Exercise and Fitness Thread

johng_uk

webitha wrote: »

swiss ball?????????

Lol it's a big ball that you can sit/lie on and do exercises on. These can be picked up dead cheap from anywhere (inc. Tesco, Argos etc).

You have to keep your core muscles engaged throughout any exercise and so can't cheat yourself.;)

ms.prong

Hi
I am a size 12/14, am 5 foot 6 and weight 12 stone. How much do I need to lose to be a healthy weight? I'm thinking about 2 stone. Ideally I would like to be a size 10/12.

I have recently got a dog and I walk her for about half an hour in the morning and then I go for a walk when I'm at work for about half an hour again and then walk the dog for another half and hour or so in the evening. I am sorting out my diet but my question is, is this enough exercise? Do I need to be doing something more active than walking?

johng_uk

ms.prong wrote: »

Hi
I am a size 12/14, am 5 foot 6 and weight 12 stone. How much do I need to lose to be a healthy weight? I'm thinking about 2 stone. Ideally I would like to be a size 10/12.

I have recently got a dog and I walk her for about half an hour in the morning and then I go for a walk when I'm at work for about half an hour again and then walk the dog for another half and hour or so in the evening. I am sorting out my diet but my question is, is this enough exercise? Do I need to be doing something more active than walking?

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/healthyweight/heightweightchart/

Have a look here and below.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/magazine/interactive/bmi/index.aspx

Although I don't trust BMI at all!

You seem to be doing a fair bit of exercise tbh. I would advise sorting your eating/drinking habits and keep up the exercise.

Possibly introduce some resistance/toning exercises and you should feel the difference.

missyg_3

For belly and waist I swear by the Kirsty rowing action abs exerciser which you can get from Argos, £9.99 or thereabouts, this has helped me to a 24-25 inch waist which I would have thought impossible if you'd have asked me a year ago! I do some yoga and pilates too plus lots of other general exercise/activities which I think all helps.

For arms I use a dumbell set (again not an expensive one) and do reps using the instructions that came with them or other ideas from fitness magazines etc - lots of variety to get at different areas. If you 'outgrow' the heaviest one you can hold two in each hand and get extra that way I am really pleased with the results and I've bought a set of heavier weights now.

Hope this helps.

ms.prong

johng_uk wrote: »

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/healthyweight/heightweightchart/

Have a look here and below.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/magazine/interactive/bmi/index.aspx

Although I don't trust BMI at all!

You seem to be doing a fair bit of exercise tbh. I would advise sorting your eating/drinking habits and keep up the exercise.

Possibly introduce some resistance/toning exercises and you should feel the difference.

So 2 stone is probably about right. Thanks for the advice, just got to get the diet sorted now...thats the tricky bit

johng_uk

missyg wrote: »

This is a really good thread! Long time between the last 2 posts though - is everyone busy exercising?!

I could do with some advice and suggestions about what is the best time to eat relative to a workout session for optimal calorie-burning?

Lately I've been trying to time it so I eat lunch or dinner within one hour after taking exercise, but before that I didn't pay much attention to times at all

They reckon that the optimal window for your body to intake protein is 20 minutes after your work out. I don't know if you use protein shakes or not, but another recommendation I read said that an even better tactic is to take it before you work out.

So 2 stone is probably about right. Thanks for the advice, just got to get the diet sorted now...thats the tricky bit

Diet and especially booze!

Just think - 1 can of beer takes about 15 minutes to burn off on a treadmill!

missyg_3

Thanks John. I will give the 20 mins thing a try for a while I haven't gone the way of protein shakes yet, just trying to balance my exercise with my normal meals at the moment.

Gosh I'm glad I don't drink! It's hard enough keeping my calorie intake at appropriate levels on meals alone without that to worry about too

Are you a fitness enthusiast John or do you work in the fitness industry?

johng_uk

missyg wrote: »

Thanks John. I will give the 20 mins thing a try for a while I haven't gone the way of protein shakes yet, just trying to balance my exercise with my normal meals at the moment.

Gosh I'm glad I don't drink! It's hard enough keeping my calorie intake at appropriate levels on meals alone without that to worry about too

Are you a fitness enthusiast John or do you work in the fitness industry?

Hey Missy,

They also reckon a good body fuel immediately after a workout is a simple banana. Good for your blood sugar levels etc.

I wish I didn't drink - It's my single biggest failing lol. A few beer and a shared bottle of wine on a Sat and Sun evening = A week on the treadmill!

I do partake in the gym Mon - Fri but I don't work in the industry. I read Mens Health and Mens Fitness magazines which are full of good hints and tips.

I do find the hardest part is the drinking and diet though. It's amazing how vigilant you have to be!!

johng_uk

missyg wrote: »

This is a really good thread! Long time between the last 2 posts though - is everyone busy exercising?!

I could do with some advice and suggestions about what is the best time to eat relative to a workout session for optimal calorie-burning?

Lately I've been trying to time it so I eat lunch or dinner within one hour after taking exercise, but before that I didn't pay much attention to times at all

I see what you mean about the time between posts!! lol

missyg_3

Hi John, thanks for passing along the tips, most useful!

At least being a man, you get a bit more leeway in the calorie department anyway! I have a BMR of 1254 and I'm always struggling with getting the calorie/exercise balance right so that I don't a) gain weight or b) go into 'fat store' mode with undereating for the amount of exercise I am doing.

I am still learning, and I do like reading up on different exercise related things to try to get an understanding of how it all works.

I read 'Zest' magazine and it does have good tips, if you ignore the pages and pages of "buy this, buy that, must have this, etc"... :rotfl: