When did you add exercise to your diet/lifestyle?

gel91
gel91 Posts: 309
in Health and Weight Loss
Last time I lost weight I lost a little over 50lb and added exercise in after about 5-6 months - I'll admit it, I lost weight so easily just by eating less I really couldn't be bothered to even try exercising. I eventually done the 30DS then took a job which meant I was walking nearly 2 hours a day to and from there. But still felt like I was going through the motions, I didn't want to exercise!!

I quit my job about 6 months ago and since then between bad eating habits creeping back I've put much of it back on, but I've been back on track just over a week now & I'm already feeling so fantastic in myself, about myself, that I don't want to leave it so long this time. I'm much better clued up this time around so I know what I'm doing & what I need to do.

I just wonder if sometimes it's too much to throw yourself into straight away cutting back on calories (even though, really, you eat more when you eat healthy) and exercising. I'm not looking for excuses, I do want to exercise this time & I think I might start the 30DS again pretty soon - I just wonder if there is anyone who done it straight off the mark and found it demotivating at all? Or is there just no way to lose?

My calories are set to 1560 for 1lb a week loss, though I'll make sure I always eat over 1200 I'm not fussed if I dip below my target & I'd only be eating 1/2 exercise calories back.

Replies

  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    I started exercise immediately it does not have to be bone crunching insanity work outs. You could start with some walking walking is a great exercise. Part of it us getting into the habit of exercise
  • Weighinginwithmy02
    Weighinginwithmy02 Posts: 369 Member
    A lifestyle changes for me, include a change in my sedentary life to a more active one. I needed to focus on both the food and the movement aspects of my life because neither were stellar. This wasn't just a change for weightloss but for overall health. It's important that I'm able to move and am fit and feel strong. Being "thin" has never been a goal of mine but being a healthy weight and fit has always been.
  • casy84
    casy84 Posts: 290 Member
    I started after reaching my GW and I regred I didn't do it sooner. I would have lost the weight quicker and I wouldn't have been so out of shape now. Being at my GW without being toned and fit shows me that my journey is far from over. Try not to do my mistake.
  • chinatbag
    chinatbag Posts: 249 Member
    I started when I got closer to my goal. I lost 70 lbs first and now I'm doing a lot of weight lifting. I think it's been paying off quite a bit.
  • beattie1
    beattie1 Posts: 1,012 Member
    I started exercise immediately it does not have to be bone crunching insanity work outs. You could start with some walking walking is a great exercise. Part of it us getting into the habit of exercise

    This is what I was going to write! I've never done 30DS but it sounds HARD! Ease yourself in by walking more, and increase the pace as you get fitter. Moving around like that is what we were designed to do! Then add whatever additional exercise you want to.
  • cybersheel
    cybersheel Posts: 145 Member
    Just start being more active - wee changes like using stairs oftener. Walk further. Don't sit about so much. Borrow someones dog for a walk. Join an exercise class of some kind. Get a friend to go with you so you can't back out. It all makes a difference.
  • symonspatrick
    symonspatrick Posts: 213 Member
    Exercise makes you look good naked. Cutting calories makes you look good in clothes. I started out with my focus on cutting calories to lose the weight. The closer I get to my goal weight the more I am focused on exercise.
  • gel91
    gel91 Posts: 309
    Thanks for all the replies, brilliant stuff!

    I can't really go out walking (as exercise) my toddler doesn't start preschool untill september so we are together 24/7 and whilst I do have a pram for him we try not use it as much as possible as he is far too big for it. But he's not a fast walker at all. We just tend to stroll. Literally. Takes us around 60 minutes to get to the shop and back which is about 6-7minutes each way by myself, lol! Alot of it is standing around.

    Which is why I'm much more focused on some kind of indoor exercise for now! But it's still great to hear everyone elses stories and ways of doing things.
  • kazzsjourney
    kazzsjourney Posts: 674 Member
    I started at 380 pounds and added exercise (albeit just simple exercises) within a few weeks of starting. Just go at your own pace. I started off with just some simple step ups...then moved on to the walk away the pounds dvds before I finally joined a gym (at around 330 pounds) :)
  • Weighinginwithmy02
    Weighinginwithmy02 Posts: 369 Member
    Thanks for all the replies, brilliant stuff!

    I can't really go out walking (as exercise) my toddler doesn't start preschool untill september so we are together 24/7 and whilst I do have a pram for him we try not use it as much as possible as he is far too big for it. But he's not a fast walker at all. We just tend to stroll. Literally. Takes us around 60 minutes to get to the shop and back which is about 6-7minutes each way by myself, lol! Alot of it is standing around.

    Which is why I'm much more focused on some kind of indoor exercise for now! But it's still great to hear everyone elses stories and ways of doing things.

    As a Mom with a 4 year old, I totally get this. I often work out with my Wii Fit after she's in bed and I have some time to myself. I have the My Fitness Coach, which I love, as well as the Wii Sport, which I do the boxing on, and love. You can also do any of the home workout videos, like Zumba, that you fancy. If you don't have a Wii or a DVD player or don't like doing those types of things, put on some music and dance around. I used to do that quite often especially before I found real, set workouts that I like.

    Do you have a partner that could watch your little one while you go for a quick 20 minute walk on some days? Even 2-3 times a week for 20 minutes is better than nothing at all. I get up at 6 to be in the pool at 6:30 and swim for 45 minutes to get home to shower while getting the little one ready for school and get ready for work. This way I don't miss out any time with her (she's sleeping while I'm gone) and my husband is there in case she would wake up and I get the exercise time in that I need. It's difficult and takes some planning but it can be done. This is, of course, only if you have a partner that will support you.

    24/7 with a toddler, woman, you NEED some time to yourself! ;o)
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    I started after the first week of changing my eating habits. I started out just walking around my neighbourhood a few times a week, and as I lost weight and felt better, added different types of exercise as well. After about a month of walking, I felt so much better, and had lost a fair bit of weight, so I added kettlebell as that was something I'd been really interested in. I absolutely loved it! Stuck with just walking and lots of kettlebell work at home for a few more months, lost a bit more weight, felt strong and great! So then I joined a gym as I really wanted to get back to lifting, as that was something I'd enjoyed in my distant athletic past. That's where I'm at today--still doing all three!
  • gel91
    gel91 Posts: 309
    Thank you for all the replies I'm really enjoying reading them.

    & @weighing in - I wish!! My partner is 100% supportive and is very good about everything and my decisions, but he works for 12 hours a day! 7-7 with traveling aswell he's gone 6-8! So not really much time for him to be able to do anything there! He works nights quite often though so I could enjoy some exercise time after he's left for work and my son is in bed. I'd much rather do it mid-day though, as most of the time I only get about 2 hours to myself, to do my dinner, eat, tidy up, chill for an hour then bed for 10-11 and up at 5 with the other half.

    Err, never realised how much of a routine my life had become, uh oh!
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
    Do you have a pedometer? you might be surprised at how active you are ... and there is nothing wrong with just enjoying being a mom! That is probably the most non sedentary job there is!

    Search you tube for 10 minute exercise routines. They are free and a good way to fit in some exercise when you can.

    to answer your question - I added exercise Day 1 - 20 minutes of walking and making sure I was standing for at least an hour total. I have upped that considerable to making sure I stand or walk at least 10 minutes every hour I am awake. I added 10 minutes of Yoga via wii fit, and 10 minutes of Barre 3 via the internet after I reached goal.

    I also play in my church orchestra, as well as work as director in a consulting firm. I don't have a daily 45 minutes to 2 hours to dedicate to exercise. And I hate to sweat. So being more active throughout my day works for me. I wear a Nike Fuel band to keep up with it. Some people do the same with the Fitbit, a HRM or a pedometer.
  • gel91
    gel91 Posts: 309
    pkw - thank you! I shall take a look! & No I don't own one, maybe I should invest in one or something similar :-)
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
    pkw - thank you! I shall take a look! & No I don't own one, maybe I should invest in one or something similar :-)

    If your husband has US based health insurance (some people are on national plans like in the UK or Canada) most of them have low cost or free pedometers.. if you google "free pedometer" you may find one they are giving away. I love pedometers but I kept washing them by leaving them on my pants! Hence the Nike Fuel Band! My husband has the fit bit and loves it.
  • lambchoplewis
    lambchoplewis Posts: 797
    I started exercising immediately. I now LOVE it and feel bad if I don't get some type of exercise everyday. I wonder if you are using the "child" thing as an excuse NOT to exercise. I don't mean to be negative but... get out of house even if it is going to store. Look at the 60 minutes to get ready and walk around the store as exercise as it is moving. Anything is better than sitting around watching your child sleep or play by themselves. You must take some time for yourself.
  • kariannmbc
    kariannmbc Posts: 144
    Could you put your child in stroller and take him/her with you in a walk around the neighborhood?
  • EmmaKarney
    EmmaKarney Posts: 690 Member
    I think everyone should exercise for their health, regardless of if you're trying to lose weight.

    So yes - be active :)
  • Delicate
    Delicate Posts: 625 Member
    I exercised for long before diet/lifestyle came in to it.

    started gyming 8 years ago (about 2 years after i got dignoased with PCOS) but then used it as an excuse to eat extra, gained weight a bit too much.

    eating properly started about 2007 for a holiday (low gi diet) which worked well but felt lathageric all the time and windy cause all the legumes, then the holiday came and went, the summer treats, drinking blah blah

    gained back,

    Told i was prediabetic

    decided to do paul mckenna i can make you thin in 2008, lost as per my marker, now im fine tuning it for better performance in the gym and level blood sugar levels, so avoiding carbs such as pasta, bread etc quite obvious with the failure of gi diet and feeling like poo my body doesnt appreciate carbs and i dont miss them.
  • ktsmom430
    ktsmom430 Posts: 1,100 Member
    I was very sedentary until I had lost 100# last October. My knees were too painful from carrying around so much excess weight for so many years, and it hurt to just walk or climb stairs. I began walking in October. I started using an elliptical in November as well as doing sit ups, planks and jumping jacks.I added treadmill in February and also got a fit bit on February 9th, which is a great motivator for me and I love it. Also began working with weights 2 weeks ago. Everyone should try to do something for exercise if they can. It makes a difference in your strength and stamina. Getting the weight off was key for me to be able to begin.
  • gel91
    gel91 Posts: 309
    Oohhie I love my carbs. Looks like you've had quite the struggle but was always active, that's interesting!

    Once again thanks for all the replies!!

    & too clear this up, I'm totally not using my son as an excuse, of course we go out walking and stuff together I'm saying it's not a valid form of exercise for me being of the tiny snail pace! Which is why I would prefer something indoor. Say for, when he is eating his lunch? Which I have said in my previous posts.
    My son is a very very active child and never sits still so there is always something to do with him, but in regards to exercise walking with him just doesn't do it.

    Yeah we have a pushchair for him but he's too big for it and so we just try to use it for long journeys that his legs won't be able to handle, or when I'm in a rush!

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