Exercise and Fitness Thread

boo81

Hi

Thanks for the great advice on this thread!

Im just starting going back to the gym after a long break of a few years, ive been encouraged by my boyfriend who is in the RAF who has recently just lost 2 stone in 10 weeks just through exercise and now trains 5 times a week at the gym for at least an hour.

I know that the time I was really toned and had for me what I would call a perfect physique was when I was walking about 10 miles a day and also doing a small amount of climbing. I lost about a stone and became really trim but I did this virtually every day for a month. Is there any way I can simulate this exercise again? I simply cannot run and would rather fast walk (is this as effective?). Unless I go to the gym every day and stay there for hours do you think this is possible to get back? I now work full time so fitting fitness in isnt always easy.

I just want to get some relative fitness back and really tone up, fortunately at the gym I have access to all sorts of classes ranging from yoga to dance, a swimming pool, boxing equipment and all the normal equipment for cardio and weights. I do have the opportunity to go 3 times a week and possibly do more than one thing on each visit. I would like to do something like yoga or pilates as my back does give me problems at times and I feel getting a bit of flexibility back will help me.

Also can you advise on how to keep up motivation! Are there any good training diaries you can print out or buy on the net?

suffolkb

I suspect that this may be a question for the doc, but here goes. About 10 years ago, I did 21min 38 sec for 5k and I would like to see just how much I`ve slowed. Problem is I was diagnosed with chronic heart failure 5 years ago and take a cocktail of pills every morning for this. There is a 5k race near here next month and I would like to see what I can do. I currently run for 30 mins 4 times a week, although I have to walk any hills. Hills I wouldn`t have noticed back then. So - do I go for it, see the doc or forget it?
I run with an Oregon HRM which sometimes shows my pulse as over 230. I suspect that`s not very accurate.

Parallel_Universe

Hi

Losing a stone in a month is quite a tall feat, I think you would need to go on a fairly restrictive diet and hit the gym 6 times a week to acheive this! I would start off by reviewing your diet, cutting out snacks between meals, watching portion sizes, making sure you get your 5 a day etc and start off with 3 gym sessions for the first week or two then up it to 5. Ensure you are doing plenty of cardio work - power walking is fine if you cannot run. How about some gym classes too? Non-impact if you have knee problems (is this why you cannot run?) Complement these with Pilates/Yoga once or twice a week as well.

The only training diaries I know of are running ones - why not buy a nice notebook and make up your own?

Good luck!

boo81 wrote: »

Hi

Thanks for the great advice on this thread!

Im just starting going back to the gym after a long break of a few years, ive been encouraged by my boyfriend who is in the RAF who has recently just lost 2 stone in 10 weeks just through exercise and now trains 5 times a week at the gym for at least an hour.

I know that the time I was really toned and had for me what I would call a perfect physique was when I was walking about 10 miles a day and also doing a small amount of climbing. I lost about a stone and became really trim but I did this virtually every day for a month. Is there any way I can simulate this exercise again? I simply cannot run and would rather fast walk (is this as effective?). Unless I go to the gym every day and stay there for hours do you think this is possible to get back? I now work full time so fitting fitness in isnt always easy.

I just want to get some relative fitness back and really tone up, fortunately at the gym I have access to all sorts of classes ranging from yoga to dance, a swimming pool, boxing equipment and all the normal equipment for cardio and weights. I do have the opportunity to go 3 times a week and possibly do more than one thing on each visit. I would like to do something like yoga or pilates as my back does give me problems at times and I feel getting a bit of flexibility back will help me.

Also can you advise on how to keep up motivation! Are there any good training diaries you can print out or buy on the net?

Parallel_Universe

Given your heart problems I would not suggest you start any form of exercise plan before having a full check up with your GP - perhaps if you get the all clear then start running gradually but don't expect to get anything like your 5k PB in the near future! It migth take you several months or more to work up to it again.

You would also do well to monitor your HR very carefully - check with your GP/cardio specialist what they recommend and invest in a good quality HR monitor such as a Polar.

Hope this helps

suffolkb wrote: »

I suspect that this may be a question for the doc, but here goes. About 10 years ago, I did 21min 38 sec for 5k and I would like to see just how much I`ve slowed. Problem is I was diagnosed with chronic heart failure 5 years ago and take a cocktail of pills every morning for this. There is a 5k race near here next month and I would like to see what I can do. I currently run for 30 mins 4 times a week, although I have to walk any hills. Hills I wouldn`t have noticed back then. So - do I go for it, see the doc or forget it?
I run with an Oregon HRM which sometimes shows my pulse as over 230. I suspect that`s not very accurate.

Miss_Cinnabon

Hi i have recently started a healthy eating/exercise regime to lose weight and have been doing a mix of walking and aerobics, dont feel confident enough yet to hit the gym, how much exercise should i be doing each week to lose weight, some weeks i hardly do any:rolleyes:

Susie

suffolkb

Thanks PU. The docs in the surgery had a conflab and said that exercise would be good for me as long as I keep my pulse below 140. Going upstairs for a pee takes me to over 100 so I have to run fairly slowly. I estimate 9 minute mile pace but would like to try a timed 5k to see. I would be happy with a time under 25 mins. I have to see my doc soon to get my repeat prescription updated, so I`ll ask him what he thinks.

Parallel_Universe

Hi there - as long as you are otherwise healthy you should be doing 30 mins, 5 times a week to help lose weight - more if you can spare the time!

kyle wrote: »

Hi i have recently started a healthy eating/exercise regime to lose weight and have been doing a mix of walking and aerobics, dont feel confident enough yet to hit the gym, how much exercise should i be doing each week to lose weight, some weeks i hardly do any:rolleyes:

Susie

boo81

Thanks for the advice, I would never expect to lose that much that quickly ever again but im hoping maybe 3 or 4 months is achievable for seeing a significant change at least.

Just a quick one, is an hour of workout same as doing 2 lots of 30 mins workout or doesnt it work like that?

Also I will be going after work straight to the gym and will need to eat something small to keep me going, can you suggest anything?

Parallel_Universe

You can do an hour or two x 30 mins the overall result will be the same Try a banana or cereal bar - should give you enough energy for your workout without containing too many calories to spoil your diet!

boo81 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, I would never expect to lose that much that quickly ever again but im hoping maybe 3 or 4 months is achievable for seeing a significant change at least.

Just a quick one, is an hour of workout same as doing 2 lots of 30 mins workout or doesnt it work like that?

Also I will be going after work straight to the gym and will need to eat something small to keep me going, can you suggest anything?

suffolkb

In my local Boots today they are selling Polar heart rate monitors for £15. These are very useful for checking how hard you are working. Or not when you are slacking.