https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:44:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2725143 Mon, 17 Apr 2017 11:18:33 +0000 LulaBee 2725143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not skinny fat here, just hanging onto about 25 baby pounds, but I'm obsessed with Fitness Blender. They have paid programs but all of their workouts are available individually for free. You can pick a time/area/type of workout. I've been using them consistently on my lunch break at work in our "fitness closet" and feel super strong. Mostly strength/HIIT/cardio. So while my weight hasn't shifted much in the past few months, my clothes fit different and I just feel like a badass. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724872 Sun, 16 Apr 2017 14:22:56 +0000 Pollywog 2724872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Rucking is what my sister swears by. I call this babywearing while walking the dog, but same concept. Walk with something heavy strapped to your back. I wear LO to the park (1 mile each way) and really play (squat down, chase him, lift him up the slide). I throw in 15 push-ups each day. My abs, butt, and legs are tighter than when I ran marathons. Seriously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724770 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 23:10:07 +0000 Kemma 2724770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I noticed a difference when I did the press up challenge that was floating around last year and I'm trying to get back in to it. I've previously lifted hand weights at home and I found that pretty effective and easy to fit into the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724720 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 18:57:56 +0000 Greentea 2724720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Walking everywhere you go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724719 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 18:53:49 +0000 pachamama 2724719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Running! Running changed my body and my life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724704 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 17:23:36 +0000 JMOM 2724704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Portboston: I didn't see much results from Betty Rocker until I started the 90 day program. I did have to stop for a week in the 30 day challenge after I hurt my wrist (too many pushups and planks) so that could have been the reason for my slow start. I also didn't start really focusing on clean eating until the last week or 2 of the challenge. Once I really started eating right, I saw more definition. I haven't noticed nearly as much of a difference as JESS1483, but I'm also 44 and in pre-menopause so weight loss has been really hard for me. My goal is to tone and get stronger which I feel is happening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724676 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 14:25:59 +0000 Portboston 2724676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: Thats amazing! I am going to try it. I have a hard time getting to the gym more then 2-3x a week so having something to do at home helps a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724675 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 14:24:21 +0000 Jess1483 2724675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Portboston: It's hard to say if it was totally attributable to that, because I was also doing a clean eating program, but it certainly made me stronger. Altogether, I lost 7 inches (4 waist, 3 hip) in a 7-week span, 30 days of which I was doing her challenge. I think so, though. I was able to do things physically at the end of the challenge I couldn't at the beginning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724674 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 14:21:44 +0000 bushelandapeck 2724674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to mix things up so I do some weights, spin, running, and barre classes I aim for 5x/week and usually workout for 30-60 mins each time. I had a lot of success with the 21DF videos and thought they were a good way to introduce weights to my regimen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724673 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 14:21:12 +0000 Portboston 2724673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: Did you see a change with the 30 day challenge ? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724669 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 14:12:38 +0000 Portboston 2724669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am also skinny fat. I had pretty decent muscle tone until I had a kid who sucked the life out of me. I started going to the gym (which has child care) and taking the body pump classes. they're great because they work the entire body and its all weights. In order to correct the skinny fatness, you need to build muscle. Which means you can skip the cardio (YAY! I loathe cardio!!!) and go straight to lifting. Of course a little cardio is good for your heart but long distance running or cycling isn't necessary. Lifting is tougher to do from home but totally doable if you can get some hand weights! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724658 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 13:32:14 +0000 autumn865 2724658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do a mix of high intensity, high impact cardio and some weight training. I'm not a "coach" but I've had really good success with the Beachbody workout DVDs (Insanity, Insanity Max 30, currently working on 21 Day Fix Extreme). I wake up before the kids (5am) and get my workout in at least 5 days a week. I've been a runner/ gym goer/ exerciser most of my life and the best advice is find something you find interesting and fun and do it nearly every day and you will see results (mixed with healthy eating of course). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724641 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 10:58:51 +0000 Jess1483 2724641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JMOM: Another vote for Betty Rocker. She actually totally changed my attitude toward working out and I look forward to it. I finished her 30 day free challenge and plan to pay for her 90-day challenge (but I'm waiting to start to coincide with something else I'm doing). So in the meantime, I just go back and do some of the 30-day challenge videos again. She really mixes things up and she's so damn cheery, it helps. And they're short, so I don't get terribly overwhelmed at the idea of working out. Then I run 2-3 times a week, depending on weather and kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724637 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 10:20:45 +0000 Freckles 2724637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Weight training is so much more efficient at getting you toned than cardio (which just makes me hungry). I started getting back into a workout routine by using BBG workouts only (no liss/hiit) and then for the last few months have been doing hiit and/or weights 3-4x a week. I also invested in 3 personal training sessions to help me with form and it made a difference to my workouts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724608 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 08:12:49 +0000 catomd00 2724608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm the same - "skinny fat" with no time to go to a gym or anything. I started doing barre workouts at home and am having amazing results and really enjoy the workouts. I don't feel like I'm working out and they're easy to sneak in during nap or quickly after bed. Not having to leave the house is key for me. Good cardio workout, hits your core and tones your whole body. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724594 Sat, 15 Apr 2017 06:32:34 +0000 SweetiePie 2724594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my son was about 6 months I decided to get a trainer. He's young and self employed so it was really inexpensive and since I'm one of his first clients he just hasn't really raised my rate.<br /> I do go at 6:30am before my son is up and I'm back by 7:30 when he's usually just getting up or my husband got him and started breakfast. I only do it 2x a week.<br /> But he's told me multiple times if I needed him to he could come to my apartment and still do a very effective workout in my living room. I just haven't felt I needed that. </p> <p>All he has me do is lift weights. (You and I have similar height/weight and all I wanted was toning). Some machines, but for the most part it's free weights/dumbbells. He actually said for someone like me who just needed to be toned, running wouldn't do much.<br /> I'm not saying this as a brag, just to show that it can be accomplished with weights and you don't have to be dripping sweat doing intense workouts - but I am in excellent shape now and am constantly getting compliments on my figure and muscle tone. The moms at my preschool are always asking what I do and asking for his number. Even strangers have commented (it's super awkward but I guess kinda nice).<br /> Now, I still feel that my bottom half isn't very tone (hips thighs butt) - it's genetically the hardest area for all the women in my family and I'm honestly not even interested in clean eating and all that - which is what my trainer said I'll need to do to take it to the next level. I also have some restrictions because I have hip dysplasia which has also resulted in lots of cartilage tearing in my hips. So I can't so very intensive workouts for my bottom. Don't get me wrong, it's way better than it was before, my husband even comments - but I still see some room for improvement when I'm in my underwear or a bikini. In my jeans I'm fine and even happy with it. </p> <p>All this to say - if possible Id try to find a young "new" trainer and strike up a great deal and ask them to come to your house during naps or early morning or something. If that's not possible I would get a small set of dumbbells (like 5-15 or 20lbs) and look up some basics. You can obviously do things like rows and curls and presses, but you can also hold them to do lunges and squats. Lots of the legwork he has me do don't even involve weights.<br /> You can probably do a couple upper and lower movements each day and be done in 15 mins. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724572 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 23:03:27 +0000 Dahlia 2724572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've said it before, but I swear by the 7 minute workout. I downloaded some free app, and I do it 3-4 times a week. I haven't lost any weight, but I feel more toned since I started. Since it only takes 7 minutes and doesn't require equipment, I really can't make excuses for not doing it. My toddler will even do it alongside me. And I find that doing it will often motivate me to do something else, or generally be more active during the day. </p> <p>I'd love to do more regularly (like a class), but my schedule right now really doesn't allow it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724559 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 21:48:12 +0000 charlotte 2724559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm the same height! For me, it's 90% diet -- I eat everything in moderation but always portion it out. I see better results when I cut some wine out. And for the other 10%, running 3x a week is the best. Once I'm at my ideal weight I add in some barre classes if I have time too. For the running, just Couch to 5K seems to work every time I need to get started again. I know if I force myself to run three miles without stopping or eat 100% clean that I will quit so I keep it easy and simple and it works! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724556 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 21:32:08 +0000 nwm 2724556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i used to detest running, but i started getting myself to do it by setting really short running goals. like, i'm going to run 1 mile, 1.5, 2. i set the goal at 2 for a really long time and it got so easy for me that when i started to stretch longer i realized i just hadn't liked running because i wasn't in running shape. if you think you might like it (this is certainly the right time of year to get into it), give it a go! i absolutely love it, find it makes me feel healthy and clears my head, gets me outside, etc. also i like listening to podcasts while i do it, it's a great distraction.</p> <p>i will say if you're looking for tone, you need to do weights. but running in my experience can slim you down a bit, especially if you're doing short distances (longer distances increase my appetite and more than make up for the exercise!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724520 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 19:02:45 +0000 MrsSRS 2724520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like taking classes at the gym. I like high intensity interval classes, barre, weightlifting/body pump, and TRX. Basically anything that's strength training and weightlifting, not straight cardio. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724513 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 18:28:26 +0000 MrsKRB 2724513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kayla itsines? You can google her program and find the guide for free, it's 28 minutes and you can do it at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724471 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 16:01:48 +0000 Peasinapod 2724471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd say my physique is the same as yours! What I used to do and am trying to get back into is little bursts of exercise when I have a chance (sets of sit ups squats push ups that sort of thing ) also lots of walking with my baby strapped to me. I have high needs children so even 20 min is too much to commit to so 5 min here and there is much more doable. I aim for after I wake up and before bed and just do as much as I can before one of the kids needs me.</p> <p>Also I have a jogging stroller but baby isn't old enough for it yet. After dd1 I got in amazing shape when I started jogging. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724451 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 14:38:26 +0000 JMOM 2724451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like Betty Rocker. She has a free 30 day body weight challenge that only takes 15-25 minutes per day. You do have to pay for meal plans and any workout plans after that but if you do the free 30 day challenge then she gives you discounts. I'm on day 10 of the 90 day challenge and I've got a lot more definition in my arms and I'm seeing some good changes in my abs. My DH says he can tell my back is getting stronger, too. It was hard to do 30 days in a row, but she includes active recovery days and yoga in there to give you a rest. She has lots of free workouts on her page, just watch out for those crunches if you have a diastasis recti. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724445 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 14:15:47 +0000 catlady 2724445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like ballet bar style workouts that I can do at home (specifically, I like Bar Method and Barre3. Both have DVDs and also streaming options from their websites). I dislike cardio and have to avoid high impact workouts due to bad ankles, so these are a good fit for me. I have found that they are really great for overall body toning. A bonus is that both types offer very short workouts (like 10-20 min) which are great for fitting in early in the morning or at night while kids are in bed.</p> <p>A more general tip though is just to find a workout style that you actually enjoy because you will be much more likely to stick with it. I spent years trying to get myself to run, or use the machines at the gym, or do workouts like Jilian Michaels because it seemed like that's what everyone else was doing. I hated all those and never stuck with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724442 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 14:11:29 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2724442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shabang: lol! That's my current method too.<br /> Thanks for the tips.</p> <p> @looch: I also struggle getting started. I dread it so much ha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724441 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 14:07:40 +0000 shabang 2724441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I find that my best way to stay decently fit without too much time is weight training (high reps of moderate weight) and lots and lots of walking. </p> <p>My current method has consisted of nothing but positive thinking. That...doesn't really do anything physically, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724436 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 13:57:27 +0000 looch 2724436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a spin bike in my basement. I don't do well with memberships to places, I am never motivated to go when I have time. With the spin bike and some you tube videos, I can fit in working out with no issues because for me, half the battle is getting started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-the-best-way-to-stay-fit#post-2724417 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 13:35:50 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2724417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are some easy things you incorporate (that I can copy) that keep you more fit?</p> <p>I'm skinny fat in my opinion... I'm 5'5 and about 128 or 129lbs. But I don't have much muscle, my stomach is loose from two kids, my butt isn't perky, my arms have no definition, etc. </p> <p> I also don't have much time. My kids don't love naps and I stay home (no daycare/babysitters). I joined the gym but never went. </p> <p>Running? I have this vision that if I can get out for a run 3 times a week and incorporate some sit ups/push-ups/ squats into my day I'll look good. Tips?</p> <p> I don't need to lose weight, just be a bit more active to keep things in check, if that makes sense, and I'm wondering the best way to do that.</p> <p>ETA: I know I can't "spot treat" a certain area. But just looking for a routine that is easy to incorporate into a busy life. I've found work out plans (30 day shred etc) hard to stick with. </p>