It is clearly very difficult to keep focus and start getting fit after an indulgent December and depressing January. Honestly, I always start January saying that I want to start getting fit by exercising more after eating all the yummy food in December. Then, when January starts, the weather is always so miserable, dark and wet that I really don’t feel like doing it at all!
REFLECTIONS
Then February arrives and you start thinking that the winter is finally starting to go away, despite the super low temperatures that we have been having lately, you just think that next month is March (it’s nearly upon us already!) and for some reason your spirits lift because you know Spring is coming meaning that its then Summer and you, of course, want to be fit for that.
So this is the exact time that I really want to do something to get back to being fit, exercising more and eating healthier. I have an exciting trip coming up where I will be meeting a group of my school friends in Puerto Vallarta. Yes, beach and sun you are hearing, so I can’t wait for that!
This has been my motivation to also try to be fit as I don’t want to arrive looking 10 kilos bigger and then my friends not recognising me anymore, LOL! So I have been trying to cut bad habits and getting myself back on track. I always feel that I leave everything to the last minute but I cannot change that now. I should have started this on the first day of January but, of course here I am doing this now, in the month when I have this trip.
I am not the biggest exercise person at the moment but I do believe you need to at least try, right? I used to be that crazy fitness person back in my 20’s. OMG, I could do 2 consecutive hours of spinning classes and then do some weights before I went to work. Can you believe it? So I would wake up at ridiculous hours in order to achieve that! Now I think about it, it was probably a bit exaggerated. I remember feeling knackered but I was super fit though.
GETTING FIT
Now, I am not able to do this anymore. I don’t think I have the determination or the time. But I do enjoy doing certain activities that at the end of the day will help me to get fit. I am not registered at a gym currently as I know, from previous years, that I might fail to go so instead of wasting my money, I am trying to find other resources to keep me fit for free. See below what I like doing:
1. Speed walking. I love walking in my local park. This is how I got fit the year before I was pregnant with my second daughter. I love doing 4 laps around the park. I don’t run. It is not for me but walking fast seems to work very well. I love listening to music while I walk as well as getting my mind away from work.
2. Dancing. I love dancing. I am latin, so you cannot see me without moving all the time. It is in my vanes, LOL! My girls love latin music too and we love dancing together. You are not going to believe how good it is to do this! I can highly recommend it.
3. Fitness DVD. Follow some exercise routines from fitness DVDs or you can do this straight from the internet really. There are lots to choose from.
4. Use 2 bottles of 125 cl. Fill each bottle with water and use them as weights. These are perfect for your arms. So when you are doing your exercise routines you can add this extra weight and it will help you to build some muscle.
5. Use the stairs. It is so tempting to use the lift. I live in a second-floor apartment but still a lot of times I use the lift! I know, how bad is that? So I have promised myself that from now on, I will only be using the stairs. Well, unless I have heavy bags with me.
THE POWER OF RECOVERY
As well as getting fit, it is important to think about the power of recovery. How to get our bodies back from a hard fitness routine. It is really vital that you take good care of yourself and your body.
After exercising, I like to do things that will get my body restored. Get it relaxed and ready for the next fitness regime the following day. See below some ideas that I like doing:
1. Stretch and relax. Always after doing any kind of exercise, it is so important to cool down and stretch all of your body. You need to relax after that so then you get your body back to the state it was before you started the fitness routine.
2. Sleep. One of the things that you always get recommended is to have a good sleep. Try to go to bed at reasonable hours so you get your body restored and ready for a new day. Choosing the correct mattress for this is very important too so you can get a good sleep waking up with no pain. A good example of a good mattress that will help you to achieve this goal of getting a good sleep is Tempur. They provide support for those recovering from workouts as the material offers optimum comfort for recovery.
3. Massage. A good massage is, of course, something that will help you to recover. There is nothing more amazing in the whole world than a good massage! OMG, I love them! They can get you so relaxed and composed. It restores your body back to its best and helps it to get ready for the next day. Your body will stop aching after a good massage and all your bones and muscles will feel like new afterwards.
4. Drink plenty of water. You need to drink a lot of water every day to keep your body hydrated. The water will keep your digestive system running as well as your skin soft and supple. Being dehydrated makes you feel fatigued, which will make you less likely to be active. I try to drink two 8-ounce glasses of water before each meal. It is so good for you.
5. Active Recovery. It is also important to get some rest days which will give your muscles a hard-earned break from a hard fitness routine. This will help to rest your body and therefore get fully recovered. I tried to exercise during the week and rest during the weekend.
Are you also planning to get fit this year? What are your plans for achieving that? What would you do to recover from exercise? I hope this blog post was helpful for you.
*Disclosure: This is a collaboration with Tempur. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
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Very interesting, as you know I love dancing, at the moment my favourite is line dancing, I love it could do it for hours so enjoyable and I love the music. Swimming is another favourite, at least 32 lengths each time I ago, so relaxing. Not forgetting Pilate, so relaxing, stretching every bit of your body. As you said very very important to do a good stretch after each exercise, stops a lot of unwanted aches and pains.
Thanks for this great post! Getting fit and getting enough sleep is one of my goals for 2018 too! It’s so hard to find the time to get everything done during the day, but I’ve decided to prioritise sleep this year, and try and work smarter and not harder.
I love keeping fit. But don’t think of it as such. It is more a lifestyle choice. Love hiking, do never really feel as though I am doing exercise. I think that is the key. Find something that you love doing. Much more interesting than staring at a wall in the gym
I like the idea of keeping fit but often give up too easily through lack of time or bad weather etc.
I’ve suffered myself with depression theirs lots that can help , interesting article
I keep putting off getting fit but I really need to!
I have had the flu and I am only just recovering and your hint about sleep definitely suits me at present! Thank you for all the other advice too.
I always have every intention of getting fitter and losing some weight but it just isn’t happening at the moment for one reason or another. I really must get on with it and get started, even if it is only a walk around the block every day #KCACOLS
I know! It is taking me ages to do it too! Hopefully it will be better when this snow is gone for good! 🙂 x
I am indeed hoping to work on getting fit! Sadly we’ve just found out we need to move, so it’s going to have to wait until we get settled again – but I’m hoping to find a 24/7 gym!
#KCACOLS
Well moving will get you busy and you will be walking around like crazy and that is some good excercise too! 🙂 x
I love dancing. I sign up to dance classes from time to time – amazig workours. #KCACOLS
Oh yes! Dancing is fantastic! I love it too! 🙂 x
I am all for the idea of keeping fit but never quite succeed through the lack of will power!
You go, girl!
#KCACOLS
I used to do so much exercise before I had my children, back to back classes at the gym and going for jogs along the seafront. I think dvds at home is the way forward for me now though, much easier to fit in around family life. x #KCACOLS
I love exercising but lately I haven’t been able to get into it! I love a bit of Zumba and a quick HIIT workout #kcacols
Zumba! I like that! 😉 xx
I also need to get fit, and am motivated to do so! I need to ditch carbs with every meal, and get my arse to the gym more! Pre baby I used to LOVE working out – I don’t know what happened! #KCACOLS
I like your exercise ideas here! I’d love to go speed walking with music in my head phones, that sounds perfect for me. And I do dancing – mostly in the kitchen while making food etc x
#KCACOLS
I agree – January is such a difficult month to start exercising! Nasty bugs and gloomy days. I’m hoping to start swimming again this month having not been since before Christmas!! #KCACOLS
Brilliant! I know what you mean about January and February being really tough months to keep fit. I set myself a resolution of running 365km this year. January went okay, but then I had a cold at the beginning of Feb and then the snow hit so I am a bit behind. Bring on the warmer weather. Pen x #KCACOLS
I have been finding it a huge struggle this year, partly due to back problems and partly due to other family health issues. But I am determined to get healthier – possibly starting with a massage! #KCACOLS
I try to take the stairs whenever I can. It helps to keep me fit. I track my steps on my fit bit and am trying to increase them. #kcacols
I’m up and down the stairs all the time – but definitely need to do more! #kcacols
i’ve been going back to yoga this year but not enough really. and yep, a good cool down and recovery is essential! #KCACOLS
I’m not necessarily into ‘hardcore’ fitness. I occasionally run but now we have a puppy, I do plenty of walking! I’m a firm believer in yoga too and healthy eating. Water is definitely a big step to being healthy. And yes why not throw that massage in too?! Thanks for hosting #kcacols
I’m not very good at motivating myself to do exercise, although I do usually enjoy it, its just hard to make time when everything else is a priority. I try to do some yoga as regularly as I can with YouTube videos and that’s about all I do. I should really make more effort! #KCACOLS
It is hard to fit a fitness regime in between family, work etc isn’t it? Good tips here, I find fitness DVDs and speed walking the easiest! #KCACOLS
That is true! I feel the same! 🙂 x
Good reminder that it really doesn’t take a lot to start getting on the right track – any sort of physical activity will do #KCACOLS
Great list! I love dancing and need to do it more. Just put a YouTube video on and get shaking. All movement helps and it always cheers me up. Sadly with a baby in the house, I’m definitely lacking a little in the sleep department though. #KCACOLS
I always have good intentions but now the weather is getting nicer i’m walking a lot more #KCACOLS
I never understand why people chose the most miserable time of year to start anything. I start in summer, when it’s summer and I’m happy. #kcacols
Charlotte is 6 months now and I really want to up my fitness in terms of health…but I have to be careful as I have diastasis rectii so I can’t do many exercises, just low pressure stuff. I am trying to walk everywhere possible and eat healthier though #kcacols
Hi Franca! I am so excited, we sprung forward, meaning it will now still be daylight after work! That leads to family walks in the neighborhood, bike riding, playground and all around activity! Much more energizing with sunlight! Best of luck! #kcacols xoxo
What a great informative post.
Definitley a good amtress is needed!
I try and do some speed walking and dancing with the kids! #KCACOLS
I love going to the gym, I do a lot of weights sessions. Stretching is so important when you finish any finess activity, you have to look after your muscles.
#KCACOLS
Great tips, I’ve fallen off the fitness wagon hard this past month and a half and I desperately need to get back into it soon! #KCACOLS
It’s so much harder in the winter to get motivated! I try and go for a run at least once a week, but if it’s raining, cold or snowing then I duck out of it. I also love dancing too! #KCACOLS
I joined the gym this year and thought I would hate but I am LOVING it and feeling so much stronger! It’s quite addictive! #KCACOLS
You know what they say – a summer body is made in winter! #KCACOLS
I keep saying that I will get my fitness back on track but I am seriously lacking in motivation! It’s so hard when you’re so busy with a family to care for! #KCACOLS