Any gym bunnies out there?

[buttonmoon78]

I'm about 3 stone overweight and am starting at the gym tomorrow. I've done it before but not really been happy because I bulk out too much before I've lost any weight, even working on the lighter weights more reps principle. So I'm now thinking of doing lots of x-trainer, rowing & swimming until I've shifted a good stone THEN adding in some weights.

Does this sound reasonable? I can't get an appointment with the personal trainer for a couple of weeks but as the kids are all at school from tomorrow I don't want to lose this initial enthusiasm in waiting!]

Thankyou!

Lighter weights more reps + cardio is a huge myth for weight loss.

Compare and contrast the physiques in the weight room to those on the cycle machines.

Go for big weights and fartlek.

Body pump classes are great for a quick positive change in body shape but don't waste your tome with just a kilo on the bar.

Thanks!

I am absolutely NOt a gym bunny, but I think if you reduce your carbsa and increase your protein intake, that might help with fat burning and increase your metabolism....

Thanks Orangina. I will be changing my diet (have already TBH) but I won't be cutting down on carbs - it really doesn't work for me!

Just less crap and more 'good' stuff really, starting with porridge this morning. In fact, I've not yet eaten anything else. Which is a first! I'm a real snacker...

i am a bit of a gym bunny. i advocate the x trainer above everything else. do the fat burn programme and aim for a good 20 mins on it. when you have been oging a few weeks add some time on the treadmill if you have decent running shoes.

if you want to lose weight its a much cardio as you can take imo

That's what I thought - plenty of cardio.

I'd love to do classes but I'm such a klutz. I get really intimidated - everyone else seems to be thin, wearing thong leotards and doing every move perfectly. Me? I'm a size 16 in 'whatever was on offer' gymwear going right when everyone else is going left. Not good.

On the plus side, I do have some rather lovely Asics. Last June (ie 15 months ago) I did the Race for Life (and jogged all of it, tho only the 5k version) having come from a position where I couldn't even run from one lamp-post to another at Easter. Proper running shoes were something which made a huge difference to my running style and progress. I was really proud of myself but failed to keep it up - story of my life!

However, I'm just about to wave my youngest off to school full time so I'm hoping to make a habit of dropping him off then heading to the gym for 60 - 90 mins every day before doing anything else.

Mentally, am in a good place and raring to go!

buttonmoon78 -you go girl! I started going to the gym for the first time in May when my LO was 3months (they have a free creche) and started eating more healthily. At the same time I took up swimming to relieve the monotomy of the cardio machines. I now go around4-6 times a week for an hour and have lost over a stone and a half. Once I have lost another 10lbs I intend to change my exercise regime to sculpt my body into the exact shape I want it - i feel very in control, happy and fit haven't sacrificed eating nice meals with my family in the evening nor weekend drinking! I'm 41 and am in the best shape I've been in for a decade.

Yay - thanks stangirl, that's just what I needed to hear! And from someone who's not still a teenager!

I've never been anything other than chubby (never lost my puppy fat!) and at 32 I had thought maybe it's too late so it's lovely to hear you've done so well.

I hope to eat well without depriving myself too - our whole social life is about food!

Congratulations - I hope to be 1.5 stone down in 5 months...

I'm not a gym bunny, I am a PT however. I would say a mix of weights and cardio is best for all round everything. Forget about feeling like a klutz in class, I gaurantee at least 20% of the class feel like that, and the more you go the less you will feel like a klutz. A mix of spinning class and/or running plus body pump would be fabulous and you should see real results (along with healthy eating), if your gym does a circuit class then try that as well. Circuit class (good ones) are the creme de la creme of general exercise.

P.S Skihorse is right, don't skimp on the weight for bodypump just because it's high reps you should still be feeling "oh god please no more" by the end of the track.

stangirl you are inspiring me too!!

well done buttonmoongirl the 5k was big achievement. i am always preaching about running shoes because i used to run in wanky nike's and ended up with horrid shin splints. now dh and i go to a specialist running shop where running is a serious, serious business he he but i've not had a single twinge since!

i am starting back at the gym when the shiny new babysitter starts (hopefully next week) :-)

One further thing I want to add is that during the last five months my weight has bounced up and down a bit - i put on 5lbs on holiday for instance when I was downing cocktails every day, eating a lot and doing no exercise - but you mustn't let any occasional weight gains put you off.

(follows stangirl around frantically taking notes)

Hi, am watching thread with interest, i've been having pt session for the last 4 months. he devises me a session each week and I go 3 times inbetween sessions so it doesn't get boring. My goal was to firm and tone up after having 2 dcs especially as my tummy has literally turned to jelly. Didn't want to lose too much weight as was a size 10 but really wanted to be a different shape.

people have commented on how good I look and I'm pleased with my arms, bum, legs, back but although my tummy has definitely shrunk it's still very wobbly and flabby. Dh says I'm a lot slimmer and more shapely which is nice (he's a gym bunny) but I still have a good handful of flab on my stomach even though it's small. I've gone down 2 cup sizes and have definitely lost body fat from everywhere except my tummy. It's getting me down a bit. Is it my diet? What do i need to cut out? I feel a bit desperate because I'm pretty healthy but my weaknesses are butter and wine plus the odd bag of crisps.

any tips anyone?

i'm not expert but i do stomach crunches on the ball - 200 every other night. not a miracle cure but it is pulling it back in alot

I have to admit that I've resigned myself to probably never now having abs you could bounce a coin off - but not minding 'cos I'd rather that than never having a child and besides which they do wonderful things with "shapewear" these days. I'm aiming for a good hourglass figure which I can enhance with vintage corsets and dress with wildly age inappropriate mini skirts.

One friend of mine - who was always slim - swears by the Davina post-pregnancy abs workout as helping her tum after 2 kids.

Buttonmoon78 - at 32 you'll still be able to lose weight once you get into the groove of it. Not only am I 41 but I went through an early menopause so it is extra difficult for me to lose weight - as well as a lifelong dislike of exercise and dieting. Good luck - let us know how you get on.

My mum started going to the gym aged 56. At the same time she started a diet (cut out crisps, chocolate, alcohol, and a fair bit of carbs, and add more veggies and fruit)

She goes to the gym every day for 30 mins and does X trainer, treadmill, rowing (the best for the waist she found) and cycling. She has lost over 3 stone, dropped 4 dress sizes and looks amazing. She says she feels fantastic and has a lot more energy than before.

Good luck!

Sorry, to be more precise, she goes to the gym every day during the week. Doesn't do the weekend as her gym is at work (lucky her gets to go for free!)

Minx - best way to make your tummy look smaller is (i) up the cardio - incorporate interval training where you can as burns calories harder, (ii) take up pilates - will encourage better posture which helps your tummy muscles pull in and make your tummy look smaller and (iii) invest in good bras (weird but if wearing a good bra it always makes the rest of your torso look trimmer). Keep up the good work - you will shift that tummy fat.

I am also a total klutz and cannot tell my right from left under pressure - gym classes are definitely pressure! However, Aqua-aerobics works well for me as most of your body is under water and no one can really see what you're doing, or what's wobbling