Who has lost weight through exercise? Come and inspire me please!

[cupofteaplease]

Hi all,

Well I've had a terrible time with my weight yo-yoing since my teens, I lost 5.5 stone, but have now put back on 2.5 of that due to 2 pregnancies and a sedentry lifestyle.

Anyway, I've bit the bullet and joined the gym and my gym induction is on Friday.

What should I expect? I did a class about a year ago with the bloke doing my induction and it was such hard work I was nearly sick and never went back

I don't want to feel sick when exercising, but is that something I should expect to be the norm?

I desperately want to firm up and lose some weight before my best friend's wedding in almost 4 months.

I currently weigh just over 11 stone and have accepted that WW/diet alone doesn't work for me. I KNOW I need to get moving.

How much could I potentially lose/achieve in 4 months, and what would I need to do to achieve this?

Any advice greatly received!

I asked for 45 mins on my gym induction - cos I thought that was enough to start with, got 30 mins cardio (walking on tread mill and rowing machine 5 mins, bike 10 mins and cross trainer 10 mins) then15 minutes roughly on weights.

I lost 18 pounds in the first 12 weeks

I absolutely believe that exercise and sensible eating is the way to lose weight. I couldn't diet, I could never restrict myself. Plus with exercise you will be fitter, feel better, have more energy and are far more likely to keep the weight off.

I lost 2 stones after having dd by exercising. Ask somebody at the gym to write you a programme.

You should not feel sick when exercising. If you feel sick you are working too hard and need to stop. Your body should be your guide.

A healthy weight loss is 2lb a week so in 4 months you could lose what you need to but don't be led too much by figures, be led by how you feel and look and how loose your clothes are getting.

Don't be scared of the gym. You've done a good thing and you'll probably even enjoy it.

Thanks- that has inspired me!
I'm glad you shouldn't feel sick- that sounds more enjoyable.
I'm more interested in dropping 2 dress sizes rather than 2 stone, but I assume they go hand in hand really.
I am no good at denying myself food- so diets never work, although I do eat a very balanced diet anyway. I am sure that my weight gain is due to lack of movement.
Could I do a 30 minute programme? Only I will always be short of time, but could fit 30 mins in easily enough.

I'm in the same situaion, the last time I was happy with my weight I was just under 11 stone (I'm 5ft 10)...lost weight simply by running (killed me at first, felt sick and sore chest but after doing nearly every day for 2 weeks felt easier), walking lots and cutting out wheat and dairy, which I shouldn't be eating anyway, about 4 years ago...then DD4 came along and it all went horribly wrong! Have started again and feeling better after a week already!

What I would say is don't follow any rediculous 'diet' because as soon as the word 'diet comes in to play you will fail..imo anyway! Cut out wheat and dairy...that in itself is brilliant, cut your portion sizes, drink loads of water and aim to do any exercise for about an hour a day...you will see a huge difference!

Don't worry about 'how much you will lose' because if you change your way of life, it will come off gradually and hopefully stay off! There are no quick fixes, unfortunately! HTH x

IvyKaty- how often a week did you do your 45 mins? Well done on the weight loss!

Mrsdisorganised- thanks for the advice!
I must say though, cutting out wheat and dairy sounds like a huge lifestyle change for me- perhaps because I know nothing of how to do it.
Also I could not fit in an hour every day- I work FT and study and my husband works shifts, so I think 30 mins would have to be my daily limit.
I'd love to take up running, I'm so unfit

30 mins is enough..I have no excuse, I'm a sahm so I do a dvd, run if I can get someone to take dd4, walk everywhere at speed (whilst I can as she is in pushchair, others are at school!) I get excema so dairy is out most the time and we are gluten free anyway (Coeliac disease) so it is easier for me but it didn't take long to get the hang of it....you can do whatever you set your mind too! You'll look lovely at your friend wedding!!! Keep it in mind...

30 minutes 3 times a week is absolutely fine. Once that becomes easier try doing it 4 times a week or ask to change your programme.

It will hurt a bit at first, you'll ache and be sore and your chest may burn but it gets better fast. If you feel uncomfortable, just slow down what you're doing and regain your breath.

I wouldn't cut out wheat and dairy personally as I'd miss too many things that way and it would be just like any other diet.

Honestly, I'm the fittest I've ever been and post dd I was overweight, unfit and rather unhappy.

And it's really rather good for getting rid of stress and anxiety and spending some time on yourself.

The other thing is incentives. I'm like a lab rat really. I need rewards. So, for example, if I stick my fitness routing for 2 weeks I can have a day out with dd or a pair of shoes or an evening out, whatever works for you. It did help me.

I had to lose weight as had a referral to the fertility clinic and had been told that I would not be treated while I was obese. Fair enough. I had 8 weeks to lose enough weight to be in the mid range of overweight so that I could access the treatment. I started with a personal trainer at the end of Jan 07. By the start of March I had lost 8 lbs and was at the right point to start treatment. I carried on and lost another 6 lbs before I got pregnant which was end April 07. I kept a food diary to show my trainer so I was moderate ish in what I ate but certainly didn't diet. I saw my trainer 3 times a week for an hour and went to the gym 3 days a week for an hour a time on top of that. Obviously this was pre DS when I seemed to have all the time in the world !
Now, 2 years on, I am back where I started there or therabouts and am about to get going again so that I can try and get to a more sensible weight for TTC no 2 !
good luck.

I lost a few pounds skiing every day over Christmas without trying at all.

Do what feels right for you. I like bikram yoga and don't like gyms.

I used to feel sick when exercising and still do sometimes but it gets alot better the fitter you become. Make sure you drink lots of water and that will stop headaches too!
Joyous

Does swimming work? I can squeeze in half an hour exercise at 6.30am in the morning as well as the evening.

I'm not sure whether half an hour swimming or running would be better?

Running would be easier, as getting to the pool, through reception and changing for swimming is a bit of a faff!

Running and swimming are both very good for you, but different kettles of fish entirely. Swimming is low impact and perhaps easier for you if you're just starting out. Running is high impact, can be a bit demoralising at first if you're unfit but is a better and harder workout than swimming. Swimming also has the advantage of not being weather dependent. There's nothing like getting up in a morning and trying to convince yourself to go running in the cold and rain at this time of year. Bleurgh.

You can do both. I do what I feel like. If I fancy running, I run. If I want to swim, I swim. Sometimes I do a dvd. I think that choice helps as you don't feel so much like you're forcing yourself.

YES!!!! A great post at last!!

This is soo the way to go! The most sustainable long term too!

Mrs Disorganised is spot on with wheat and dairy. I do this with my clients and get great results - dress size in 4 weeks, a stone lost etc etc.
I'm just in between PT'ing at the moment, but will most some more info on here later.

CupofTea - Tell you what - email me and I'll send you FOC my nutrition plan I give to my PT clients to explain and get you underway!

Cup of tea - every day. That is why I wanted a 45 minute work out to fit in with me and be realistic. I can mange an hour of my time to the gym 5 minutes in car - 45 minute work out - 10 minute shower and change (I am quick!) and 5 minutes drive home - ok so an hour and 5 minutes.

You know that every time you excersis - when you stop your body continues to have raised heart rate, thus burning calories still. This can continue for 30 minutes to 2 hours after you have stopped actually moving... so this was why I went for little and often.

So something like a 30 minutes on the bike in the gym in the morning and then another 30 minutes of other stuff in the eve would work well.

I always swim anyway after my gym session or a class - it stretches my muscels some more and I never ache after the gym - not the next day or the day after.

cupoftea - how many calories a day do you get to eat on WW?

I did a combination of WW and the gym and lost 2.5 stone in 5/6 months. I regained about half a stone but that was partly because I wasn't worried and felt great. I was 13st4 to begin with - got down to 10st10 and a size 12.
Exercisewise I felt that getting into running had the most significant impact on my weightloss and fitness levels. I decided to learn to run in the January and did the Race for Life in June - 27 minutes which I was really proud of. Spinning classes are also great even though I thought I was going to die in my first one!
I am now pregnant so will have to start again this year but I know now that I can do it. I viewed it in trimesters!! WW guidlines would have you lose 1-2 pounds per week so I work on the basis that in 12 weeks I can lose 12-18 lbs - that's loads! I found it made it an achievable goal.
I hired a personal trainer to get me going - I know this is not possible for everyone but I would not have made the same progress on my own.
My advice would be to break it up into achievable chunks - you can get running plans on t'internet where you gradually build up your times.

Can I come back to this thread in 12 weeks and join you???

Thanks for all the great replies.

I've never felt this determined to overhaul my lifestyle. I spent the weekend with my friends whose wedding is approaching, and they regularly go to the gym at least 3, but more often 5 times a week, and they are both such positive people in all areas of life- they have really inspired me, as I'm tired of going to bed each night feeling frustrated and despairing of my expanding body. I don't want to be this person anymore

Anyway... Mark, Id love the food plan, thanks. My email is [email protected]

Nim, I think choice is what I need to keep me motivated. I guess I could even do a dvd in the morning. I have loads, just never make time to do them!

Ivy- WW doesn't really work with calories. It's a point system, and I am allowed 20. But I am not follow a diet plan at the moment, just eating a variety of fresh food, and cutting portion sizes.

Sniffy- yes, please do come back in 12 weeks! Hopefully by then I will be a safe if not loose size 12, rather than a might-as-well-accept-it size 14, and possibly feeling happier as a result?! Here's hoping.

I've stopped running since i realised the impact it was having on my joints and boobs was not good, have a look at Mark's site it explains better than I could about skinny/fat, which was basically me.
The bikes at the gym are 100 times better than all other equipment, I have to try not to laugh at people on the cross trainer now.
I do a pump class and a spin class 4 times a week and am fitter than most 20 year olds after 3 children (even if I do say so myself lol)

Here you go www.markspt.co.uk/

20 points would be 2000 clas - I guess? I just kept to sensible eating at around 2000 cals a day, as that is what is recommended.

Good for you, try to enjoy what you are doing at the gym - that way you are more likely to go back for more, try different classes. I used to love going to bed at night, knowing that I would sleep well after my gym session. Plus the more you do the less tired you feel.

Am loving this thread-i have lost almost 2 stone since October just by eating sensibly and cutting out the junk.....

Now i want to 'up it' and add more exercise (than just running round after 3 yr old and 5 mth old!)

Woo-hoo....GREAT THREAD!

Thanks for the link Sorrento.

CupofTea - I've emailed you a big load of info!

On this subject, the people on this thread have the right idea!

I'd like to invite you all to my blog at;
www.MarkRaynsfordPersonalTraining.blogspot.com

and feel free to signup to my forum at www.FatLossFitness.ning.com and post on there. Lots of free info on nutrition and exercise, and I'll willingly help any of you! But PLEASE post on there, it's a forum for your to talk and ask, not just read!

Cup Of Tea - When you go for your induction, insist that you DON'T want to use weights machines, and you want to be shown Freeweight (dumbell) exercises. You will get so much more benefit. Also, don't let them give you anything less than 3kg, another peeve I have over "light weights!"

In the run up to my wedding I lost 2 stone by exercising mainly. I found myself naturally eating less junk as I had more energy etc without actually going on a diet iyswim.

I did regular spinning classes and lost 4 inches off my arse (my biggest bit) in about that amount of time and went from a 'size 16 if not too fitted around my arse', to a comfortable 14.

That was 5 years ago however