How can I get decent exercise with no time or money?

[bohemianbint]

Am gutted, I recently cancelled my gym membership because DP works shifts and I just never ended up going. I'm really missing it now, because I really liked going, I just never did! (IYSWIM!)

Anyway, am doing Slimming World but it's fairly slow going and I need to exercise to get it going I think, I just dunno what I can do! I know I can walk, but it's not enough is it - I heard something the other day about how you need to excercise vigorously for it to have an effect. I could, in theory jog around the park but I have slightly dodgy knees and there's always some evil dogs running around off the lead in our park and they scare me to death.

So, all that considered, what options are left?!

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When dd2 was tiny i used to walk alot, now we have a trampoline which i should take advantage of but it gives me a bit of a headache so i avoid it, lately i havent tried to lose weight and the scales say im heavier yet my clothes fit better, I can only put it down to the fact I'm now doing an extra school run per day and have a changed a couple of toodler groups so i have to walk a little bit more.

Cheers Tobysmum. I might give that a whirl. Do you find you're motivated enough to do it regularly?

Running is cheap and can be done whenever it suits you. Doesn't have to be round the park - I used to stick to the park because I was embarrassed to be seen running along roads. But I got so bored (not bothered about dogs) of the same route day in day out. So now I've conquered my fear of public mockery and run whereever I damn well please . It's much more interesting if you can go whereever you like and vary your route.

I also have dodgy knees (and back and calves for that matter) but if you get good running shoes and go easy if things start to get too sore, you'll be fine.

I can;t get out in the evening (singlemum) but have thought of a small trmpoline thing indoros. Has anyone tried them?

I also have dodgy knees/ankles/elbow

bike.

Have you got a bike? I'm addicted to my daily cycle to and from work. When I last weighed myself, it seemed that I hadn't lost any weight, but now there's lots of room around the waist band of my trousers and I definitely feel better.

I have just bought one of those stepper things - the idea being that I can do 15 minutes on it whenever I get chance

I have a chest-infection-shaped excuse not to use it atm. 5 minutes on it the other day reduced me to a wheezy puddle. We shall see how it goes...

Agree with OrmIrian completely.

Running/jogging can be fitted in as and when. You know at what time of the day you will take your shower or bath, so simply head out of the door half an hour before that time. Jog for 15 mins in one direction, then turn round and head for home, aiming to get back slightly quicker and more breathless.

I was given this advice seven years ago and am now entering races, joined a running club and covering about 25 - 30 miles a week.

And I've dropped two dress sizes and am fitter than I was in my teens (I'm 46)

Oh... and I've had knee troubles all my life. A good physio can sort it out in no time.

running is definitely the way to go. dp has been running to and from work for about year now, and is so much more pleasant to be around at least most of the time, he's also a lot fitter and healthier.

i've been trying to fit in a run a day too, often in the mornings before he goes to work when i can be arsed to get up that early! i definitely feel better when i've done it, and it feels great not to be paying £50 per month at the gym. tbh gyms aren't as good excercise anyway, something to do with the air temperature and your metabolism i seem to recall..

or maybe it was that on a treadmill you're not propelling yourself forward in the same way you would in the real world, so you don'#t burn as many calories over the same 'distance'

Every day squeaky . I can't manage that. Wish I could but not enough time and bits of me hurt if I run every day.

Cheers everyone. Right, running it is then. I might have to do it under cover of darkness though!

Not for long bohemian! I was like that to start with but once you start to get a few miles under your belt you don't give a t*ss for anyone else and what they think. I get beeped by cars sometimes and I just smile to myself and think 'well I'm the one getting slim and fit and you're just sitting stuck in traffic acheiving nothing'.

Bear in mind that you must stick to well-lit routes especially going into winter. I used to run along the river which was great in the summer but probably asking for trouble now it's dark. Or find a running buddy.

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Cheers OrmIrian. I don't rate my chances out running a nutter - not yet, anyway!

I like running for being not very time-consuming, you can go at any time really, don't need to make plans or have a friend to do it with.

Cycling is also excellent, you can put a child on the back, and get fit as you go about everyday life. It can often save you time and money over using a car or public transport.

Walk - I walk absolutely everywhere, never take the car.(unless its tesco's or too far away) and I do the school run twice a day. I read somewhere that if you do 10,000 steps you will never be unfit. Get a cheap pedometer.

I can't walk (though agree it is the simplest thing) - achilles tendon problem, waiting for physio and customised insoles. No-one tried the trampoline thing then?

How about borrowing some DVD or video with workout or aerobics. You can even borrow in the library jazz street dancing.

The best non-impact exercise is swimming - not enticing on a freezing morning, but actually when your body is cold, the water feels warmer (and when your body feels hot ie in summer, the water feels cold) so get in tthere!