Working out what works (for you)
I’m writing this from my hotel room in Edinburgh. I’m currently on a work trip for a few days and thought this was the perfect opportunity to talk about working out, particularly making your workout routine fit around your life and NOT the other way around.
It has taken me a while to realise that in order for me to consistently exercise (and therefore see/feel the results I want), I need my routine to fit in with my life so that I can do this for the long term. To make this work, I need it to be something that can be done no matter what the weather, no matter where I am, no matter what my schedule looks like and, most importantly, something that fits in with my budget which I also enjoy.
This picture has changed over the years depending on what my situation has been at that moment (when I was growing up it was dance classes that I absolutely loved (ballet, tap jazz). Then, after university, it was going to the gym or doing group classes, then it was running, swimming, spinning, the gym again etc etc. But always, no matter what type of structured exercise I am doing, the one thing I have always done a lot of is walking.
So what ticks all the boxes for me right now? Well, it’s at-home workouts (and walking still). I have a little space at home that has my yoga mat, some weights, resistance bands and a gym ball. (Or in today’s case, I’m in my hotel room using 2 water bottles as my weights and a towel on the floor as my yoga mat.)
I have lots of different at-home workouts that I like to switch up, but they are mainly DVD workouts (yes I know, I’m a dinosaur!) and sometimes YouTube videos.
Here are some of the workouts that I like to do/have in my collection:-
· I love the Beach Body workouts and I have quite a few of their workouts (Rockin’ Body, Hip Hop Abs, Slim in 6, Country Heat, Brazil Butt Lift). They usually come with a series of workouts that you do for a 4 or 6 week programme. You can also get all of the Beach Body workouts with a subscription that lets you stream them whenever you want. This is great if you get bored easily and like to switch up what you’re doing, or you just want to try out lots of different types of exercise techniques.
· I also really like the Tone It Up workouts. I have the DVDs but they have some amazing workouts on YouTube which I have used when I have been travelling. You can also purchase their App which gives you daily moves and workouts, plus nutrition and meal plans if you need some menu inspiration (plus everything is so beautifully presented).
· Tracy Anderson is another favourite too. Her workouts remind me of my ballet days and the muscle toning (and severe aching the next day!) that I would get from a class. Warning: after doing her arm session in the Mat Workout DVD, you’ll be ready for throwing the weights out of the window – it’s a killer, but so so effective at tightening those bingo wings!
· I also have a few actual ballet workouts too (New York City Ballet, Nicky McGinty Ballet Fitness, Element Ballet Conditioning).
· Pilates and Callanetics are also workouts that I switch into my routine from time to time.
· Yoga – Tara Lee’s Earth Elements classes are so good. She has such a calming manner and soothing voice, so your body and mind get a lovely little workout.
· My latest addition to my collection – Yogaburn Booty Challenge. This is a 12-16 week programme and I am on my 5th week. The workouts are short and sweet so you can fit them into your day without having to dedicate hours to a workout.
As you can see, I’m an old-fashioned girl at heart and I like a nice toning style or dance-type workout. I have never really been into HIIT workouts as I just don’t enjoy them. I know they are supposed to be the most efficient workout you can do, but if I am going to dread doing a 30 minute workout then I’d rather do a slightly longer, less intense, workout and actually enjoy it. It’s about finding that balance; that happy compromise.
The downside to at-home workouts is that (unsurprisingly) it’s not very sociable to hop around in the comfort of your own home. You don’t get the interaction you would get if you were in a class with others, and it means that you’re missing out on making new friends with like-minded people. Also, you have to be self-motivated because there isn’t anyone there to push you or keep you going. Whereas if you commit to exercising with a friend, you are less likely to cancel or not show up, because you’ve got someone else to think about. The other down side is, that by the time you’ve done a workout for about 4 weeks (this is usually the length of time that a programme runs for), if you’re anything like me, then you’ll be absolutely sick of the sound of the instructor’s voice and their quirky little comments and jokes that are incredibly unfunny after the 20th time! [Note to fitness instructors – there should be an option to turn off all non-essential commentary after the first 2 or 3 three times of hearing it.]
So first of all, find your reasons “why” you want to do it: maybe you just want to move more, or to get fitter, to lose weight, to have more energy, to be more flexible, to relieve stress etc,. Second, figure out what will work for you, your priorities and situation. Then tailor-make your own routine. Set out your list of must haves and then find something that ticks as many of these boxes as possible, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day.
Having said all of this, what works for me, might not work for you. There are just so many options out there. If you’re happy to try out a few, I’m convinced that there will be something that ticks all the boxes for you too. Try a few, hate a few and then find a nice little routine that you love. It could be running or swimming, dance classes, gym workouts, body pump, barre classes, football, netball, t’ai chi, hiking, walking, yoga etc etc. This could be at-home, in a class, outdoors, indoors, in a group, on your own. You make the choice. And if you find that you’re starting to not enjoy what you’re doing, then switch it up again and find something else. Whatever it is, just move your body a little each and every day and you will be so happy that you did. But whatever you do, make sure that the mere thought of it doesn’t fill you with dread or stress you out thinking about how on earth you’re going to fit into an already jam-packed day. Beautifully balanced is the name of the game.
L x
What are your favourite ways to get your body moving? Anything you would recommend? Do you prefer to work out on your own or in a group? Let me know in the comments below.