Where to start with exercising?!

[Incfae5]

I used to be pretty fit in my twenties mainly doing cardio in the gym, running and swimming but I am now 37 and have had 3 babies in 4.5 years. I have been very lucky with pregnancy and childbirth, never really put on much weight and went straight back to my pre baby weight after each pregnancy (I’m 170cm, about 58kg) but my body has completely changed shape. I am desperate to firm up all over, especially my stomach, pre a holiday in January. I walk a lot, average about 15k steps a day but due to babies / breastfeeding / covid / lots of excuses I haven’t really done any exercise at all in the past 5 years. I need something I can do at home as I don’t have any help and my husband works long hours so gym / swimming is very tough. I have never really done much strength training or weights! Where do I start please??

Grow with Jo on YouTube is very good for mums who want to get back into shape. There’s a nice supportive community on the FB page too. I also like Team Body Project too for realistic workouts. They use dumbbells in some workouts. Good luck!

Following! Me too!

I'd suggest starting with Pilates or yoga.

Holding your own body weight is a great place to start, it can be gentle and get harder. Loads of online resources for it, and you only need a mat.

agree - grow with Jo on Youtube is great

Hi @Incfae5
I done Oliver Sjostrom 1000 calorie burner videos on You Tube after i had my baby. The workout is great and music! Xx

Slightly similar situation to you OP - 35, one baby but have piled on the weight! In terms of "firming up" your answer there is strength training so using your own bodyweight or actual weights. Pre baby (and pre Covid if I'm honest with myself) I went to the gym about three times a week and only lifted weights and I was in great shape. No other exercise has changed my body like that, not that I appreciated it at the time though! Look up Caroline Girvan on YouTube. Now off I go to take my own advice!

downdog yoga app is very good too

Les Mills on Demand app is fantastic. I was an avid gym-goer pre-kids, and loved the Les Mills classes. After I had kids I couldn't get to classes. In 2020 just before the pandemic I signed up to the app, and I've worked out at home ever since. There was a period where I didn't have access to my weights but I still did Body Pump and could get a good workout. I do Pump, Balance, Core and Barre classes, but there are a few cardio-based classes too.

Pilates. You can't 'spot tone' or 'spot reduce.' But Pilates will give you an all over stretch and alignment if you do it properly.

If you have an Apple Watch/phone I'm a bit of an unexpected fan of apple fitness. Lots on content, variety of lengths of workout.

I got a free 3 months when I bought something from curry's and I use it to supplement my gym work (use it for cardio intervals on bike and rower, short yoga and cooldowns) but there is a lot of hiit, strength and dance stuff on there as well as a running programme and walking stuff.

Also her spirit is a women's health/exercise website which has a couch to 5kg strength programme on it. Small fee iirc but other free workouts as well.