Exercise without changing body shape

[Crystal Tipps]

Without wanting to sound like I'm boasting, I'm quite damn happy with my body shape. I'm 5ft 7, size 8 and weigh about 8st 9lbs - it's all natural, I never diet and I eat what I like (luckily I like salad and veggies, but if I didn't I would live on junk food!). Somehow, I've ended up with quite a toned and athletic body and don't want to change it at all...

However, I do want to start exercising as I'm feeling rather unfit at the minute, heart racing after only a short, normal walking pace walk and all that. I haven't done any exercise as such since school - and I left there four and a half years ago!

So, question is, what can I do that won't alter my body shape too much? As I'm quite thin anyway (still healthy looking tho!), building up my muscles would just look odd.. I quite like swimming and I'm not adverse to joining a gym, so what would you suggest? Would it just be a case of not doing anything too often and too hard/fast? :confused:

[Reese_86]

yoga?

or pilates maybe?

[Blnde_BombShell]

There is this huge misconception with weight lifting. Girls think if they start lifting and become toned up, they will bulk right up and look like a man. After I had my baby, I got a personal trainer to tone up because I looked uneven with my body porportions. fat tummy and a boney body doesnt look so good together :blush: But try weight lifting, it will give you a toned look, if you like that kind of thing.



yoga?or pilates maybe?


:yes: It will help you too with flexibility and endurance.

[big_man_with_a_]

yoga and pilates don't do shit for overall fitness... you'll become flexible, toned and very relaxed but you'll still huff and puff after a short dash to the bus stop.

if you want to improve your fitness in an endurance/stamina way then jog, run, cycle, swim... anything that'll get your heart rate up is good for you.

as i'm sure you'll have a set of trainers somewhere may i suggest jogging as a start point? 'tis free, all you need is a front door to get out of.

i know it sounds boring (and it is) but like most things in life it requires dedication... set yourself a small route (perhaps 2 miles to start with?) and just go for it, jog at a steady pace but try and push yourself to go further than your body wants to...

vary routes and lengths accordingly, you'll feel like crap after the first few times but if you stick to it you'll start noticing the difference in a month if you aim to go out at least 2/3 times a week.

[Crispy]

Do I bit of cardiovascular exercise to get you fit & your stamina up:)

I go for a 5 mile bike ride about 2-3 in a fortnight & that keeps me @ a fitness level that i'm happy with. It's just finding a level that your body is happy with.

So if you do too little then you stay less fit but then if you do too much then you'll end up burning off more than you consume so you'll start to loose weight which isn't the goal.

[Crystal Tipps]

Thanks for all your replies guys! :)

Looks like I'm gonna have to give in to my Dad's moaning and volunteer to take the dog out for a run! I must admit, I hadn't thought about running or anything like that... Did look into yoga last Xmas but couldn't make the night the classes were on at the local gym.. Will look into it again! :)