Getting fitter and shaping up during lockdown

[BunnytheHoneyBee]

Anyone else aiming to use some of this time to get fitter, maybe lose weight and beautify oneself? Its something I’m keen on and could do with someone to chat to.

I went to the gym fairly regularly before lockdown but stopped when the social distancing advice started (ie well before they closed).

For a couple of weeks I was running and walking but I lost interest a bit. Now I’m doing Body Combat on Youtube (about 3 x least week and the week before) and I’m really enjoying it. I always loved Combat in the gym. I want to try some of Les Mills dance workouts too.

I’m doing fairly well at not eating crap all day just because I’m home.

I also want to keep up with body brushing laser hair removal at home and microneedling.

I’m barely wearing make up (except when I have Zoom meetings!) mostly letting my hair dry naturally might be helping my skin and hair, although I could do with a trim...

I have a lot of face sheet masks that I was doing weekly but on lockdown I feel like that’s pointless as I don’t see anyone. I see them more as a pick me up than something that has long term effects on the skin but could be wrong!

Me! I run and I started doing the Les Mills body combat and dance workouts too. Some of yoga as well - I am to do 'something' every day.
I ramped up my beauty regime and unfortunately I have zoom meetings every day so still need to wear make up most days as everyone wants to do video.
I am slowly losing weight too and actually I now got used to the new routine and will miss all the commute free time I am getting now.

Hi @lonelySam Thanks for your reply

Which Les Mills dance classes have you done? I was going to try the hip hop ones as they’re on YouTube. I can’t dance(!) but it looks straightforward. I haven’t signed up to Les Mills properly yet. I quite like putting it on YouTube though so I can do it on the TV.

I’m aiming to do an online class every other day but then trying to go for a short walk or get 10,000 steps a day if I can.

I only have Zoom meetings about twice a week so maybe I’m lucky! I’ll definitely miss this time when we’re back at work but I lots of people may end up working from home more, maybe two days a week.

I’m not doing anything as a plan for me, but I’m doing PE with Joe each morning with my dc, which gets me moving and we all have a laugh together which is a definite plus.

I have also done a couple of the Oti kids workshops with my younger 2.

I don’t ‘do’ most beauty stuff, so I’m not doing anymore of that.

I’ve gotten addicted to barre - I really hope live Zoom classes continue once this is all over as it’s so much easier than having to go to a gym...

Only getting about 5,000 steps a day though so swings and roundabouts...

@ElfDragon I’ve heard a lot of people doing the Joe Wicks videos. I should give them a go!

I think staying active is the main thing, regardless of what you’re doing. Sometimes I feel I’ve been active enough just doing housework and stuff around the house!

I'm doing couch to 5k. I used to be a long distance runner but am so out of shape since I had a baby. Week 3 so far and I'm already feeling fitter!

It's a 9 week programme, my god I hope we're out of lockdown by then.

@LaLaLanded Oh I love Barre! I was going to say I did a couple of classes at the gym and loved it but they changed the time and I couldn’t go.

I’m going to try that online too.

It’s really hard getting the steps in! Some days I feel like I’ve done a lot and I don’t make 5,000 but I’m aiming for 10,000 as I’d usually do that when I’m working in the office.

I’ve just signed up for the 75 Hard challenge, which looks good. You have to do 75 days straight of eating to a diet plan (any diet plan) drinking 3.5litres of water, do 2 45 mins workouts a day - 1 of which must be outside and read 10 pages of a self improvement book. I’m also on the princessing for a lockdown thread, so hoping to be a new woman by the end of this!

As a hint for the steps - I’ve found going on my sons trampoline really ramps them up! Not walking as such, but beggars can’t be choosers at the moment!

@jeremypaxo Couch25K is really good.
Well running generally is because it’s relatively easy to compete with yourself and see progress.

My issue is post baby weight too. Had baby a year ago (lost baby so hence didn’t mention in OP) but I weigh a bit more than I did, have a bit of a mum tum and it took me some time to get back into exercise too. I have a bit of ab separation so need to be careful with that too.

@Permenantlyexhaustedpidgeon That sounds tough but great if you can do it. So aiming for 3 x cardio per week, 10,000 steps 5 x a week and trying to do some abs work etc.

If only I had a trampoline! DH found a skipping rope in the garage I didn’t know I had so might give that a go!!

I’m actually loving the YouTube classes so much I’ve thought about cancelling gym membership when lockdown lifts!

I'm so sorry to hear you lost your baby @BunnytheHoneyBee.

That exercise plan sounds like it will be really effective. Skipping too if you can find the rope! That'll definitely get your steps up.

I was doing loads of swimming and reformer pilates before lockdown and my body was starting to change shape. It's all gone to pot since I've been at home eating Penguin bars all day

@bunnythehoneybee barre is awesome!

I’ve been using barrecore and heartcore - they are£6/5 a class respectively but live, proper instructors etc. If you’re looking for something free, Pure Barre Go has a stash of Facebook videos that are good, and Popsugar Fitness randomly seemed to go through a barre stage on YouTube a couple of years ago and their videos are still up and are decent.

My goal is to tone so barre is great. It’s been a couple of weeks and I can see and feel results. If you’re looking for weight loss definitely mix with cardio though which it seems you’re doing! Best of luck with it.

So sorry to hear you lost your baby @BunnytheHoneyBee I didn’t see that before I posted back to you

Thanks @jeremypaxo I’ve been better at home than I am at work when it comes to snacking, which is good. But now it’s Easter so I have been eating Easter eggs over the weekend 😬 Tbf I have something sweet most days but I’ve always been that way and think it’s ok if I’m moderation and I’m exercising too... weirdly I fancied a Penguin bar the other day - haven’t had one for years!

Thank you @Lalaland Thanks for telling me about those. I will look into them. I could only find one Les Mills Barre video on YouTube but hoped for some variety! I’ve noticed Pop Sugar seems to have some good classes generally.

I know I’m a lot luckier than most as I have a huge home gym & DH is a PT. I’ve started c25k & I’m on week 4. It’s TOUGH! I do that 3x a week & do a full body resistance workout 2x a week (I WFH the other 2 days).

That sounds like a good mix @happytobemrsg

I started a Les Mills hip hop dance workout today and it was fun and a good workout but I’m clearly not cut out for dance...

I then did a body combat invincible workout on YT and felt amazing after that. It’s good as they have push ups and burpees so it’s a full body workout

@bunnythehoneybee I do Sh'bam?! I signed up 'properly' as it is so much easier as going to the gym.

@lonelySam is Shbam easy to follow?

I wouldn’t mind signing up to Les Mills as through my gym it’s 60 days free trial and then less then £8 a month but I don’t think i could get it on my TV that way whereas YouTube I can put it on the TV in the front room.

@bunnythehoneybee I am the least coordinated person I know and I managed to follow the classes so I guess it's all right. I stream to my TV via chromcast.

I might give it a go then @lonelySam No idea what chromcast is but will look it up!

I used to use Les Mills online and if you have a smart TV they have an app you can download to your TV. So it pretty much worked the same as YouTube.

I've just started doing a 12 week HIIT program on YouTube by a trainer called Heather Robertson and so far I'm really enjoying it (only a couple of days in - I may feel differently by the end of the week!). It's a mix of cardio and strength exercises and really gets your heart rate up. She doesn't talk during the exercises which I'm finding I really like (to my surprise).

I'm now going to go and check out barre as I've never come across it before and it sounds intriguing...

I have been doing the bikini body guide 3 times a week. I’m on week 3 now and can see a difference already. I then do a combination of running, barre, Pilates and yoga on the other days.

My skin is utter shit so would like to try and improve that. I’ve started using Pixie Glow Tonic but am yet to see an improvement.