Fitness kick

Anyone got any ideas on how I can get back into exercise?

As it's Olympic year, imagine an Olympic team walking out, of any nation, and think of all the athletes - swimmers, rowers, gymnasts, all kinds of track & field athletes, powerlifters, martial artists, etc  etc - and think of one that inspires you, that you aspire to emulating, who you would like to be like, in your own way. From there, you might get an idea of the sort of training that you will find most motivating, and could maybe join a club of like-minded people who you can train with.

(For me I think it's the gymnasts.)

Ooh so many choices! What do you enjoy or have you enjoyed in the past Cesca?

I used to go to the gym everyday, but stopped suddenly, and didn't do anything else a few years ago. My key thing to get back into fitness was to sell my car and start cycling (the missus still has a car so I'm not totally carless). For me, not having the car meant I had no choice but to cycle. This was imprtant because, as much as I enjoy cycling, it meant that even on bad weather days, I'd still have to cycle.

I guess my point is that, even if you enjoyed exercise in the past, things might change in your life that make it less enjoyable for you. Try and find something you enjoy (Wii dance games for example), and don't feel bad when you get bored or enjoy it less. Perceiver, or set proper goals. Try and fit exercise into your daily routine - make more walking round trips, for example. Build up your fitness taking small steps. This will make it easier to jump into the 'bigger' things.

Now the weather has changed and it's lighter in the evenings I've started to cycle too. As you say, it's great because y have to exercise and you can't skip it. 

I wish i lived somewhere hot, where the days were always longer. I think you get a much better lifestyle in a warer climate 

Building exercise into your daily life by walking or cycling to places is definitely a good idea. Also, you could maybe set a goal to try a new fitness class or activity each week or month to find something that really motivates you.

I just wish I had the chance to play football every day as that's the only exercise I enjoy. Or a personal trainer to knock on my door each day would be ideal!

I agree, I'm a lot more motivated to go outside and generally feel like I fit more into my day when it's a warmer and nicer day!

I'm the opposite, I don't feel like doing anything when it's hot outside! The heat gives me really bad headaches and I just feel tired.

I'm the same, people always say I must be a vampire because of how I try to stay away from the sun 

I like it when it's warm, warm is pleasant. We always go out for walks when it's a warm day (or evening) and might stop for a drink halfway round and just enjoy it. I don't like it when it's hot, same as I don't like it when it's cold. My body doesn't seem to cope well with either extreme.

I'm milk bottle pale, have freckles and I don't tan. I will go out and catch 10mins of sun on a lunch break, but any longer and I clothe up and use sunscreen as I burn far too easily. 10 mins of unprotected high-time sun is supposed to be good for you though.

To be fair, I do feel generally better when the sun is out and the sky is clear. It's a mood booster :) I tend to hide between 11am-4pm though if it's a scorching day.

I'm not a big fan of the sun either! I don't like being really hot, it makes me feel a bit ill.

I find it far easier to get up and get on with my day when it's sunny, but oddly enough I'm finding it hard to go running of an evening now it's still daylight. I much prefered the darker evening runs 

Maybe it's because we don't really see the sun that much we all say we like the sun but when we're actually in it we can't hack it .  When it's too hot I can't do much just sit inside and wait for it to rain! haha

I think where you are in that hot sun makes a world of difference. In the town / city, everything just all gets a bit too clammy. Up a 3,000ft mountain, what is howling, penetrating wind any other time becomes a gentle cooling breeze and with views that stretch further than you could ever imagine, and everyone you meet in fine and happy mood, there's no finer place to be. Just remember your sunscreen and your water.

It may be nice once you're up there, but I think if I had to climb up a 3,000ft mountain in the heat I would be in a seriously bad mood before I reached the top.

Would you though Hannah? That's 3,000ft of very enjoyable good for the soul exercise in the great outdoors, with immediate reward too . 

My other half enjoys climbing mountains... rain or shine I don't lol

No I'm more of a fair weather walker too, it's just much more pleasant when it's a brighter day.