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Self Edit - April 2024

Exercise April 2024

April 03, 2024•6 min read

APRIL 2024

SELF EDIT

Welcome to my SELF EDIT newsletter which will be a way to keep in touch with you with a place for me to share my SELF insights that come up for me over the month. Now I am aware that we can get so many emails come through that we do not always get to read most of them, we might just glance and see what catches our eye! As this is for you as well as a little therapy for me, feedback is welcomed so please let me know the things you like and what else you would like included.

So what can you expect in my monthly newsletters? Things that I may have been trying, what has helped me, self reflection, self tips. This months edit is about exercise and especially if your day to day is not that physical - we all know exercise is good for us but even when we are members of gyms keeping that consistency going is not always easy! I am going to share with you some things that have helped me stay consistent since I joined my local gym last year.

EXERCISE

One thing I have noticed when I have client calls all day is that my step count is then really low, whilst I do try and go down stairs after a call, to make a drink etc it is not as much as when I work at school. This is why for me fitting in going to the gym before my sessions enables me to start the day with movement. I never thought I would be someone that would say I go to the gym at least 3 times a week but on most weeks I do. Do I have the figure I thought I would have had by now when I started in September 2023 - no! However, what I have done is build a consistent habit into my weekly routine and although I may not see the physical body I was hoping for I feel so much stronger in my mindset for just going and doing something regularly for myself and my mindset.

It is so easy to fall out of habits even when we see or feel the benefit of them but for me going to the gym isn’t so much as going to workout any more it is just what I do to start my day better for me! I saw Joe Wicks post something on his social media about how it doesnt matter what the exercise is you are doing just that you are doing it and I totally agree! For me going to the gym is a place where I get to listen to a podcast, read a book whilst on the treadmill, listen to some old tunes whilst I am trying to do some reps with a dumbbell.

SELF REFLECT EXERCISE

JOURNAL ON WHAT EXERCISE MEANS TO YOU.

WHAT EXERCISE DO I ENJOY/DO NOW REGULARLY?

WHAT IS STOPPING ME FROM EXERCISING?

WHAT WILL I BENEFIT FROM DOING EXERCISE?

HOW WILL I FEEL IF I DO IT REGULARLY?

HOW CAN I KEEP TO A REGULAR ROUTINE?

SELF TIPS

NOT CURRENTLY EXERCISING OR WANT TO DO MORE?

Some tips that have helped to motivate me

For years I use to do home workouts and they worked for me but I probably was not as committed to it and now I think I feel better doing my exercise somewhere else. I go to the gym regularly because I pay for it which keeps me more accountable to it plus I see the benefits for myself and it is just part of my weekly routine now! I also use to worry about having the right workout clothes or not fitting in. Whether it is the age I am at of not really caring or that the gym I go to has a mix of everyone and isnt really that poser-ish! The key here is finding something that works for you now and where you feel comfortable! It might not to begin with but its important to think about what you want to do there.

If you already are doing exercise is there something you would like to increase/improve/level to get to? Could you set a mini goal/challenge to sign up for?
Do an exercise you like to do - after watching And Just Like That I was convinced that I needed a Peleton and that was the exercise but I was just being sold into the marketing of it. When I I tried my friends Peleton a few months ago I am so glad I did not invest as I hated it. Not for me- and thats okay!
You have to actually DO the exercise - sounds obvious but if like me you are great at getting all the gear or seeing the latest craze and the hula hoop, skipping rope, waist trainer or weights are get dusty or neglected soon after. When I first joined a gym some 20 odd years ago my husband use to laugh at me as he said you do realise you have to cycle as I was just sitting on the bike reading a magazine - ha ha! Doing the exercise is key!
Can you attach doing exercise to something you already like doing, e.g walking and listening to audio book?
Go with a friend, your partner, or get an accountability buddy - my friend and I Whatsapp each other after we have completed our exercise, such a great way to spur you both on!
Consistency - I know this is key and it has definitely helped me keep going. One of my clients is great at keeping a tracker of how often she went to the gym and how she felt after. On my gym app it logs how many times I go which is a good way to see how consistent I have been.
Stop with the excuses - we all have 24hrs each day, some people will struggle to find that time but you could start by taking the stairs, you could wake up 5mins early and do a 5 min yoga stretch we can find the time if we want to.
Remember you do not have to join a gym - there are a wealth of exercises on you tube to test out what you like. There is nothing better also than going out for a walk and getting some daily steps in.

FUTURE SELF

I would love to try and be more consistent with pilates, I did a few you tubes a few weeks ago and I really felt it in my core. I would love to join the likes of the Bryonny Deary pilates but a little pricey to commit to at the moment. I also keep meaning to go with my friend to Reformer pilates - but I think I am holding back from if I really like and I need to keep going and plus again it is on the more pricey side of exercise. For now I am going to keep trying to build my strength using these pilates classes at home and see how I get on!

THANK YOU

For if you have read this far, I hope you have enjoyed this first SELF EDIT, like I said please get in touch if there is something you would like me to cover or any feedback you might have for me so I can make this the best for you reading it and to help yourSELF!