Unfit and overweight at 50

[Mumtothreeandadog]

DC are spending less and less time at glme. I want to spend my new found time getting fit. When the kids were little I used to go to Body Pump which did seem to make a difference to my shape. I do have a DH but lve done 90% of raising the family so finding time has been tricky. But now they are starting to fly the nest I have more time on my hands. Money is still tight while they are still at home so I can't afford the gym. I do have some weights in the garage collecting dust!! They aren't top of the range and not particularly heavy but I thought it would get me started? Any youtube recommendations for larger unfit over 50 ladies?

You could look at the p.e with joe wicks videos.

If you have Netflix there is a whole category just for fitness they have all at home work outs very convenient for times like this

Not weights but when I had to take a break from running due to plantar fasciitis I did a lot of Get Fit With Rick walking workouts to keep my steps up. They tend to be quite short so easy to fit in, and there are dance-y ones which are fun if that’s your bag. I find him a bit annoying so would mainly mute him and have my AirPods in!

Ooh thanks honeyy123 where do I find fitness on Netflix?

If you just go on Netflix and type in fitness it should come up like so as you can see there is loads there hope that helps xoxo

Or if you just keep scrolling through all the categories the category "fitness" should be one either way you'll find it xoxox

@SportsAndExerciseMedicineDoc I hope you don't mind, but I've private messaged you. Feel free to ignore if you'd rather not be contacted like this, thanks

OP, Bodyfit by Amy.

I am in great shape thanks to her workouts.

Agree with previous posters who say that the secret is to find something you enjoy so that it becomes part of your routine. Someone wonderful on Mumsnet suggested rebounding (jumping on a mini trampoline) and it has changed my life.

I'm late 40s and of course losing weight is much harder after perimenopause so I was thinking I might have to do something terrible like giving up chocolate or potatoes.

But a bit of bouncing around on a trampoline has made all the difference. I put a series on TV that I really enjoy and then have a bounce every evening and it is the first form of exercise that I have ever looked forward to. And according to NASA it's 70% more effective than running. I got my first trampoline on Facebook Marketplace for £10. After a few months when it was clear that I was really enjoying it, DH got me a secondhand Bellicon from Ebay.

Might be worth thinking about because it is so much easier than the faff of going to the gym, and it's really easy to incorporate into everyday life.

I've got a Bellicon downstairs, @heathspeedwell. Been on it a handful of times, years ago 🤦🏻‍♀️ I just don't like moving!

Jessica smith is brilliant!!!!!!! Loads of free youtube stuff, Great variety and lovely lady!!!!

How about trying Les Mills online and getting back to Body Pump. They have non barbell options now for all the moves and you can buy barbells cheaply if you decide you want one.

It is £12.99 for a month and there is a free trial month too. You also get access to every other programme, body combat, body balance etc...

Or try Caroline Girvans Iron series on YouTube. I think strength training is the way to go.

@heathspeedwell

When you say bounce, do you just mean jumping up and down? or do you do a routine?
( And what about your pelvic floor :/ )

Jessica smith also provides a workout schedule so its easy to follow!! Eg

https://jessicasmithtv.com/join-us-for-a-summer-of-strength/

We're so lucky to be living with the volume of free resources at the moment, no need for gyms!

The one issue with home workouts though, is that it's easy to get form wrong. I've been seeing a PT regularly for years (currently I Sri him fortnightly), and that's really helped me understand good form, but he does lament some online trainers who he thinks are a bit dangerous. So, know your limits!

But, I've used all sorts of online content. It's great and convenient, but If also recommend working out outside the home too - perhaps with a friend, as it makes you more accountable, and an external trainer is likely to push you harder than you'd push yourself.

Recommendations for online content that I've used and liked:

Fitness Blender - great way to filter down to exactly the kind of work out you want, plus some paid content if you'd like a specific programme (but not necessary to pay, tonnes of free content)

Joe Wicks - I enjoy his energy, but I find it difficult to know what his workout will be like and if it's what I want for that day (say an arms workout - not so easy to filter). I'm also not 100% on his form sometimes.

Peloton - paid subscription for App only, great if you have a spin bike or tread at home, but also strength, yoga, cardio, dance, walking workouts etc. Really good trainers.

Sydney Cummings - am doing one of her (free) programmes on You Tube at the moment. It's hard but doable, and you can definitely modify. Weights based.

Good luck!

@SportsAndExerciseMedicineDoc I've just downloaded the Peezy app but doesn't seem self explanatory - could you tell us how it works? It has fun, points and motions but no explanation of what this means or what's recommended.

Is it still in beta testing?

That’s fantastic feedback, @FedRox . Thanks, and please keep it coming! Peezy is indeed still in beta, with a launch through a few GP practices planned for September.

Peezy's mission is to make exercise feel like a game. Similar to language learning app Duolingo, we want to make physical activity fun and enjoyable.

Here's how it works:

• We first ask you some questions to get an idea of your current fitness level. This involves estimating your VO2 max, which is essentially a measure of your body's capacity to use oxygen during intense exercise.
• Based on this, you're assigned a 'level' that corresponds to activities we think you'll find comfortable and enjoyable. This level is based on your 'aerobic threshold', which is the exercise intensity that you can sustain comfortably for a long time.
• You then 'level up' by performing 'motions' (walking, biking or running). Each activity earns you points, and as you accumulate points, you advance to higher levels. Your weekly points target is based on your activity over the past three weeks.
• 'Funtime' is a measure of the time spent exercising at or below your aerobic threshold. Our goal with this feature is to encourage you to gradually increase this time, promoting sustained and enjoyable exercise rather than pushing too hard and risking burnout.

Ultimately, we want to show you that as your fitness increases, your ability to enjoy more activities increases.

We hope this clears things up a bit. And yes, we agree that the 'Funtime' feature needs more explanation. Thanks for pointing that out!

@Firefinch I'll respond to the second PM later today. Just waiting to hear back from some colleagues about what's available in your area.

@SportsAndExerciseMedicineDoc I've downloaded the app. It looks useful and interesting, but I'm having a "moment" as I can't work out how it works! Is activity recorded on/by the phone? I exercise regularly, but don't carry my phone as I do so. Can it link to other devices which record your activity (eg fitbit?) or can you manually input activity ? If not, how does it record activities like swimming, cycling or yoga (for instance)?

Really appreciate the feedback @paddlemyowncanoe . You’re definitely not having a moment - it’s our fault if it’s not clear how it works!

The activity is recorded via the GPS and accelerometer data on the phone i.e. you’ll need the phone with you. If you press the play button on a level, you can then choose a walk, bike or run. Pressing the play button on the recording screen starts the recording. Sally’s face (the avatar) will offer guidance and pace during the activity.

We’re building both the ability to link devices (so you don’t need to carry the phone) and the ability to manually add any activity. We can calculate points for any activity based on age, sex and weight. I think the functions will be ready by the end of August.

Hi @SportsAndExerciseMedicineDoc

The app sounds great- youre definitely right in that sustainability is the hardest part of getting a exercise routine!

So I downloaded the app and got as far as the "how often do you exercise" question but it won't scroll down to allow me to click next - I'm not sure there even is a next button on that screen? Is it me? Anyone else had this problem?

@SportsAndExerciseMedicineDoc I like what I'm hearing about the plans for this app. Unfortunately I can't seem to get anywhere with it at the moment. It's worked out my (very lowly) level, but I can't find the play button to record any activity (I'm using the android version) so sadly I can't progress through the levels. I'll keep playing with it though as it think it might be just what i need once it's up and running.

@SportsAndExerciseMedicineDoc Ignore me, I was definitely having a moment, I've found the "Play" button now!

@SportsAndExerciseMedicineDoc thanks for the explanation. Do we need to press the play button before we start walking or will it automatically pick up any walking I do? I tend to have my phone on me when I walk as currently use the NHS active 10 app. Hoping the Peezy app encourages me to do more, more often!

Other feedback - I'm old skool and think of my height in ft and in and weight in stone and lb. I don't know my height and weight in inches and lb only, or in cm or kg.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I can't comment anymore on the app as it violates the Mumsnet board rules (I was suspended). Happy to answer any questions related to health, exercise, fitness etc. Sorry @Mumtothreeandadog if it went off-topic.

Hi OP - have you come across Pahla B on YouTube? She does workouts for women of 50+ which might be a good start. Her month long plans might get you off to a good start and they don't take long each day.

Pahla B