Am I doing enough?

[biryani]

I'm getting on, and slowing up, and I'm wondering if I'm doing enough physical activity.

I walk about 2 miles a day - sometimes with weights on ankles or wrists. i wear my weights at home (I'm self-employed) and do fairly gentle working out. I go to the gym in winter, mainly using the treadmill and bike, and ride a bike in summer to get about. I hate "structured" exercise though. I don't jog, don't do pilates, yoga or any classes. i swim occasionally - when i feel like it.

I watch what I eat, but I'm not obsessive. I'm a size 12 at the moment,but used to be a 10.

Am I doing enough, do you think??

I went up a size when I hit the menopause. After about 18 months I reverted back without having to diet or adjust my routine, in fact when I did try a diet I lost no weight and became moody. It sounds like you have a healthy lifestyle, unless you are really unhappy about your body don't change.

you should probably consider doing something that will help build muscle tone, such as weights at the gym. When you have sufficient muscle tone, the muscles will use more calories that the fat so it will aid weight loss as well. Ask an instructor at the gym and get their advice, tell them what you're aiming for and they'll recommend the best exercises. They may even be able to recommend some exercises you can do at home that you can add to your routine.

Also, does the walking get your heartrate up? You may need to push your usual routine so you're out of puff as well, maybe some running mixed in with the walking. 2 miles is not much just walking, I cover that in my daily routine (don't drive) I don't really count it as part of my exercise routine.

Try all the classes at the gym just once to see if there is anything that takes your fancy. Spinning is good for fast results, or you could cycle outside if you have a bike.

Exercise DVD? I found Davina quite good.

As you're a 12 wanting to be a ten sounds as though you just need to push a little harder rather than completely overhaul your routine, but you probably need to do muscle building and heartrate pushing regularly, at least 3 times a week if you really want to see results.

Bloomin heck - you could almost be my twin - apart from the weights lol.

Like you I used to be a 10, but nowadays more a 12 - that's a todays 12 and not the much smaller 12's I grew up with.

I don't know how old you are, but if you are 'a certain age' like I am, then it could be down to good old middle aged spread brought about by hormones.

For example, the other week I had a pretty good healthy diet and didn't over do the alcohol. I cycled 40 miles, and walked a good 20 - quite a heavy schedule I thought, and guess what? I put 1lb on!!! Can you believe it? So what I've done is visit my GP, had some blood tests done to rule out things like under-active thyroid and am awaiting the results.

So back to how much is enough? Very difficult to answer as it sounds like you are both aware and active and taking notice of your body. Maybe visit your GP like I have done and run through it with him.

Hope others have some thoughts.

Biryani, could you fit a class in? I think it is not just good for fitness but is really good for your mood, I am doing zumba at the moment and I smile/laugh for 1 hour a week more than I usually would whilst getting exercise, it is sociable but I am not actually chatting away to people. I would love to get back into yoga too, I always feel much healthier after I start doing it regularly.

Snails you could have added muscle, weighs more than fat? So you will be fitter, more toned but not lighter after that kind of exercise, I am no expert on this.

I think the older we get the more sluggish our digestion is too, that doesn't help.

Thanks all. Yes - I'm a certain age! And yes, I fin d it more difficult than i used to. I walk very quickly ans very often do more than 2 miles, but I've been disappopinted when at the gym the calorie-counter shows so few calories lost I feel it's hardly worth the bother sometimes. i was thinking of doing zumba - it looks such good fun - but coulnd't remember what it was called ( I thought it was called something like rumpa-pumpa for some reason...).

I put on weight around my middle now (used to go onto my legs/bum) so may be partly hormonal.

Thanks Taps, I'm now hoping the 1lb is muscle, and I don't feel fatter - and looking on the bright side - muscle burns more calories than fat so my 1lb may help me lose weight!

I've hiked 7 miles today up dale and down, and had a nice health dinner - no wine:(

Blood tests have come back normal - thyroid ok. The only iffy finding was that I have high bilirubin levels, but nothing to worry about. GP thinks the weight gain is hormonal and should drop off again when all settles down.

Just a thought Biryani, I also use a step counter to ensure I get my 10,000 steps in each day. I find it a great motivator as on days when I fall short I carry the shortfall over to the next day so I have more to do. I never carry excess over though!

Thanks, snails. you sound really fit to me, and very motivated.