Diet and Exercise. Support and Advice welcome.

A question about : Diet and Exercise. Support and Advice welcome.

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!

Best answers:

• 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!
• 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.
• 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.
• 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! 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 Ј35-Ј40 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.
• 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...
  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 crиme fraiche instead of cream.
• 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...)
• 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?
• 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.
• I'm trying to pluck up the courage to go swimming but I've noticed that they only do one adult only session a week and they say it's restricted to three lanes
  I'm worried because if it's packed I won't like it and I'm worried I won't be able to get near the edge (I have to swim near the edge as I have a fear of water getting in my ears)
  Meh
• Tink have you looked into adult swimming lessons? they not just for non-swimmers I can drown with style already but fancied trying for a triathlon they were great for helping me with form and breathing, and only cost the normal swimming fee at my council run pool.
• Don't really need lessons, would prefer a nice relaxed swim
• Got on the scales this morning and have lost another pound! NOt taking it as my official weight until next week though, as I am only supposed to weigh on Mondays! but still, its the first time I have seen 10st 10lbs on the scale for a very long time
• hi all,
  i hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread! congratulations on the weight loss, you're doing really well! i'm going to start trying to lose weight. i haven't even been on the scales for ages because i've been burying my head in the sand! i'd guess i'm about 21st and i'm 5ft9. i need to lose around half my body weight but i guess i'll just try my best and aim small for now! i'm a member of a gym but it's horrible in there (horrible but cheap!) so i've just e-mailed a gym nearer home to see how much it is. even if it costs a bit more, if it's nicer i may be more inclined to go! x