For the second part of my fitness post, I write while wearing my running gear; I’m back to running properly (which, for me, is non stop 3-4 miles) and I’m excited to go out in the fresh air with the dog at my side. (Well, ten yards ahead, actually, but you get the picture!)
In addition, I’ve started doing a Pilates DVD again. I watch Lara Hudson’s 10 minute solutions, and I workout on my living room floor – comfortable and private, the absence of which can out some people off exercising. Lara Hudson’s DVDs are amazing because each tutorial is only ten minutes long – you don’t get bored and you can do as much (or as little) as you want. I do three segments to make up to a half hour. Despite being slow, focused movements, Pilates is pretty tough, but without being strenuous – it’s all about muscle control, which is what tones you up! So I’ve been doing half an hour three times a week, plus my jogging twice a week and a swim once a week. Ideally, I’d like to do the Pilates for twenty minutes every morning but I just can’t give up those extra minutes in bed…. And I’d like to run three times and swim twice… But life is busy; there’s full time job plus freelancing/blogging, there’s a Border Collie to walk and a house to keep. Goodness knows how parents fit exercise in! I’ve learned not to beat myself up about exercise – doing something active on a regular basis is the main thing.
How to make keeping fit fun? The variety of activity is great – if you don’t fancy a swim one day, do some Pilates or yoga instead – and, as silly as it sounds, having some nice workout gear helps; you actually want to get dressed for your run, or spin class, or whatever, which is important because half the battle of exercising is getting dressed and GOING! As you know, I think M&S has a brilliant fitness range available just now and I particularly love these leggings. It makes a change for me not to be in black, and the zip at the back of the trousers is genius; perfect for keys and a doggy bag to keep your hands and mind free so that you can focus on your breathing and PMA.
Images: Kris Miller
