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!!

Well done, sweetheart, on your run - I knew you could do it

Hopefully we will have lots of £1's to spend soon, speedy - I'll copy you with the a pound in money for a pound in weight off as well.

Had a truly horrendous time out on the school run earlier, we have had torrential rain in Northern Ireland and there have been flash floods in many areas. Thought I was going to have to abandon the car at one point (like many others who already had, some roads had cars floating down them) but managed to get through. Back home safe and sound - really freaky weather.

God laloop that sounds awful! I think I would have stayed put! I hate driving in those kind of weather conditions - I remember my car sliding down a hill on ice once - very frightening!

I have just done a running route on a website and I'm really shocked to see how far 5Km actually is. Don't think I'd have ever done it if I'd seen that first - just would have told myself it was undoable! I might even try it out one day if I'm feeling brave.

Speedy you are so sweet - treating your kids! Are you sure the new "super-slim" you won't need a nice dress to wear to dinner and WOW dh with!?!?!?! No, just me then

Quick question please. What is going to work better - in terms of fitness and muscle tone? 3 3 mile runs a week, or 4/5 2 mile runs? I am finding it much less onerous these days so quite keen to go out more often. But I can't manage the time to run 3 miles every day.

Also I had aching shins this morning after a 2.5 mile run yesterday so wondering if I need to slow it down a little. So nervous of my damn ankles....

Abra - agree with Speedymama; actually is as flat now as it ever was after 2 children (!) But also think it might have to do with heredity? Like stetch marks? Then again, my lower stomach was always my worst point. And it has managed to be looking relatively flat these days.

Laloop - Bootcamp sounds excellent

Shrinkinglilly - agree I have to get to bed around 9pm these days as well or face consequences. Lack of sleep def. contributes to lower metabolism, as does stress

Laloop it was absolutely mad yesterday wasn't it I wondered how you had got on with the flooding.
I got soaked because I went out when it was dry but by the time I was strapping all the children into the car it was chucking down and the thunder and lightening was really loud and dramatic. (quite exciting really)

I haven't lost much weight yet but since last week I have lost a clear 2 inches from my waist. I am finding the yogalates to be brilliant and think/hope it reduces stress levels too.

I am full of admiration for you guys going for runs, I wonder when I will feel ready for that. Not yet anyway!

I was planning to go the gym today but won't be able to now. DT1 fell down the stairs this morning so we spent an hour in A&E with him because he passed out. He seems OK now but I will keep a close eye on him today. As the doctor said, children this age are quite resilient (he is 3yo) but it is better to be safe than sorry.

He likes the Pump it Up DVD so I might do that later to cheer him up. It might also help me to calm down because I blame myself for not keeping an eye on him.

It's things like this that remind you how precious is one's health and how in a split second, you can easily lose the use of your limbs.

Og speedy - sorry to hear about your dt1. Don't beat yourself up about it though - you'd be surprised how many people this happens to and the dr is right - kids bounce back! My dd fell down the stairs when she was about 18mths old. I was home alone at night and had to phone my parents to come with me to the Dr's as I was terrified they would take her away from me for neglect. The Dr was lovely and made it very clear that accidents happen and not to feel too bad about it.

SL - you'd be surprised at how easy it is to build up running stamina. I never thought I'd be able to run on a treadmill let alone for 30 mins! Just give it a go a few times and you'll see how easy it is to build up.

Mars - my tummy is my worst bit too - it sucks doesn't it. I'm quite liking the baggy tops around at the moment as it mean I can hide my wobbly bits!

Well I am very very achey today. All my muscles are very stiff and my blisters are really painful. I'm still planning on going to the gym at lunchtime but I fear it will be punishing! Perhaps a long soak in a hot bath will be in order tonight. Diet wise I'm doing ok but not brilliantly - I always find the 1st week back I feel really hungry so I'm sure next week will be better food wise.

How's everyone else - what excercise plans do you have for today?

How terrifying speedy! Hope all is well with him today. It puts things firmly into perspective doesn't it?

Speedy, glad DT1 is okay. Don't blame yourself at all - these things happen so quickly and it is impossible to keep watching them every second of the day (especially when you have twins!). My dd also fell down the stairs when she was about 3 yo. It was during bathtime and I had got her out and then turned to lift out ds1 (15mths younger than dd). In those few seconds she had managed to fall headfirst down the stairs, I can still see it in my mind.

Will chat to you all later, off to do the school pickups.

Hello all

Just sneaking in to ask a little question, hope that's OK!

I went to see jim on Monday (gym) and had a new programme drawn up for me to follow.....well the instructor really tested my limits, I was nearly 'seeing the light' I can tell you!!

Anyway I am still in pain today, like cannot move pain. My arms are in agony and picking up DD is really hard work.

Have I like pulled something or is it OK to feel like this????! I was following my previous programme for ages and even when I started that I have never felt in this much pain, aches yes but this is proper hard to drive pain!

Cheers!

Speedy, my 2 1/2 year old knocked himself out falling off couch a few weeks ago so know how you feel. Very upsetting. I ordered Tae Bo DVD from amazon yesterday. All you runners are doing great. I have a dodgy knee so wouldn't run on road but hoping stepper will have same effect. Don't have much stamina yet though, can only do 15 mins. Plan to do that and some upper body exercise tonight.

Hello rhysmiamum,

In answer to your question I have been a regular exerciser for the last 2 years and after 2 weeks off from the gym I am aching from top to toe! You probably just pushed yourself too hard for your first go and need to ease yourself into it. You'll learn to read the signals your body gives you when you've done too much - mine is that I start shaking! Remember that you are probably using muscles you didn't know you had! However if you are still in pain tomorrow or saturday you may have an injury so just take it easy!

If you feel your programme is too hard speak to your trainer at the gym and ask them to change it - thats what they are paid for.

I am glad to say I have done my gym visits for the week! I have netball tonight and will see how I feel on Friday to decide what excercise to do!

Speedy - hows you dt?

Thanks Sweetheart

Feeling a bit better today so gonna go swimming. Think I'll tackle the gym again on Saturday.

I know it's normal to ache but I do think he pushed me a little too hard, he just kept saying 'you can go faster / push higher / do more' etc etc etc! But I can just follow the programme now by myself so don't think I'll be torturing myself as much.....

x

Sorry rhysmiamum but your instructor sounds like a bit of an ar*se! The idea is not to work as hard as humanly possible at first, but to find a reasonably comfortable level and them move on to harder things as your fitness increases. It isn't good to be in pain afterwards - a few aches maybe but not as bad as you sounded. If you strain too much you risk injury (beleive me I know ) and it's harder to motivate yourself to do it next time.

Glad you're feeling a bit better - take it at your pace next time.

Thanks Orm [I'm rhysmiamum with new ID!]

When I just went for my swim I picked up my new programme which had been typed out etc and it's two A4 pages long! All this to be done in an hour OMG!!!

I don't think I'll be putting myself through that much again and will sort of follow it but I'd like to actually walk out not crawl out IYSWIM!!

Hi everyone. Havn't had time to read all the posting, but hope you are all o.k. Will start ploughing through them now. Thanks Laloop for always been in cyper mumsnet world!

Hi again

Rhys - you should feel as though you've worked out in the few days after your sessions. If you are still aching 5-7 days latger then your instructor has given you too hard a time!

Ormirian - x3 with a longer duration will improve your cardiovascular endurance more. There is nothing wrong with with a shorter time and shorter duration, tho I would go with the former and try and do some strength training in your weekly workouts as well.

You know everyone I've been thinking for a long time that it is very expensive buying DVD's and I have and idea (just waiting for technology to catch up with me). Here it is! I would love to be able to produce an online membership system whereby you can pick and choose what workout and level you want to do at any time of the day. The workouts would change frequently to stop you getting bored. This would somehow be linked to your main TV so you can see the instructor exercising on a bigger screen than your computer. I would also link to local P/trainers in the area (vetted of course) to ensure that your technique is good or for any adice. Perhaps this could be on-line though???

My friend had this projection thingy that is a computer, DVD and TV etc. in one. This would be the ideal medium. What do you all think?

Hi everyone
DT1 is fine now. He was really drowsy yesterday so we kept a close eye on him but now he is back to his old self.

I have not done much exercise and I'm taking a break tomorrow so hopefully I will manage a 3 mile run on Saturday.

Lorns, an interesting concept that you have proposed. My problem is that the computer is in the office on the ground floor and I do my exercise in the living room which is on the first floor (town house). Also, would the workout by the Personal Trainer be live or recorded? If live, would there be problems about getting people to turn up on time because I think the remoteness of a PC connection makes it more likely for people to be less punctual. The beauty about DVDs is that you can do them at a time that is convenient to you. The downside is that you require a lot of self motivation and that is where your concept could win.

It is a revolutionary idea and I'm sure there is way of getting it to work in a way that is practical and fits in with people's lifestyle and personal commitments.

Thanks speedy. Yes there are lots of hurdles to overcome - especially with technology. The PT bit was an afterthought as technique is everything. However you could have a PT watching over you 24/7 and still not perfect technique. It would be alot easier if no-one outside the cyber world was involved!!!

Well I have booked a personal Trainer today to get me back on track, I'm motivated in that I turn up to my spin classes a couple of times a week, do a bit on the cross trainer and lift some weights but it's all a bit slap dash so feel I need some structure to it all to get the results I want.
Also my diet is all over the place, I go from eating nothing some days to stuffing my chops with mostly healthy food, but lots of it.
I'll keep reading and hope some of your success so far will rub off on me.
I'm 11 stone and want to be 10 by September.

Thanks to everyone who recommended the Asics. Bought them a couple of weeks ago and they are brilliant. Absolutely no knee or ankle pain now. Have continued to go to the gym and can now do a 15-min run without having to stop for a walk. I am also doing two Pilates classes. Feeling pretty good and have much more energy. Side bends in Pilates are no longer hampered by the fat on my hips!!

Yoyo - side bends are one of the harder exercises to master and achieve as they need lots of upper body strength as well as to be able to "sqeeze" the undeneath rib/hip together! Well done!

Hideehi - hope the PT goes well and they help you add some structure to both your exercise and nutritional goals! If you need any help just ask!!

Yoyo - side bends are one of the harder exercises to master and achieve as they need lots of upper body strength as well as to be able to "sqeeze" the undeneath rib/hip together! Well done!

Hideehi - hope the PT goes well and they help you add some structure to both your exercise and nutritional goals! If you need any help just ask!!

Wow, you lot are gdoing all so well!
Lorns the idea does sound really good...don't know to much abnout technic, so, that part went sort of over my head, tbh...lol!
Anyway Lorns, you are a Fitness instructor....what sort of course do you have to do to become one, etc...any hints and tips would be great!

As for me, life been weird and am completely out of any routines...but my mum will be flying home next week, so, we should return to some sort of routine then!
My dh is now back of Afghanistan, for good, so, that is good news.
Have not done much the last few days, did Tae BO Everybody get ripped advance workout, and omg, it's amazing how unfit I have become once again....it's crazy....but well, I know how fit you can also become quickly, done it before will do it again!
Am not gonna beat me up about it all though, because, well...I only see my mum like once a year , so, my priorities were/are spending time with my mum! And making sure she got a good holiday and the most out of that time