Exercise Buddies - anyone want to join?

[Lorns]

Hi this a new thread linked to "We want to lose 10lbs NEW THREAD"

I'm a Group exercise instructor/Personal Trainer and have been offering advice to mumsnetters!

Following suggestions that it would be good to start an exercise/nutrition advice/motivation thread - well here it is!!

Hello, would you mind if I join you?

I have been following a diet and excercise plan since I had my ds 16 months ago and have lost quite alot of weight but I'm still not happy, especially with my tummy (even considering a tummy tuck at this point!)

I usually excercise twice a week for 45 mins (in my lunch hour) and also play netball for 1.5 hours once a week. I've just brought an eliptical trainer too so hoping to fit that in a couple of evenings a week.

Can anyone help me with shifting this mummy tummy - it's really getting me down

speedymama. Let's not overstate the case....

Well I went to the GP (with 2 whingeing kids in tow) and got told that 'ooh yes, you've damaged the ligament. Use a bandage, use ice, elevate the limb and rest as much as possible'.... So that was a complete waste of time then.

Ormrian

Can you cycle or does that aggravate it? Also, doing things like press ups is good for building strength as well as working your heart.

Hope you get better soon.

Sweetheart,welcome.

See Lorns posting on Mon 26-Feb-07 20:30:53. It tells you all about how to get the flat tummy.

I took up running again as this is the only cardio exercise that helps to reduce the flab around my midriff in combination with dieting.

Just running 2 miles two or 3 times a week has made a huge difference and my skirts are really lose around the waist now.

Hi sweetheart

OrMirian, just a thought - would swimming be ok to maintain your fitness levels until your ankle heals?

Have a WW weigh-in tomorrow and haven't been for a couple of weeks because we were away. Not feeling confident about a weight loss and really hoping I haven't gained. How are the rest of the WW followers getting on?

Thanks all. I hate hate hate swimming! Sorry was that a little strong . But I do. Also there isn't a proper swimming pool near enough for me to do that regularly. Cycling - I don't have a bicycle sadly - also the last time I got one was in 1987 under the influence of a lot of gin and I feel off and nearly broke my collar bone . I can't do anything that puts any pressure at all on that foot - I simply couldn't do press-ups. I am managing a little yoga and sit ups but that is all. Running was something I settled on because it's cheap and available whenever and wherever I want it ...and I find it satisfying.

Sorry to sound so awkward. And thanks for all your sugestions. I just have to wait...and start eating less

Ormrian, how about hopping on your good leg? Only joking. If you can continue with upper body exercise, tummy exercises and stretching as well as watching your diet, then you will be fine.

Laloop, I have not lost anything for about a month. However, my tummy is flattening, the flab around my midriff has reduced significantly and my size 12 skirts are now loose on me. So at least I'm losing inches and toning up.

I'm giving myself until July to slowly lose half a stone because physically, I will feel healthier without the extra pounds and it will aid my running speed if I was lighter.

Morning all,

Quite pleased with myself as I actually used the eliptical trainer I brought last night. Did 25 mins on it and felt ok - hope to build up to 30 - 40 mins.

I'm doing gym twice a week in my lunch hour, netball once a week and hopefully the trainer at home twice a week. I plan on having Sat and Sun off.

I tried to build up my running at the gym but the plan the woman gave me is impossible. I was doing ok running for 20 mins at 9km/hr. She put me on this new thing where I start at 9.5 for 8 mins, go up to 10.5 and then back down over the last 12 mins. I just can't do it - am I being a wuss or is she pushing me too hard? How can I build my running stamina?

Also does anyone know which bits of you an eliptical trainer works? Will it help me loose my horrid tummy?

Hi there
Have been for my weigh-in and stayed the same weight so no damage done over Easter, very surprisingly

Sweetheart, those speeds seem really fast for the treadmill! I've been running for over a year and my comfortable speed on the treadmill is 8.5 to 9.0km/hr. I only push up to 10.5 for bursts of up to 60 seconds every few minutes because at that speed I feel I'm running flat out. When I started, my running speed was 7.5 to 8.0km/hr. One suggestion for a good workout would be to run at 8.5 or 9.0 but stick the machine on a 20min random hill programme (level 2 or 3 to start with, then up it to 4).

laloop, yeah! Glad you managed to stay the same over Easter, well done to you

I though the top speed (10.5) was very fast, I actually managed to do the run once but I nearly passed out after getting off the machine. I couldn't finish my work out and had to leave, I'm sure that's not a healthy approach to fitness!

Well today I went back to 9.0 and managed to do 20 mins, even pushed myself up to 9.5 for 5 mins. I find if I run too slowly then my calves start to ache - I'm more comfortable jogging at a slightly faster pace for a shorter time.

I've got less than 6 weeks to go to our holiday and I'd like to wear a bikini for the first time in years. I want to loose 9Ibs before holiday, hopefully thats not too unrealistic

Orm - Bleah. I'm so sorry. I hate hate hate swimming too. So completely understand that's out of the question - was for me when my R knee was shot. Have you considered the reclining bicycle machine? Had to get on that the other day when every muscle was sore; still a good workout (I was humbled) but no pressure on joints.

Lorns - I think what I am is flat backed? My back makes a big C from tops of shoulders all the way to tailbone. (That's what I thought was "sway backed" but your descrip. doesn't sound like me!) I am concentrating on pushing hip bones forward - natural stance is they're back & under.

This is news ... have been working out v. hard at gym 2-3 times/week for last 7 months since birth of DS2 ... have cookies/chocolate every day but not too too much of anything else ... fruit/vegs/lean protein ... lately was weighed ... & am exactly 8 stone!! Should have known b/c went jeans shopping a few days before & had to finally answer the "what size" question with "What's the smallest you've got?" And work up from there!! Now how many times will I get to have THAT experience?! Now I'm somewhere between size US size 0 and 2 ... not sure what UK sizes are ... 4&6? 6&8?
With my eating habits - which I'll stubbornly keep b/c life is too short not to - I'm not sure how long this will last. But at least will definitely be able to wear a bikini in Jamaica in a few weeks. At 37, I'll take it! May be the last time anyway. But certainly enjoying being this small while I can.

Blimey marls!! How tall are you then. I can't imagine ever being that tiny.....

Marls, wow, you're tiny! How tall are you out of interest?

I'm 5'3" and wear mostly size 12 but these are becoming loose on me so may have to move down to a size 10. I'm 42yo and I have to say that since I increased my running, I feel so much healthier than I have for a long time. My waist is shrinking, my tummy is flattening, my buttocks are firm and overall, I'm much leaner.

Yesterday, I went to the gym and spent 25 minutes on the treadmill doing hill running. Then 5 minutes on cross trainer followed by using free weights to work biceps, triceps, shoulders and chest.

This morning I went for a 2 mile run and knocked 16seconds of my last time and I'm now doing it in less than 20 minutes. There is a steep hill in the middle of the run and I just attacked it.

Will do a 4 mile run on Saturday and next week, I think it is time to extend to 6 miles. I'm ready for it now.

check this out guys

well i havent lost any weight or gain so hmm but im slowly extending the times on the treadmill and bike

One of the reasons I can't imagine myself that small is that I'm 5'11 . I'm a 12 now but seem to be working up towards a 14 atm . I'm having to think seriously about something drastic like low-carb again as I have no willpower unless I'm being really really strict and my weight loss strategy was exercise TBH.

im 5' 8" and wears a size 12 tops and 14 bottoms..... (after i had my big baby i was a size 18 all over!!!)

Hi all

Went out for a 3 mile walk last night. No gym this morning as had to go get some grocery shopping. Feel really tired but might force myself to do a blast of Davina's Power of 3 DVD before the school run starts (DS2 normally joins in!).

On the subject of height/weight - Marls, I am so jealous ! I am 5' 4" and a size 12. Haven't been less than 9 stone since having the 3 dc's when I normally stayed between 8st10 and 8st 12. Used to hover around the 9.5 stone mark after dd and ds1, but since being at home on career break after ds2 I've been heading up to 10st, eek! Just can't seem to shift the lbs at all, I lose a couple and then put them straight back on again - NO discipline, ah well

Keep up the good work girls, you're all doing great

PS - can't get that LIDL link to work biglips, what are they selling this week?

I am starting to obsess about weight again now. When I was dieting I used to spoil my whole day with the bloody scales so I forswore them forever...... >

Is trampolining good for fat burning and muscle toning? We just bought DD an 8ft one for her birthday and I seem to remember that it's good exercise. Could be a handy every day work out for the days I can't fit a run in (assuming I ever get back to it that is)

laloop - this week they are selling camping stuff.....last week was the gym stuff.....

oooh i must get there quick!!......

just have a look on Lidl website yourself and you will find it

doh...hang on

the camping and gym stuff are starting from NEXT WEEK

atm its Gardening stuff

Thanks Biglips Will have a look on the Lidl Ireland website.

Have just done the legs session of the Davind DVD - it gets me every time, feel well puffed out! Off to do the upper arm workout, quick shower and then school run, kids' swimming lessons etc etc. Might try to squeeze in a walk later too.

OrMirian - know what you mean about the scales, I'd hop on and off ours everyday if I didn't stop myself. And if they don't show what I want to see, it just puts me in bad form for the rest of the day, grrrr. I really should just hide the scales away and go by the fit of my clothes instead. Also doesn't help that the WW scales weigh me 4lbs heavier than my ones at home

Gotta go, Davina waiting...

Had a quick look on the LIDL website - not doing the gym stuff next week, looks like it's mostly camping gear instore over here. I do recommend the hand weights set though - I got them a few weeks ago from there. Just about to use them for the DVD upper body workout now...

That's the upper body section done, yippee!!

Catch up with you all later x

My dad is a huge Lidl fan so I've just rung him and asked him to pick me up one of the running jackets - thanks for the link!

OrmIrian - my sister does a class called Urban Rebound where you excercise on a trampoline - apparently it's much more effective than running, uses twice as much energy or something. Also it's supposed to be better for your joints.

I am feeling very achey today. usually my gym visits don't really push me too much but after 2 weeks off the weights have left me with aching muscles and my calves hurt from running. Still off to netball tonight and tomorrow I shall have another go on my trainer at home.

I will weight on Saturday officially although I just can't stop myself from getting the damn scales out every morning. I am a bit disappointed I must admit becuase I have only lost 1Ib since Monday and I was hoping to get under the 10St mark. Hopefully I will be by Sat.

Mars you are tiny what on earth are you doing on this thread! I wish I was your size, I'd love to be a "size 0". Never going to happen for me though - it's a totally unrealistic goal, I'd have to starve myself - and thats just not possible as I like my food too much