Exercise Regime - help needed!!!

[rach912]

Hi,

I have decided that it's high time to lose some weight! This weekend I have devised my own healthy eating plan however I come unstuck when it comes to knowing what exercises to do. Can anyone point me in the right direction of a site that will create an exercise plan for you? Or are there any exercises lovers out there that know what to do? I want a combination of cardio vascular that will help me lose the weight and also toning and exercises so that I don't end up with saggy bits!!! I don't have enough money to but loads of equipment but could probably stretch to buying one piece plus dumbells and a gym ball etc. I also enjoy walking. Can anyone help? Big thanks in advance!!

[vehelpfulguy]

Dont spend loads of money, and dont start a manic fitness regime that you will soon get fed up with.

Two of the best ways to get fit and tone up is walking and swimming.

Start by walking round the block a few nights a week, then walk a bit further and a bit faster, and build up so you eventually walk a couple of miles at a brisk pace.

Same with swimming. Maybe get a season ticket at your local baths and go once or twice a week and do "lengths", doing more and more each week.

So many people join a gym with all good intentions and then stop going (but still have to pay the money as they signed up for a year).

Just do walking and swimming and that willprobably be enough.

[vehelpfulguy]

On the diet front, dont go for some fancy diet, cabbage and rice fatbusters diet or something like that, keep it simple.

We are all on diets, but some of us are on BAD diets and others on GOOD diets.

So dont say you are ON A DIET, but as you say you have done, just have a sensible eating plan.

Dont go for fancy things to cook because you will never keep it up.

Just cut out bad things (fast food, biscuits, cakes, pork pies, pastries, sweets, pizzas etc).

Include lots of good things (fruit, vegetables, pasta, potatoes, brown bread)

Keep to these "rules" and over time you will lose weight.

Note it can take a long time to lose weight, you may lose 3 or 4 pounds in the first week but then it can settle down to only 1 or 2 pounds a week.

I have been on a diet for the last 3 weeks and all I have done is cut out the bad things I ate, and increased my activity by walking a bit more, and I am 7 pounds lighter.

It is not rocket science, it is fairly simple, and I do get annoyed by all the fancy gimmick diet books that are on the book shelves.

[{Dakota}]

I can only reiterate what VHG has said. I started swimming a couple of weeks ago, for the first time in years, and I also bit the bullet and walked there rather than drive. It was the best decision I could possibly have made. It takes me 25 minutes to walk there, I swim continuously lengths in a 37 meter pool and obviously walk home again in 25 minutes. I have been doing it for 2 weeks and the results have astounded me, as it seems to take such little effort. Oh, I do this Monday - Thursday and am home by around 7.30 - hardly too late to have a quality evening doing other stuff.

I have coupled this with changing my eating habits too. Rather than "diet" I have agreed (with myself LOL) to have breakfast each morning (something I always skipped), a proper lunch and a proper evening meal. I have saved myself money too by stopping buying a sandwich from the shop/work canteen and buy a pack of cup-a-soups, make my own sandwich and sometimes I yoghurt. The time between me getting home from work and the pool opening is just enough time for me to have a coffee, prepare my sandwich for next day and prepare my evening meal for when I get home from the swim.

When it comes to what you eat, try not to deprive yourself. I treat myself to something at the weekend, not a gorge on all the things I love, but maybe a Chinese takeout, or a pack of maltesers and I have absolutely no guilt about it either !

All this sure beats sitting my ass infront of the TV watching the usual kack that's on and I am assured a nicely toned bod ready for Summertime!

I just need to tackle the smoking now!

Good luck !

[Cymbeline]

I totally agree with vehelpfulguy. Fresh air is free and it's loads more beneficial. I walk absolutely everywhere and as I live in London I find this not only saves on transport but it reduces my stress levels too. I plug myself into my Ipod and walk to music and I find it a real pleasure. I walk to work and back or into town to do shopping. You'd be surprised how quickly it becomes a way of life and a part of your life rather than a chore. Good luck!

[suzyangel]

Hi, I was in the same boat and just walking 3 times a week for half an hour enabled me to drop half a stone and I feel great now!

[suzyangel]

I was in the same boat about six months ago and just lots of walking helped me to drop half a stone in 6 weeks. I feel great now! Good luck!

P.S Tried the gym and didn't lose a pound in nearly 9 months, unless you count the pounds and pounds going from my bank!