Not sure what exercise to do, please help me

[DamnBamboo]

Just that really.
I am unfit... very unfit and I get almost no exercise. I used to be incredibly fit pre-child and like many other mums I'm sure, it hasn't been a priority,. Also, I'm a busy person generally (4 children, work full time, active memer of PTFA etc..) but none of this invovles much in the way of moving around sufficiently to raise heart rate and benefit from it.

I also want to lose some of the weight I've put on (aiming to lose about 10kg and don't need advice on this front) but would like to get some more exercise whilst I do this.

I have a bad ankle and have recently torn my calf muscle, which whilst both healing well, aren't ready to take any major impact and I am fed up doing low-impact DVDs (or any DVDs) in front of the TV.

Can anyone suggest any type of exercise I can do at home, of an evening (or morning) that doesn't involve Davina (or anybody else) in front of the telly but will also help me get my heart rate up a little so I can improve my fitness.

I already plan to do sit-ups, press-ups, lunges, dips curls etc and will do aerobics DVDs if I have to, but was just wondering if anybody can suggest anything else at all.

Looking for inspiration

thanks so much

[BlueChampagne]

Could you fit cycling into your routine? Saves major impact but can shift calories if you go at a decent speed/have hills. Try freecycle for an exercise bike if that's easier than the great outdoors?

[DamnBamboo]

Good idea. I have a bike, but my calf still isn't great and my ankle not completely healed either to it may be a bit premature to start cycing (although it's hilly around here so will bear this in mind).

Any other suggestions?

[stowsettler]

TBH that's a tricky ask if you need to be at home. If you don't need to be at home then the obvious answer is swimming. No impact, can be a real pulse-raiser if you apply yourself and it's particularly nice in this hot weather.
At home - hmm well the only thing I can suggest is that you trawl Youtube for some low-impact, high-cardio exercises. That in itself is tricky, but I'm currently doing Insanity and there are a few exercises, based around press-ups and other floor exercises that are higher in intensity. I obviously wouldn't advise doing the whole Insanity programme until you're completely healed. Mind you if you were fit pre-children, you may find it will work for you.

[nickymanchester]

A couple of things I'd suggest are dumbbell (or kettlebell) swings - or any other homemade heavy weight:-

www.stumptuous.com/cool-exercises-youve-probably-never-seen-before

Maybe also squat thrusts (burpees) but without the final jump because of your calfs:-

www.exrx.net/Aerobic/Exercises/Burpee.html

[DameFanny]

Google the 7 minute workout? You can even download it to your phone as an app - skip through the chair steps while your ankle's still healing, but it'll give you a good workout to start with?