can, I would find some podcasts you love for going walking (and actually taking your son out in his wheelchair would make it more exercise if that was an option that suited you both).

The most important thing is finding something you love. I found swimming very good for building shoulder and arm and back strength so definitely worth doing if you like it.