Fitness freaks i need your help

karenw

tara747 wrote: »

It is also a good way to start running if you're not very fit. Start off by walking for a few minuTes, building up your pace to warm up. Run for a minute or so, then walk a bit more, then run again, walk again etc. This will ease you into running since not many first timers can just walk out the door and run for 30 minutes! HTH.

I am very very unfit and overweight atm so this is gonna be major for me.

becky_rtw

If you're very overweight I recommend walking first before trying to run - running is very hard work on the joints and by building a solid base of brisk walking before you start running you builds up the muscles and get the joints used to it - this reduces the risk of injury and burns loads of fat so its good all round.

If you have questions about running - there's a running thread on DFW that I'm on a lot which has got me from a total beginner (June 08) to running 50 miles a week injury free - and I've lost over a stone and a haf in the process (without even trying )...

Happy exercising

jw8725

Losing weight is really easy to do (honest). Its all about controlling your insulin. Google up Zoe Harcombe and tell me what you thinky?

pandora205

Hi. I think it's a question of finding the right exercise for you rather than just doing stuff because it works generally. I find working out in a gym on my own hard slog so go to classes instead. My gym does Body Pump, which I find a very good method of toning up, as it combines the use of weights with a workout to music. It's very good for reshaping and burning fat though you start with light weights and gradually increase. The classes tend to be quite mixed with men and women of all ages. It's much cheaper than a personal trainer too!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1001581386452481800

BritRael

tara747 wrote: »

Au contraire, you have an hourglass in the first two pics!!! And you are very pretty.

I've seen pics mentioned in numerous threads here. Wot pics?? I can't see any

Anyway..Karen, maybe the answer to your problems is in your signature.

A friend of mine had a figure like Dawn French a couple of years ago. After giving up the booze (without dieting and exercise) she now has a figure like Posh Spice! (er...but with Dawn's boobs! ) Personally, I think this is an unhealthy look and (out of the two) I prefered the Dawn French look But each to his own
Good luck.

red

Hi Karen...good luck on the new regime! My advice would be to try body pump as it has really fast results...however, if you hate the idea of weights and loud music etc, on the other end of the scale, I would also recommend yoga...both can dramatically help to tone your body, and hopefully at a rate that will keep you motivated (aim to do around 3 sessions a week if that is possible).

On diet, try to make sure you are not working too hard as your body will start to produce cortisol if you are training too hard or too long each day. To try to balance this out, up your protein (lean meat, fish, tofu) and try to eat around 30 minutes after your workout. Beforehand, load up with carbs (pasta, bread, rice) as this should help you to have a better workout.

jw8725

Karen what is the time difference in the pics?

karenw

red wrote: »

Hi Karen...good luck on the new regime! My advice would be to try body pump as it has really fast results...however, if you hate the idea of weights and loud music etc, on the other end of the scale, I would also recommend yoga...both can dramatically help to tone your body, and hopefully at a rate that will keep you motivated (aim to do around 3 sessions a week if that is possible).

On diet, try to make sure you are not working too hard as your body will start to produce cortisol if you are training too hard or too long each day. To try to balance this out, up your protein (lean meat, fish, tofu) and try to eat around 30 minutes after your workout. Beforehand, load up with carbs (pasta, bread, rice) as this should help you to have a better workout.

Thanks for the tips :T

brokeinwales

I really wish people would get it into their heads that spot training is a myth! You can lose weight and you can put on weight - you can tone muscles to get a more athletic figure - but you cannot control where on your body your fat attaches itself, or where it comes off- that's purely down to genetics. The idea that one can gain a "curvy" figure via diet and exercise is complete rubbish (often supported by the celebrity magazine culture). Some of us are pears, some of us are hourglasses, some of us are just plain boyish - you can make yourself a bigger or smaller pear, or you can make yourself a healthier more toned pear - but without major surgery you can't change from a pear to an hourglass. Unfortunately, the womanly bits of our bodies (like your chest and your backside) are made up mainly of fat - so once you start losing weight, they'll likely be the first thing you lose. Sorry guys - but the "skinny with big boobs" fantasy is very rare in nature - most of us either get slim thighs or big boobs - almost no-one gets both (except Angelina, and she's got Brad Pitt as well so clearly she has more than her fair share of good luck!).


In terms of making yourself look better through exercise, I definetly recommend a mixture of cardio (jogging, dancing, swimming etc) and weight bearing exercise. too many women are scared of weights, thinking it will make them look manly - but unless you take huge amounts of steroids or start lugging ten tonne trucks around that just isn't going to happen, your hormones will prevent it. By lift moderate weights a few times a week, combined with other strength exercises such as press ups, crunches, squats etc (try Pilates too) you will start to notice a gradual attractive sculpting that'll improve your overall appearance.

Food wise, unless you're embarking on training for an Olympic medal, a normal healthy diet will serve you perfectly well. About two hours before a workout I would suggest eating a decent sized meal with a mixture of protein (fish, meat, tofu, pulses, egg) and complex carbs (wholegrains etc - carbs are not the enemy, in a sensible amount, quality unrefined carbs will do you no harm - its the refined ones, such as white flour and sugar that are the bad guys) and whatever veggies you fancy. this will help to give you the energy you need without making you feel weighed down. Avoid anything that makes you feel bloated before a workout (fizzy drinks often worst culprits). Make sure you drink plenty of water before, during and after a workout.
It's not absolutely necessary to eat after a workout - although if you're hungry I often find a banana a really satisfying post-exercise snack!

jw8725

brokeinwales wrote: »

I really wish people would get it into their heads that spot training is a myth! You can lose weight and you can put on weight - you can tone muscles to get a more athletic figure - but you cannot control where on your body your fat attaches itself, or where it comes off- that's purely down to genetics. The idea that one can gain a "curvy" figure via diet and exercise is complete rubbish (often supported by the celebrity magazine culture). Some of us are pears, some of us are hourglasses, some of us are just plain boyish - you can make yourself a bigger or smaller pear, or you can make yourself a healthier more toned pear - but without major surgery you can't change from a pear to an hourglass. Unfortunately, the womanly bits of our bodies (like your chest and your backside) are made up mainly of fat - so once you start losing weight, they'll likely be the first thing you lose. Sorry guys - but the "skinny with big boobs" fantasy is very rare in nature - most of us either get slim thighs or big boobs - almost no-one gets both (except Angelina, and she's got Brad Pitt as well so clearly she has more than her fair share of good luck!).


In terms of making yourself look better through exercise, I definetly recommend a mixture of cardio (jogging, dancing, swimming etc) and weight bearing exercise. too many women are scared of weights, thinking it will make them look manly - but unless you take huge amounts of steroids or start lugging ten tonne trucks around that just isn't going to happen, your hormones will prevent it. By lift moderate weights a few times a week, combined with other strength exercises such as press ups, crunches, squats etc (try Pilates too) you will start to notice a gradual attractive sculpting that'll improve your overall appearance.

Food wise, unless you're embarking on training for an Olympic medal, a normal healthy diet will serve you perfectly well. About two hours before a workout I would suggest eating a decent sized meal with a mixture of protein (fish, meat, tofu, pulses, egg) and complex carbs (wholegrains etc - carbs are not the enemy, in a sensible amount, quality unrefined carbs will do you no harm - its the refined ones, such as white flour and sugar that are the bad guys) and whatever veggies you fancy. this will help to give you the energy you need without making you feel weighed down. Avoid anything that makes you feel bloated before a workout (fizzy drinks often worst culprits). Make sure you drink plenty of water before, during and after a workout.
It's not absolutely necessary to eat after a workout - although if you're hungry I often find a banana a really satisfying post-exercise snack!

And what about fats my good man? How about you enlighten us with Omega 3s and Omega 6s?