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Original poster

Right, we need something *good* on here. Lone parents keep fit, keep sane thread....

40 replies

Meglet · 19/10/2013 21:58

Seeing as most of us can't just skip off to the gym every evening, or get out for a run most days then maybe we need our own morale boosting exercise thread. And ideas how to keep healthy with little time and money.

I did manage to get out for a 20 min run today while we were at mums house. And I had a sudden burst of energy just now and managed 5 mins of abs work while watching a music video.

Luckily I work p/t and have an old (ie; cheap) gym membership so I do get to use that a couple of times a week. I also have Shred and the 10 Minute Miracle DVD.

Shred tomorrow I think ........

I also have a bonkers plan to make the Kale Crisps from the Gwyneth cook book I borrowed from the library.

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thestauntonlick · 19/10/2013 22:16

Hi, I'll join you. Am going to start low carbing on Tuesday when I get some money and also need to do some exercise.
I used to run a lot a few years ago and would like to.get back into that, but as you say it's impossible to.get out in the evening as ds is too young to be left
I have got various exercise DVDs: davina, tae bo, and a good kettlebell one. I love exercising and it makes me feel so much better! Hopefully we can encourage each other.

Original poster
Meglet · 19/10/2013 22:35

I had a play with low carbing for my IBS. The weight did start to fall off! I had to rein it in though as I don't really have much weight to lose. I'm currently on a lower carb / lower gluten diet to keep my IBS in check. It's hard balancing a suitable diet with my food budget.

I've not tried kettle bells yet. They have some at the gym but I've not had an induction. I don't think it would be wise to start waving them around willy nilly . I might sort that this week actually.

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thestauntonlick · 19/10/2013 22:43

I definitely don't have the problem of not having much weight to lose. Low carbing holds no.dangers for me! I was half-heartedly doing it for a while and felt so much better. I was also amazed at how much less I ate. I cam eat carbs literally all day. They do NOT suit me at all!
The kettle bell dvd I have is with quite a light bell, and fairly uncomplicated moves, but is really effective, a good combination of aerobic and strengthening.

warmleatherette · 20/10/2013 08:28

I need to join this thread. Middle-age spread is setting in with a vengeance. But with little ones around I can't excercise without then climbing all over me. And I never want another boyfriend so I think "Sod it, I will have another cheese sandwich because it was so yummy: who cares if I get fat?" And lo, it is coming to pass. This week I will change. I will! collapses sobbing

Onebuddhaisnotenough · 20/10/2013 09:24

Sign me up scotty. My midriff is expanding at an alarming rate andbit's bloody hard to stay motivated. I also have some IBS type stuff going on .
Do we set ourselves a challenge each day ?

thestauntonlick · 20/10/2013 09:30

I've just remembered I've got a thighmaster! Going to start using that on my upper and lower body, and also planking, while watching TV. Easy Smile

Original poster
Meglet · 20/10/2013 11:26

onebuddha yes, maybe aim for one healthy activity a day. It's so easy to get stuck in a rut when you're on your own.

So far today I've made the Gwyneth kale crisps, not that tasty but weirdly moreish. The kids gave me a Hmm look when I gave them a bowl each.

I'm going to do shred this afternoon. I've got the DVD out of the drawer, Jillian is glaring at me next to the telly.

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warmleatherette · 20/10/2013 12:20

I bought a hula hoop recently, thinking I could just pick it up and twirl while listening to the Beastie Boys, like i did when I was 20. But five minutes' hooping left me with a bad back that lasted all week! Maybe you have to warm up or something when you get old?

Onebuddhaisnotenough · 20/10/2013 12:55

Done well with food so far to day. I tend to ear absolute crap on the weekends when the kids are away. Today have had fruit and yogurt so far and am going to make carrot and coriander soup. Have just taken the dog or a walk and might even brush off a Gabby Logon wokout DVD.

Original poster
Meglet · 20/10/2013 17:01

warm I'm stiffer as I get older. My lower back is just one big knot of stress.

I managed Shred level 2 this afternoon. Am toying with a Spin class tomorrow, it's not my favourite class but the weather looks dire so it's that or a sodden run in the park.

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iwantanafternoonnap · 20/10/2013 18:19

I'll join as I really need a big kick up my fat arse which is now 4 stone heavier than when I was pregnant!!!

I never get the chance to go to the gym and I work regular 12 hour shifts with 2 of them being nights so I shattered most of the time. I would cope better if I was fitter plus my back is killing me and my feet hurt due to the extra weight I am carrying I think.

I have shred DVD so I am going to aim to do that 3 times a week, kettlebell DVD and try and get on treadmill 3 times a week.

I have also turned into a sugar monster so I am going to try and only eat chocolate once a week as at the moment is about 3 times a day!!

Original poster
Meglet · 20/10/2013 20:54

iwantanafternoonnap sugar is such a bugger to break. I can keep my biscuit addiction under control if I start low carbing from breakfast time. I know I'll buckle around lunchtime but it gives me a fighting chance of keeping my blood sugar levels from crashing and burning.

And then I think well, I'm a LP, I don't smoke, have stopped drinking (even a tiny amount makes me ill these days), never have sex, last went out in December, so fuck it I'll have a sodding biscuit Blush.

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iwantanafternoonnap · 20/10/2013 21:10

I get knackered at work and then buy bars of chocolate, people bring in cakes etc and if placed near me I can't stop eating them even though I won't be hungry Blush

I have recently cut down my drinking as was polishing off too many bottles of vino over a weekend but it seems my eating of sugary things has gone up!

Biscuits I am fine with and can take or leave them. I did lose loads of weight before by massively upping my water intake so I am going to make more effort to drink water.

bluebeardsbabe · 20/10/2013 21:55

I so need this. I started the SHRED last months with high hopes, only 25 mins a day which even I should be able to fit in with a baby! However, about 10 days in exhaustion and other shit happened and I got out of routine, now feel like a lardarse. I need to get a grip and start again. If I can't take half an hour out of my day, even with dd, to keep fit then it's not healthy.

Problem is dd naps badly in the day and after her bedtime at 7pm am shattered. Will bookmark thread though as determined to lose final stone after pregnancy.

Original poster
Meglet · 21/10/2013 10:15

bluebeard 25 mins never sounds like much until I realise that not only do I need to work out, I need to tidy the lounge so I can get in there and lay down the law enough so the kids will keep out of my way while I do it.

DS is off sick today but mum is popping by so I can still nip out to the gym and get some errands done today.

I've seen exercise DVD's in Poundland if anyone needs some variety.

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Original poster
Meglet · 21/10/2013 19:53

This is your end of day, you've still hopefully got a few minutes to squeeze in a 10 minute work out klaxon.

I'm doing 10 minute solution abs while my risotto cooks and DD runs riot.

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farrowandbawl · 21/10/2013 20:38

Oooh, thanks for this thread.

I manage to go to the gym on a regular basis but I feel as though I could do more at home...my diet, although it's ok can be improved.

There's a fitness channel on sky somewhere that may help those, there's a yoga thing on it right now so that's good to try to put into your bedtime routine.

Original poster
Meglet · 22/10/2013 12:39

I think I can fit in a 30 min gym session later. At work today and the kids have after school activites so Tuesdays are a PITA for my exercise regime.

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Original poster
Meglet · 23/10/2013 16:37

I'm not sure what I'm up to today. Depends on whether the kids want me or grandma to go to their after school activities with them.

But I will do something

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farrowandbawl · 23/10/2013 16:49

25 squats
5 runs up the stairs
25 crunches
25 press ups (use the stairs if that's easier)

All this can be done at home in a short space of time if you feel rushed or don't have enough time for a proper workout.

farrowandbawl · 23/10/2013 16:49

Use the stairs for tricep dips too!

Original poster
Meglet · 24/10/2013 15:38

farrow that's what I try and aim for. I sometimes try for 200 crunches, mixed up between sides crunches / bicycle legs etc.

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ProtectiveMother · 24/10/2013 20:39

I'm really healthy actually. Quite fit. Lost lots of weight due to stress (not good.) For some reason, reading this thread is giving me a taste for taking up drinking red wine by myself in the evenings. It's not the desired effect of the thread!!!!!!!!!! ;-)

Original poster
Meglet · 24/10/2013 22:08

protectivemother I've had to give up my rare tiny glasses of wine as my tolerance has sunk to zero. Even a mouthful of wine after a big meal makes me feel wasted and sick. obviously I've convinced myself I have a weird disease and my liver is packing up

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EnviablePins · 27/10/2013 06:30

Good thread!

My two boys are staying with their father this weekend, and there is a yoga/exercise studio in the building where we live, so I have been making the most of that! Yesterday I did a 'bellydance' class, and this morning I did Pilates. I also do yoga once a week.

I also walk my dog 3 times a day, as well as to the shops, to collect my son from school, which all adds up. Maybe I should get a pedometer to find out how far I actually walk.

I used the 5:2 diet until I got to my desired weight and it worked amazingly well. Now I just do it once a week for the health benefits. My diet is pretty good though. Don't like junk food or processed stuff. I started having an omelette for breakfast, which is fab for keeping you full until lunch.

I have an issue with adult acne but I drastically cut down my caffeine intake recently and have noticed a big difference in my skin, as well as an improvement in my cellulite, AND I don't bloat so much (as this was a real problem for me.) I went from four strong coffees and a few teas per day, to one coffee, one tea, one decaff coffee, one or two green teas, and as much herbal tea as I like.