Getting fit not thin..

Not yet (still losing fat) but plan to be there by March/April next year, hopefully!

I'm trying to get fitter as well as lose weight (simply because there is weight to lose) - my friend and I would like to try for the London Marathon in 2015 so getting fit is v. important too!

Hi bettylu88

I'm the same as you (except probably not quite as fit!)

I'm currently moderately fit. I kickbox twice a week and before Christmas I was running three times a week. I'm currently a size 10 top and a size 12-14 bottom and very pear-shaped (so my bum, hips & thighs are my problem areas). I'd like to be an all round size 10 ideally. Plan to start running again regularly when the nights get lighter. I too have put weight on purely by muscle mass increasing (which is slightly disheartening, this is why I stay away from the bathroom scales!)

Having had issues with eating in the past, I'm determined to not go down the fad diet route so I'm just going to eat reasonably clean and in moderation during the week, exercise regularly (I'm also contemplating buying a bike) and hopefully the weight will just come off naturally. I plan on having the weekend for treats (but not stuffing my face, obviously!)

I know I'm not big by any means, but this is more for me and my lifestyle as a whole than for the wedding. To me, fitness is more important than being smaller, but I'm hoping the two will naturally go hand in hand. I noticed a lot of posts on here are about getting skinny as fast as possible by dieting, but that's not a reasonable option for me. I'm really glad I'm not alone with this train of thought.

I think eventually it becomes habit and you feel rotten when you don't stick to it.

Don't get me wrong - i totally over indulged over christmas and did no exercise for 2/3 weeks but I did feel groggy for it. I've just started doing T25 workout, on my second week this week. It's brill for me because it's cardio and resistance HIIT but only 25 mins so I can squeeze it in before work. Trying a clean eating binge as well, as little processed as possible and not much bread as normal. I figure if you eat clean 80% of the time then that is good and realistic. Diets just don't work because you can't stick to them long term.

x

That's what I'm trying to do! I go to regular classes; Body pump, core express, zumba, yoga, pilates and I am starting to do weights at the gym.

The only problem is I need to get rid of the stubborn fat! I recently did a 12 week drop a dress size - clean eating, tracking using My Fitness Pal and exercise. I only lost 2lb but lost inches on my waist and arms - not my hips!! the place I desperately want to lose it!

Any tips??

x

Target fat loss is nigh on impossible sadly

Cardio is the key! Everyone puts on weight and loses it in different places in a different order, but stick at it and you will get rid of it, promise! Focus on the progress you have made already

I was 10st 12 and a size 12 last May, I cut carbs and lost a stone by August then I joined a gym and signed up for 24 sessions with a personal trainer, she was amazing. She have me a healthy eating plan to follow, I did 2 days of HIIT training on my own and 2 personal training sessions a week and my body changed completely I weighed 9st 8 with 20% body fat and was a size 8, my tummy still wobbled though =( I stopped my sessions in Nov and haven't been to the gym since and I feel awful and tired all the time, I'm going back this week but I completely lack the motivation I'm still only 9st 9 but I can tell the difference in my body by not going, I've only got 3 months till the big day and I want to be the fittest I've ever been ?

Wow that's such a transformation! I've been struggling this month as lost too much weight, been eating heaps though , trying to not do cardio and just do weights and things.

Think about how far you've come from when you started ! You can get your tone back easily!

You've made my mind up I'm going back today lol i'd love to know what my body fat is after 2 months of eating whatever i want, think i might be brave and get on the gym scales. Just wish i could carry on with the personal trainer it really is great motivation to go to the gym but i have more important things to pay for before the big day that i can't justify it. Hope all you lovely ladies meet your targets xx

Just go by your eyes and how you FEEL thats whats important

I signed up for the Birmingham Half Marathon in October (4 months before I get married) so by training for that, il be losing weight and toning up without thinking that im only doing it for the wedding - maybe sign up to something and itl make you have to go to the gym.... Don't just focus on getting into the dress

xx

I've lost my motivation to run!! Noooo! I haven't been out in over a week.

Granted I have exams to revise for and they take precedence, but still I was up to 4 runs a week.

I'm going to try from Tuesday to run in the evenings instead of early morning, as I just don't want to get out of bed.

I completely agree with this. I'll be signing up for some runs this year, plus the Wolf Run, which is a 10k through wild terrain. You have to be very fit to do it, so that'll spur me on!

Hey Bettylu88

I am a personal trainer and I think you are doing amazing! Unfortunately we are bombarded by calories and weight loss when we are trying to get fit. The problem is then that we all head out and buy low calorie meals and a set of scales. The measurements you are using are what everyone should use. Body fat & inches are great measurements of progress. Another measurement which is probably more important is how you feel about yourself, because that's what usually motivates us.

You seem to be on the right track High intensity training will definitely aide in getting fit as it will give you an intense cardio workout while improving your muscle tone and endurance.

The reason you may have put on weight could be down to what you eat and when you eat it. The average diet should consist of 50-60% Carbs, 10-15% Protein and 30% fat (but not too much saturated). Generally you should have more carbs in the morning or before a workout for energy and more protein after a workout and at night to repair your body. Fat should be averaged out over the day.

Like I said though, you are doing amazing!! Keep it up and I am sure you will look and feel amazing x

One of the things I have noticed is that many of the most overweight people in the spinning classes at my gym are also the fittest!

Bettylu - I was also worried when I got on the scales and my weight was the same, even though I was exercising like a demon and eating healthily! My trainer told me not to worry because I had lost inches everywhere. He explained that muscle weighs more per square inch than fat so it is actually possible to decrease in size but still gain weight.

Phew! ?

The thing I have found that helps me is going to the gym with my Fiance. He knows exactly what weights I need to be doing to get results fast. I have also been helping him the other way with cardio by taking him to classes that he never wouldve done such as HIT and SPIN.

Motivating eachother with the gym and eating properly has made me be in the best shape I've ever been, yet i have put on 5lbs.

Only 4 months till the big day and Im sure i will reach my goal.

Oh god, can't think of anything worse than going to gym with my OH! He's in the forces so we don't get as much free time together as civvy couples so last place i'd wanna be is lifting weights with I'm haha.

But, I do totally get what you mean about the motivation aspect. He is really fit and knowledgeable so he has written me little work out plans and stuff and I am the one who helps him with eating healthy and not relying on fast food!

4 months is ages! You will definitely reach your goal! You've got the right attitude that's for sure.

I've really stepped up my training now. I'm kickboxing twice a week, yoga once a week and walking 1-2 miles every lunchtime and I'll be starting running three times a week next week. I'm really noticing a positive difference in fitness and feeling good about myself. I eat sensibly, but if I want a pizza I have a pizza! I'm using apps to help track my fitness and calorie consumption, but I'm certainly not going overboard with it all. Generally I'm eating reasonably clean now, although I did have two Hob Nobs tonight! lol

Other people have started noticing too, which is nice, because it's from a positive place rather than a negative place. It's reinforcing that the tough way (ie exercise and healthy food) might not be the fastest way to lose inches, but it's the best way for me. ?

So pleased to read this Bettylu88. For years too much emphasis has been put on weight loss, the numbers on the scales and worse of all fad diets.

I follow a similar programme to you. I only get weighed when I have an annual check at the docs, I might be 5lbs heavier than last year but I'm a dress size smaller, body fat is down to 19% and I feel fitter than ever.

It's all about confidence not just weight loss. Once I feel fitter I have more energy, in a better head space and clothes just look better. I also feel sexier so my other half loves it!! It's well worth the hard work x