What exercise can you actually stick to?

[bea19]

I’m nearly 40, two DC (4 and 22 months) and have got into a rut of doing absolutely no exercise. I really want to get stronger and fitter. Please could you share any type of exercise that you really enjoy enough to do on a frequent basis? I know there are so many types but I need inspiration!

For what it’s worth, pre kids I swam 3 times per week but I only enjoy doing it in the mornings and we can’t make that work now with breastfeeding and school run etc… plus the pool near us has got so run down it’s disgusting! I’ve done a bit of yoga in the past and enjoyed that. I jog (very) occasionally but am very much a fair weather jogger.

Grateful for any suggestions!

do you find parkrun accessible with a running buggy?

There are usually a few people there with buggies. All the courses are different and some would be easier than others to get round pushing a buggy.

this is what it says on the course page of a few of my locals - I can’t find one saying buggies are not advised but it might be worth checking.

• parkrunners pushing buggies are welcome, but please take care of others around you and do your best to start at an appropriate place in the field for your pace.

It might be sensible to go without the buggy first or try the course out at another time with the buggy.

CrossFit can be intimidating for a beginner, I felt that way when I started. However if they have a range of classes throughout the day you can always start with the quieter ones.

If you want an all around great workout, strength, flexibility, coordination, fitness - this is the class for you!

I've stuck with running and walking. I go to different places, I like things to look at. I go out in most weathers, just avoid the worst rain and snow, and dress appropriately. I've been out this morning, it was so cold, but once you get your heart rate up it's fine. DH and I walk together all over, or I combine a walk with a chore like going to a shop and not taking the car.

I paused my gym membership at the start of winter. I need to try following an exercise app at least.

Pilates is my constant, 2 classes, and once at home . The results have been so fantastic, I couldn't stop now. Cardio I tend to be fits and starts. I also use a body bar at home,and I like to walk. My job is very full on - I work way over my paid hours. I'm retiring soon and can't wait to add more variety - I'll definitely swim at least weekly. Variety is the key for me.

Hiking.

Hiking, squash and tennis

Walking
Over 2 miles every day.
Helped keep me healthy, slim and is good for my mental health
Been like this most of my life.

You could do parkrun with a running buggy - check out your local ones on FB/5k app to check if the route is buggy friendly.

I’d suggest trying the Apple fitness/Joe Wicks 10 min hiit videos on YouTube. Do one every morning Monday-Friday. Start small and do that for a long time until it’s a deeply engrained habit, and then build from there.

Walking and short YouTube weights workouts a few times a week.
Weekend bike rides

Running- it’s my “I just can’t quit you”. Thrown my toys out of the pram many times and said “that’s it. I’m going to do something else” but I always go back to it. I find it very meditative and I also run with friends two days a week. I love the flexibility- I generally go out straight after school drop off at 7:30 but if I have an 8am call I just go after that- when I get up I put my running kit on and then I have set that intention and more likely I’ll get out. I’m nearing 50 now so I’m not as pacy as I used to be but I’m exploring some longer formats this year ( backyard challenge- eek!) and excited about that. I also go to overseas races with friends which is good fun.

My kids are 11+ so I can just leave them in bed at weekends or home alone. They occasionally slope along to parkrun with me but that’s it.

I also know I need to get to the gym for weight training- I used to do a lot but I’m finding it hard to be consistent these last few years. Might need to get a PT to keep me honest.

Peloton plus bike for me - cycle at 6am. I can also do yoga, strength, core, pilates classes. Loads there all on a phone app or bike screen. Is an investment but worth every penny.

I'm lucky enough to be able to see a personal trainer every week at her house.

As well as that she does zoom group sessions at 7 am and 8pm 2 days a week for 20 mins. It's a bit 30 day shred like.... Cardio in the am sometimes with light weights and arm/ core/ legs weight exercises in pm. I've been doing it for nearly 12 months and it's the only exercise I've stuck to because it's become part of my routine. I think it's key to pick something you don't hate and make it as much a part of your routine as having a shower or brushing your teeth.

Thanks so much everyone. I took the advice to start small and try and do something (anything) as often as possible and have managed to do short spin bike rides most days this week so fingers crossed. For anyone else seeking motivation, I actually already feel better in myself, even though it’s only been a week!

Running! I do a mix of treadmill and outdoors. I wouldn’t go out in bad weather as I’m a wuss hence the treadmill and I wouldn’t do it as part of a group as I like the alone time/headspace.
I started with C25K and now run 3x week regularly getting in 22K/week.
I get such a buzz/sense of achievement from it.

When my DC were that age, I was back at work 4 days a week and commuting (this was pre-Covid) so I was constantly pressed for time. Twice a week, I went to an evening exercise class with a friend which was great as we drove their together so got a 10 min catch up in the car and sometimes we'd go out for a drink afterwards. Then I tried to do the 30 day shred three or four times a week. There are more on trend options now but it works and the best thing about it was that, as it was a mixture of cardio & weights, the DC could join in. I think DC2 might have actually learned to jump from trying to do star jumps. DC1 had little bottles of water for her "weights". It was also only 25 mins so I could shove something like a chicken tray bake in the oven, park them in front of the TV and do it whilst dinner was cooking. I think I used to have visions of us all having a bath together afterwards but that never happened!

I walk a lot - living in a town it’s quicker and cheaper than the car/bus. I also swim - because I’ve paid up front for a years membership.

so, it’s money spent or saved that motivates me to exercise. I’m shallow apparently!

Peloton app works for me - I spin every other day and the other days I do strength classes or yoga or Pilates - the app has lots of options and because I can do it in my house I tend to get on with it and do something pretty much every day! 30 or 40 minutes is all but it makes me feel better

It’s going to be different for everyone but for me it’s Bodypump (muscular endurance work using barbell and dumbbells) and Bodybalance (yoga and Pilates inspired moves so it improves flexibility, mobility, core strength and balance and is excellent headspace so it’s good for my MH).

I don’t do any pure cardio but I walk a lot, am very active and get my HR up in Bodypump.

Am 46 and not feeling any desperate urge to do more cardio. The weights and yoga are great for building muscle, burning calories and keeping me mobile and injury-free. Both are weight-bearing exercise which help us maintain bone density- especially important for women at peri/menopause age.

Exercise classes.

I simply cannot stay consistent with home workouts - something always gets in the way and I don’t push myself hard enough vs a high-energy class with a motivating instructor.

I do a class 6 days a week and I’m currently enjoying 3x barre and 3x HIIT and sticking to it.

So my advice would be do exercise that you enjoy and in a way that you can’t easily get out of, like meeting up with a friend to exercise or by booking a class (I lose the class credit if I cancel within 12 hours / don’t show up).

Good luck!