Thank you! Working out on my own has always been a bit stressful and I always feel jumbled up instead of actually productive.
Exercise
- Thread starter inanotherlife
- Start date
Hello!!!
So I moved to Portugal a month ago and weighed myself for the first time yesterday. I am weighing 94kg, which is officially the fattest I've ever been.
Since I moved I started swimming three times a week (but had to miss this entire week because I injured myself). However, I need something else. There is a gym at the residence where I am living but there aren't many equipment (and only two of them are muscle-building):
And I can't afford going to a gym right now because it's too expensive compared to Brazil (and my expenses are still being quite high). What could I do? Is buying a set of dumbbells or something worth it?
I'm not sure where in Portugal you are but Lisbon has lots of open-air gyms in parks. So lots of opportunities for great bodyweight, calisthenics workouts.
Also, great running meet ups in Portugal that are free. Sign up to the meetup.com website and see what groups are happening and where. And depending on location surfing is a great hobby to take up.
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Ladies, I think I want to start running (I’m January obvs). I do nothing at the minute apart from my job which I am on my feet for 12 hours.
where/how do you find the motivation to keep at it? I’ve dabbled at the gym but I just want a bit of tone
where/how do you find the motivation to keep at it? I’ve dabbled at the gym but I just want a bit of tone
Couch to 5K worked like a charm for me. I’m a totally new runner and I loved it—it’s just annoying enough that near the end the idea of finishing and moving on to your own playlist is exactly the motivation I needed!
Couch to 5K worked really well for me as well, after several attempts to start running. I couldn't run for shit when I started in January, and now I run 7K twice a week. I could not recommend the app enough!
After hurting my back a few weeks ago and having a break from the gym I've decided the bulking life just isn't for me ddd
During my break from the gym I've lost weight (especially on my face which blew up like a football with the high protein diet I was on and I honestly hated it) and I've just decided to maintain where I currently am!
Still going to eat healthy, go to the gym three times a week and do some light weights/cardio, but I'm cutting out the calorie counting/protein powder/etc
I really admire ya'll who do it week after week though, it's not easy!
During my break from the gym I've lost weight (especially on my face which blew up like a football with the high protein diet I was on and I honestly hated it) and I've just decided to maintain where I currently am!
Still going to eat healthy, go to the gym three times a week and do some light weights/cardio, but I'm cutting out the calorie counting/protein powder/etc
I really admire ya'll who do it week after week though, it's not easy!
1. Depends. Do they offer services / facilities (for eg. swimming pool, sauna, group classes etc.) that you find worthwhile and see yourself potentially getting into? If what you’re looking for is general cardio / weightlifting exercises due to your intense work schedule, then it might be better to stick to a simple basic gym that has all the essential instead. Proximity and ease of access are also the most important aspects when choosing the gym. If it’s too far from where you live / work, trust me you won’t be going. I’m not London based though, but I’m sure there are plenty of PJ girlies who can recommend a good one!
2. I do 12 hours shift work that also includes night shift and exercise is probably one of the few things that actually help me not go insane. The benefits exercises offer for your mental health really cannot be overstated. It might feel overwhelming trying to incorporate the gym on top of your already busy life, so take it easy in the beginning. I try to go 3-4 times a week with sessions that mainly focus on strength, purely because I find that most doable and sustainable for me. My sleep / diet can sometimes be all over the place because of my work, so I try not to get so hung up on getting ‘optimal’. Just do what you can and have at least one thing consistent and the rest will follow. Good luck!
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To add for 1. As someone who works long hours and has lived in London and live just outside now. The priority should be how close it is to you and whether it has what you want to train/focus on. You need to build that into your routine and you're not going to do that if it takes you ages to get there and back after a 12 hour day.
I went for a gym close by home so I can go on my way to/from work. Benefit of this is you can also go on the weekend easily.
I went for a gym close by home so I can go on my way to/from work. Benefit of this is you can also go on the weekend easily.
she/her
Hi. Does anyone here use smartwatches to help track exercise results? Is the investment worth it? Which models would you recommend?
I was thinking of buying one as it is cheaper in Europe but since I don't get paid in euros, I can't afford much.
I was thinking of buying one as it is cheaper in Europe but since I don't get paid in euros, I can't afford much.
I’ve just got my partner’s old Apple Watch. I was initially a bit sceptical but after a few weeks it was kind of addictive. I like knowing how many active calories I’ve spent in a day - from exercise and also just through general life activities. You can also follow friends’ activity. I think mostly they’re good for making you aware of how active or how lazy you’re being. So in that sense they kind of motivate you in a way. Which can only be a good thing.
I’ve no idea how Apple stacks up against brands like Garmin or FitBit. I’d definitely get another Apple Watch though when this one dies.
I’ve no idea how Apple stacks up against brands like Garmin or FitBit. I’d definitely get another Apple Watch though when this one dies.
He/Him
I got an Apple Watch for my bday in 2021 and I would say it definitely helped me monitor my fitness a bit better. Not sure how accurate it all is but having an idea of how many calories you’re burning during each workout is helpful and I like the reminders about getting up and moving to close my fitness rings if I haven’t been active during the day.
On another note, does anyone know of any useful workouts I can do with resistance bands? I’ve bought some as I want to do more calisthenics this year and I know resistance bands are used a lot. If there are any decent YouTube videos or channels I’d really appreciate it.
On another note, does anyone know of any useful workouts I can do with resistance bands? I’ve bought some as I want to do more calisthenics this year and I know resistance bands are used a lot. If there are any decent YouTube videos or channels I’d really appreciate it.
I got a Fitbit for Christmas, it's probably the cheapest one, I wanted an entry level smartwatch to see if I like it. It's good to see the effects of my workouts at the gym, and it's clever how it knows when I'm out on my bike, asleep etc. Whether I end up just using it as a watch, time (ha!) will tell, but I do like stats, so I might stick with it.
I ventured out for a 5km today at lunch and 1km in a massive out-of-nowhere wind/rain/hailstorm set in. Got drenched, phone started acting up and skipping songs after 5 seconds, trapping me in a weird intro-megamix hell I couldn't rectify as the screen was too wet, and just as I got home, the rain stopped!
Leapt in the shower and set it cool but that nasty cold-to-not-cold burning scratchy skin thing happened anyway.
But it was kinda awesome. The beach was deserted and with the wind behind me I flew down that boardwalk.
Leapt in the shower and set it cool but that nasty cold-to-not-cold burning scratchy skin thing happened anyway.
But it was kinda awesome. The beach was deserted and with the wind behind me I flew down that boardwalk.