Tag Archives: YearOfFit

YearOfFit: Putting Your Body First

Healthy Little Changes

Some of you might be aware that on Sunday I was meant to be running the Bournemouth Half Marathon. Here’s the thing: I didn’t.

After all the problems with my foot over the last two weeks, I made the decision on Sunday morning that running another half marathon on metatarsal damage was just going to leave me in a worse off state than I was already in, and with exciting races planned for next year and training to be done over the autumn/winter period, it just wasn’t worth the risk.

In any aspect of healthy living, its really important to not only understand your body and its needs, but to actually listen to them. This can be anything from knowing when you need to take a break from your workout routine to knowing when you’re starting to feel a little dehydrated, and this comes from developing a sense of mindfullness, and a closer relationship with your body. You might think I’m talking crazy. Its your body, you can’t get any closer right? Well you can be sceptical if you like – I used to be! – but actually its one thing to understand that you’re feeling hungry, but another thing to think about what your body actually craves. For example, I have hungry moments where I can eat as much junk as I can get my hands on, but still not feel satisfied, and these are the times that actually what I really need is a load of veggies. I’ve gone off topic a little, but my point is that the body has fascinating little ways that it communicates with you, without you even realising, and what your body needs is what you need.

For this reason, I’ll be taking this month off running, and relaxing a little with my gym training. While my foot does seem to be improving slowly, the last thing I need is to push myself too much and cause any long lasting damaging that might ruin my training for next year. And d’you know what? That’s ok.

A few months ago, if I skipped a gym day I’d be feeling horrendously guilty and worry, as if my whole body was going to explode just cos I’d missed a workout in favour of a lie in, but recently I’ve discovered that sometimes I’m better off for a bit of rest, maybe a treat day, and often I’ll go back to the gym feeling refreshed and ready to take on the next workout instead. I think the point I’m trying to make is that no one can tell you what your body needs, only you can truly understand that, and there’s nothing wrong with putting your body’s needs first.

I 100% recommend Pretty Happy by Kate Hudson (pictured), its such an interesting read on this subject!

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Five Things You’re Doing Wrong in the Gym

The gym. I don’t need to explain it, you know why you go there – or don’t, in some people’s case.. But whether you’re a fitness freak or a workout whenever kinda person, there are some mistakes that you could make if you’re not careful..

Shirt from The Happiest Fitness Co

Shirt from The Happiest Fitness Co

Copying other people

Sure, its great looking around for inspiration; maybe you’ve never seen someone do goblet squats before and that’s something you’d be interested in, but go away, do a little bit of research, look into the correct method and then come back and start rocking it. Don’t just see someone doing something strange and unknown, and try and replicate it – you could get injured by doing something wrong.

Feeling pain

There’s a difference between feeling the burn and experiencing actual pain, and only the former is a good sign. When you’re muscles are starting to ache and fatigue, you’ll be getting that familiar warm sensation that isn’t exactly comfortable, but that should go away within a few minutes of stopping. There’s also nothing wrong with aching the following day, or after a few hours, but if you’re walking away from a workout and are still feeling a lot of pain in your body, you’ve overdone it.

Not taking on fluid

Everyone sweats. Its no big deal, especially in the gym, but you need to be replacing the water that your body is loosing swiftly to keep it functioning at its best. If you’re just sweaty, try and stick to water; if you’re also needing to take on some fuel, an isotonic sports drink might be better.

Judging other gym users

This is my absolute biggest gym peeve, and it happens in so many different ways. Laughing at overweight people? They’re still working out aren’t they? Staring at the gorgeous blonde in the sports bra and short shorts? She doesn’t come to the gym so you can wink at her from the corner of the free weights area.. Girls can lift, guys can lift, whatever – getting fit is not a competition so what is the point of putting down everyone around you?

Keeping clean

Be a team player – carry a towel and wipe down your equipment after you use it. Its courteous, and its hygienic; not doing so is the gym equivalent of wearing bowling shoes that haven’t been sprayed between wearers. Yuck.

Are you guilty of any of these?

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YearOfFit – Marks of a Good Personal Trainer

Fitness is such an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and with more and more people taking their health more seriously, personal trainers are on the up and raking in the cash!

I know this because I have one. I met Steph through a class she takes at my gym, and we became friends through that long before I started training with her, which I began doing in August last year. I see her 1-2 times a week, not because I need help working out, but because she gives me variety, and because I’ve come so far through training with her, I’m excited to see what I can be capable of.

There are plenty of supposed ‘good traits’ to look for in a personal trainer, but today I’m going to tell you what I think makes a PT great.

They don’t spoon-feed you

If your trainer is giving you everything on a plate, then it doesn’t encourage your personal development. You should be making your own diet and workout decisions; if they provide everything then you can’t always learn it.

They work you how you want them to

Personal trainers should be just that; working at a personal level. That means if you want to work on a particular area, that’s what they should be doing. They should never ignore your requests.

You can workout without them

Your PT should be giving you enough information about what they do with you that you should be able to go to the gym without them and still get a good workout in. They should be teaching you their techniques, like drop-sets and HIIT, and also explaining what areas you target with what moves, so that you know exactly what you’re doing, even when they’re not around.

You can’t hate them, even when they’re super mean

All PTs can be tough, in fact quite often they have to be, but a great trainer is one that you like enough that even through the blood, sweat and tears, you still want them there.

You’re not checking the time

Time flies when you’re having fun, right? Well it also flies when you’re kicking butt on the gym floor, but you shouldn’t be wishing time would go faster.

They’re always there for you

Without you taking advantage of it, a good trainer should be there to support you away from the gym, whether you need nutrition advice or want to know what area you should focus on when you self-train.

They make you to surprise yourself

A great personal trainer is one that helps you achieve things you never thought you could. If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be as strong as I am now, I’d probably have laughed in your face.

You feel so much more confident in the gym

Like many women, the free weights area used to be super intimidating for me, and the thought of wearing a crop top even more so. Now though, neither of them bother me in the slightest!

They tell you how proud they are

None of this tough guy act, your PT should share how they feel about your progress. It such a great motivator to know they’re proud of you.

They make fitness a fun, important part of your life

Ultimately, a good personal trainer is one that helps you become a healthier person, whether you train with them over a short period of time or more regularly. You should see results, you should be amazed with yourself and you should be excited to be getting fitter and healthier.

Hands up, who loves their PT? *raises hand*

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YearOfFit – Why I’ve Already Failed the TIU Bikini Series

This is a bit of a rambling post if I’m honest, and in no way am I slating the Bikini Series, I just want to talk about why it hasn’t worked out for me.

I love Tone It Up. Karena and Katrina are so inspiring and I’ve loved their videos for a while now, so I was really excited to sign up for this year’s bikini series. It’s an 8 week programme that is totally free to join, with daily workouts, check ins and support from all the other participants, and even healthy recipes to get you on your way. Its a fabulous programme, and I was so excited to be a part of it.

I lasted a week.

Here’s the deal. Yes, its an great programme; the workouts are perfect and the videos are so much fun to work along with, but it just didn’t fit in with me and my regular workout schedule and my lifestyle, for these reasons:

You have to follow it to the day

This may have been my own misunderstanding, but I thought it was an 8 week programme that you could start whenever you fancied, but because the daily workout moves are only available on the website on that day, then *poof*, new ones appear the next day. This meant that given I was in Disneyland Paris in the first week of the series and planned on starting the following week, I ended up having to check the workouts, write them down, and then do them the following week, which was a bit silly.

I have my own running schedule

The programme includes a running planned called 100 by Summer, which I think is great; running is so good for you. My run training schedule, however, is something that I carefully devised for myself based on my upcoming races, and as an existing runner, not all of my run days matched up with the TIU run days.

I don’t have equipment at home

Again, I reiterate: I love the Tone It Up workout videos, they’re ideal for doing at home. The problem I had with them, however, is that often they include equipment such as dumbbells and kettlebells, which I have access to at the gym, but not at home, and personally, I think I’d feel a bit silly doing a YouTube video in the corner of my gym.

I train a lot

I already visit the gym 3-4 times a week, and do at least half an hour with a personal trainer each week, so sometimes my leg day doesn’t link up with leg day on the programme etc. I’m also stupidly injury prone, so I know that I need a rest day every week or two; I could easily take a rest day on the programme by just skipping a day, but there aren’t any particularly stated, so I’d just kinda feel like I’m cheating!

I live in England

The weather here sucks sometimes. I’d love to get down the beach or out in the garden to do the workouts, but when its bucketing down in the great British summer, its not exactly appealling..

I really hope this post hasn’t come across as too negative about the programme; I do honestly think its great and I’ve seen so many amazing transformations through it, it just didn’t work out for me. I wish it did because its a lot of fun, and I have and still will be using some of the videos and workout moves in my regular fitness regime, but I’m taking it more as inspiration than a routine!

Have you tried the TIU Bikini Series?

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#YearOfFit – Fun Runs That Really Are Fun!

There are two types of people in this world: those who enjoy running and those who don’t.

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For the latter, the term ‘fun run’ generally seems like the furthest thing from it, but whether its a charity fundraiser, New Years resolution or mid/early-life crisis, most people will probably take part in at least one during their life, and today I’m going to tell you something that might surprise these people: some races really are fun!

Race For Life/Pretty Muddy

These ladies only races for Cancer Research UK are the ideal first race for any new runner. They’re laidback, there are normally a lot of tutus and people dancing, and you don’t even have to run it, so there’s that too!

Colour Runs

There’s a few different runs that do this now – The Color Run, Run or Dye etc – but the aim is pretty simple: show up in white, run around and have paint and coloured powder thrown at you, finish with an awesome party! I was gutted to miss our local Run or Dye last year, but I’m hoping to do the Brighton Color Run in September, and I’m so excited!

RunDisney

Do I really have to explain why these races are so much fun? Firstly, you’re running around the Disney parks. Secondly, there are character meets along the course, as well as a tonne of great entertainment and supporters cheering you on, and lastly, YOU’RE IN DISNEY. As you well know if you’re a regular reader, I have four RunDisney races under my belt already this year, with two more in September, and I’m already buzzing to do more in future years!

Virtual Runs

This is a fairly new and upcoming concept, and some people really don’t understand the point behind them, but I’m obsessed with virtual runs! Virtual races came about to combat the geographical and logistical restrictions of official races; the organisation of large events, participants having to sort travel etc. So how do they work? Just like any other race, you sign up online and pay your entry fee. This may be a charitable donation, it may also cover goodies like medals and t-shirts, all depends on the race. Your race may have a particular day, or a time period for you to complete it over, and all you have to do is complete the distance on that day or during that week or whatever, then submit a proof of run, like MapMyRun stats, photos etc to the organiser, and then you’ll receive your medal/shirt/certificate/whatever through the post. Its the satisfaction of a race without the hassle!

I’ve already completed one this year, and have 6 more coming up this year so far. I’m also thinking about organising one – if anyone would be interested please let me know!

ParkRun

ParkRun is an international organisation that holds weekly races all over the world, but there’s probably one pretty near where you are too! Its totally free to take part, with events run by local volunteers, and its a great way to get into running and join a community. Once registered, you’ll be issued with a personal barcode, which serves as your identification when you complete each race, linking your time to your account. I have two ParkRuns near me; I’m a regular at one and have visited the other once, but they’re both really great and its a real community, plus when you hit milestones (25/50/100 runs complete etc) you get a free t-shirt!

Are there any races you’d love to take part in?

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#YearOfFit – Fitness Goals for Everyone

Happy Wednesday! Are we all feeling good today?

I guess, following the previous introduction post, this is the first ‘proper’ #YearOfFit post of the year, yay!

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If you’re planning on joining me and having your very own year of fitness success, you’ll probably have set yourself some goals or targets for the year – I know I have! – but today I’m going to talk about the goals that anyone can have and achieve, even if it takes a little bit of hard work! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again: fitness is for everyone, whether you’re hitting the gym every day or just trying to walk more; it all counts!

Learn to swim

As far as I’m concerned, this is about more than just fitness, its about safety. An article in The Guardian last year said that 1 in 5 adults in England can’t swim, and to me that seems crazy! Swimming is not only a great way to keep fit (especially for those with injuries), but knowing how to hold your own in the water could save your life one day. I’m not going to get morbid, but please, if you can’t, promise me you’ll learn to swim this year?

Run a 5K

Yes, I’m bias, but a 5K is a great goal if you’re taking it up running this year. My best tip on how to get into running? Step outside your front door. It doesn’t matter if you start off running for just 10 seconds at a time, and walking in between; you’re still trying and it will get easier. Is that the finish line in the distance? Yes, yes it is.

Plank for 2 minutes

Planking is a great way of working your whole body with minimal risk of injury and minimal effort. Start by holding it for 10-20 sec, then add a few more seconds on every day. You’ll get there in no time!

Incorporate weight training

Weight training seems to have such a negative connotation with many people, but seriously guys, ITS REALLY GOOD FOR YOU! Try and add some weights into your workouts, and I promise you’ll find yourself feeling better and noticing results!

I truly and totally believe that every single one of these goals can be achieved by anyone. Go, surprise yourself!

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#YearOfFit 2016

Welcome to #YearOfFit 2016!

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New-ish series, following on from my previous #fitfordisney posts last year, this is going to be all about keeping fit and healthy, and enjoying it!

Now I just want to start off by saying I am no personal trainer, nor am I a nutritionist or expert; I am just a girl who loves keeping fit. If you’ve followed me for the last year or so, you’ll know that I spent the whole of 2015 training up for the two half marathons that I ran at the beginning of this month, along with another 5k and 10k. I love going to the gym, and tend to do so 3-4 times a week. Long story short, I am really enjoying my fitness journey so far, and I want to share more of it with you, and would love for you to have your own journey this year.

Another thing I want to clear up before this series really kicks off – there will be no body shaming here. This is about fitness and health, not size, but also your body is your body, and it can look however, and do whatever you want it to. Skinny? Good for you! Consider yourself a little on the larger side? Great! Fitness and a healthy lifestyle looks good on everyone!

So what can you expect from #YearOfFit this year? Well I’m going to be writing a combination of fitness tips and advice, sharing some of my favourite workouts, and also covering diet, from meal prep advice to some delicious healthy recipes, and if there’s anything you’d like to see, get in touch!

So right now I want you to think about what you want to get out of your #YearOfFit. You might want to run your first 10k, you might want to take up a new hobby; whatever it is, write it down, take pictures, whatever, and please please PLEASE get in touch to tell me what you’re up to! I’m excited to see who’s going to be with me on this adventure this year!

Ready?

Let’s do this!

(Want a little head start? Read my previous #fitfordisney series for some of my older posts!)

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