What do you do to stay slim and fit?

[FreeBeeBird]

Need motivation, tell me your inspiring stories.
I work full time (office job) and have a small DC so limited time for sport and selfcare. The best I manage to do is 2 exercise classes a week and try to walk as much as possible when not working but reality is that sitting on a chair 8 hrs a day 5 times a week and loving food doesn’t help me stay slim :(

Why don't you try to do videos on YouTube on your days off, don't cost anything and it's in your own home as you have little one?

I’d like to hear from those with a similar lifestyle as mine mainly. If I had more free time I’d definitely do more fitness classes for example

@sunshinesummer24 I have tried many times but struggle to be constant with those, need motivation coming from the gym, being with others etc. I also struggle to do that when DC is around tbh, can only do it after bedtime

That's fair enough. I'm sure a lot of posters and stuff will give you some good advice and stories. 😊

Go to the pool with DC? Jumping and playing in water burns up a lot of calories. Plan in advance what you'll eat afterwards (small post swim snack and healthier lunch/dinner).

As above, home workouts are your friend. I also have an indoor bike as going out cycling takes too long. Also we have a dog, so it encourages walking and forces you out the house even when you can't be arsed.

@UnbelievableLie I wish I had space for that.
I do walk a lot during the weekend, we are usually out and about all day and don’t have a car.
I’d like to incorporate more regular exercise in my everyday life, I guess the only option would be YT workouts which, as I said above, I never seem to get in the habit of doing as I get bored.
I also love food and carbs too much, which doesn’t help :(

You could do all different ones, if you get bored there's lots of deferent videos on there.

I think diet is more important than exercise for staying slim. And that is about cutting out unhealthy foods rather than restricting the volume of food. So eating lots of vegetables and cutting out all refined sugar.

Im currently on Mat leave and the weight has dropped off. The key difference I think has been walking rather than being chained to my desk.

So, when I go back to work I’m going to try and stand as much as possible whilst working, and make sure I squeeze in an hour of walking a day. 30 mins pre work and 30 mins at lunch. Any extra a bonus.

I also do 30 squats before bed, it’s actually made a big difference to my muscle tone and takes about 3 mins.

I’m going to commit to 2 YouTube workouts a week - weights.

Sorry to say this but I found reducing carbs to be key to losing and keeping the weight off. I also exercise regularly but it's what I eat that makes the real difference in terms of staying slimmer. I'm peri menopausal though, so at a slightly different life stage to you.

I use the WithU app for home workouts. I use the free version and there's lots of choice (filter on Highlights then 'Free'). Also, at least 10 mins (but usually 20-30min) walk every lunchtime. I run as well for my main cardio, but I'm sure the walking and workouts make the difference as can so them when I don't have time for a run.

Calorie counting has been the only thing that has worked for me as I can still have things like chocolate, a couple of biscuits, a bag of crisps, a glass of wine etc so I don’t feel like I’m missing out on treats. I then just have low calorie healthy meals so I don’t go over my calorie allowance. Something like 2 poached eggs on a slice of toast for breakfast, chicken salad for lunch and a jacket potato with beans for dinner. Get a kettlebell and some dumbbells too and you could do a quick 20 min workout while you wait for your dinner to cook. Maybe pay in advance for a block booking of one intense gym class each week too such as a spin class. I find if it’s already paid for I force myself to go even when I can’t be arsed

Agree with @cushionfiend its diet 🥺
I’m skinny and stuck at a desk. However I do 16:8
Didn’t know it was a thing until I supervised a student- it was a lightbulb moment. I eat well but don’t have breakfast. On holiday in AI I can put a couple of kilos a week.
At 55 my body looks better than ever. No breakfast, first meal lunchtime. Then I don’t restrict until about 9pm. I snack on nuts, fruit etc. No restrictions on meals.
Re incorporating exercise I drink a lot of coffee from a bean to cup. And do squats while I’m making it- easy 100 squats a day. Approx 2/3 times a week I’ll run through a short session of stretches for my back. It’s literally about 5 minutes whilst watching tv or waiting for something.

Walk the long way home after dropping kids off at school, this is a simple thing that works for me.

Can you cycle to work or if you go by train, cycle to the station? I'm past that's stage now but when I worked FT with little ones this was the only way I managed to properly incorporate regular exercise into my day then topped up with a couple of classes or gym sessions when I had the time/energy. I now do short YouTube sessions in the morning every day before I shower which are great. Takes a while getting into the habit but now it's just something I do every Monday-Friday and really sets me up for the day.. I do 1 HIIT, 3 strength and 1 yoga a week and bit early to see significant changes but definitely stronger and more toned.

I lift weights three (used to be four) times a week and try to run three times a week. I also prioritise eating protein over carbs which helps me to feel full for longer. Sometimes I do yoga videos or dance videos on YouTube at home. I also sometimes go for long walks or hikes at the weekend, and do simple things like run around with my son at the playground.

My situation is probably a little different. I have an older child and a younger one, and I'm a single parent, so I try to exercise when my youngest is with his dad. I prioritise this over almost everything else, which is how I manage it. If I go for a run while my youngest is here, I take him with me on his scooter, so it's a fun activity for both of us.

I was diagnosed with cancer in my early thirties (not weight related - I was a healthy weight already) and I am now very concerned about my health. I took up weight training to strengthen my bones after cancer treatment. I became frail and disabled very quickly and it was one of those situations where I didn't realise what I had until it was gone, I.e. my health and mobility. It's hugely motivating.

The more exercise I do, the more I want to do. I've gone off watching tv, which makes it easier to fit things in. It's been a complete lifestyle change and I feel much better for it.

I agree on home workouts. 1 1/2 hours walking - I feel nothing the day after. 20 min workout - ouch, my muscles! Put some music on to make it more fun, try a few different workouts and don't repeat the ones you found boring.

Thanks all for sharing your stories, some truly inspiring!
I cannot cycle to work unfortunately but what I do is get off 2 stops before mine and walk to the office instead. It’s only a 20 min fast walk but better than nothing.
I cannot go for walks on lunchtime most days as I always have calls in the diary and never get to have a proper break.
I do prioritise walking as much as I can during the weekend though, sometimws we spend the whole day out and about as a family mainly walking.
Food is an issue I think. Calories counting works for me too but it takes a holiday or a few days of eating more for x reasons and I fall of the wagon and struggle to get back on track.
I eat 2000 cal per day which is too much given my lifestyle and height (5ft 3). When I go down to 1600 cal a day I notice a difference after 2-3 weeks

@Yoghurtandspoon sorry to hear about your story, I wish you a lifetime of health and fitness ahead of you💐

Growingannanas and Caroline Girvan for fitness. 6 days a week.

Intermittent fasting.
Aim for 1400 calories or so.
Mediterranean diet.
Lots of plants, moderate lean protein, small quantities of healthy fats and dairy.
Virtually no UPF, sugar, alcohol.
Cook delicious food.

I yo yo with my weight terribly, i lost 5st after dc2 and kept it off walking as much as possible but i worked nights, so was able to get alot done during the day and was obviously up all the night aswell, but the lack of sleep was killing me and i landed a wonderfull new job BUT im sitting on my arse 8 hours a day and almost 2st crept back on.

I walk in general and the school runs as much as i can and i did join the gym, but DH decided he wanted to join up again aswell and it got such a juggle sorting out a routine for both of us, i got pissed off and sacked it in.

I bought a walking pad and a smart watch instead. I LOVE it. Takes away any excuse for me not to get my steps in and the watch is a great way for me to track my activity. I can get 10k steps in and even if its a busy day and i dont manage to get outside and go for an actual walk, i can hop on the walking pad instead when the kids are in bed or when ive got a spare 20 mins.

Im jumping around on the last 1-3lb i want to loose to hit my target which currently im finding difficult to shift but ill get there.

Not slim but fairly fit
WFH at a desk all day with no option to walk around and fatigue from health issues

One day a week I play netball
The rest depends on my health at the time but I try and do (peloton at home with weights)
A longer steady spin class
A shorter more intense one
Upper body weights
Lower body weights

On a bad week it might just be the long steady spin and upper body

Pilates. Weekly class has really been amazing for building muscle tone and improving general flexibility and balance.

I live by the sea so I also swim in the summer.

I take horse riding lessons when I can afford the cost.

Classes can be difficult to access due to timings. But some gyms are 24 hours. Using the equipment allows for more strength training than cardio ( unless you opt for cross trainers and treadmills) . Would that be an option ? That would allow for evening and/or weekends to provide time for a work out of some sort.

Unfortunately alot of cardio ( running fir example ) burns surprisingly few calories. I do 2 5k runs a week and each run probably burns around 300 calories which is barely a chocolate bar.

I highly recommend strength training.