Low impact exercise to stay slim / toned?

[Curlewwoohoo]

I used to run but I haven't since November. I've not been able to get back to it since a flare up of sciatica / herniated discs. I tried, but it makes me stiff for days and isn't worth it.

I'm noticing though that my stomach and back/love handles is getting flabby. I don't weigh more so it must be a tone thing.

I've been doing pilates 2 or 3 times a week. I've also been swimming once a week but not religiously as I'm not keen on it.

What can I add in to stay toned that won't cause back and knee stiffness?

Walking, yoga, lifting weights

Thank you! I walk the dog most days but not very fast - I do limp sometimes at the moment plus the dog is getting old!

Yoga is bad for me - too much stretching hamstrings pulls my nerve and triggers sciatica. But pilates should be in the same camp I would have thought and I already do quite a bit.

Weights I've never tried!

This may not be very practical, but I bought an elliptical trainer (on ebay, pretty cheap) when I was advised to avoid high-impact exercise. It's not the same workout as running, but could be worth a try? Could you go to a gym as a one-off to try one?

I bought a mini trampoline after reading a thread on it here... I notice that each bounce makes my calves, thighs, bum, under carriage and stomach all tense up slightly as you work to stabilise and it is apparently very good for women.

I got one for about £100 on Amazon, with the stabilising hand rail which I never ever used so I wouldn't bother getting one with that.

So I do trampolining and weights on the floor as my exercise now. Do you like the sound of that?

Cross trainer, cycling, aqua jogging, aqua fit and weights.

I agree lane swimming can be really boring, but how about something like Swimfit so it is a bit more structured, varied and social? Or aqua aerobics?

I did a Barre class today on YouTube and it was zero impact but I felt like I had a fantastic workout.

@Curlewwoohoo chair yoga may be helpful in this case if you can’t do regular yoga.

I do aqua classes, deep (core/cardio)and shallow (HIIT) and aqua pilates. I also do spin but that is not low impact. I'd like to do the aqua cycle but my gym doesn't do it

Thanks for the ideas! I'm away next week, so when I'm back I'll have a look at what's available locally or what I can do at home.

I was going to suggest barre as well.

Weights, or get a rowing machine, rowing uses most muscle groups so a fantastic way to exercise

Weightlifting is great and easily adapted to all abilities. Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe was my starting point with it (book and YouTube).
Look at using all supports during training too, I have osteoarthritis, tendonitis and previous diastasis recti (after twins) so use wraps, straps and belt to support my body when lifting.

Weights is just not something that would have ever occurred to me. I was thinking more about cardio. Will weights keep me trim? It's just completely alien to me!

Rowing I imagine would be a bad idea for my back and knees. I know it shouldn't be if form is good but it seems risky.

Weightlifting will change your whole body shape for the better, and protect and strengthen your body as you age.

Barre

Weights would def keep you trim - and can have a cardio aspect too, esp if you go along to a body pump class.

It will probably be important, though, for you to have a chat with a qualified person to help you tailor a weights programme that won't irritate the particular problems that you have. Completely do-able, just requires a little bit of advice, plus mindfulness while you move. I guess the Pilates you have already done will help you to move with mindfulness. It will also help you keep your core active while you lift, which can be quite protective.

You tone by building/maintaining muscle, you get good time/benefit ratio by using weights. Resistance training also increase bone density which is great as we age.
Cardio has it's place but maybe swap to walking, cycling, swimming to keep it low impact.

The pilates is very good for core strength and mobility but I would add some sort of weight training.
I also have 'dodgy' knees and find my recumbent exercise bike and rebounder are good for cardio without knee pain. (I also use a mini stepper but I find it does sometimes make my knees hurt).
If you have the room a rebounder is really awesome as you can easily do different levels and use it to walk, run or bounce. Sometimes if the weathers rubbish I will run on mine instead of outside.

Unfortunately I don't have room for any equipment / machinery at home.

I went to a barre class today though, which made a nice change! I enjoyed the atmosphere of the class. The workout was not a problem. I didn't find it that much of a cardio workout though, didn't get my heartrate that high or burn any serious calories.

I'm not sure what I think about weights. I would have to go to the gym so I need to find out about it.

I plan on getting a new bike, a hybrid rather than road bike, so I'm not so bent over. Waiting for the one I want to come into stock in July.