Advice regaining fitness.

Delicate_Dlite

Hi, probably posting in the wrong place and repeating previous posts[sorry].

I'm looking to improve my fitness after a year out due to illness (I've gotten all clear from doc to "go nuts" regarding exercise.)

Up until last year I would jog/run 5-6 days a week ~8k a day. I'm back at it now, just walking at the moment. :rolleyes: (~5k a day). I'm a 22yr old female, healthy weight and diet. I'm just trying to regain fitness and toning.

I'm not a gym person, and I tried finding a fitness (spinning) class, but couldn't find any that were drop-in/near enough. So I was thinking to supplement my walking, an exercise bike at home. Any thoughts? Are they any good for just a small change?

Sorry for the long winded post, Cheers, Deli Dlite!

iceage

Why not. Have you considered a bike for cycling outdoors maybe, any parks near by all that fresh air is good for you. Congratulations on the clear bill of health.

Delicate_Dlite

Cheers!

There's a few parks, but I hate cycling in Dublin, the roads are very unfriendly, shall we say. :rolleyes:. I'd love it if it were possible, but I know I'd get fed up and not bother.

Also I intend to keep up with the walking, increasing it to jogging/running eventually. I'm just keen to get back in shape asap, but I want the easiest laziest option possible.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Delicate_Dlite wrote: »

Cheers!

There's a few parks, but I hate cycling in Dublin, the roads are very unfriendly, shall we say. :rolleyes:. I'd love it if it were possible, but I know I'd get fed up and not bother.

Also I intend to keep up with the walking, increasing it to jogging/running eventually. I'm just keen to get back in shape asap, but I want the easiest laziest option possible.

Without sounding like a bastard, don't expect to get in shape then.

Delicate_Dlite

I meant that in a light hearted way. As in the most convient way to build more exercise into my schedule.:rolleyes:

Jimmy Bottlehead

Delicate_Dlite wrote: »

I meant that in a light hearted way. As in the most convient way to build more exercise into my schedule.:rolleyes:

I know you said in your first post that you're not a gym person (nobody starts off as a gym person, we all feel awkward there at first) but there has been a ladies weightlifting introduction day held recently through Boards.ie. My girlfriend is the first to admit, weightlifting has gotten her in better shape than anything else has, and I'd say a few other girls would agree.

Take a look at this and keep an open mind:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=66340658#post66340658

Delicate_Dlite

I've done the gym think quite alot, it's really not me. I do some light weight work at home, it was part of my physio, and I kept it up, nothing like it for toning alright but I think I'm lacking cardio, to help with my toning, I could be wrong though.:o

Cheers,

smoggy11

Delicate_Dlite wrote: »

I've done the gym think quite alot, it's really not me. I do some light weight work at home, it was part of my physio, and I kept it up, nothing like it for toning alright but I think I'm lacking cardio, to help with my toning, I could be wrong though.:o

Cheers,

Honestly, cardio will not get you in shape. Yes, you will lose weight, but you will just be a smaller version of the shape you are now.

I had saddlebags for YEARS. No matter how skinny I was they were always there. It was only when I went to the gym and started lifting (heavy) weights that they went away.

Lifting small weights and cardio will get you into some sort of shape, but it will take time. You said you want the quickest option. Heavy weight is the quickest option. You will see big results in a few weeks if you do it right.

If you are going to go down the weight option, I really can't recommend starting strength enough. It is a great beginners program and will get you well on the way to being in the best shape of your life!

Good luck!

Delicate_Dlite

Thanks, I'm pretty happy with size/shape.
Up until I became ill I was quite fit and happy with my toning. I only lost the fitness/toning while ill, luckily I didn't gain weight.:)

So I do need cardio to regain the fitness, I assume?
I was advised by a physio to always stick to light/mod weights due to a genetic condition I have, it affects most of my joints, not really an issue the rest of the time.

Cheers for all advice.

smoggy11

Cardio will increase your fitness yes.

I'm not trying to contradict your physio here, but lifting weights improves bone density and will strengthen your joints. A lot of physiotherapists are scared of heavy weight and I know people who have been told by their physio that lifting weights is basically bad for them. Despite all evidence and research to the contrary.

Do your research. Google your condition and lifting weight. Don't blindly trust what you're told, get other opinions!

As an aside, lifting light weight will improve muscle tone, but it will take an eternity and will be a mostly boring and tedious task. For fast results, go heavy!

Delicate_Dlite

Cheers, I agree about trusting blindly, it could be the scientist in me but I always investigate. But my condition doesn't mix with heavy weights. So I'll be sticking to my small/mod weights thanks.