Getting back into it?

Hi! I'm Ella, sixteen, I'm a vegan and I've been struggling with self-acceptance for years and years. I had an ED but let's not go there. I was never hospitalized for it and I'm in self-recovery now. I see a dietician and a naturopath monthly. For a while I was exercising regularly - half an hour on the stationary cycle every weekday - but then exam block kicked in so I stopped to use that time for study. Now I'm freaking out that I won't be able to get back on the bandwagon. It's freezing in the morning lately and that's the only time I have time to exercise. Plus, the cycle was getting SO BORING. I've signed up to do a yoga class once a week next term but I need something more. Any tips?

a lot of people on here are going to suggest weight training. listen to them. you can do it inside!

good luck with everything!

Thanks! Hmm, weight training... do you need special equipment for that? Where do I start with it?

Weight training is a great thing to do - I'm in the same boat with freezing cold mornings... you don't really need special equipment for weight training- just weights (which can be either dumbells or even a back pack full of heavy stuff!)

If you need a few moves there are allways heaps of magazines with suggestions or even going to a gym for just one training session will give you some great pointers!

someone on CC mentioned stumptuous.com once. This article: http://www.stumptuous.com/no-weights-no-probl em tells you how to make your own equipment.

and also, don't worry that you'll get super buff or anything. It takes a ton of time and food and work and (in some cases) steroids to get big. I started lifting heavier weights in mid-april. My body weight has increased but my size has gone down. My legs are much more "toned" (a lot of people on here hate that word that's why its in quotations) and my abs are beginning to make an appearance. One of the biggest reasons I started doing it, besides wanting to look good, is that it increases your bone density which helps prevent osteoporosis, which runs in my family.

Hope that link is helpful, and that you get the results you're looking for and have fun doing it!

Dana's right, I have been doing weight training for over a year and haven't gotten buff or thick or anything. (But a bit stronger and quietly proud of that!)

It has just seemed to make me 'smoother' too (I guess that word is exactly like 'toned') and I like the results. Also its easy to do even if you're feeling lazy becuase you just warm right into it!

Let us know how you go..

Thanks so much! That link's very helpful, thanks :)

Also I found out my mum has a beginner's weight set lying around somewhere and she's going to give me a few pointers so that should be good. 

Haha yes, the old "but I'll get scarily buff!" thing. Thanks for the reassurance. I think that being more "toned" or "smooth" is a good thing so long as it's not *too* noticeable. I would definitely like more streamlined thighs and harder abs.

So I'm thinking, once school goes back this will be my regime:

Mon: Yoga, 30 min

Tues: Stationary cycle cardio, 30 min

Wed: Weight training, 30 min

Thurs: Stationary cycle, 30 min & Yoga, 60 min

Fri: Weight training, 30 min

And rest on the weekend (but I am always sure to walk around heaps, never stay indoors the whole time).

Is that okay?

Thanks for all your help and advice so far everyone!