VR or normal apps for fitness?

[stevensfo]

I really need to lose weight and get fit, but following a mixture of health issues and stress at work, all my motivation seems to have evaporated.

Recently, I saw an ad for an app 'Tuby' that uses a smartphone to simulate games designed to get people moving. I've also heard of cheap VR headsets that use the phone to make it more realistic.

Anyone tried any or can recommend some?

I quite like the idea of skiing or boxing in the living room. If one can customise the face of the opponent, even better.

Steve

[Gerry557]

Most of the vr videos I've seen involve people punching the TV off it's stand

Probably for weight loss, weights and a better diet are best.

Still that doesn't help with motivation. Do you have a partner or friend that might cajole you or join a gym/club.

Do you like any activities that involve movement, a bike ride might help. You don't have to do it for fitness but getting out and about will help. Generally being out in a park or the countryside might help with the motivation. Even cycling or running to work can make a difference. Two birds with one stone and all that

I have played with a Wii. Personally didn't enjoy it much but it got me flinging my arms about and jumping my legs. So better that sitting on a couch. There are exercise videos such as Shaun T or the chap that did the covid videos on YouTube.

Now get down and give me 10.

Start with bite size improvements.

[kempiejon]

Probably for weight loss, weights and a better diet are best.

I heard you can't out train a bad diet. I also just heard that weightlifters don't have to restrict what they eat.

Now get down and give me 10.

I set a reminder on my phone and each evening between 8pm and 10pm I get 3 alerts to drop and give me 5.

I really need to lose weight and get fit, but following a mixture of health issues and stress at work, all my motivation seems to have evaporated.

Recently, I saw an ad for an app 'Tuby' that uses a smartphone to simulate games designed to get people moving. I've also heard of cheap VR headsets that use the phone to make it more realistic.

You need to find what works for you.
I was overweight and lacking motivation after the Christmas feasting so in February I made an effort on eating, drinking and moving. There was a piece on the radio that you shouldn't Exercise or call it that - you'll resent it - but look at more activity in your daily routine. Stairs not lifts that sort of stuff.
I tried the Couch to 5k that we hear about, headphones and a nice lady encouraging me to keep going on jogs every other day. I got a bit fed up with that but it worked, recently I use gardening, DIYing, pull ups, just a couple each time I get something from the garage where the bar is, walking the 4.4 mile round trip for small shopping lists all raising the heart rate and moving about. SO is walking 30 miles in a few weeks so I no longer join the training walks but we do get 10 milers done some weekends with chums, their kids and dogs. I didn't really embrace jogging as a lifestyle change though I will revisit to get match fit before Christmas this year.

[TedSwippet]

I really need to lose weight and get fit, but following a mixture of health issues and stress at work, all my motivation seems to have evaporated.

Honestly, I'd say join a gym, and then either book in to some studio group classes (motivation from the group dynamic, a bit like a sports team but without pressured competition) or 1:1 personal trainer sessions (a "cheerleader"). If your intrinsic motivation is somewhat weak(*), these are ways to bolster it without beating yourself up. There is a common perception that everyone who goes to a gym is already superfit, but the most actually are not -- just like you, they might be a bit out of shape and so are there to become fitter. And as an added bonus, this gets you out of the house and into a social activity, so will give your brain a boost as well.

(*) Mine is, so I do exactly this. Once booked, a session is nailed into my day, with failure to attend leading to a modest but annoying fine that I'd rather avoid. So I always go. It's a self-initiated nudge, but it works splendidly. By contrast, I have found that I can put off a vaguely planned session of home exercise indefinitely!

[servodude]

I really need to lose weight and get fit, but following a mixture of health issues and stress at work, all my motivation seems to have evaporated.

Recently, I saw an ad for an app 'Tuby' that uses a smartphone to simulate games designed to get people moving. I've also heard of cheap VR headsets that use the phone to make it more realistic.

Anyone tried any or can recommend some?

I quite like the idea of skiing or boxing in the living room. If one can customise the face of the opponent, even better.

Steve

I can't remember where I first heard it but apparently you should try and motivate yourself to exercise because of how it makes you feel more than anything else i.e. realise that if you are in a can't be bothered mood that will evaporate when you start because exercise makes you feel better. That does involve finding something that you enjoy (or at least tolerate) though

Trying to incorporate it in to everyday stuff also seems to be a win
I didn't realise how much exercise I normally get until I broke my arm about a year back; I certainly did three months later when I started cycling to work again! it it took a good while to get back in to it - fortunately it's much more fun than driving or getting public transport.

A covid hangover is I also quite enjoy watching slightly trashy TV series while on a Nordic trainer - the kind of thing I couldn't justify spending an hour or so on from the sofa (or in company) seems OK if I'm getting some exercise, and a lot more interesting than pretending I'm actually cross country sking (I know the pelaton thing works for some, well my bother subscribes )

[Gerry557]

Probably for weight loss, weights and a better diet are best.

I heard you can't out train a bad diet. I also just heard that weightlifters don't have to restrict what they eat.

You need to find what works for you.
.

Yes anything that works is great, mowing the lawn for the local old ladies with your push mower, plus you might feel good about it too.

Muscle burns more calories than fat so having a bit more muscle won't do you any harm plus it helps in other ways as you age. There are calories and there are calories. 500 calories of Veg and protein are probably much better than 500 calories of biscuits.

So if you are training then picking better options helps, probably helps even if your not training. I suppose it depends on your definition of weightlifters. Strength or bodybuilding or more casual. Even so casual weightlifting, I'd include the wife in this category can't just eat anything and everything.

Most bodybuilding tends to be very measured in what they eat and when. Often eating a couple of hundred calories extra a day to grow and a couple of hundred less to cut fat. You also have to work out how many calories you need. 2k for women and 2.5k for men is very general. Smart watches can help.

If you have burnt 6k of calories on your bike ride you can probably afford that coffee n cake but some pasta might be better.

[servodude]

Even so casual weightlifting, I'd include the wife in this category

^ that cost me a coffee! thankfully I think the keyboard survived

[stevensfo]

I really need to lose weight and get fit, but following a mixture of health issues and stress at work, all my motivation seems to have evaporated.

Recently, I saw an ad for an app 'Tuby' that uses a smartphone to simulate games designed to get people moving. I've also heard of cheap VR headsets that use the phone to make it more realistic.

Anyone tried any or can recommend some?

I quite like the idea of skiing or boxing in the living room. If one can customise the face of the opponent, even better.

Steve

I can't remember where I first heard it but apparently you should try and motivate yourself to exercise because of how it makes you feel more than anything else i.e. realise that if you are in a can't be bothered mood that will evaporate when you start because exercise makes you feel better. That does involve finding something that you enjoy (or at least tolerate) though

Trying to incorporate it in to everyday stuff also seems to be a win
I didn't realise how much exercise I normally get until I broke my arm about a year back; I certainly did three months later when I started cycling to work again! it it took a good while to get back in to it - fortunately it's much more fun than driving or getting public transport.

A covid hangover is I also quite enjoy watching slightly trashy TV series while on a Nordic trainer - the kind of thing I couldn't justify spending an hour or so on from the sofa (or in company) seems OK if I'm getting some exercise, and a lot more interesting than pretending I'm actually cross country sking (I know the pelaton thing works for some, well my bother subscribes )

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

I appreciate the comments about joining a gym, personal trainer etc, but I'm a bit of an introvert as well as having to navigate some health issues that are still ongoing, though should be fine.

My wife is crazy about the garden but apart from providing the 'muscle' for some tasks, I can't stand gardening. I'm just waiting for her to visit her relatives so I can tarmac over the whole bloody thing!

Oh, watching TV while using a nordic trainer was a good reminder. I used to do that years ago. A very old TV and DVD player that we got free, now long gone. I used to watch things like Father Ted while exercising. Exercising without listening or watching something is painful! I think that our new modem/router WiFi reaches down to our garage where the exercise stuff is, so I must try and watch some shows on Youtube or listen on Spotify. We have a rowing machine, nordic trainer, exercise bike, weight training bench and loads of weights and dumbells (the latter used mainly by our youngest when he visits). Over many years most of the electronics have died from humidity but the machines still work.

Thanks again. All this typing has exhausted me. I have to go and lie down.

Steve

[DrFfybes]

IME the only difference between spending a lot of money on fitness stuff and buying cheap stuff is your bank balance. OK, so a stepper will fit a double duvet cover the handles, whilst an exercise bike is only good for drying a couple of shirts on hangers, but otherwise they will collect the same amount of dust in the corner.

I've tried lots of ways of getting fit, and the only ones I've ever stuck with are ones I enjoyed, generally because of the social aspect (5-a-side, step aerobics, seeing the same people in the hospital gym after work. Cycling with some friends was OK, but only if there was a destination - I've never had the urge to go for a ride for fitness.

Bottom line - if it isn't fun, you'll lose interest and go back to old ways. That's why Gumtree and Ebay is full of used exercise stuff.

In terms of little things - park further away from the shops, use the stairs more (eg going for a wee in the evening go upstairs even if you have a downstairs loo) or at work walk down a flight or 2 to the toilets or get out of the lift at the wrong floor. Nipping to the corner shop for milk or to post a letter? - ours is 15 min walk away. And buy less junk food - you can't eat half a pack of Bourbons whilst procrastinating about washing the car if you don't buy them in the first place.

Paul

[TedSwippet]

I appreciate the comments about joining a gym, personal trainer etc, but I'm a bit of an introvert as well as having to navigate some health issues that are still ongoing, though should be fine.

Understood, and of course it's up to you. Even so, maybe worth giving it a look; some gyms offer a trial period that is cheap or even free.

I am an introvert too, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy some company. And my gym has all sorts there. Stroke survivors, cancer survivors, cerebral palsy, missing limbs, knee replacement, heart surgery. Personal trainers know well how to adapt for a whole range of abilities -- that's the "personal" part. Also, don't discount 'gentle' group exercise such as yoga or tai chi. While these won't turn you into a body-builder, neither are they easy by any stretch.

Anyway, just a thought. As mentioned above, if you don't enjoy it you won't do it. So whatever you choose, choose something you like doing.

[Gerry557]

Sounds like you have enough kit available so you just need the motivation side of things.

Maybe the youngster can drag you down, try your favourite music or kick yourself into action, you have already started the process mentally by this thread.

Once started the stress is likely to reduce and endorphins might kick in. Watch some TV then if it gets you started.

[ukmtk]

The exercise that I recommend for people is YAYOG - just Google it.
It is body weight exercises that you do at home.

I'm now 62 and have been doing it for the last 12 years (on/off).

The book is £20. The only exercise equipment you end up buying is a chin up bar.
However, you don't do chin ups with it!
You'll put it at about waist height in a doorway and use it for pull ups (pull version of push ups).
The great thing about the book is it tells you how to make the exercises easier or harder.
There are exercise plans for all levels (there are 4 in total).
They follow 10 week cycles.
I use a simple timer.
For exercises that do 1 rep/rest 1 rep I just count a number of 1-thousand, 2-thousand,3-thousand counts ...

I do a warm up of about 2 mins, then a 15-18 min session followed by 2 mins of stretching.
I've offered to demo it to the village this autumn.

When I try to lose weight I combine a good diet (I measure out what I eat) with exercise.
I'm currently doing about 10 hours a week: YAYOG (1 hour over 4 days), hiking + cycling.
I have dropped 10kg since the start of the year - I normally gain it when I have a depressive episode.