Since giving up running in August, I've been doing other sorts of exercise. It's been fine- I do weights and cardio 5 times a week, and stretch and stomach work the other days. It's not a big deal to me because I love it, in a freaky, mad way.

But I really need to try something new.



I don't need to diet, or lose weight per se, but I need to clean my diet up- too much carbohydrate at the moment, and not enough protein (don't eat dairy, meat or fish.) I am good about not eating cakes , biscuits, crisps or sweets but I do snack mindlessly at times (nuts, Starbucks stuff- it all adds up.)

I really need to tighten up, as well: I have a layer of flab that needs shifting (especially lower body.) (Anyone who I know in real life reading this will sigh deeply, I know, but you don't see the evidence! Well, most of you don't.)

The problem is, current exercise advice is so ridiculously contradictory and it seems to fall into the following camps:

i. High rep, low weight (speaks for itself);
ii. Alternate days of heavy weight training and high intensity interval training (one minute all-out, 3/4 mins light jog/walk);
iii. Circuits: good calorie burn, builds a bit of muscle;
iv. Cardio, cardio, cardio to burn fat (I actually don't believe this is the best method.)

So, I am pretty torn between i. and iii. I actually really like bootcamp-type circuits- less equipment and get you nice and hot and sweaty.

I'm not scared of bulking up (women can't do this) but I don't want to be excessively defined. There were 'before' and 'after' shots on a private fitness board I am on, and frankly, the woman featured looked better before. It's fine if you want to enter competitions, but I don't want defined/cut biceps (well, only a bit.) I need to lose about 5 lbs of pure fat, I think.

I know that diet is the key but I really do like my dumplings, and pies. Mmmmm. I love exercise (I really do!) but it isn't making up for my crappy eating.



So, hmmmm.