just want to keep fit

Pennywise

If you're sat working at home all day, why not buy a standing desk instead? I've had one for just over a year and feel a lot healthier, more alert, less sluggish, all day. I'm either writing or on the keyboard all day and find it fine. Sitting down isn't a natural posture for a human. I make sure I have a couple of walks daily too - I've devised a few round trips, varying from half a mile to 10 miles, depending on how long I have spare and the weather etc. I've been gradually losing weight doing this and my general fitness is improving, all without any real exertion.

Lizling

Another vote for Couch to 5k. 'A training program that will build me up from doing nothing' is exactly what it is. It only takes half an hour 3 times a week but you see really quick results.

It'd go great with the pilates (or some yoga) too.

If the dark's a problem, consider getting a headtorch.

trailingspouse

I'm liking the idea of a standing desk. I'm not in the office all day every day, but I'm sat at my desk for long enough to think it's too long!

trailingspouse

I've just looked at Couch to 5K - that's exactly what I'm looking for!! I'm sitting on the couch right now - I guess that's a good start!!

Al1x

I did couch to 5k last year with my sister and we found it excellent. it wasn't long before we were jogging for the full half hour.

trailingspouse

Yes, definitely like the Couch to 5K idea. So, my plan is to continue to do some Pilates at home every day, start the Couch to 5K on Monday, go to the new Pilates class on Tuesday, then continue with C25K etc.

Many thanks - looking forward to getting started.

FrugalWorker

- What do you enjoy doing?
>>If you don't enjoy it, you won't stick with it.

- What do you consider as 'being fit?'
>>for me I consider a combination of strength, cardio, flexibility as being important.
Cardio is pretty easy to fit in - running/walking/skipping/etc... I either run with a colleague in work or cycle in/out of work. If I've been on a break, I'll start to walk a lot before going back running.
Flexibility takes a bit more work/effort - your pilates will go a long way, l also look at blogs like Kelly Starett - just to keep an eye on my body that I don't have injuries coming my way.
Strength - if you garden/lift heavy stuff as part of your regular life you're covered. But at a personal level, this has been the biggest impact on how I feel. If you've suffered with your back building this strength up may help your back. I've certainly found that learning how to lift heavy things has been great for me all around.

Just thinking, two you could try from home - Kettle bells and or suspension training (TRX). I got a suspension training kit reasonably cheap (not trx, but a cheaper replicate) - there are lots of online things you can follow. To be honest, I prefer lifting weights in a gym, but if this wasn't available to me, this would be my next preference. Kettle bells I would start with a trainer to ensure my form was good, but after that, get you're own and get stuck in.

Finally mental fitness - but I think eating right stuff and moving more helps this no end.

To keep me motivated, I sign up to runs and build fitness in to my social calendar - running with friends, I do voluntary work in a cycling shop, park runs.

Starting 'fitness' is great, but keeping it up is more important.

trailingspouse

Good question - what do I consider 'fitness'?

Well, I know that if I do nothing, my back is more likely to 'go', so that's the first thing. Secondly, I know I feel better/more energetic when I'm fitter. I also enjoy pushing myself, so working towards something like c25k sounds perfect.

We live in a 4 storey house, so I get a fairly good cardio workout every time I run up and down the stairs. Also, we're renovating it at the moment (nearly finished), so strength is important - but I'm not convinced that just doing the renovation will make me strong enough to do the renovation, if that makes sense.

Really quite excited about starting tomorrow. In fact, I went out today and did a 20 minute brisk walk, just for the hell of it. Fabulous day, blue sky, but so cold that the canal was frozen over. Looking forward to doing it for real tomorrow.

thor

Try and fit a couple of bodyweight exercises every other day. Press ups and squats especially can't be beaten. If you read up on them, you will see people raving about the benefits of doing a few sets of these per day. You'll need to make sure you squat with the correct form to avoid knee problems but both exercises can be done conveniently in a matter of seconds at home, at work, etc.

YORKSHIRELASS

I am the same, not overweight but want to keep fit and healthy. I find a combination of different types of exercise works best for me. I used to do a lot of running but now have problems with my Achilles and knee so I try and balance out what I do.

I do a brisk 30 to 45 minute walk every day (it helps that I have a dog to exercise). Then a dance aerobics class one evening, a kettlebell class another evening and I try and do something else on a Saturday morning.

My "something else" is usually cycling or swimming but I have just been given a kettlebell and DVD for Christmas so I might work on my kettlebell moves at home for a change.

Finding something you love doing and will stick at is the key. I have never been one for following these couch to 5k type plans, and I hate the gym, not that there is anything wrong with either of these.

Good luck!