Diet and Exercise. Support and Advice welcome.

WantToBeSE

Hi All


I am looking for other people who are interested in joining me on a diet and fitness thread. Anyone with knowledge about fitness can hang around and answer some questions as well


So, tomorrow I am joining the gym! It'll be the first time that I have seriously joined a gym and I am looking forward to it.
For the last 14 years I have dedicated my life to bringing up my 2 beautiful children and as a result I have not had all that much time to dedicate to my own health, fitness and wellbeing.
But they are now 14 and 10, and old enough to stay at home for an hour or so in the evenings (3x a week) while I go to the gym.


I decided late last year that I wanted to start looking after myself a bit more. I have always liked healthy food, but also have a huge weakness for wine, pizza and chocolate. This, combined with quitting smoking in 2010, has left me overweight.
I am 5'5 and weigh 11st.


So, I really want to start liking what I see in the mirror. I have already lost a few lbs, which is good, but I have about 1st ish to lose. I don't have a number in mind, I want to have defined muscle and lose fat.
I have my induction at the gym tomorrow at 1pm and have booked in for my 1st ever AeroBiking class tomorrow evening as well.


Anyone want to offer support, jump in and contribute and chatter about all things sport/diet/fitness related, PLEASE feel free, don't leave me all alone!

WantToBeSE

Just me then?


That's OK.


I woke up and weighed myself...and am confused! I haven't gained any weight, despite thinking I had fallen off the wagon for a few days. So I am still 10st 12lbs.


I am off to work and have packed my gym stuff ready for my induction after work


Those with knowledge- can you explain when and what I should eat pre and post workout please? Its confusing me!

NigeWick

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Anyone want to offer support, jump in and contribute and chatter about all things sport/diet/fitness related, PLEASE feel free, don't leave me all alone!

I looked for something I could follow for life, not just a "diet." My older daughter is Coeliac and I did a lot of reading on foods. I decided to give up wheat, rye, barley and oats and cut back a bit on other carb laden foods like rice and potatoes. I also stopped using vegetable oils apart from coconut for cooking and olive oil for salads. I began by counting calories and lost over four stone in nine months. Changing from using sugars/carbs for energy to fat means that I do not get so hungry and can even go a whole day without food if necessary.

Fitness:- I don't believe in spending money on gyms and associated clothing/equipment. I therefore stick with bodyweight exercises as I find I always have the required kit with me. Being lazy, I looked for the best results with the least time and effort. High intensity workouts that only take 10-15 minutes work fine. Press ups, squats, dips, sit ups/plank and back bridge do it for me. With these short sessions there really isn't any need for special foods. I do tend to do them just before lunch as there is a some evidence to suggest that eating within 30-45 minutes of exercise helps build the body. The benefits of calisthenics are that the strength gained is usable and if you can do one legged squats, your balance is going to improve too.

After two years of my food regime I find I do not get illnesses like I used to. I didn't have a cold for two years and when I got one last month it really didn't affect me.

JBD

Hi OP.Your plan sounds great.
I don't go to the gym but I work out at home and go swimming.
Today was my 1st swim for 2 weeks ,I swam over 100 lengths and I'm starting to feel it a bit.
I've been doing this for over 2 years, I lost 4 stones and have kept it off. Being fit and healthy feels fantastic.

WantToBeSE

Afternoon everyone


My gym induction was good fun! He had me do 10mins on the bike, 10 mins fast walking on the treadmill, 10 mins on cross trainer and another 10mins on the bike. The rest of the time was talking about what I want to achieve.
The 2nd half of the induction is on Wednesday, which will be weights and then devising me a plan based on what I want to achieve.


I felt really comfortable at the gym, there were women and men of all ages, sizes and abilities. I had imagined I'd be surrounded by loads of gym bunnies! Not the case at all The only thing I don't like is that there aren't any individual showers, only communal. But I guess i'll get used to that part. I will have to shower every time I go because i'll be either coming home and getting ready for work the next day, or going straight to work after the gym.


Tonight I am trying AeroBiking! I'll let you know how it goes!


Nigewick- I totally agree about not finding a 'diet' but a healthy way of life. When I say 'diet' I don't mean any thing other than what I eat. 4 stone is a great achievement, well done!


JBD- thanks I hope to make exercise a regular and important part of my life. Your 4 stone is amazing too! real inspiration.

BunnieJ

I'm in a similar situation to you WantToBeSE

I'm 5ft 6ins and around 10st 12lbs which has taken me up a couple of stone and dress sizes!:eek: Apparently my ideal weight is 9st 2lb, but my goal weight is about the 9st 7lbs mark. I used to be just over 8 stone, but I have to keep reminding myself I'm not 18 anymore, living off the odd bit of food and alcohol!

I joined the gym last Monday and have since had my induction (I was exhausted and ached for the rest of the week) and gone again twice. Today I'm trying a free class called "Tone & Burn" which should be interesting. I like to have somebody telling me what to do and motivating me. It's a shame I can't afford a PT (my gym charges £35-£40 per session).

My main issue is my diet. I try and make healthier choices, and I do enjoy salads/veggies etc, but I'm finding it a struggle.

WantToBeSE

Hiya Bunnie, nice to see you


I am sure that we can both tackle the diet together if you fancy some moral support? I love healthy food, but also LOVE chocolate and crisps...and pizza and wine...:D


I have my spin class at 7.30, so am fuelling up with some complex carbs, wholewheat spaghetti- having carbonara for dinner. Not the healthiest but its made with crème fraiche instead of cream.

Summer69

Hope it all goes well for you both Remember, its not a diet, its a lifestyle change (and you can still have the occasional class of wine, bit of choc etc...)

WantToBeSE

Thanks Summer


The spin class was HARD! In fact, I only made it through half of the class. Trying not to be disappointed and think positively- at least I did 30mins, that's better than nothing, right?

BunnieJ

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Hiya Bunnie, nice to see you


I am sure that we can both tackle the diet together if you fancy some moral support? I love healthy food, but also LOVE chocolate and crisps...and pizza and wine...:D


I have my spin class at 7.30, so am fuelling up with some complex carbs, wholewheat spaghetti- having carbonara for dinner. Not the healthiest but its made with crème fraiche instead of cream.

Sounds good to me!

My gym class was hard, I couldn't manage half the exercises it was a lot of planks, burpies, crunches etc.

When I got home I had a jacket potato (it was very small) with beans and salad. I did put a dab of butter on it, but I can't stand a dry potato. I was so hungry as I hadn't eaten since 12:30 that I ended up eating a piece of bread and peanut butter as well.

I've noticed quite a few threads on here about the 5:2 diet and I'm tempted to give it a go.

thor

For what it is worth here are my bits of advice:

Cut down on the wine, choccies and pizzas. Aim for half or less. It should be quite easy to do and don't worry about too much about what kind of nutrition you need for exercising as this will not matter unless you are putting in a huge number of hours per week of hard graft.

Forget the gym. Go out and run. No need to knock out 5 or 6 miles straight away. You can build up slowly over the months starting from a low distance such as a mile or even half a mile. Any non disabled person should not find this much of a challenge.

Google dumbell exercises and buy a set for use at home. If used properly and combined with bodyweight workouts, you could quite easily manage sessions at home which will keep you toned and looking good. Plus watching you could influence your children for the better as they head towards adulthood.

I might sound a bit harsh but you don't have a massive amount to lose so I reckon you have to combine exercise with diet(especially reducing wine and chocolates) to get telling results.