Argh help please - some workout advice?

[meely]

Can I pick your brains on workouts particularly anyone who knows their stuff when it comes to free youtube ones

I’m trying to lose a bit of weight and tone up, particularly upper thighs, butt, abs and upper arms.

At the moment I walk 5/6 times a week for 45mins to 75mins at a time. I have a recumbent exercise bike I use 4 times a week for about 20 mins at a time.

I want to do some YouTube videos, I have a mat, some of those long resistance bands and a small pair of dumbbells. I would like to find something to do 2/3 times a week. I’ve looked but there are so many options it’s a bit mind blowing.

I need something that caters for Beginner/intermediate (I will put the work, in but my fitness isn’t there yet to be hardcore)
I want to focus on building strength
HIIT is something else which sounds like it might be good for me.

I want to be stronger, healthy and tone up. I’m not looking for perfection just improvement.

Would be grateful if anyone has any tips

 

[FL_runner]

Search for some barre workouts! They use lots of body weight and it’s a great complement to cardio. I use Barre3 and did pay for a subscription, but there’s lots out there. If you have Amazon prime, they also include a ton of workout videos that you can access for no extra cost.

 

[meely]

Thanks @FL_runner , I will look at barre workouts. I have amazon prime so will check there also.

 

[FL_runner]

Thanks @FL_runner , I will look at barre workouts. I have amazon prime so will check there also.

There’s a series of videos I like under the title “Amazon Body” produced by a company called GymRa. There is a 22 minute one with weights that I do often.

 

[meely]

Thanks, that sounds interesting I will check it out

There’s a series of videos I like under the title “Amazon Body” produced by a company called GymRa. There is a 22 minute one with weights that I do often.

 

[FL_runner]

Thanks, that sounds interesting I will check it out

It’s notorious in our house because all the instructors wear really ugly leggings and it looks like it was shot at a rich person’s backyard in LA my husbands like “oh you’re doing the ugly leggings one again, huh?”

 

[mrs-b]

Hi @meely -

Try Leslie Sansone Walk-at-Home videos on YouTube. They're basically walk-aerobics, but recently she's started incorporating elastic bands in her routines, which work like weights. All her routines are more energetic than just walking (I do both), but her more recent vids are a good upper body workout, too.

 

[mrs-b]

Here's one with light hand weights:

Here's an example of one with bands:

And here's a list of some of her YouTube routines:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wal+at+home+walk+lift+run

 

[meely]

Thanks @mrs-b I will take a look. The last couple of weeks I’ve been combining Heather Robertson and Joe Wicks. I don’t know if anyone outside of the UK will have heard of Joe Wicks, he was already well known but at the start of our first lockdown he started doing a free YouTube workout every morning for kids so he is pretty famous now. He looks like Aiden Turner in Poldark (which ever late to the party I am totally into at the moment) so that’s not bad at all. However it only works on mute because he does not sound like him

 

[meely]

Here's one with light hand weights:

Here's an example of one with bands:

And here's a list of some of her YouTube routines:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wal+at+home+walk+lift+run

Thanks, I will have a go at the bands one. I bought some bands a month ago, at the moment they are sitting under my dresser because I am scared of them so this might be a good intro

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I love Chloe Ting’s workouts! They’re quite rigorous for sure but you can take breaks or do the low intensity version of the exercises if you need. And they’re all free - her programmes are on her website but the videos are hosted on YouTube.

 

[meely]

I love Chloe Ting’s workouts! They’re quite rigorous for sure but you can take breaks or do the low intensity version of the exercises if you need. And they’re all free - her programmes are on her website but the videos are hosted on YouTube.

Thanks I have not heard of her, I will check her channel out later

 

[lissyflo]

@meely As you’re U.K., try Sarah Gorman BlendFit. She teaches a real mix of boxing, Pilates, barre, dance - really fun & lively with a big emphasis on core and functional strength, and she has some good demo videos on technique. If you follow her on Insta you can follow links straight to videos. I have a couple of her Davina McCall dvds too.

 

[meely]

@meely As you’re U.K., try Sarah Gorman BlendFit. She teaches a real mix of boxing, Pilates, barre, dance - really fun & lively with a big emphasis on core and functional strength, and she has some good demo videos on technique. If you follow her on Insta you can follow links straight to videos. I have a couple of her Davina McCall dvds too.

That sounds interesting, only issue is I struggle with Pilates I seem to end up injuring myself

 

[missy]

That sounds interesting, only issue is I struggle with Pilates I seem to end up injuring myself

Honestly it’s so easy to do Reformer Pilates as opposed to floor Pilates. Do you have access to a Reformer? It’s like night and day.

 

[meely]

Honestly it’s so easy to do Reformer Pilates as opposed to floor Pilates. Do you have access to a Reformer? It’s like night and day.

No we are in lock down, unfortunately - ordinarily there are a limited number of reformer classes about.
My issue is I have an extremely high pain threshold and I am wonky, it is very difficult for me to do any physical activity unless I am straight.
To give an example, pushing a shopping trolley around people is very uncomfortable, I have to stop, pivot on the spot to get myself in the right direction and then continue. Absolutely ridiculous but there you have it.
Because of the high pain threshold I tend to hurt myself without realising it at the time. Last time I tried Pilates I ended up with a clicky shoulder and such bad weakness in my leg that I had to lift it up with my arm to help when driving

 

[missy]

No we are in lock down, unfortunately - ordinarily there are a limited number of reformer classes about.
My issue is I have an extremely high pain threshold and I am wonky, it is very difficult for me to do any physical activity unless I am straight.
To give an example, pushing a shopping trolley around people is very uncomfortable, I have to stop, pivot on the spot to get myself in the right direction and then continue. Absolutely ridiculous but there you have it.
Because of the high pain threshold I tend to hurt myself without realising it at the time. Last time I tried Pilates I ended up with a clicky shoulder and such bad weakness in my leg that I have to lift it with my arm when driving

Oh my well then definitely Pilates isn’t for you. I hope you can find a safe and effective workout regime. Good luck!

 

[meely]

Oh my well then definitely Pilates isn’t for you. I hope you can find a safe and effective workout regime. Good luck!

Thanks Missy. I hope so too, so many people advise for Pilates so it’s frustrating but it there we have it!

 

[missy]

Thanks Missy. I hope so too, so many people advise for Pilates so it’s frustrating but it there we have it!

Dont be discouraged! After the pandemic would it be possible to work with a physical therapist experienced with your specific challenges to design a safe workout? I went to physical therapy with an experienced therapist (for my issues) and she helped me design a comfortable and hopefully effective workout routine. It’s just a matter of finding what you can safely do that produces results too.

 

[meely]

Dont be discouraged! After the pandemic would it be possible to work with a physical therapist experienced with your specific challenges to design a safe workout? I went to physical therapy with an experienced therapist (for my issues) and she helped me design a comfortable and hopefully effective workout routine. It’s just a matter of finding what you can safely do that produces results too.

I have spent over a year with a physio, some things got better, others worse. This is recently - I have seen others over a 20 year period (I’m 35!). Over the last year I have seen a osteopath as well, this helped but the problems return or new ones. The one thing every healthcare professional says is have you had an MRI scan. The NHS (our free health service) just gives me another physio appointment when I ask. When we come out of lockdown I intend to seek help from a back specialist and pay privately, hopefully it is nothing serious and they can then pinpoint the issues and give a physio something to work with.

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

Check out the Peloton digital membership! I think there is a free trial and it's also pretty affordable for just the digital membership.

 

[2Neesers]

I havent tried these from KaisaFit yet, but plan to... She has 6 free mobility workouts and 6 free regular workouts on YouTube. She seems to focus on movement and gaining flexibility with her mobility programs.

https://www.youtube.com/kaisafit

 

[Ally T]

Thanks @mrs-b I will take a look. The last couple of weeks I’ve been combining Heather Robertson and Joe Wicks. I don’t know if anyone outside of the UK will have heard of Joe Wicks, he was already well known but at the start of our first lockdown he started doing a free YouTube workout every morning for kids so he is pretty famous now. He looks like Aiden Turner in Poldark (which ever late to the party I am totally into at the moment) so that’s not bad at all. However it only works on mute because he does not sound like him

He's annoying isn't he?! I've stuck with him though. I started using his YouTube about 3 years ago & also bought his books as they were released, but got really back into him with the kids last March. I'm frustratingly gaining weight around my waist though, which the Dr has put down to my hugely fluctuating hormones. I'll be 47 in June & have always been super healthy & run many, many miles each week. She basically said to continue to be as healthy as I can & not to worry about my tummy too much, as losing weight when my body is trying to store it due to Oestrogen is a losing battle. Once I am 'through the other side' apparently it should come off easy.

But that could be TEN YEARS??!! I'm not on board with that at all, so after doing even more reading at weekend & then having homemade pizza, cakes & Valentines chocolates, today I start my lower carb focus. Apparently that can really help & my GP did mention it, but was also conscious of my need for carbs with the running & told me to be cautious. I'm just going to cut back where I can. I had fruit, yogurt & a few nuts for breakfast, lunch will be chicken salad & tonight I'm planning my famous Pie-less Chicken & Leek Pie, which is the usual filing but served on the plate with home baked wedges instead of in crust. The wedges will be my carb allowance for today.

I've really got to focus. My upper arms have always been quite sculpted, but suddenly they are squishy, dimply & fatty like sausages. Husband has free weights so I will start using those too. Between the running (about to head out now) HIIT, weights & low carb, I'm hoping I can reverse this wobble before my clothes get even tighter!

 

[meely]

@Alex T its really difficult isn’t it
I’m younger than you (35) so haven’t got to those changes you mention but I’ve massively changed since having children, my stomach is a battle. I put on a lot with my first, lost it all but looked a little ribby and gaunt which I didn’t like. I had my daughter 5 years ago and didn’t put on so much weight and just sort of left that extra 3/4 of a stone. Oops.
At Christmas I put on a few pounds and just felt that my stomach was quite pronounced. Argh. So I have cut right down on carbs, increased my fruit and veg trying to eat lots of food but with low carbs (noon style) and trying to restrict eating to an 8 hour window. I’ve being doing joe wicks 3/4 times a week, heather Robertson targeted sessions 3/4 times, using my recumbent bike 2/3 times a week and going for a long walk 4/5 times a week. I want to loose a stone. So far I’m down by 8 pounds. Like you valentines days I scoffed pizza and chocolate and weekend before was my husbands birthday, couple of takeaways to celebrate last week too so now I have 3 1/2 weeks until my birthday. So I will be being super good with what I eat! I did dry January, now giving my self 4 passes a month have already used up for February

Could you try light dumbbells for your arms and a class. I used to do a lot of gardening and hedge trimming made my arms majorly toned.
I hear you on the ten years er no thanks. I don’t think I realised how down being a little bit over my ideal weight made me. It wasn’t a constant thought but it definitely affected my confidence and made choosing clothes harder. In summer I am glued to beach kaftans to wear over everything, it would be nice this summer to just be able to wear a strappy vest.

Regarding Joe the other day I switched him off, he had missed half the moves off (not wearing his glasses lol) and then wanted to add them on at the end - mentally I was done so that was that I was quite irritated with him I think Aidan Turner should do fitness now that would be an empire.

 

[Tartansparkles]

I hear you on the arm thing. I'm 49, been exercising since I was 16. My lower arms now wave right back at me.

 

[Tartansparkles]

My mum and I try Joe Wickes every now and then, we both choose which YouTube video to watch, press start at the same time, while doing a WhatsApp video call, so we can see/hear each other. But then I end up shouting "me and mum are doing Joe Wickes in the kitchen" which doesn't sound quite right

 

[Ally T]

@Alex T its really difficult isn’t it
I’m younger than you (35) so haven’t got to those changes you mention but I’ve massively changed since having children, my stomach is a battle. I put on a lot with my first, lost it all but looked a little ribby and gaunt which I didn’t like. I had my daughter 5 years ago and didn’t put on so much weight and just sort of left that extra 3/4 of a stone. Oops.
At Christmas I put on a few pounds and just felt that my stomach was quite pronounced. Argh. So I have cut right down on carbs, increased my fruit and veg trying to eat lots of food but with low carbs (noon style) and trying to restrict eating to an 8 hour window. I’ve being doing joe wicks 3/4 times a week, heather Robertson targeted sessions 3/4 times, using my recumbent bike 2/3 times a week and going for a long walk 4/5 times a week. I want to loose a stone. So far I’m down by 8 pounds. Like you valentines days I scoffed pizza and chocolate and weekend before was my husbands birthday, couple of takeaways to celebrate last week too so now I have 3 1/2 weeks until my birthday. So I will be being super good with what I eat! I did dry January, now giving my self 4 passes a month have already used up for February

Could you try light dumbbells for your arms and a class. I used to do a lot of gardening and hedge trimming made my arms majorly toned.
I hear you on the ten years er no thanks. I don’t think I realised how down being a little bit over my ideal weight made me. It wasn’t a constant thought but it definitely affected my confidence and made choosing clothes harder. In summer I am glued to beach kaftans to wear over everything, it would be nice this summer to just be able to wear a strappy vest.

Regarding Joe the other day I switched him off, he had missed half the moves off (not wearing his glasses lol) and then wanted to add them on at the end - mentally I was done so that was that I was quite irritated with him I think Aidan Turner should do fitness now that would be an empire.

It affects my confidence too. I was obese in my late teens / early 20's, then lost 8 stone over 2.5 years by sheer bloody mindedness, willpower & hard work. I reached my goal weight & size 12 when I was 24 (I'm quite tall & broad, so this is the ideal size for me otherwise I get too bony) & was lucky to have continued to work super hard & stayed trim & fit. I only gained 25lbs & 23lbs with my pregnancies & was one of those annoying people who were back in their jeans after 3 weeks.

So at this stage now, I am realising how much our hormones play in the shape of our bodies as women age. This isn't a normal thing for me - I'm a size 14 now & feel chubby, even though I don't really look that way to other people. I don't like it.

I love gardening & I love my garden, but since the winter hit & I cleared away the last of the fallen leaves, there's nothing to do out there. And man alive, it's been cold! I also walk a lot. We live really rural & I drag the kids & Mr T out most days for fresh air. When I look at what I do on paper, i'd expect to see a six pack

I have always said that I wanted to be in the shape of my life when I hit 50, just because, and now I'm realising why us ladies get a bit bigger at that age instead. I hugely admire Davina McCall & how she looks. Her face is a little drawn, but I think she's amazing & to think she only started to get fit at my age inspires me.

I'm feeling focused & if nothing else, I just want to still be fit & strong. Having said that, I've been on PS since earlier, sat here in my runners, so I really need to get outside & into those fields before the kids start asking what's for lunch!

 

[Ally T]

My mum and I try Joe Wickes every now and then, we both choose which YouTube video to watch, press start at the same time, while doing a WhatsApp video call, so we can see/hear each other. But then I end up shouting "me and mum are doing Joe Wickes in the kitchen" which doesn't sound quite right

 

[lissyflo]

I hear you on the arm thing. I'm 49, been exercising since I was 16. My lower arms now wave right back at me.

I’m a similar age to you and @Alex T and am also struggling with under arms and stomach flab as I age. All these lockdowns certainly haven’t helped but I think the underlying issue is definitely ageing. So I’m joining you all in upping the exercise and (trying to) eat better. It’s hard work!

 

[Ally T]

I’m a similar age to you and @Alex T and am also struggling with under arms and stomach flab as I age. All these lockdowns certainly haven’t helped but I think the underlying issue is definitely ageing. So I’m joining you all in upping the exercise and (trying to) eat better. It’s hard work!

It's rubbish, isn't it?! I'm also finding that even though I recover from my runs relatively quickly, I stay red faced, hot cheeked & flushed for about 30 minutes. I've not started with the dreaded sweats or anything yet, but this flushing for so long after running started around August, the same time everything else was turning to shit & I ended up at the GP's for all the blood work.

But we will keep chipping away. Going for a long walk with the girls after lunch whilst they're not tied to their desks & then will find 15 mins later on to lift some weights.

Keep us posted on how you get on. It'll be good to have someone my age with a similar battle to keep motivated.