Wanted, fit people to tell me how I can start exercising again in my 30s after a whole decade of general laziness

[llareggub]

The subject title really says it all.

In my teens I was very active. I did some form of exercise nearly every day. I swam pretty much every day between 6/7 and 14 and after I gave up serious swimming I worked at an indoor ski centre where I skied every day.

I gave up any form of exercise when I went to university apart from dancing in nightclubs. I enjoyed a very hedonistic sociable 20s with lots of drinking, dining out, clubs, the usual sort of thing. I did go on the occasional health kick and start going to the gym which I loathe, but by and large I was pretty lazy.

Fast forward to my 30s and I have given up all of my unhealthy ways and I am now a teetotal, non-smoking sensible kind of person. BUT I am over-weight, unfit and increasingly unhappy with this state.

I want to get fit and lose weight but I know from past experience the only way for me to do this is to exercise more and eat less, not just lose weight. My son has just started walking and I want to be able to do lots of fun, active things with him.

I have lots of weight to lose - maybe 5 stone?

Question: what is the best and safest way to start exercising? I work full time so would need to fit around that but I also want to mainstream exercise so that I can do a manageable amount each day. I hate the gym, too.Can anyone help?

i wouldnt know anything about how to lose 5 stone.. Weight watchers?? Lots of walking/jogging/ running machine??

Walk. A lot. Never snack between meals. Eat healthy food.

I do about 10km a day. Keeps me very slim and healthy.

Start with 20 mins walking a day in your lunch hour if you can... (Not that I'm fit or do any exercise but that is what I would start with). And have lots of healthy snacks around like carrot sticks and baby corn so that you have easily available health rather than naughtiness iyswim!

May be worth chatting to your gp about it as well?

How on earth do you walk 10km a day anna8888???? That would take me all day to do!!

I live in central Paris and do all my errands/shopping on foot.

By the time I've taken my daughter to school and back (there and back twice, before 12 noon) and been out a couple of times in the afternoon for shopping/park etc, I easily do 10 km.

I found a running programme useful. I used the Race for Life one (and set myself the goal of doing the Race - it was ace and I lost loads of weight and raised loads of money) but it seems to be offline now. Google around and you'll find plenty.

They have a really sloooow ramp up which might suit you.

eg Day one: Walk for 3 mins, run for 2 mins. Repeat once.

Day two: Rest.

Day three: Walk for 2 mins, Run for 3 mins. Repeat once. etc

Before you know it you'll be casually going for a 5k run before coming home to do the kids tea. It feels great.

All sounds good. I've painted an awful picture, haven't I? Hopefully all that exercise I did 20 years ago will help.

Not sure I could fit in 10k a day with a full time job and a young son! Can anyone suggest a programme for walking, building up stamina etc to jogging?

cross posts broccolispears! That sounds just what I need.

bupa also do advice on the 5 mile run

Runner's World do a getting started thing too.

Well, after reading BUPA and RunnersWorld, and your kind responses, I decided to stop typing and go for it.

I've just been for a beginners run: I ran for a minute and walked for 2 minutes and repeated that 6 times. I feel great!

have you got good shoes? you need to invest in some proper running shoes to look after your feet

it'll mean your running is more comfy and also it will give you an incentive

I used to love setting out in my shiny new running shoes - felt much better than tatty old trainers both physically and mentally

llareqqub

I could have posted your message. I don't have 5 stone to loose but have ALOT of wobble that needs shifting and about 2 stone.

I am no good at exercising - do you fancy a kick up the bum thread for each other?

I am hoping to start things off when DS1 goes back to school next week. School is 1.1 mile from home and with DS2 in the buggy & DS1 on the buggy board I could march to school in about 15 minutes. I am hoping that if I do 4 miles a day (there and back twice) that it will help me.

My target is out summer holiday at the end of June - I am hoping to loose about 1lb a week and get significantly fitter.

What do you think?

I doubt it! They are Reebok something or other and I have had them for ages. They look shiny and new because they haven't had much use at all. What would good running shoes look like?

Am total beginner to this running lark.

Yes please jingleyjen. Shall we make this thread our home or another thread? I have a wedding in the summer a mid term goal for me is the summer too.

I went to a running shop and the bloke looked at the shape of my feet and actually watched me running up and down in a couple of pairs before I bought mine

they are super-supportive

if you have a running shop near you, go in. The bloke at mine was really nice - I hadn't done any exercise for years either

Don't mind on the thread - I am realistically not going to start until Thursday but am happy to start it from 1st if that helps you.

So are we doing an exercise log/ food log or both?

I am going to try to stop snacking but have to be honest exercise (or lack of) is the main problem with me.

Yikes...sounds scary. I only went out this evening because it was dark and no one could see me!

Will ponder upon this. Good running shoes sound v sensible but, the shame of having to run in a shop!

oh no it was very nicely done

I was not embarrassed at all (well only a bit!)

and I had dd2 with me and she was wrecking the shop all the time and he didn't bat an eyelid

coming in at a tangent here, what about pilates? I started about a year ago and although I don't think you could say it promotes weight loss (will not in any huge way anyhow) it's certainly very good at helping tone, promoting suppleness and general well being; it helped me build up my confidence so that I could then start running/ attend other classes and also is very relaxing. Although I need to lose weight I do have some tummy muscles now, which nearly 6 years after an emergency c section, were something I never thought I'd see again!!! Good luck & what ever you choose to do make sure it's something that you enjoy.

Bupa running plans are great. I will tell you more later!

I think exercise is the main thing for me. I do binge on food at weekends occasionally but eat pretty healthily on the whole.

However I do lead a pretty sedentary life so an exercise log would probably help. After reading posts from people today and also the BUPA website, I am aiming for:

Running/walking combo x 3 a week
20 minute walk every lunch time
swimming twice a week

At weekends - a swim, walking both days in park.

What do you think?

Yes please Wallace!

I do like Pilates, have done it before on one of my many short-lived health kicks. Hmm, perhaps I should see if I can build in a class somehow...

Can I join in here?

I've got loads of weight to loose, and need to start exercising.

I've been on the running thread, some great tips, so going to start on that one!
Hoping to go swimming, as it is great not feeling so heavy, or being in pain (SPD...still lol).

Thinking of pilates once a week. I really need a big boot up my arse tbh

I am so sick of feeling like this, but I can't get motivated.

I will be

walking 5 days a week(4 miles)
I can make 2 of those miles faster as I will just have DS2 in the buggy. So something like a fast walk for 1 mile and a faster walk/jog for the 2nd mile.

keep fit class
on a monday night

Once I am fitter I am going to start walking further whilst DS1 is at school.

So Kick up the bum please!!!!!!