Exercise and Fitness Thread

lic

Parallel_Universe wrote: »

Hi Lic

Unfortunatly there is no way to spot-reduce fat, you just have to let your body burn it wherever it sees fit I'm afradi! I would try to increase the length of your runs and the amount of time that you cycle for as these are the real fat burners, and of course be very careful with your diet. These should all help you to lose body fat which will come from all over, including your belly. Good luck with it

Thanks for the reply. I shall keep on runnin' as the song goes!
Cheers!

skintlass

Parallel_Universe wrote: »

As a general rule, once the cold has left your chest and you no longer sneeze or caugh you should be fine to exercise again, but the best rule to go by is simply how you feel. Once you are feeling back to your old self again then it's usually fine to get back to exercise.

Alwyas take the first week back really easily, maybe doing just half of what you nromally do and if you feel fien after the first week, go back to normal the following week. Good luck with getting back into it!

Thanks for the advice - I'm starting back at the gym this week

timberflake

Hey PU, great idea for a thread.

I've recently decided to get in shape. What I want to achieve is a good level of fitness but more importantly a toned stomach.

I eat well, at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, no junk food, 2ltrs of water and a don't have too many carbs. My only bad habit is that I like a night out once a week to have a few beers!

I run for around 30 mins 3 times a week and I do around 60 stomch crunches (3 sets of 20) and 30 leg raises (2 sets of 15) daily. Is there anything else I can do to get the desired results more quickly? I can't afford gym membership so thats out of the question.

btw, I'm 6ft 3" and 13 stone, I think thats spot on!!?

helping_hubby

Hello,

I signed up for a 5k Race for life about 6 weeks ago. I'd like to lose some weight without having to change my diet too much. I do not eat anymore than I did 5 years ago, the only difference is that I sit at a desk all day and simply get no exercise.

I have 2 questions:

1. I'm finding it a little difficult fitting the running in every other day, and there has been the odd week where I've only run once in the week, due to working late and other commitments. On all the websites I've been to it says to have a rest day between running. Would it hurt once in a while to run for 2 days in a row? Or is this really not recommended?

2. Secondly, I've been talking about running, well I don't run as such, I'm still at the walk/jog stage. I'm at the point of running 120m or so, then walking the same distance to recover. Last night I did 3.5km with a mere 1km worth of jogging. I feel like my legs will go further but it's my breathing that I'm struggling with. I get out of breath so quickly. I am jogging very slow. Pretty much at a walking pace really (did the 3.5km in 41 minutes ). Anything I can do to help improve my breathing?

Thanks.

Parallel_Universe

timberflake wrote: »

Hey PU, great idea for a thread.

I've recently decided to get in shape. What I want to achieve is a good level of fitness but more importantly a toned stomach.

I eat well, at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, no junk food, 2ltrs of water and a don't have too many carbs. My only bad habit is that I like a night out once a week to have a few beers!

I run for around 30 mins 3 times a week and I do around 60 stomch crunches (3 sets of 20) and 30 leg raises (2 sets of 15) daily. Is there anything else I can do to get the desired results more quickly? I can't afford gym membership so thats out of the question.

btw, I'm 6ft 3" and 13 stone, I think thats spot on!!?

How about making one of your runs a long run, say working up to 60 minutes? Also adding in an extra session of exercise, maybe swimming or cycling, for 30-45 mins should also help things along.

Also, have you thought about adding some weight training to your program? It will increase your muscle mass and as a result you will look slimmer (even if the scales don't change much) - also extra muscle will increase your metabolism so you burn more calories all the time, even whilst sleeping.

Hope this helps!

Parallel_Universe

helping_hubby wrote: »

Hello,

I signed up for a 5k Race for life about 6 weeks ago. I'd like to lose some weight without having to change my diet too much. I do not eat anymore than I did 5 years ago, the only difference is that I sit at a desk all day and simply get no exercise.

I have 2 questions:

1. I'm finding it a little difficult fitting the running in every other day, and there has been the odd week where I've only run once in the week, due to working late and other commitments. On all the websites I've been to it says to have a rest day between running. Would it hurt once in a while to run for 2 days in a row? Or is this really not recommended?

2. Secondly, I've been talking about running, well I don't run as such, I'm still at the walk/jog stage. I'm at the point of running 120m or so, then walking the same distance to recover. Last night I did 3.5km with a mere 1km worth of jogging. I feel like my legs will go further but it's my breathing that I'm struggling with. I get out of breath so quickly. I am jogging very slow. Pretty much at a walking pace really (did the 3.5km in 41 minutes ). Anything I can do to help improve my breathing?

Thanks.

Hello

Well done on signing up for the 5k race for life, it's a good challenge! :j

OK, firstly running two days in a row is fine as long as you don't do it all the time - and don't do 3 days in a row at your level. Two days will be OK though.

Secondly, regarding your breathing the only thing that is really going to help is practice I'm afraid to say. Are you following a running plan for the 5k? I would stick to this as much as possible and gradually progress from week to week as the plan dictates. If you aren't following one I believe there are some good ones on the race for life website. Practice and patience and perseverance is all it will take I promise

henmuffin

Hi, It's great of you to offer this service. My question is this : How often should you exercise for optimum benefit and weight loss. I have gone running for years and sporadically train with weights. My runs vary from 3 to 7 miles about 3 times a week and I do weights maybe once a week. I try to lift the heaviest weights I can in descending reps (not very heavy as I am not very strong)
What is the best routine. P.S I am hitting the 40 milestone next week:eek:

Parallel_Universe

henmuffin wrote: »

Hi, It's great of you to offer this service. My question is this : How often should you exercise for optimum benefit and weight loss. I have gone running for years and sporadically train with weights. My runs vary from 3 to 7 miles about 3 times a week and I do weights maybe once a week. I try to lift the heaviest weights I can in descending reps (not very heavy as I am not very strong)
What is the best routine. P.S I am hitting the 40 milestone next week:eek:

Hi Henmuffin - cute name

For optimum health benefits and weight loss I would recommend exercising 4-5 times a week, 30 mins + each time. For most people 3 times a week is enough to keep them fit but if you want to be fitter than average and/or lose weight this is what you need to do The weight training will help to maintain your muscle tone so do this twice a week if you can. Hope this helps!

lady_noluck

Hi PU
My question's a little different. I'm looking to train as a personal trainer/sports massage therapist and was wondering what you think would be the best route to go down? I was thinking of an intensive course with Premier training. Would this be better than taking it slow at college? (This could take me over 2 years as opposed to 3 months with Premier) Also, is it easy to get work once qualified? I don't want to give up my current job then find myself unemployed.:eek:
Any advice gratefully received :j
Thanks in advance

Parallel_Universe

Hiya, only just seen this post sorry for delay!

I did my training through Future Fit over 18 months part time (I was still working full time). They were very good I can highly recommend them.

I started working free lance which is quite a big step but you could always start off as a PT at a gym? The moeny isn't so good but at least you are guaranteed to get clients in?

lady_noluck wrote: »

Hi PU
My question's a little different. I'm looking to train as a personal trainer/sports massage therapist and was wondering what you think would be the best route to go down? I was thinking of an intensive course with Premier training. Would this be better than taking it slow at college? (This could take me over 2 years as opposed to 3 months with Premier) Also, is it easy to get work once qualified? I don't want to give up my current job then find myself unemployed.:eek:
Any advice gratefully received :j
Thanks in advance