Englishmum

How many of you fellow Brits keep up with a regular exercise routine?

I always hated sports at school (too petite and couldn't keep up!). I've always been pretty reluctant at going to the gym and running on the treadmill, using the rowing equipment and lifting weights etc. I preferred to go to aerobics two or three times a week (have done this on and off for about 8 or 9 years) but after a few months I get bored with doing similar routines. However, I've discovered that I really love going to aqua-aerobics - in the swimming pool....I've been going since last September on average thrice weekly. It's great for me as I hate getting sticky and sweaty, and as soon as you get out of the pool you have a hot shower and go.

My husband has had a complete lifestyle change since he decided to go on a diet almost two years ago. I'd been away for a month in India and when he met me at the airport I saw immediately that he'd lost some weight. He told me that the day I left, he joined a gym and went on a diet (he was grossly overweight and snored badly at night). In six months he'd lost 100lbs! He's kept it off but spends most of his free time either at the gym or going running....he's done a couple of half-marathons this year and hoping to win a place in the New York marathon in November.

Now I know that he's *really* obsessed with running and keeping fit...he often runs with a hashing group on Saturday afternoons (a hash is like a mystery hare and hound chase with lots of false trails through the woods and fields). He's been away at head office in London for a few weeks (flew home to NJ last Friday night so at least was home last weekend) and on Monday morning flew off to Bangkok via London. He left Bangkok on Friday night (Friday morning Eastern time) and I picked him up at Newark just before noon today.

He's gone to the bloody hash......

http://www.hashnj.com (wonder if he'll be skinny dipping...don't think he noticed the theme for today LOL! It's cold and wet here today....)

Bob

I'm a lazy crunt, especially now that the ******* gym's closed, so much for that being a benefit from work....but when it was open, I went 3 + times a week, did go 5 times a week until the petrol went up a tonne over here.

Did a bit of cardio, not all that much, rowing, cycling, couldn't stand the tread mill, and do some weights, and in the summer played tennis with a mate.

Did a bit of hiking as well, but now the place is closed, don't do bugger all, will probably start going hiking, but more of an effort, as use to do the trails around the gym mostly.

Elvira

Yep, but only during the summer (March - Novemver )

I tend to cycle to the library and swim every day (25 x 12m), and walk the dog. Plus tennis when I feel like it.

In winter I tend to hybernate, apart from the occasional skiing trip to Sierras...

Spring is kind of weird this year - normally we'd have been swimming for a month by now, but when I dipped in my toe the other day I dipped it out again pretty quick

clydegirl

I go to Curves 5 days a week.It's right behind my house so I have no excuse.

alien species

I run 5 miles a day...in training for the forest gump sequel...

dunroving

I've really got into cycling in the past 8 years (after me gimpy knees stopped me running). Do 30-100 miles each time I go out. Cycling is a brilliant form of exercise if the roads are good - no impact on the joints, plus you can go a lot further and longer than running or walking so it's perfect for people who want to lose weight or just see a lot more of the world than walking/running. Of course the downside is that in rural NC men in Lycra get funny looks a lot of the time. Mind you, I've caught a few chickies checking out me gams at the traffic lights now and again so it's not all bad.

Neathborn

I run after my 5 and 2 year old. Does that count? Seriously, I usually walk around the neighbourhood or to the beach with the kids (about 20 minutes away) or we go swimming. I'm trying to bring them up so they know how to use their legs!! Not easy in America!

Bob

Cycling...hmmm...use to do some serious MTB'ing, around austria and northern italy...would cycle 50-250km to get to the mountains and then trudge up and down them...hmmm....use to be pretty fit, probably would kill me if I tried that now *lol*

RoB1833

Used to play 5-a-side every week in the UK through work. Don't do anything here. At both places I've worked over here they don't mix outside of the workplace (don't mix too much inside work either, but it was more friendly in the South).

Bob

Use to play a lot of footie back in blighty too with mates in the park...no decent parks around here, so ain't easy to find anyone to play...there all about playing proper league games at school and that's it...big shame...

Elvira

isn't it just! My lads were into playing football but gave it up very quickly after moving here. It's all 'training' and 'matches' - no time to have fun and just kick a ball around

woodsey

can I ask, is it any good, I was thinking of joining Curves, can't be doing with all the hot bodies at LA fitness and places like that..

mandpete

I did Curves for about 8 months and quite enjoyed it but it got boring after a while just doing the same thing. I didn't really lose any weight but did tone up and felt fitter.

Every now and then I buy a new fitness DVD and do that for a few months before getting bored. I am currently doing the Extreme Fitness workout which I am slowly getting bored with so I'll have to search for another one.

Bob

major shame that, fitness routines, gym, training in the summer holidays and stuff...sod that....what's wrong with just letting them have a laugh...it's such a shame that you don't see people having a knock around in the park, back in blighty, be a few parks where you'd be guaranteed to find people having a knock around that you could join in for a laugh, but it doesn't happen here, it all has to be organised, teams, goals and kit, can't be messing around with a couple shirts on the ground and two on two v keeper etc...oh well...maybe i'm just getting old and grumbly *lol*

tony126

Hip problems have kept me from walking. I firmly believe you need to do stretching exercises each day 5/10mins and walk for 30/40mins at 4mph 3 times a week, weather conditions prevailing.