Exercise - is anyone doing anything new?

[SayraT]

I decided that as well as losing weight I also need to become fitter. I used to be quite active in my daily life (had horses so rode all the time) and did some proper exercise (pole dancing) but I don't do much anymore.

I already play badminton for 1hr per week (been doing this for about 2 years now) and go to belly dancing classes (also been going for 2 years) but have been trying to increase by walking for 30 mins every lunchtime and doing the 30 day plank challenge.

Once I lose a bit I will go back to pole dancing as I loved it and don't know why I stopped!

Has anyone else decided to start/increase their activity level as well or just trying LC?

I'm aiming to do some yoga everyday. A couple of times this has meant doing one single down dog before getting into bed. :) For me I want to do something everyday that just feels good.

I am going to get into running again - I used to be fit enough to run 10km's with no special training and would be half marathon fit with a bit of perseverance. It all went with two children in 19m and a knee injury!

I've been dabbling with C25K and shred since the autumn but illness and 5:2 got in the way and as soon as I've adapted to the WOE them I'm going to get going again.

Husband wants us to do this SLMM this summer. I stuffed up my knee three year ago biting off more than I can chew in the Lakes and I think it may be a bad idea, especially as we can't train together. We'll see.

Love the idea of pole dancing. Core strength without the boredom!

I usually only do lots of walking (no car person!) and some gentle physio for my back. Since my back's doing mostly okay at the moment, I'd actually like to do some resistance/muscle strength training. Unfortunately I loath gyms (and the way they make you sign up for 6 months minimum, when I don't know how long my back is gonna be okay for).

A fitness minded friend suggested the 30 day plank challenge, as it's great for your core and won't put any strain on my back, so I'm trying to remember that every day. Seems fine now at the start, but the end instructions get scary!

DH has weights and I have one of those rubber band things for some physio anyway, so I guess I should just google for some home exercises I can do with those.

I'd secretly want to take up running, but stupidly hate the idea of huffing and puffing in public, wheezing and red in face and sweat pouring and a couple of minutes...

Belly dancing and yoga both sound great. :) We used to take a tai chi class, but when it was time to move on from beginners' class the times just didn't work for us. Should probably look if there are classes anywhere near where we're moving soon.

Sorry, I think I'm just rambling now...

steel stan (what should I call you?!) I also secretly want to try running but I have tried before and never really been very successful. I used to get up early and go out so that no one would see me.

Belly dancing is really good, you don't feel as if you are working hard while you are doing it but the next day you can feel it.

I'm not really following the plank challenge exactly just trying to do a plank 3x per day and each day hold a bit longer. I'm holding at 45 secs just now...cannot imagine getting up to 5 minutes.

Sarah pole dancing is fab, I was surprised at how quickly I picked things up and got more strength and stamina, it really works ever muscle - the day after one class I thought I was fine until I tried to change gear in the car!

I've bought some kettle bells, because I'm interested in strength and toning rather than cardio. I haven't actually used them yet though

I went for what I optimistically thought would be a run in the park this morning. Hah! It ended up being a very brisk walk with arms pumping and 2x50 yard jogs with lots of heaving and blowing.

Still, I'm looking at it as being something rather than nothing, and I do feel better for it (even if my face was still red an hour later!)

I am soooooo unfit - I used to have my own horse pre-DD and was at the yard every day so that was my exercise, which I really enjoyed. I absolutely hate exercise otherwise, so since having DD I haven't found a sport/class that I actually want to do. Pole dancing sounds... scary energetic!

I'm doing the NHS couch25K podcast. You download the free app and go through the levels, getting out x3 a week. Halfway through the programme - amazing for me.... Hope my back and knees hold up!