Gym attendance thread - who wants to join?

[Cam]

Went back to the gym after 8 weeks plus off for summer hols, did a step class and it nearly killed me. I'm aiming for the 3 times a week minimum because I must get fit again. Does anybody wnat to join me on this thread for mutual support and encouragement?

Went to the gym yesterday - still managing to get there 2-3 times per week. Did the pilates class - can really feel myself getting stronger with some of the exercises.

Also did my workout in the gym. My trainer has increased the amount of cardio I do from 20 minutes to 33 minutes and amazingly I am finding it ok. Feel really well in fact.

I go on holiday on Friday and although my figure's not fantastic, I feel a lot better about bearing myself in a bikini than I did in the summer.

Keep up the great work everyone.

Screwball - you sound ultra fit!

poofie - have a lovely hol

No not really.....have huge! saddlebags and plenty of cellulite which just seemed to appear over night with the saddlebags. Sure they weren't there last year

I went to hapkido tonight and as have free afternoon tomorrow am going to go to the gym and then for a light swim....maybe.
I'm terrible at the cardio machines a complete wimp!!!. I get out of breath just looking at the rower
Note to self...side step the rower!!!!!!!

rower is really good though! It is my warm up, I got my rowing checked out at the gym this week by a friend who works there and is accomplished rower because I was getting back pain. I'm going to pass on her advice cos she said an incredible number of people do it wrong - sorry if you know all this already but i was told wrong by the bloke who did my gym induction! Sorry, rambling...

Don't put the resistance on more than five max - for a woman i think. If you use more resistence you use your back - this is wrong.

Don't go faster then 28-30 rpm, any faster and the movement goes wrong.

sorry, sorry if i'm teaching mothers to suck eggs

Passionflower - Thanks for the advice!
Instead of sidestepping the rower, next time I might just attempt a go.
Did 10 mins running...think the swimming has really helped with the breathing though I'm now limping so not such a good idea.

hello everyone, I will read this thread later, glad you're all being so active, I went swimming last night and am going to the gym proper tomorrow morning with dh!
Have genuinely not had time to do more this week

You're still doing exercise though cam, that's good!

Gym again today - 10 mins on bike 20 mins on crosstrainer, 15 mins on treadmill, plus weights work. I do feel fitter.

The only problem I have is that right at the top of my hips, where the legs join the trunk, I'm hurting a bit sometimes - can anyone suggest how to stretch out this area sensibly?

Might be a hamstring stretch that's needed?

Lay on your back on the floor and lift one leg at a time (keeping foot flat on floor with knee bent of other leg) as straight as poss (you won't be able to get it totally straight). Hold for a few minutes.

Don't think it's my hamstrings cam, but was looking at the muscle diagrams in the gym, and think it might be hip flexors????

Ah, those things.

Right, that might mean you are tensing them too much when you exercise.

One thing that Pilates teaches you is to "switch them off" when exercising. I know it sounds mad but you can learn to do this mentally. Lay on the floor (I'm determined to get you on the floor, girl!) and have feet on floor, knees bent. Feel the hip flexors with your hands and, using mind over matter, relax them!

ok, that makes sense, because I think I am tensing them, especially on the treadmill for some reason. I had a niggly problem with one of my hips a few months ago and don't want it to flare up again. However, the exercise will hopefully ensure that doesn't happen!

Gym again tonight - 45 mins cardio (20 on crosstrainer again) - crikey, I think I am becoming a fit person !

Can't seem to steel myself to go to a class yet though.

I went swimming again yesterday, Puff don't be frightened to go to a class.

I must try one, I think I'd probably cope ok now and not look too purple faced by the end!

Btw cam - thanks for the tip about the hip flexors - it definitely helped this evening .

Puff, sorry if you've said already, but have you tried aqua classes? They're an easy way in, but you can stretch yourself within them iyswim. That's all I can bring myself to do at the moment, will eventually try other classes, maybe when a bit fitter.

I'm going to cough up for 3 personal training sessions starting this week, having found a trainer who seems to fit the bill. It's on special offer, too, £59 for 3x Ihr sessions, can't be bad. Intend to ask for instruction on using the Swiss balls...

Yes, I think aqua is probably a good idea. I'm worried about overdoing things and these days (now I'm 40) it takes me a while to recover - 3 or 4 days instead of 1 when I was younger!

I went to the gym this evening and walked very fast, almost broke into a run, but just managed to stop myself, on the treadmill

Then did some quite hard cross-training so I feel v. virtuous!

Puff, wish I was only 40

Well done Cam!

My knees can't cope with running - fast walking only - I sound 80!

Hi all sticking to my workout - have upped the X trainer to level 4 and bike to level 11.

Am dreading half term next week as I'll have to go to the gym in the evening - all I wan't to do the evening is flop on the sofa.

Bike level 11? You must have strong thighs!

I have a horrid cold/cough so won't be visiting the gym for a couple of days .

Puff hope your feeling better!!

I had the weekend off as every muscle in my body was aching! went to the gym yesterday and was suppose to go swimming last night but put the kids to bed had tea and fell asleep on the sofa. dh is back at work so its going to be tricky between kids, him and my course to fit things in that I like to do.
Am just going to go with the flow...if the opportunity arises for me to go and do something I'll do it rather than trying to plan like before.
Dh not working tonight and i've just got some reading to do so will take books to gym and go on the bike and read.

p.s have started to notice a slight difference in my body shape just slightly but its there and definately getting fitter

Cool, well done slg. .

Upped X-trainer to level 5 today - nearly died though

Sorry you've got a cold Puff, I had that a couple of weeks ago - I'm convinced I caught it at the gym I can't get back there till Friday eve as dd is in a school swimming gala tomorrow

Mon- 90 mins with P/Trainer, Tues - hour gym and swim, Wed - Body Pump and Salsa lesson....Today - 4 mince pies!!