Hi all
To help with my weight loss and to get toned as I am losing I need
to incorporate some exercise
I have a membership with my local gym (i used to go pre Fat Bird days :D )
Trouble is I do not want to build muscle. I struggled on some of the equipment.
My question is to all those in the exercise know how group What pieces of wquipment are the best to do alongside my diet without putting on muscle,
or is it best to avoid the gym until i need to tone up after I have lost the weight?

I do not really want to use the weights I couldn't for the life of me
manage the Stepper or the rower. However I did like the Rotex, the cycle ,the treadmill and the handbike.
Thanks
Ali

Ali

Do you have a birthday or a special occassion coming up? If so, could you ask for a couple of sessions with a personal trainer? That way you could have a tailored exercise programme developed especially for you.

When I lived in Yorkshire I used to go to the local Council gym and as part of the induction process they asked you what you wanted to get out of it and what kind of sports etc you played and then they developed a programme to suit. Any decent gym should do the same.

Maybe it's worth asking yours if they'll fitness test you and develop a programme especially for you to encourage weightloss, develop muscle tone and increase stamina etc.

9th

Good Idea 9thM

I have just had a look at the website (my one is also council run) and for their advanced membership It includes 4 free fitness assesments every year, plus advice as you need it. It also includes unlimited use of sauna,steam rooms, swimming for the whole family, squash, aerobic classes, tennis,circuits,aquafit............. You name it its included:)
I think its £54 per month but that is joint membership, but my hubby plays squash once a week (£18 per month) The kids swim every weekend, (£20 per month) I play squash (£18) so it is actually quite a bargain!!!!!!! I am going to set up my direct debit today (well I will do it on payday )
Ali
Actually now my shopping bill has reduced dramatically because I am not eating as much :D I will be saving all round!!

Ali,
You will reduce faster if you incorporate weights into your exercise. It boosts your metabolic rate. The calories come off faster than if you just use aerobic exercise to loose weight. Trust me, you will not 'bulk' up like a man. The only way you'd do that is if you started living at the gym, AND taking something like steroids or other boosters. :rolleyes:

Muscle takes up a lot less room than fat, despite weighing more. That's why weighing in, should also include the measuring of inches. There will be a plateau, when fat is lost, but muscle has been gained via the scales. But it will show on the measuring tape the size loss.

It will also prevent the "sag" of loose skin from happening if you work out than just dropping the weight. (saggy skin, ick )

Seriously, I used to be really in shape when I was 18. I weighed 140lbs and I'm 5'8. I worked out with a friend who needed a spotter. Boring, just watching him, so I started lifting too.
Lordy, at the time, I thought I was huge because my peers weighed 20-30 pounds less than I did...but I had a 26 inch waist and 32" measurement across my chest (not including the boobs ). This was before education came out on muscles, women, and weight. I could bike over 75 miles in a day and benchpress 100 pounds. I had a low heart rate and high metabolism. I bought second-hand high fashion model clothes from "outlet" stores and wear them without any alterations. I'd kill to be that size again, but not having the low self esteem of then

The personal trainer idea is great, esp. since you don't have the time/desire to start digging through all of the pain-in-the-butt research stuff. (That's what my hubby does when I ask questions about 'Gym issues' ) He's dedicated to his exercise at 5am in the morning before going to work (urk). He reads the latest reports and keeps up to date on it all. I guess someone has gotta do it :D :D

Naw, he's no muscle man, but he does it so he can enjoy his own cooking :D :D :D
look into it...it will help you out in the long run (now, if I could just get my large butt into the local gym too --mutter, mutter, mutter)

You always make so much sense How come you know so much :p
I am just worried about getting beefy
But have just come of the phone to said Gym and I have an appointment with one of the Personal Fitness Trainers next thursday.
See what I mean ? You lot are fantastic :D If I hadnt posted this thread I would probably still be *thinking about it* in 6 mths time :D
Ali

I'll lend you TH. Forget the weights. Just keep putting a clumber spaniel into the boot of a landrover and out again. That'll give you a good work out :D :D

(She's too much of a "princess" to jump in herself )

LOL@9thM :D
I have to say I am very jealous!! I love Spaniels, especially clumbers I fell in love with them years ago. I will have her for you. You have my very stinky naughty Boxer :D

TH, bless her. It's whazzed it down all weekend (v. technical Yorkshire term for it's rained an awful, awful lot) and she's been delirious. Coz, going for a walk in the rain means only one thing.

Being towelled . . . . .:D

Now that's funny to imagine :D :D :D Samma's too much of a 'princess' to jump out of the bike cart at the end of the 'ride', but her 16 pounds is dainty compared to a Clumber She has no problem 'leaping' in and out of our car, though :D :D :D :D
:cool:

A quick rule of thumb is little weights but alot of reps.

Ie better 5 kg x30 times that 20K x 10 times.

Repetative movement get the heart pumping quicker which makes you burn calories. Cardio.

Thes best machines in the Gym are the running machine but used briskly walking with your personal stereo on your head for 20-30 mins and 15-20 mins with a quick run round the machines.

Constant lifting weight does not burn calories and yes it helps to tone but slowly for woman you would need to go up to 5 times a week.

Swimming is still the proven best toning method for a woman, Next best thing is Culrl ups which is the female verson of sit ups it involves you slowly curling you body up and holding slightly till you get that lovely sensation around your tummy but not at your neck.

All said from the over weight expert who owns 20 pairs of trainer, joggers , gym suits, head phones and a £40 per month gym membership.

My ex husband was a trainer.. LOL he is my X now

Pam

Pam

I've got a gravity walker - it's excellent because I can walk whilst watching tv and it doesn't put any strain on my knee, or my pelvis that separated whilst I was pg with Issy

Fiona
x x x

Fioan that is exactly what happened to my pelvis althought it is fine now. I could not walk properly for about 4-6 months. I was only 20 years old. I have only one child so it is all mended and it was 11 years ago.

Pam

Hi Ali

Go along and join in on a Circuit Training session. You don't have to be super fit or pose in skimpy lycra!! What you will gain is motivation from the instructor and other participants - and just when you think you can't do any more! you move on to another station and do another exercise working some other part of your body, giving you a breather.
It gives you an all round fitness and I think it's definately the best exercise routines you can do in a gym. You don't have to be a member to join in on the sessions.
The one I go to is full of all different shapes and sizes and levels of fitness. That's what makes it great!!
The only down side is moving on to another station where some bloke has dripped sweat onto the mat for you to lie in

Ali

If you like the rowing machine, why not use that, and the bike, and treadmill, air walker etc....

I weighed myself today....only lost 2 lb...but still 2lb lighter !!!

Looking forward to Wednesday for your weigh in..........??? :D

Natasha

Natasha
WELL DONE
2lbs is fantastic They say apart from the first week or two
that 2lbs is the best weight loss and you are more likely to keep it off. I am very proud of you I cannot wait till wednesday too I just hope I have lost 2lbs
Wonder how everyone else is doing?
Ali

Blimey I smiled a lot in that post :D

And usually you go for a full range of colours, Ali! :D

What, no :Ds, just ????

I know its disgraceful I am usually more creative than that!
:D :p :rolleyes: :o

how do you do the little purple ones or the smiley with shades? x

Just without the spaces:
: cool: =
: confused: =

:D

like this?

Hi Ali! Not only was I a certified aerobics instuctor, I also designed fitness programs for people at the all women's club I worked at years ago. You've gotten some excellent advice on this thread. Lifting weights is very important in rounding out your exercise program. The heavier the weight (and I mean really heavy) and fewer repititions you use will bulk you up. What you want are long, lean, defined muscles! Lighter weights (but not so light you don't strain at the end of your sets) with say 3 sets of 10 - 15 reps. The most important advice I can give you is to not work the same muscle group two days in a row. You need to give them a day to recover and repair themselves. Many people alternate their upper and lower bodies on different days. M W F upper body, T TH S lower body. If you combine weight lifting with aerobic exercise you will indeed change your body shape much faster than if you were only raising your heart rate.

The one other thing I can recommend is an eliptical cross trainer. It's movement is a combination of a treadmill, a stair stepper and a cross country ski machine. It's fabulous as it works your upper body and lower with NO impact! So you won't break the bank buying concealer for those black eyes! :D

Excellent Quinn, you can be our personal trainer !!!!!!! :D :D

Natasha

Thanks Ali

Good luck for tomorrow....and yes you did smile a lot didn't you??? :D

I hope I can keep it up ....

Well Ali and all, I have also lost 2 lbs this week..It is a start and considerign I was away for 2 days with my work that was good..I was very scared to stand on the scales.

I have put on that much weight recently I was scared to get on my flight on Friday incase I could not get my seat belt fastened. For anyone who is skinning this has always been one of my dreaded nightmares. It did fasten OK of course but I was worried. I was ashamed of myself as the fact I was worrying tells me I need to lose weight.

I found a picture of myslef today I am so slim I was teary looking at it.

When I went to my bed lastnight I said to god ( Not religious) if you make me thin again I promise to be good. I woke up the same needless to say. He must not be talking to me.LOL

Well good luck and congrats to all..

I am away to look at that thing the ski/step/arm thing..LOL

My Hubby says if I get up stairs he will chase me around the bedroom to help but I told him tp bog off as that would take a year...LOL

Pam

Pamela

aww pam, please dont get teary!! (In saying that, I get a bit like it if I loose any weight) I wish you and all the other dieters every success, but dont forget the fact, that its not what you are on the outside that counts in life, its whats underneath, inside, that is important. xxx

Most miserable flight in my life was on Korean Air out of Vancouver, Canada to Seoul. I was in the Emergency aisle row in between a 6'8 skinny giant and a Korean who was a bodybuilder (abt. 5'10, abt. 200+ pounds). I'm severly claustrophobic, so not only am I scrunched into this tiny airplane seat with my thighs smushed together, but my shoulders were squished by these two large men...it was hot, very hot in there too.

After a while, I gave up and sat in the flight attendants jump seat facing backwards. I wanted to wear the seatbelt, but it was too tiny!!! When I looked at my seat, the two guys shoulders almost touched. I gave up, prayed for no turbulence or the door blowing out, and put my head down on the door's bulkhead to doze in desperation.

I still have nightmares of just being too large for the seat, being trapped on the endless flight from hell AND the blasted seat belt. :rolleyes:

experience coming to mind since sudden flight home might be in the works...ick. I hate flying, just due to being cramped
toodles

I am glad someone else feels the same.. I keep thinking there are a lot heavier than me gets in they seats. They are far too small.

I am quite chesty to so I don't bother taking their food half the time as it is a fight with the tray and my chest lol. Either the food sits on the tray or my chest not both LOL..

It is just as well we laugh.

Pam ))

From one Pam to another Pam !

How about toning tables ? Our local gym has them too.

Pam

Pam,

I quite fancied that gravity walker I think it is the thing that you look like you are sking on LOL..
I looked at the thing , what is it called the elliptical cross trainer it looks quite good but a bit expensive for me for a good one incase it sat in the corner under my working clothes..LOL

Seriously I have a gym membership and quite a good one but I won't go till I lose a bit of weight and I am serious. I may cancel membership and buy something.

I know scates and a rope for the back of the car..

Pam

Fioan what gravity walker do you have..?

Found some reviews

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/product/44037.html

Pam

Can someone please tell me how to keep this a live link?? grateful

Pam

Hi Pamela, put [link] in front of your link and [/link] behind it. It must be the square brackets you use.
LynnT

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/product/44037.html

Fingers crossed..

Thanks Lynn

)

I can do links

I've got the Delta Infinity Gravity walker that's reviewed - it's reallt good and folds down fairly small.

It's easy to use and has adjustable tension on it. It's also got a little computer which tells you how long you've been walking, how many strides you've done and how many calories you've burned.

Fiona
x x x

Hi Fiona ,

Where did you get your one. Argos I don't think has them now or at least not the net.

Littlewoods has one but not tht one.

I will keep looking. I think that looks quite good. I have sore knees these days ( With the weight no doubt) so will need to start off gently.

I have to say my most favorite exercise of all even thought the critics say it is not that good for you is STEP ..as I love dancing as I think it is like dancing a bit.

BFN

Pam

I got mine out of the [link http://kaysnet.com/gus/category.asp?brand=Kays&cat%5Fid=15&zone%5Fid=&prod%5Fid=&offer%5Fid=&link%5Fid=&referer=www%2Egoogle%2Eco%2Euk%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DKays+Catalogue&extra=&inSearch=&search%5Fcriteria=&mo%5Fid=&wl%5Fid=&wl%5Fsec=&old_sid=0S13MQR09GS92GWH0G05LR56K8T3CHTF]Kays Home Shopping catalogue.[/link] You don't have to open an account and you can pay with a credit card. If you do a search on gravity the walker is displayed. It isn't called the Delta walker but that is what's supplied.

If you're a new customer they've got a 20% discount on at the moment.

HTH

Fiona
x x x

Thanks Fiona, I can feel myself gravitating as we speak..LOL

Pam

Well Fiona and all,

I have found the Delta gravity walker 2000 plus for £65 though a guy at my gym.

They have access to comsmetically scratched or damaged boxed ones form the catalogues so I think I will get that. At least if I only pay that and I don't use it I could probably get most of my money back.

Mind you I will be so motivated buy it I wilol probably want 2..LOL

Thanks for the links Fiona it does look quite a good one and it it stury also. With a max weigfht of nearly 19 stone.

Pam

WELL DONE Pam, keep it up.....if we can keep to 1/2lb per week, before we know it the weight will have dropped off

One of us should keep a note and add it up as we go..

Pam

I don't mind recording it Pam...we can set ourselves target's and then when we reach it we can reward ourselves., ie., nice meal, new clothes etc...should be good fun :rolleyes:

Only messing: I'm getting into it now....

Natasha :D

Forget the gym! Have sex!

What's that Juliet??? :D

Natasha

I called my hubby form work to ask his opinion about the Gravity Walker. LOL
He said " Get it if you like Darling we can always decorate it Xmas if you don't use it" LOL

Pam

I am still a newly wed so I can not even use the "Lack of" excuse..LOL

We are going to get a row..LOL

Pam

LOL @ Pam :D

Decorate it straight away, then you won't need to do it at Christmas !!! :D

NAtasha

LOL Natasha )

Try typing it into google and see what it comes up with....