i am all for exercise, however when doing at home I only have a very thin lounge and when you see these dvds people are always doing it in massive rooms
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Fast Exercise with Michael Mosley webchat
(81 Posts)Exercise is good for just about everything – you stay fitter, younger, and stronger. But how should you exercise? And how much?
Science journalist, television presenter and author of bestselling book The Fast Diet, Doctor Michael Mosley drops in on Gransnet to answer your questions on Fast Exercise, how a short burst of high intensity training (HIT) will help you get fitter, stronger and better toned in just a few minutes a day.
In his new book, Fast Exercise; The Simple Secret of High Intensity Training, Dr Michael Mosley, a reluctant exerciser, and super-fit health journalist Peta Bee show you how to safely do High Intensity Training and get the benefits – whatever your fitness level. Drawing on cutting edge research they show why high intensity training can be more effective than much longer periods of low-impact exercise. They also offer a range of workouts, of varying intensity – there is something here for everyone. As this fascinating book demonstrates, when it comes to exercise, less can be more.
Add your questions to Michael Mosley and Peta Bee below - they will be here to answer them on 13 January at 2pm.
WRONG! All the exercise in the world will not make you younger - but it will make you fitter, healthier and probably happier and more satisfied with yourself and better able to enjoy an active life. What more do you want?
Gally - 'squidgy cushion' hits the nail on the head. My squidgy cushion is several inches larger than my waist - about the same as my hip measurement. Even if I hold my muscles in it doesn't entirely disappear.
Weak kneed, arthritic hip and pinned broken ankle too - i find acquaerobics very helpful at keeping everything moving and loosened up. It can be as aerobic as you want/are able to make it. Generally collaborative, friendly and non-competitive environment too.
Nothing is going to work for everyone but at a bare minimum I think it is useful to understand what exercise does and why it so beneficial. I have spent 2 years researching this book with the help of some of the world's leading experts. I hope it will help add to people's long term health. In the UK we live as long as other's in Europe but spend longer than most in a state of ill health. It can be prevented by life style changes, at whatever age. On that note I'm afraid I have to run (yes, literally).
Good bye, good luck and thanks for your questions
norahbatty
Hello Michael I'm afraid it's another fast diet question. I find even if I eat fruit, veg, yogurt etc all day long I still feel hungry and only carbs satisfy me. How can I make that work on a fast day?
Try eating protein instead ie fish, meat, nuts
gettingonabit
I'm sceptical about this, as I am about the 5:2. Losing weight, keeping it off and becoming and staying fit is not rocket science. It does not require the input of a celebrity doctor or a fitness guru. It does, however, require focus, motivation and discipline. Many of us do not have these qualities in large amounts, however.
If you want to do it, you will, regardless of faddy regimes.
The reason why scientists spend so much time and money researching new approaches is because so many people find standard advice hard to follow. It is like saying, "the way you play golf is hit the ball straight into the hole". Easy to say, for most people impossible to do. People do not want to be fat
Purpledaffodil
Remember reading piece by Andrew Marr which told how he had tried intensive bursts of exercise on his rowing machine.....then he had a serious stroke. Bit off putting that.
Very putting off. But he had been under a lot of stress and had had two previous strokes. His case is tragic but not typical
Hooligran
I have dodgy knees and can't do anything that involves "jumping" of any sort. Like the idea of short bursts but not sure what's available for me to do.
I also have a dodgy knee. I get my HIT by non-weight bearing exercises like swimming and cycling. I do strength exercises (10 in 7 minutes) that are not dependent on jumping. The point i make in the book is that scientists who study exercise are keen to develop new ways that actually work. The standard advice needs updating. There is a huge gap between what scientists in the lab know, what doctors know, and what the general public knows
zorione
Wondering what's next in your quest to find the holy grail in optimising our health and fitness? If I were you I would looking at popularising veganism/vegetarianism, since a plant based diet is increasingly being advocated as the most healthy. Or don't you agree?
You have read my mind. I have just finished a 2 part series on Meat for Horizon that goes out in the spring that looks at exactly this question
Another myth is "Starvation Mode", the claim that if you skip meals your body will hold onto fat. Intermittent fasting has been shown to increase the metabolic rate.
thatbags
Energetic activity makes one hungry. It's not a good way to lose weight. Steady, regular, gentle exercise is better, and eating less. This is just another quick fix idea that will fix nothing, like all its predecessors.
Actually that is a complete myth. All the studies show that Fast Exercise reduces appetite, not just straight after but for 24 hours. Moderate exercise makes people hungrier, which is why people who do moderate exercise like jogging almost never lose weight (they eat more). Walking doesn't trigger appetite but unless you add a bit of intensity you won't burn fat. The book has loads of references to scientific trials that justify these claims. It is also endorsed by 3 of the world's leading exercise experts
Gally
I saw some
crazy personone on a TV programme last year doing this fast exercise and looking like death in the process - I think it was probably you? Now, I do believe in the benefits of the 5:2 diet, but to exercise like this seems somewhat odd, nay dangerous and I don't think I will be taking it up any time soon. I shall just plod on with walking, cycling, gardening and maybe a little gentle zumba'ing, unless you can persuade me otherwise!
The latest version is more sedate. Walking is great, but if you actually want to burn fat and get improvements in your glucose metabolism (how well your body deals with sugar) you need to add a little bit of intensity. Not extreme, get the heart rate up a bit. I have spent 2 years researching this book and I hope you will find the science as fascinating as I do. Give you something to tell kids/grandkids!
Wondering what's next in your quest to find the holy grail in optimising our health and fitness? If I were you I would looking at popularising veganism/vegetarianism, since a plant based diet is increasingly being advocated as the most healthy. Or don't you agree?
Tegan
Difficult to ask questions without buying the book and seeing what the exercises are . However, as I tend to hang on Mr Moseleys every word [haven't tried the 5:2 diet yet but planning to] I'll try to get hold of it and pass on what it says.
Do. You can pick up Fast Exercise online or at a supermarket for around £3, cost of a sandwich or large coffee. I can promise the effects are more beneficial and last longer!
Mishap
Mobility impaired by arthritic hip and aftermath of broken foot - how to exercise??
That is tough. I recommend walking as much as you are able and doing upper body strength exercises. Yoga is also good if you can manage it
jinglbellrocks
I believe you are an advocate of the 5.2 diet. Do you think this is safe for older people?
Yes, I came up with the expression "5:2" (my book is the Fast Diet) and I popularised the approach, based on studies done by scientists in UK and US who I interviewed for the BBC science series, Horizon. It is safe for older people but oddly enough, after the age of around 70, being slightly overweight is no longer dangerous but can be protective. So depends on how much you want to lose. I wrote the Fast Diet because i was worried about becoming diabetic. Intermittent fasting has been shown to reduce the risk of this and may reduce your risk of dementia (it does in rats; human trials underway)
dhanagran
Is it safe for people with heart problems like cardiomyopathy ie. hocm (on meds. for high b.p. and betablockers to slow the heart? I started the fast diet months ago and it works - I have lost over 2 stones and find it fairly easy to keep it off but I dislike exercise and would love to try this but am very wary of "sudden death"....
Congratulations on the weight loss... If you have anxieties then check with your doctor but the exercises in Fast Exercise have been tested on people who are overweight, unfit or diabetic. They have also been tested on people with history of heart disease and stroke. Start with Fast Walking, put in some stairs, do Fast Strength. Probably avoid weight training as heaving weights puts up BP
Grandmama
Reading all the comments makes me realise I must be quite fit! Aged 65, not any medication, last year I got my weight down to the right weight range for my height using the 5:2 diet. Bunion on my right foot a bit sore sometimes but that's the only problem. Have bags of energy. However - the problem - how do I reduce my waist? I read somewhere recently that sit-ups are a waste of time. Any suggestions for reducing my waist? I don't go to the gym (and don't intend to) and I don't have any equipment at home. The plank is supposed to strengthen the core muscles and when I remember I try to hold in my tummy muscles when I'm out and about.
The advantage of HIT (high intensity training) is it leads to the production of hormones called catecholamines (adrenaline and nor adrenaline) that target the fat cells in your tummy. So you lose weight round your tummy even if you are not exercising that area ie if you cycle. In Fast Exercise we have a range of exercises you can do in less than 7 minutes but which will reduce gut fat
LisaStAlbans
Anywho, talking about sweat (as we were) anything us Mid-Lifers should take into consideration when considering HIT? I can "glow" for Team GB putting on the dark wash. Worried I may spontaneously combust if strenuously exercising too!
The workouts are really short so you don't have time to sweat. I never bother to get into gym kit. I have done our workouts in a suit. Your heart rate goes up, but your temperature doesn't
weevil
I have just ordered the new book and am looking forward to getting started. In the meantime I want to make sure I am doing the diet bit right. Are you meant to fast for two DAYS? Or two 24 hour periods? I have found it easier to fast from lunchtime to lunchtime as by having the meal before 1pm on the first day and after 1pm on the second it's easier to do the 24 hours when you just have to split the calories between dinner and breakfast. But a friend told me this was all wrong and I would lose weight faster if I did from after dinner one night (say Monday night) until breakfast two days later (say Weds so therefore fasting on Tues) - making it a total of about 36 hours. Does this really make a difference?
I think you have to find a form that works for you. We are all genetically and emotionally different, so what works for a friend may not work for you. The fastest way to lose weight would be to do 4:3 ie cut your calories to 500 cals 3 days a week. Takes a couple of week to adapt
jinglbellrocks
Is there a risk of stroke with bursts of high intensity exercise? I am thinking Andrew Marr.
Andy Marr was under a lot of stress and had had 2 previous, silent strokes. The main cause of stroke are smoking, high blood pressure, being overweight, lack of exercise. Once you have had a stroke that has weakened your blood vessels then simply turning your neck or sneezing can trigger another one. Exercise, intense or otherwise, is the best way of preventing you having a stroke in the first place
The exercises in Fast Exercise have been tested in the lab to ensure they are safe for people who are older (ie 60 plus), overweight, diabetic. DO NOT DO A DIY VERSION!
I have just ordered the new book and am looking forward to getting started. In the meantime I want to make sure I am doing the diet bit right. Are you meant to fast for two DAYS? Or two 24 hour periods? I have found it easier to fast from lunchtime to lunchtime as by having the meal before 1pm on the first day and after 1pm on the second it's easier to do the 24 hours when you just have to split the calories between dinner and breakfast. But a friend told me this was all wrong and I would lose weight faster if I did from after dinner one night (say Monday night) until breakfast two days later (say Weds so therefore fasting on Tues) - making it a total of about 36 hours. Does this really make a difference?
KatGransnet
Just to add that Peta Bee will also be joining Michael for the webchat! (see description in OP)
Apologies for the confusion - Peta Bee will no longer be able to join us for the webchat. However Michael will be able to answer any Qs.
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