How do we all keep fit?

[strawberriesandcream01]

Hi. Not sure where to post this but thought it would be a good one for tips and ideas. How many of you work out at a gym? I go to the gym 2-3 times a week, do lots of weights but now getting really bored and don't like my body shape. I have a few options.

1. stay where I am and be bored.

1. join a gym on my way to school everyday which has a creche for DD2 who would probably love it. This will cost more.

1. Quit the gym, do things at home like cycling and running and maybe a bit of weight work.

I am also horse riding twice a week.

(my mil is an exception, she is lovely)

My thighs are an odd mixture of rather long, lean, hard muscle (good) with an outer coating of flab that is very hard to contain other than in 50 denier Wolford tights

yes I might do aerobics again. I used to go with a good crowd and it was a laugh. Also quite effective.

I've heard salsa aerobics is supposed to be good for your waist, looks of wriggling backwards and forwards.

I suppose we could all just be having a lot of wild sex though? Or maybe pilates would be more interesting these days!

Lol, wild sex, are you crazy woman?

and hoover of course. Which I should be doing, instead of mnetting

yeah you're right though. Moment of madness. Ok so I have signed up online for aerobics on Sundays. Should be doable. But will I go?!

well done! You need to go with a friend. Everything is doable then. I can't get motivated otherwise (pathetic emoticon)

You need to do a mixture of things. Some sort of aerobic exercise (swimming, running or the cross trainer for example. Running is by far the most efficient and has the highest calorie burn.)

Some sort of anaerobic exercise (stresses the muscles but you don't always get out of breath) such as weight training, or a circuit of squats/lunges/sit ups and tricep dips.

Some sort of stretching and strengening like pilates/yoga.

I run around 3 times a week (between 3 1/2 and 7 miles, do 2/3 pilates videos and do 2/3 circuits from the Matt Roberts Fit for your Shape book. I don't belong to a gym because the one in my home town is rubbish for what they expect you to pay.

You need commitment and a realisation that maintaining a decent fitness level will involve a certain amount of discomfort Sorry...but its true!

Used to be a gym obsessive but just cant find the time to get there now since having dc - gym session including travel time could be anywhere up to three hours. I now have a cross trainer in my bedroom 3 x 50 min sessions a week in front of the tv or reading the paper and also 3 - 4 x jogging sessions a week. Works for me. Fit, thinner and my mood (suffer from depression) has definitely lifted since starting running outside.

Something non negotiable is good. I play netball and you cannot back out and let the rest of your team down last minute. 2 x 1 hours of running around court seems to do the trick. Play indoor and out all seasons so good all year too. Good for cardio and general stretching/flexibility/co-ordination too I think.

I go to Pilates classes once a week and sometimes practise with a DVD at home while dd takes her nap.

I am on a major get fit drive, so I am swimming four times a week and doing an exercise vid 3 or 4 times a week. I'm also trying to walk more

I am still fat though

Oh, and I am starting belly dancing in 2 weeks

IO can't wait

Running is brilliant as you can do it anywhere. Took my trainers on hol last year and went out first thing along the beach... bliss (plus running on sand is v good for the bum/ thighs )

Agree with others that you need to do a mixture though. I know too many people who only run, and have all sorts of problems with knees, shins etc.

I used to do a lot of road biking but since having DCs find it hard to find time (a good run for me takes 45mins-1 hour, a good cycle probably 2-3 hours). I have been going on the turbo trainer - you put your own bike on it and it provides the resistance. Half an hour is plenty! Plug in the ipod and off you go...

Note that I mostly like activities I can do on my own though (antisocial cow that I am) - if you're not this way inclined I agree with the others who have recommended chumming up with others, joining team sports etc.

Though I do love salsa. And that is brilliant for keeping fit once you get good enough to dance all night. Tip: learn to lead (i.e. dance the man's steps). Then you can go out and never miss a dance all night