For today’s post, I wanted to simply have a chat with you all. It’s been a while since I’ve blogged and I’m sorry for the lack of posts, tweets, emails etc. Thank you so much for sticking by me. I went through a tough time in February and it sort of rolled into March. Aside from going to work, I turned into a recluse. I shut myself off from the world, stopped going to the gym and stopped caring about what I ate. I tried a few times to get back into blogging, but I still hadn’t got a handle on my health. How could I blog about fitness when I couldn’t drag myself to the gym or put down the chocolate bar??
Last week I went away with a group of friends to a house we’d rented in Somerset. We were in the heart of the countryside, I truly relaxed and enjoyed the break but I came home weighing the heaviest I have ever been. I’m ready now to take control of my health and fitness and get back into blogging. Eating anything and not working out has taken its toll!
For my diet, I’ll be Eating Clean and following the Tone It Up guidelines. I’ll have one cheat meal a week and one or two clean ‘cheat foods’ a week. I have written up a meal plan and I’m ready! My fitness, however… well, I’m lost! My gym membership is coming to an end and I don’t really want to renew it. My gym is always busy at the times I want to go and it is hard to find space or free machines. The problem is, there aren’t a lot of gyms in my area and I’ve pretty much tried them all! The one I really like is very expensive and I can’t really justify paying that much.
Another option is to sign up to bootcamp, where there are classes held at certain times at different locations outdoors, several times a week. What attracts me to this is having trainer who will guide you and keep things interesting, so it’s less likely that you’ll get bored. Plus it’s a group exercise so you can motivate each other, meet people and make friends. However, I’m not one for cold, rain or mud and I know that I won’t want to go when the weather is bad, which is a problem if we get April Showers!
I’m not really sure what I’ll be doing just yet, but I’ll be using the rest of this month to weigh up my options. At least I’m getting my diet back on track!
That’s enough rambling from me, how have you all been? Is there anything you’ve been struggling with lately? Anything you’ve done well at? Any suggestions of how I can workout? Please leave a comment, I’d love to chat with you all!
If I where you..
I’d invest in a kettlebell/hand weights (if you don’t already have these) as there is a whole range of online workouts you can do at home to fit into your life style. I’d also consider fitness DVD’s for the same reason, I know it’s not for everyone but running is so popular because it burns calories fast, you don’t need equipment or a partner and it’s good for your peace of mind.
Also in relation to bootcamp have you considered buying a Groupon deal (they often come up&then it’s less of a outlay to feel guilty about) and just attend when you can fit it in?
Or even just a hours power walk with a friend (so the time passes) will make a difference.
Best of luck :)
x
http://www.cakevsscales.co.uk
Thank you! I do have a kettlebell which I love using, I just didn’t feel like it was enough to use on it’s own as my main workout. In the end I joined a gym again and I’m loving it so far. Thank you for all your suggestions- they’re all great! :) x
Everyone falls off that gym and healthy eating wagon, just keep on keeping on and get your headspace right! Be gentle to your self, just get yourself out of the door for a walk and take it from there!
Wishing you all the best!
xxx
Nina from little nomad
Thank you so much! I’m happy to say I’m back to my former self, ready to get back on the wagon! Thank you for your kind words :) x
I agree with Katie G – I’ve been using a lot of apps in my living room recently! Running is also great plus there are some running clubs around if you like exercising with other people.
Do you work a reasonable distance from your home? I’ve started cycle-commuting 3 days a week and it’s a fantastic way of getting the exercise in as it just feels like getting from A to B but means I’m doing over an hour of exercise each day!
Also pay-as-you-go spin or yoga classes (or I presume other classes?!) are really good as well.
Sorry for bombarding you with ideas! And good luck!!!
No, I love your ideas, thank you! I used to cycle to work before Winter, but since I passed my driving test I haven’t looked at my bike. You’ve reminded me to start cycling again- thank you :) x
Everybody has ups and downs. Don’t worry about it too much. Fingers crossed for you to get back on track soon :)
Thank you so much, I’m happy to say I’m back on the wagon & motivated once more :) x
I go to Bootcamp it’s incredible! The instructors really motivate you and so do the other people at the classes. I went last night and it was actually chucking it down but it wasn’t all that bad because it cooled you down and made you do everything quicker so you could have a rest! They’re great for overall fitness too and the weight you’ve put on will soon drop off :)
Thanks! I’d never thought of the rain like that ha. I tried out a free session of my local bootcamp and it was really good! I missed weights though so in the end I decided to join a gym again and I’m loving it so far :)
Hey hun,
Atleast you’re motivated to get back to it now. I too have lost my way a little lately and it’s hard to get the momentun back. Have you tried working out at home? Using the videos on YouTube such as Tone It Up Blogilates XHit etc. Although I couldn’t recommend bootcamp enough! I loved my class! x
I love their videos, they have great workouts & I love their personalities. But I love lifting weights so I’ve signed back up to the gym! x
I was a British Military Fitness member two summers ago and it was fantastic – although it was a really wet summer you really didn’t notice when you got going, besides the instructor has their car there & you can put dry kit in there.
If you’re not keen on that, though: running, athletics clubs, plyometrics, yoga classes, kettlebells, kickboxing, CrossFit, swimming.. Loads of fun ways to keep fit outside of the gym! Just get back on the horse, you will love it again in no time :)
Oh also – the Nike Training Club app and payasugym.com!
Thank you so much- loads of great suggestions! I’d love to get into plyometrics, yoga & crossfit, I’ll definitely be looking at them in the future. I’m glad to say I’m back on the wagon and am working out again. Thank you for all your suggestions :)
Everyone falls off the bandwagon, don’t worry. After Christmas, I felt awful, so sluggish and just felt fat. Back on track now! You could maybe try the Insanity workout dvd? They are apparently really good!
Good luck either way xx
Touchscreens & Beautyqueens
Ah, the dreaded Christmas bloat! Yes, my boyfriend did Insanity and had great results. It’s a great workout! Thank you for your suggestions :) x
It was 6 years ago that I worked out, watched my diet and lost 60 pounds. It actually was more but I gained muscle. I went from a size 16 to a 4. I don’t have a word for what I felt.
I had been diagnosed with MS in 2006 so achieving such a strong healthy body was awesome. Unfortunately it only lasted 2 years. I had to have a complete hysterectomy. Then I was told I had Sjogrens Disease followed by Psoriatic Arthritis.
Even with those diagnosis I was doing okay. Then something personal happened and that was the last hit. I was down for the count and didn’t want to fight anymore. My muscle went away and the pounds found me again. I spent 2 years in the house. No friends. Not much of anything.
In December I decided nobody or thing can get me healthy. It’s up to me. I had done it before. It’s going a little slow because of the pain but I’m getting better every day. I wish you good health and happiness in your journey.
Author
You are so inspiring, thank you so much for sharing your story with me! I can’t explain how reading this has made me feel. Trying to change your body whether through losing or gaining weight is difficult enough, let alone when you have medical and personal setbacks.
I’m so happy you are ready to do it again. You have done it before and you can definitely do it again, you are strong. Take each day one day at a time and don’t expect everything to change at once. I’m with you on this, please come back and let me know how you’re getting on. We can do this together. I wish you all the best xx