AIBU to want a gentler health/weight discussion

[argumentativefeminist]

Want to interact with others and get support/motivation for getting healthier and active, and in the process losing weight. But I absolutely don't want to hear any "diet culture", calorie counting or unhealthy disordered eating promotion. Surely I can't be the only one? Sometimes it seems like every thread I click on is just full of upsetting, unhelpful comments that sound like they could have been lifted from a thinspo website.

I think avoiding the obnoxious gym men is way more adult and kind than actively getting a kick out of goading them though, for sure!

Wish I was coordinated enough for burlesque (or any other!!) form of dancing - sounds an absolute blast!

camel you sound like an absolute machine (in the best way possible)! That’s a hefty training schedule.

If I don’t, I find my MH suffers dramatically

I really recommend a podcast called half size me - I think you would love it. It is all about steady, sustainable weight loss and health and finding what works for you.

camel I’m struggling with that exact thing at the mo as birth injuries and prolapse mean running, jumping and weights are all a silly idea for my body - trying to find a way of keeping my mind healthy while I try and rehab my pelvic floor is to be honest a bit of a nightmare.

Verbana

I have SJD, hypermobile hips and a possible prolapsed disc from my pregnancies and births.

I do a lot of low weight mobility stuff and Pilates (decent Pilates) is really good for core building gently and slowly. Look for a Pilates foundation teacher x

camel thanks for tips and hope

I’m doing Pilates with an instructor who’s a qualified physio and post-natal specialist and it is great, plus an under a specialist nurse and a gynae for my pelvic floor, so I think I’m on the right track. Just takes so bloody long and it’s frustrating having been used to my body just getting on with things beautifully before.

I was a size 14 having lost 60kgs when I got pregnant. Now I’m back up to over 110kgs and need to lose 35kgs really to feel anywhere near like I’m fit and healthy. I get the feeling of it takes ages which is why I rarely weigh myself. Don’t stress with food whilst still trying to make better choices and basically make it as slow and enjoyable as possible

My BMI is healthy and I’m happy with my shape/size, but in terms of fitness, strength and function I’ve a really long way to go! Basically I’m a very good advert for the fact that looking like you’ve ‘got your body back’ and being ‘healthy’ according to the BMI chart is not the same as having a decent level of functional fitness. But I will get there!

Verbena I am also limited by injury... haven't been able to do impact exercise for 4 years. Have found Pilates to be a great help, also yoga and Body Balance (with modifications).

And walking. Lots and lots of walking.

It's a slow journey, this rehabilitation thing. I'm getting on better now that I accept my limitations rather than fighting with myself!

Thanks curtains; it’s nice not feeling alone.

I can’t quite let go of running yet, and gynae seems hopeful too so am going to do my absolute best to get back at it.

I believe in you Verbena and everyone else! You're all making amazing progress and I'm so glad I have this thread as a support system and for helpful tips and tricks - can't believe we're on page 8 already! I've just ordered Liam from Bake Offs new dessert cookbook... excited for some new treats to compliment all these vegetables 😂

How’s it going today lovely humans? @whiskeysourpuss really hope your interview went ok.

Quick Pilates session here today. Felt really nice taking 40 minutes to connect with my body after a day at work doing brain stuff whilst gradually melting into my chair!

@Verbena87 interview seems to go really well & they said I'd hear today or tomorrow... haven't heard as yet!

Hiya to all the newbies 👋🏼 Will catch up on the thread properly soon been a busy few days!

Hello hello lovelies! I'm wonderful today thank you Verbena, really feeling the ache from some of my workouts recently but in a good way! Did 30 mins upper body yoga today and a 20 minute strength and cardio Jessica video!

Congrats whiskey, hope you get good news soon! We've missed you 💕

Well I did CrossFit today but I totally my work out so I couldn’t possibly exacerbate my hyper mobility.

Tbh it left me feeling a bit shit. Everyone else literally worked TWICE as hard as me coz I can’t bloody squat that low :(

I might try and find something lower than a weights bench to get a bit more squat in my life.

Blergy.

Least I did it though? Xx

Oh Camel, sorry to hear you're feeling bad about it but you're right, at least you did it! I find squats really hard too, but I feel proud that I do as much as I can, and you should too! Let me know if you find a good modification/alternative.

@whiskeysourpuss that sounds really promising! Fingers crossed for you here.

@argumentativefeminist I must look at the upper body yoga. Feel like hefting my great big baby should give me lovely defined arms but somehow it doesn’t. Maybe they just need an extra nudge.

@cantankerouscamel it’s so annoying feeling limited. Would a couple of yoga blocks be a bit lower than the bench maybe?

Verbena - it's really good! Mostly planks, down dog, side planks etc, so it works your core and stuff as well. I can do side plank on one side, and the other side I can't even get in position without falling down 😂

I think I’m not supposed to plank (too much intra-abdominal pressure) but might see if I can adapt it a bit.

You could try bending your knees 90 degrees (thighs in line with your body, feet stacked behind you) on the wobbly side to give you a bit more stability.

If you’re working on your plank:

Get into box position, roll body forwards so shoulders are over hands and come up so your knees are slanted

This is called ‘plank prep’ the easiest way to find it is from child’s pose. Rock forwards into plank prep and do a low press up.

When you can do 3 full press ups with knees down in plank prep (remember body should travel over the arms and forwards so the core stays solid and the back stays straight.

Then begin tucking one leg under and straightening it, remembering to breath AND engage core. Then use both legs in this way.

Then you can jump into plank with both legs by tucking up your toes in plank prep and the rock of your body extending your back.

This is how to safely develop the muscles needed for plank.

You can also do this

Downward dog - high plank

Which also teaches you the correct muscles to engage

Thank you Verbena and Camel for your very helpful plank tips! Verbena, if you try upper body on Beginner 1 (I do 2) it might be a bit less planky - you can always watch the video of the session first to see what's in it!

Just devoured an absolutely amazing coronation chicken baguette for lunch 😁😁 now time for some dance and some aerobics!

Holy crap, I just tried the Boditrax machine at the gym for the first time and as well as a whole slew of other depressing statistics, I have metabolic age of 49. 49!!

I am 34 😫😫😫

Oscha screw the depressing machine! You were at the gym and that's what counts 🌟 Nothing happens overnight, you're making progress 💕