Exercise - does it help?

[devonbabe]

well i have joined a gym for the first time ever..i was totally terrified of doing it and feeling like the odd one out, but i went on my own for the first time yesterday and i really enjoyed it

i told my trainer i was using vlcd, and that i had a very sedentary job and had never done much in the way of excerise before.

the regime he put me on was to visit the gym 4 times a week. (2x treadmill 2x crosstrainer). low speeds i have it set at 5.5, for 45 mins per visit

that will introduce me to CV excercise gently, without strain and without pushing my heart rate

he said CV activity is fat burning excercise...but thats when the heart rate is increased.. im not going for that, im doing longer sessions at a lower speed

then after 4 weeks we reassess

will let you know how i get on

 

[Kate]

Jo, that sounds a sensible programme - did he suggest any resistance stuff as well?

Lee - that doesn't sound like too much, although if the area is very hilly, particularly on the 10-12 mile hike, take care not to overdo it - make sure you have plenty of water and probably take a bar with you as well. Are you going with anyone else?

I can't say either way whether the weekend hike would be too much as you say you're "upping your exercise" - so I assume you already exercise?

 

[moomin-mama]

I think its beneficial to do some exercise while on a VLCD. Your body needs to tone up and muscles are made to work. I go on an exercise bike every morning and walk instead of taking the car whenever possible. When I weighed more I used to get that horrible cold sweat shaky thing whenever I went out for a walk - now I don't. Its either cos my body is carrying around less so can do more or my blood sugars are stabilised. I always carry a CD bar around with me for emergencies but rarely have to have it.

I agree with the swimming thing aswell. I'd love to go back (even just to tone my arms) but don't feel confident enough in a cossie - too much on display Maybe in another couple of stone!

 

[devonbabe]

hi Kate

after 4 weeks i move on to resistance stuff.

i particulary want to move on to that sort of thing. and i made that clear to him. i want to wrok on my legs, arms and abs with weights.

i told him my ultimate aim was to able to run.

im going again today after work, to do my 45 mins on the crosstrainer, then i fancy a swim, its only a smallish pool, so will aim for 10 lengths,,and then sit in the jacuzzi and chill out.

on the tread mill yesterday it was a fast walking pace, for the first 15 mins i thought OMG i cant keep this up, but after 20 mins, the time flew... i quite surprised myself actually.

 

[georgiasmum]

I love exercise now! It has helped with my weight loss and overall body shape! Once you get into something you like you'll really enjoy it!

 

[sonkie]

Not to put a damper on things, but how on earth would the gym/pool publicise it without being offensive?

I dont think any publicity will be offensive........I feel that if gyms/swimming pools were to offer sessions for people who are ....say size 18 plus they would be snowed under. I love swimming but the only thing that holds me back is walking into and out of the pool with all these slim people gawping at you like you have 2 heads.

I think if they can have sessions for over 50`s, disabled and ladies only ....why can they not hold a session for people who are desperate to lose weight but are afraid to be seen in a cossie ?

 

[SD1722]

Talking about swimming - it has to be my favourite exercise. The only problem is, the thought of getting in a swimming costume puts the fear of god in me!!

However, I did decide to bite the bullet a few months ago. I bought a costume and went to my local pool where I knew they were having a women only session.

I was doing fine until I actually got in the pool and noticed that the 2 lifeguards were 18 years old lads gossiping and staring at the women.

It really put me off and hence I havent been back swimming since. It's a shame really coz for me it really is on of the best exercises!

Sue x

 

[Russiandoll]

It IS one of the best exercises if you're overweight as you're supported in the water and less likely to injure yourself. However, it's the embarrassment factor that puts most people off.

I don't think I'd find a swimming session for bigger people offensive any more than people who are disabled being offended at a disabled only session. If you go along with that train of thought, they could easily get all huffy and say 'we don't want to be excluded and labelled as 'different'' but instead, they embrace the opportunity to swim without gawping onlookers.I don't think I'd feel offended at a plus size swimming session: I think I'd feel safe and at ease.

I went swimming not long ago (I'm now a size 18ish) and I saw for myself the looks given to a woman of about a size 28 who came into the pool. Heads turned, jaws dropped and people whispered to each other.

A year ago, I was that size and THAT'S why I'd never have gone swimming. I just coldn't have been as brave as that woman and ignored the obvious negative attention. As sonkie pointed out, we're constantly beaten over the head on the TV about the rising epidemic of obesity but darned little is done to help people to combat it in a practical way.

I've just noticed the latest wave of ads to help smokers to quit by the way. Shame the same level of help isn't offered to the overweight.

 

[Kate]

I think the best thing you could do is hire the pool for an hour a week and run the sessions yourself. I really do think you'll have a hard time convincing your local council. As far as they'll see it, the 3 groups mentioned (disabled, over 50s, women) have specific needs that are different to those of the general populace and that is the justification for offering separate sessions. They will tell you that if they give you a specialist session, they would have to consider such requests from any other group, which just wouldn't be practical for them.

I'm not saying it's not a good idea, but I think you will have to do some serious lobbying to get your local council to run sessions.

 

[Shazza]

I guess I'm lucky where I am in that my womens only - means exactly that - eventhe life guards are women on that evening.

Whilst I was held back for years in getting in a swimming pool - I plucked up the courage round Oct time last year and now love aqua aerobics.

There are a lot of asian ladies in my area who I think the womens only nights are catered for but one thing is that they tend to do is wear shorts to cover them selves up a bit for religion purposes - so in the beginning I didnt really feel out of place when I wore my shorts.

However I then bought some really nice swimskirt suits from the US (swimsuits4all I think) and also Simply Be have some nice swimskirt suits.

Anyway despite my Size 32 frame - I consider myself to be one of the snazziest swimsuit wearers in my class - not that that matters but I feel good about myself getting into the pool or out of pool - and my classmates and teacher have made me feel really welcome.

So I say to all you big ladies - get out there - the only one suffering is you - and if I can do it - anyone can.

 

[Professor]

Lee - that doesn't sound like too much, although if the area is very hilly, particularly on the 10-12 mile hike, take care not to overdo it - make sure you have plenty of water and probably take a bar with you as well. Are you going with anyone else?

I can't say either way whether the weekend hike would be too much as you say you're "upping your exercise" - so I assume you already exercise?

I walk a lot, and certainly over many years of it, need to get back into it, and no nothing major in hills around here, water is easy as my backpack has a built-in 3litre hydration system, so can drink whilst walking without even taking pack off And no i usually walk alone, the best way to enjoy the peace and countryside is without somebody rabbiting on in your earhole! LOL

 

[WannaBeSlim]

When i spoke to my pharmacist re exercise, he said that I could do as much as I was doing before but to keep an eye on myself. Before VLCLD I was spinning 3 times a week and doing weights etc ... For the first week I was to tired and cross to go, but went Monday and Wednesday this week and it was great. I found my legs got more tired than they used to quicker (probably coz it wasnt converting quick enough) but wasn't breathless (except after a sprint of course) .. or lightheaded or anything!! Will be going again on Friday. Have 2nd weigh in on Friday so will see how that goes and if it has made any difference ...