Help me get fit and tone - female

mood · 29-01-2010 07:07PM #1

Hi all. I want to get fit and toned and be less stressed. I have never been good at sport so done want to do anything team based. I can't afford to join the gym or buy expensive equipment. I don't really walking either and the cold weather now will aggravate my asthma.

There is an exercise bike in my house do I can use that. I like yoga but have not done it for quite a while. But maybe could buy a DVD to follow. I could also buy some loose weights.

With this in mind where do I start?

PS I'm a 30 year old female, don't need to loose weight, have asthma. (Also heart disease and osteoporosis are in the family).

corkcomp · 29-01-2010 08:23PM

mood wrote: »

Hi all. I want to get fit and toned and be less stressed. I have never been good at sport so done want to do anything team based. I can't afford to join the gym or buy expensive equipment. I don't really walking either and the cold weather now will aggravate my asthma.

There is an exercise bike in my house do I can use that. I like yoga but have not done it for quite a while. But maybe could buy a DVD to follow. I could also buy some loose weights.

With this in mind where do I start?

PS I'm a 30 year old female, don't need to loose weight, have asthma. (Also heart disease and osteoporosis are in the family).

id say firstly, you need to have a more positive attitude and a can do approach. straight off you have ruled out several ways of keeping fit. If you are not even willing to walk then that is a bad start, sorry if this sounds harsh but its true.
If your asthma is very bad and preventing you from doing exercise you need to speak with your GP, same advice as regards family history is heart problems. overall, make sure you have a good diet (post it up if you want the folks here to advise) and yes you should buy some dumbells .. and do try to build your aerobic capacity, so walk unless there is a very good reason why you cant!

mood · 29-01-2010 08:39PM

corkcomp wrote: »

id say firstly, you need to have a more positive attitude and a can do approach. straight off you have ruled out several ways of keeping fit. If you are not even willing to walk then that is a bad start, sorry if this sounds harsh but its true.
If your asthma is very bad and preventing you from doing exercise you need to speak with your GP, same advice as regards family history is heart problems. overall, make sure you have a good diet (post it up if you want the folks here to advise) and yes you should buy some dumbells .. and do try to build your aerobic capacity, so walk unless there is a very good reason why you cant!

I can't afford a gym or expensive equipment as I'm out of work so that can't be helped.

My asthma is under control and not preventing me from exercising (unless I'm sick) but outdoor exercise in cold weather is out as breathing in cold air will make it worse.

I have seen a nutritionist so I am aware of how I should eat but need to stick to this better.

What is wrong with using an exercise bike rather than walking? Both are aerobic.

Any suggestion as to how much and how often I use the bike would be good. Also any suggestion as to exercises with loose weights would be great. If anyone could recommend a yoga DVD please post.

mood · 31-01-2010 04:15PM

Anyone?

iw82 · 31-01-2010 04:28PM

Have you considered pilates?

I have heard great reports from my friends, they were looking for toning rather than weightloss and found it better for toning than yoga. I'm out of action due to a back injury at the moment but I'm hoping to be able to take classes in the next two months. And my physio has given it the thumbs up, more so over yoga too. You would need to go to classes initially, until you learn the correct techniques and exercises but then you could carry on at home if you like it with the help of a good DVD.

I have a cross-trainer at home and that gives you a pretty good aerobic workout although it is low impact and I think you need weight bearing exercise for osteoporosis prevention... So walking would pretty much be the best for that.

EDIT: Maybe you could combine using the exercise bike with some walking... eliminate the expense of any new equipment & get the best that both have to offer?!

LadyLee · 31-01-2010 04:32PM

Pilates is really great for strengting your body. I am doing it at the moment to get back in shape and I did it 2 years ago. Much Better than yoga....Best of luck with whatever you choose

mood · 31-01-2010 04:37PM

Budget is tight right now so yoga/pilates classes will have to wait.

I'll have to just use the exercise bike until the weather picks up before I'll go walking.

Any idea how long I need to exercise for?

Any ideas of exercises I could do with free weights?

LadyLee · 31-01-2010 05:31PM

How about buy a pilates dvd? I have seen them in my local store for under E10 ....

chocgirl · 31-01-2010 08:53PM

Have you considered swimming, community pools are usually reasonable enough for pay as you go. I'd echo what was said about pilates, some places are pay as you go. Even if you did a few classes with a good instructor to get the technique right you could continue yourself at home.

If your asthma is well controlled you really need to be aiming for minimum 30 minutes exercise most days of the week!

mood · 31-01-2010 08:57PM

chocgirl wrote: »

Have you considered swimming, community pools are usually reasonable enough for pay as you go. I'd echo what was said about pilates, some places are pay as you go. Even if you did a few classes with a good instructor to get the technique right you could continue yourself at home.

If your asthma is well controlled you really need to be aiming for minimum 30 minutes exercise most days of the week!

I can't swim!

Do you mean 30 minutes cardio and that any yogo/pliates/weights would be in addition to this.

chocgirl · 31-01-2010 09:03PM

Well you're in luck then, adult beginner classes are big news at the minute! Exercise is something you need to commit to longer term to get the benefits, there'll always be hurdles.

30 minutes moderate intensity exercise, pilates is generally considered low intensity so would not really count as your 30 minutes but you have to start somewhere so I wouldn't be that strict on yourself at the start!

mood · 31-01-2010 09:08PM

chocgirl wrote: »

Well you're in luck then, adult beginner classes are big news at the minute! Exercise is something you need to commit to longer term to get the benefits, there'll always be hurdles.

30 minutes moderate intensity exercise, pilates is generally considered low intensity so would not really count as your 30 minutes but you have to start somewhere so I wouldn't be that strict on yourself at the start!

My biggest hurdle right now is that I'm out of work and am really struggling financially so any lessons, gym membership etc are simply not an option.

Thanks for al the advice so far.

chocgirl · 31-01-2010 09:13PM

Ok well walking is your friend then, I know weather is not ideal but it's the most realistic option for you at the minute.

How about doing the exercises that go along with the programme Operation Transformation! They're on the website and fairly good for beginners to give you a kickstart and maybe you can look towards more structured classes in the future.

mood · 31-01-2010 09:27PM

chocgirl wrote: »

Ok well walking is your friend then, I know weather is not ideal but it's the most realistic option for you at the minute.

How about doing the exercises that go along with the programme Operation Transformation! They're on the website and fairly good for beginners to give you a kickstart and maybe you can look towards more structured classes in the future.

To be honest I think the exercise bike is the best option for cardio exercise because if I'm out in this cold weather it affects my asthma.

I might have a look at some books or magazines for some instruction on using hand held weights and yoga/pliates. If anyone know any website that might be useful that would be great.

Help me get fit and tone - female

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