Exercise the OS way

Idiophreak

Lois_and_CK wrote: »

Try runnersworld website for some good (and safe) beginner's running routines.

Also check out the MSE Excercise and Fitness, DFW Running Club and couch to 5k running club threads on here....

Ishtar

Walking is a really good way of losing the lbs. As already mentioned get an MP3 player and get moving - a pedometer is useful as well. It's also a great way of seeing what's going on in your local area - or maybe that's just me being nosey!

I take DD to school in the mornings, which works out to be a 1.7 mile round trip, and which has helped me not to put on too much weight during my pregnancy - I'm hoping that it will help me lose any remaining baby weight when junior arrives.

Both OH and I used to be gym members, but even with a joint membership we weren't getting the full use out of it - I'd go 3 times a week and he'd go never! He runs, so would rather be outside than on a treadmill, and now we can't really justify joining as there's so much open countryside around us since we moved.

thriftlady_2

I've been walking everyday this year. I started with a 1 mile route from my house and now I'm doing a 2 mile route. I usually do it straight after dropping my dd at school, then 40 mins later it is done. It isn't gruelling by any means but it is continuous exercise. I've always walked the school run which is only 7 mins so there's that to add on to my daily total. I'm feeling the benefits already and miss it if I can't do it (dd was ill yesterday so I couldn't).

Take a look at Map My Walk. You can plan a route anywhere and it will calculate the distance for you.

I must say I find the idea of walking with an ipod abhorrent! For me the great attraction of walking is to be on my own with my thoughts and no other noise but the birds. How wonderful it would be to have a beach or moors on my doorstep to walk on, but my local area is pleasant enough with lots of footpaths, hedgerows and trees.

I think walking or working in a greenspace is really beneficial to your mental health as well as your physical health.

Calephetos

I lost weight (well, plumpness - gained nice heavy muscle!) by cycling 6 miles a day for work. Bikes aren't for everyone, but now that the weather is starting to perk up a bit, it's a lazy way of exercising. If I have to go from A to B, then I might as well exercise en route, 'cos I'd never do it otherwise! This could apply to brisk walking too.

The bonus of this, which would apply to getting fit in any way, is that my metabolism got better and my circulation improved, so I didn't get as cold as I used to. I'm sure that could help with the heating bills - very OS

ninky_2

have you considered looking into local authority run gyms / sports centre. i'm a member of mine and for £36 a month get unlimited access to indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, steam, gym and classes. if you are free on weekdays it's even cheaper as you can get an off-peak tariff. over 65s are free offpeak. it's a lot better value than the independently owned ones.

zippychick

thriftlady wrote: »

I must say I find the idea of walking with an ipod abhorrent! For me the great attraction of walking is to be on my own with my thoughts and no other noise but the birds. How wonderful it would be to have a beach or moors on my doorstep to walk on, but my local area is pleasant enough with lots of footpaths, hedgerows and trees.

I think walking or working in a greenspace is really beneficial to your mental health as well as your physical health.

I know what you mean! I guess it depends on each individual I am a music obsessive and for me it is a great distraction as i can get involved with the music and find myself walking to the rhythm . Very cathartic.

I live in quite a built up area so don't have an awful lot of greenery around me so it would be different i guess, if i lived in more of a countryside setting.

Being alone with my thoughts - I am very much a thinker and think all day , and have trouble sleeping at night because of my brain ticking, so this is an escape from my thoughts! Still the exercise and outcome is the same. :rotfl:

kim85

I cycle to and from work about 3.5 miles takes me 20mins. If you have a bike I would highly recommend, as it saves me money, gets me fit and if I need to stop in town I never have to search for a parking space. It is also suprising how short a time a bike ride takes, in rush hour times I often get to work much more quickly than I would have done in my car.

If you dont have a bike, I would recommend asking around, I just got one that was in my dads garage he didnt; even know he had, freecycle is another option to get one from.

Caterina

This is a very inspiring thread, thanks for starting it, Cookie_monster! I am soon coming to the end of a (dirt cheap as got as student) gym membership and cannot get the equivalent (£19.50 per month) until I am 55, 3+ years away. So unless I can persuade my GP to do me a referral, which would make the gym very cheap indeed (got the genuine excuse: arthritis in hip) I am going to wait before I can rejoin cheap and will have to do different things to keep fit(ish).

Rikki

zippychick wrote: »

I would buy yourself an ipod at around 30 quid, and walk regularly. There is all types of walking you can do to put emphasis on different muscles. I cant recommend walking highly enough

Using beans tins as weights for toning exercises. Do the kids have a hula hoop you could use? Skipping rope you could fashion out of something?

I recommend using water bottle to start with. You can increase the amount of water as you get better at the exercises. Also they are easier to hold.

patchwork_cat

Ohh now I am spooked - I have just gone on map my walk and it came up with a map of the world. I randomly clicked on the UK and the town thatcame up was my town, ohh big brother is watching me!