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toning up/losing weight

hi,

I would really like to tone up so was thinking that doing some exercises everyday would work best for me. I have collected some empty juice bottles and was thinking of filling them with flour or something to weight them and then doing some arm exercises. Any other ideas of what exercises I could do?

I would like to work on my tummy muscles (very flabby) arms, legs etc pretty much your typical lady figure ;). I currently walk to and from work three days a week - 30 mins each way and I am active in my job. I am watching what I eat too.

Thanks

Jen

Comments

  • Hi Jen

    Do you have Sky TV? Channel 275 Body in Balance has loads of exercise programmes etc, yoga, health tips etc. You would certainly find something here that would help you out ;)
  • GotToChange
    GotToChange Posts: 1,471 Forumite
    Your body has adapted to your walking and activity at work levels so whilst it is great that you do these things, you now need to make a progression to another level. HowEVER, for toning - it IS possible to have an effect on cerain areas by using specific exercise. This is not spot fat-reduction but toning your muscles that underly the fat.

    For your arms, see the post that I submitted earlier with a Callanetics exercise to help with upper arms. It works.

    For your abdomen/belly, I would suggest Pilates. A few simple exercises every day will add some tone and give you the ability to "hold" those muscles. I have a DVD that that I got from Amazon which has several 10-minute exercise programmes; I have memorised one particular programme so that I can do it anywhere (even tried to do it in the middle of my horse's field the other day but really I mean the garden or somewhere with no DVD player so that I'm not tied to it). It does work and gives you some core strength which is fabulous in itself but great for other activities also.

    :D
  • GemmaB78
    GemmaB78 Posts: 288 Forumite
    Yoga. It has changed my body completely in the 2 years since I've been doing it. I was fairly fit from running and horse-riding but my muscles weren't that defined - particularly on my upper body. But all the asanas (poses) use your own body weight and tone you up.

    And you get the added mental relaxation/strength from the meditative part.
  • Silaqui
    Silaqui Posts: 2,778 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You could use this for some ideas? http://exercisetv.tv/workout-videos/ The don't have the best quality videos but you can look for one that shows you the exercises you like, and they are free! You can search by the type of exercise too by the menu at the side.

    HTH
    x
    Ths signature is out of date because I'm too lazy to update it... :o
  • try walking a little farther each day- allow time to rest/change/wash up!
    Long time away from MSE, been dealing real life stuff..
    Sometimes seen lurking on the compers forum :-)
  • Chipstter wrote: »
    Hi Jen

    Do you have Sky TV? Channel 275 Body in Balance has loads of exercise programmes etc, yoga, health tips etc. You would certainly find something here that would help you out ;)

    No, only freeview unfortunately .... ;(

    G2C - I guessed that was the case as the weight loss is declining ;( I do find it relaxing though although when the weather changes that might change. I am really interested in the Callanetics technique you talked about. I have also thought about taking up Pilates as hear it can work on your core body strength and I seem to be having back problems after standing/walking for sometime.

    Gemma - I must admit I have tried Yoga in the past and wasnt a fan, it was just too low impact for me but thank you for replying.

    Silaqui - Thank you I will have a look at that link.

    Brightman - I already walk around a hour 3-4 times a week, I dont think I can do much more without being unable to meet my commitments.

    Thanks everyone!
  • Bitsy_Beans
    Bitsy_Beans Posts: 9,640 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    top_drawer wrote: »
    No, only freeview unfortunately .... ;(

    Now I don't know if this makes a difference but when we cancelled our Sky subscription and just had Freeview via the dish we can still pick up Body in Balance channel so it must be available.
    HTH
    I have a gift for enraging people, but if I ever bore you it'll be with a knife :D Louise Brooks
    All will be well in the end. If it's not well, it's not the end.
    Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars
  • choille
    choille Posts: 9,710 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Do something that is hard work - gardening, get a bike - chop wood, carry things - bags of shopping back from the shops, library books from the library, play badminton, volleyball, run on sand.
    Don't eat anything between meals, cut out sweet stuff, fizzy drinks & alcohol.
    Offer dog walking favours for people - you don't have to watch the TV to get fit - there are fair more enjoyable & practical ways to do it.
  • ema_o
    ema_o Posts: 885 Forumite
    Depending how fast you are walking already, you could try walking really fast for 1 minute then at your normal pace for 1 minute and so on - should make your journey quicker but will do you more good.
    I have been doing this at the gym (on a variety of machines) and it really is making a difference.
    Don't discount yoga having tried it in one class, there is so much difference between classes, I have often been dripping with sweat in a yoga class so they are definitely not all easy, look for Power yoga or Ashtanga.
  • i meant start off to work a little earlier, amd take a scenic route there/back!
    Long time away from MSE, been dealing real life stuff..
    Sometimes seen lurking on the compers forum :-)
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