I didn't realise I was so unfit

MysticalT
MysticalT Posts: 267 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
My weight has been around the same for the last year. I am sick of being fat but I find it so hard to stick to the calorie allowance each day. The only way it works is if I eat exercise calories, or some of them anyway.

Today I was really geared up for the 30 day shred ......I managed 7 minutes and couldn't continue. Last year I could do the full 30 minutes. My only exercise is walking the dogs and I usually skip that as I make dinner whilst he walks them. I work all day and I'm shattered when I get home but my job is more mentally exhausting than physically.

What can I do? I know walking more will improve my fitness but I just don't have time to do more than half an hour if I went on the dog walk. Do I keep trying the 30 day shred or is it pointless? Just 7 minutes and I ache everywhere.

How do I improve my fitness in a way where I don't just feel like giving up?

Replies

  • racmactac
    racmactac Posts: 19 Member
    I used to be really fit and then broke my ankle. For the first time in long time I did some exercise today and it almost killed me!
    7 minutes is a good start but I think it might help to build up to it. Make yourself walk the dog. It's healthy to get the fresh air and will shake off the office blues. How about getting a Fitbit or something similar?
  • chocolate_owl
    chocolate_owl Posts: 1,695 Member
    Keep at it. Your fitness level will drop if you're not exercising, but it will come back pretty fast once you get in the habit again. Keep pushing yourself to go a little longer in your workout, and before you know it you'll be doing the whole 30 minutes again.

    I had to stop running for a while due to an injury. When I started up again, I was lucky if I made it a mile. It only took a couple of weeks until I could do (slow, belabored) 5K again. Now 5Ks are easy, and I keep getting faster.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    If 30 day shred is too difficult, try something else, like Leslie Sansone videos. There are lots of videos on YouTube. Try 30 day shred again when your fitness is a little better.
  • mel_issa1717
    mel_issa1717 Posts: 29 Member
    Try 8 minutes tomorrow!! Small victories <3
  • ConicalFern
    ConicalFern Posts: 121 Member
    I have set some PBs running after horrible 12h+ days at work - just tell yourself your mind has had a workout but not your body!
  • jackslovely
    jackslovely Posts: 45 Member
    Make time. I know you said you don't have time but you have to carve out time for yourself and your fitness. I work 10 hours a day and I make a point to:

    Wake Up:5am
    Workout: 5:05-5:30am
    Shower: 5:30-5:35 5:40am( I don't wash my hair everyday, thank goodness for dry shampoo!)
    Cook Lunch/Dinner: 5:40-6:50am
    Get the Man and myself ready and make breakfast: 6:50-8:15am
    Leave for Work:8:20am

    Like i said i work 10 hours a day and get home around 830pm. I make a point to wake up and drag myself to do a workout. It can be the elliptical or a kettlebell workout. I tried the 30 day shred and thought it was too boring and not as fast passed as i wanted. I also walk on my breaks at work, 2 15 minute ones and about 30 minutes on my lunch break. IF i don't hit my 8k step goal by time i get home, i walk in my living room. We can watch t.v together but instead of sitting i walk and use hand weights to get an extra umpth in!

    Why not batch cook or cook before you go to work to allow you time to workout?



  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Do you not have time or not taking the time to exercise? How much non work time do you spend in front of a screen?
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited June 2016
    I saw double standards in your OP.

    It says you usually walk the dog but skip it thus "he" walks the dogs while you do dinner and then you do not have more than 30 minutes to walk if you went on the walk..

    Do the walk for the 30 minutes you have. Then I bet you can find 35 minutes, then you might find 40 minutes for the walk.. Then as you get better you might find you want to do the shred.. You might eve find that you want to do the shred and the walk..

    Just do the walk, start there!.
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    Also, since no one else mentioned it, MFP is designed for you to eat your exercise calories. Granted a lot of people will only eat a portion just in case they aren't completely accurate, but most eat back anywhere from 25-50% at least. I usually eat back half on smaller workout, more if I have a really large adjustment (multiple workouts in a day).
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    If you are making time to sit in front of the TV you absolutely CAN make time to exercise... there was a time when I made time to sit outside throughout the day to smoke at least 5 cigarettes a day... THAT was more than 6 years ago... there was a time...when I HAD to sit and watch the 6 oclock news... now I spend at least 1-1/2 hours at the gym 4 days a week... because I have to... because I want to... because it is better than the alternative I would be facing 20 years from now... 40 years from now...
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    Sounds like many excuses to me. Just do it.
  • MysticalT
    MysticalT Posts: 267 Member
    Thank you all for the replies. I used to go on the dog walks on my own after work but there has been some instances of dog thefts and assault against women walking dogs in the local area so now I wait until he gets home, by which time I'm getting dinner ready.

    I have set my alarm to get up earlier, that's when I was going to do the 30 day shred. Whatever I do it has to be quiet so I don't wake the whole house up!

    I will try again tomorrow I think. 7 minutes is better than 0 minutes right?
  • MysticalT
    MysticalT Posts: 267 Member
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    Do you not have time or not taking the time to exercise? How much non work time do you spend in front of a screen?

    I rarely spend any time in front of a screen, even when I'm home I'm working most nights or studying. I've never been a big screen person thankfully :)
  • Mouse_Potato
    Mouse_Potato Posts: 1,512 Member
    The first time I tried 30DS I did not even make it through the warmup. Now I consider the whole thing a warmup. Just keep at it! :)
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    I think you'd be better off using your full 30 minutes with an easier exercise routine than just getting in 8 or 9 minutes and then stopping. You could try mixing it up a little. Like 5 minutes of jumping jacks or stairs and then 5 minutes of something slower (walking, dancing etc), 5 minutes of higher intensity etc.
  • cgvet37
    cgvet37 Posts: 1,189 Member
    Exercise resets me mentally. I'm not happy at my job, and exercise is a means of blowing off steam. You have to want to become fit. Pick a time and don't make excuses. It's a life style change, not a quick fix. Seven minutes is a start, and better than nothing.
  • MysticalT
    MysticalT Posts: 267 Member
    I didn't get up in time for the 30 day shred this morning but I did go on the dog walk, a shorter 20 minute walk as the weather is rubbish but it's an achievement still :)
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    Tell your 'he' that if he wants to eat he can fix his own kitten for supper, you're walking the dog.
  • scoii
    scoii Posts: 160 Member
    30DS is a hard work out and a proper thigh killer. I did day one and needed a week off to recover and I'd consider myself above average in the fitness and strength levels, I mountain bike and climb for fun multiple times a week and am a few pounds above my ideal weight.

    Failing isn't that bad, the workout just isn't right for you at the moment. I've just started Body Revolution and it's much more reasonable in phase 1 at least. Davina is also pretty achievable.

    Unfit or fit, if you're working your hardest, you're burning calories.

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