Exercise

Maquillage_

How does everyone manage exercise and diet? I seem to be able to motivate myself to focus on one or the other, and at the moment my diet is claiming most of my attention!

I was thinking of using the 10 minute solution workout videos just so I can say I do some activity daily! I just seem to struggle getting up early to workout (not a morning person) and have the attitude that if I stick with this lifestyle then I'll get to where I want eventually. But I know I need exercise to get the body look I want. Working out after work is not an option because I do the night shift and I'm too tired when I get home. But I figured I won't be able to talk myself out of 10 minutes! Do you think 10 minutes will make a difference?

Also I'd love to start running, but really lack the confidence to exercise outside. For anyone that runs, what helped you start out? I live in a very built up area with no park so the only running place is along a main road and in housing estates. Did anyone else have the same anxiety about working out outdoors? How did you over come it?

Maquillage_

Also if anyone has any apps that they use to program their workouts or keep them motivated I'd love to hear about them!

zahid222

couch to 5K is a good way to start. I use the printable version because I use my treadmill but there an app too that can be downloaded to your phone for outdoors. I don't know much about the app but I sure someone here will know.

jknight001

Maybe for you, getting 5:2 down first is the most important priority. And remember, something as simple as a walk around the block is exercise.

Marmitegeoff

Find something that you love doing. For me it is cycling, but then I am fortunate in only having about 400m to go to open countryside.

turpz

I'm not a fan of running in built up areas either (or at all for that matter ) so what I did was drive to a nearby park or off-road path. Makes it a bit more effort, but if it's an option might help going somewhere a bit quieter while you get your confidence up? Couch to 5k is definitely a fab way to get started, gives you some structure rather than just going outside and going for it!

Maquillage_

Thanks for the advice everyone! My diet is my main focus now for my health, but I do want to work towards my body goals too. I'm going to try adding structure to my workouts so instead of just saying 'I'll work out 4 days a week' I'll actually follow a structured program. I've rooted out my old wii (and after playing around with Mario cart and lego Indiana Jones for a while!) I found the biggest loser game. So I set up a profile and it set me four workouts a week and they're less than 20 minutes. It seems motivating because I'll be challenging previous contestants and it sets tough goals. Hopefully it will keep me motivated. I've set it for a 4 week program to start but it goes up to 12 weeks.

The only thing I dislike about it is it doesn't let me set my goal to my actual goal! I'm 154lbs atm at 5'1, and my goal is 110lbs. But on the game it only lets me set my goal to 130lbs! But if the workouts are good I can over look that.

Marmitegeoff

The allowed weight loss is the 2lbs per week for the 12 week exercise period, that is the recommended max loss. At the end of the program you should be able to put is the new weight you and the new goal.

sanjoparolas

Your description of mini-workouts in the mornings is exactly what I do and for the same reason - I can do them at home without looking presentable and they are so short, I can't let myself skip them. Doing them makes me feel that no matter what, I did something good for me that very morning. If I get other exercise in during the day, that's a bonus! Between my mini-workouts on weekdays and 5:2, I have maintained at a healthy weight for over a year. I intend to keep on going with both indefinitely. Best wishes to you in your efforts!

snaps27

A great app for your phone to track walking etc... is runtastic...it tracks you distance, journey and speed and estimates burnt calories. The greatest part is is links to MFP and uploads the activity automatically. Just have to remember to turn it off when you finish walking around the shops and jump in the car...it then thinks you're running really fast .

cal0rina

A pedometer app can be useful too, but check the sensitivity, I 'walked' 2, 000 steps on the bus. I do shifts and regularly do nights, I find swimming after a night shift helps me to sleep, my colleagues think I am nuts but I sleep much better when I have exercised, good luck