• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

A Moment With Franca

A Family, Lifestyle & Travel Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Family
    • Family Events
    • Family Life
    • Family Days Out
    • Birthdays
  • Lifestyle
    • Home & Interiors
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Garden
    • Kitchen
    • Health
  • Travel
    • Days Out
    • Things To Do In London
    • Holidays
    • Press Trips
  • Reviews
    • Toys & Games
    • Days Out
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
  • Seasonal
    • Christmas
    • Halloween
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Easter
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Giveaways
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Getting Fit & The Power of Recovery

amomentwithfranca · 12 February 2018 · 43 Comments

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  💋

Linking up with:

Related

Filed Under: Fitness, Collaborative Posts, Health, Home & Interiors, Lifestyle, List, Tips

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christy says

    7 March 2018 at

    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

    Reply
  2. Frank says

    7 March 2018 at

    I always have good intentions but now the weather is getting nicer i’m walking a lot more #KCACOLS

    Reply
  3. Frankie says

    7 March 2018 at

    I always have good intentions but now the weather is getting nicer i’m walking a lot more #KCACOLS

    Reply
  4. Bread says

    8 March 2018 at

    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

    Reply
  5. Sarah -Arthurwears says

    8 March 2018 at

    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

    Reply
  6. Lisa Pomerantz says

    12 March 2018 at

    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

    Reply
  7. Beth Owen says

    14 March 2018 at

    What a great informative post.
    Definitley a good amtress is needed!
    I try and do some speed walking and dancing with the kids! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  8. Ali Duke says

    14 March 2018 at

    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

    Reply
  9. Amie says

    15 March 2018 at

    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

    Reply
  10. Cheryl @ Tea or Wine says

    15 March 2018 at

    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

    Reply
  11. Laura Dove says

    16 March 2018 at

    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

    Reply
  12. Crummy Mummy says

    16 March 2018 at

    You know what they say – a summer body is made in winter! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  13. Maria says

    17 March 2018 at

    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

    Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

HI THERE, I’M FRANCA!

Hi, I'm Franca, a lawyer mum of 2 gorgeous girls married to my best friend, living in London. Award nominated parenting & lifestyle blogger. Read More…

Family Days Out

  • The Best Light Trails In London 2022
  • The London Transport Museum At Christmas
  • Monopoly Lifesized Review

Collaborative Videos

Popular Videos





AWARDS

BritMums



BritMums

Tots100

Tutora Best Parent Insight Blog Award Shortlist

RANKING

Tots100
Top 20 UK Parent Blog 2020

Flea Network Top 20 UK Parent Blog 2018

MEMBER

LINKY

Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday
✨ Happy Mother's Day✨.If you are in the UK, ✨ Happy Mother's Day✨.If you are in the UK, I hope you are having a lovely Mother's Day! 🌸🌸.We actually started the celebrations yesterday as Bella took me to @javawhiskersuk a new cat cafe in Westfield as a present for Mother’s Day. We spent 55 mins arround gorgeous kittens. I had a great time! I am a cat lover so this was a fab present for me! I will talk more about this experience on another post but if you swipe left you can see a little peak of our time there! 🐈😉.Today, the girls and Nick took me for the actually Mother’s Day celebration 🎉 to @cafejackss in Queen’s Park where we had brunch. It was a yummy treat. Swipe left to check it out! 😋 .After that we went for a walk. There was a small market nearby so it was nice to have a little look around 😍. We then went back home and spent the rest of the day chilling which is something, I’m not going to lie, I love doing! 😉😂.How was your day?#mothersdayuk #mothersdayweekend #mothersday2023 #motherofdaughters #mumoftwo #mumofgirls #mydaughters #lovemydaughters #daughterslove #mummydaughtertime #daughtersarethebest #daughtersrock #spendingtimetogether #happyfamilytime #familytime💕
✨My Girls✨.Due to the strikes we had Sienna ✨My Girls✨.Due to the strikes we had Sienna at home yesterday and today, and Bella only today. I thought it would be very chaotic but despite it always being louder when the girls are at home, especially my youngest one, lol, we did well..Bella did school work at home today and had the afternoon free. Sienna didn’t do school work. We only asked her to carry on doing Spanish and Maths via Duolingo. She also had Spanish lessons this afternoon (every Thursday she has lessons) so both days were manageable thankfully 😍.How was it for you? Did your kids stay at home or did they go to school? .PS: let’s hope things get better for teachers. I fully support the strikes. .#sistertime #sisterlylove #sistersgoals #hermanas #sistersforever #sistersforlife #sisterslove #siblingslove #lovemydaughters #raisingdaughters #mydaughters #londonkids #WembleyPark #wembley #londondesigneroutlet
✨Happy Weekend✨.How is your weekend going so ✨Happy Weekend✨.How is your weekend going so far? I am finally feeling more normal after the massive jetlag I had after my trip to South America. I am not sure why it hit me so much this time but it has taken me about two solid weeks to properly be back to my routine without feeling right. Waking up in the mornings was the worst. It was very hard, especially when I had to be on time for the school run! 😩.Anyway, everything feels better now! 😊.How long does it take you to be back to normal after a jetlag? Do you have any tricks or tips to speed this process? .📸 Selfy taken in Barranco, a lively district in Peru considered to be one of the most romantic and bohemian places to visit and being the home and working place of many Peruvian artists, musicians, designers, photographers among others 😎.#thisisme #selfie #instaselfie #smilemore #brunettehair #greeneyes #over40#over40blogger #overforty #overfortystyle #over40andfabulous #over40mom #outandabout #barrancolima
✨The Costa Verde✨.Lima, the capital of Peru ✨The Costa Verde✨.Lima, the capital of Peru is located on the coast. Walking along the sidewalk of the Malécon in Lima’s picturesque seaside district, Miraflores, you can admire the most beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. .The “Costa Verde” is a coastal road. It runs along the south-central part of the Lima coast. You can visit in the morning for a jog or in the evening to enjoy a relaxing walk. It is a very lively where people have fun in the open air..This is one of the best attractions on the coastal road. You will see several parks with sculptures of famous artists that make this walk even more unique and enjoyable. Along the route, you can find numerous recreational activities such as surfing and paragliding..If you keep walking you will arrive at “Larcomar” which is a shopping centre and has many restaurants and cafes so you can enjoy a coffee or a meal with the gorgeous ocean view too. .Pictures explained below:1. Start of my walk with the view of the ocean showing one the most gorgeous restaurants in Lima “La Rosa Nautica” where you can walk along the pier and then seat down for a meal with a sea view. Very scenic 😍2. 📸 Greater view of the coast showing the Pacific Ocean3. 🎥 Parque Chino (Chinese Park)4. 📸 Parque El Libro (The Book Park) showing a colorful sculpture, “Silencio” created by Peruvian artist José Tola.5. 📸 Parque del Amor (Love Park) showing its larger-than-life sculpture of two lovers in a deep embrace called “The Kiss”. The monument to love was created by Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín. 6. 📸 Faro de Lima (lighthouse)7. 🎥 View of the Pacific Ocean from Barranco area where you can see Lima Marina Club, a members only club. .If you visit Lima, I highly recommend you to have a walk along this gorgeous area. You won’t regret it! (Save this post for later 😀).Do you enjoy walks with a coastal view? When was the last time you did a walk with a scenic view? .#oceanviews #oceanview #costaverde #costaverdelima #miraflores #lima #visitlima #limaperu #mirafloreslima #limacity #cometoperu #limaperu #beautifulviews #beautifuldestinations #perutravel
✨Peruvian Suspiro Limeño✨."Suspiro Limeño" ✨Peruvian Suspiro Limeño✨."Suspiro Limeño" is one of my favourite Peruvian desserts. When I was In Peru, I of course, made sure to have it not only once but several times 😉.This dessert is made of manjar blanco (milk, sugar, almond flour, egg yolks, vanilla) and meringue (egg whites, port, cinnamon) 😘.The history behind this dessert starts with Amparo Ayarza who was the creator. Her husband, José Gálvez Barrenechea was a poet and was the one who gave it its name. The poet called it "Suspiro de Limeña", which means, 'Sigh of a Lima lady', because it is soft and sweet like the sigh of a woman. Love this 🥰.Have you ever tried "Suspiro Limeño"? Or have you heard of it before? Would you try it? .📸 Picture taken @panchitasazoncriolla in Lima that has one of the best versions of this dessert 🙌🏻.#suspirolimeño #peruviandessert #meringue #merengue #desserttime #dessertlover #dessertpic #dessertgram #peruvianfood #cocinaperuana #gastronomiaperuana #perufood #peruviancousine #whatisfordessert #dessertsofinstagram
✨Eating in Peru✨.One of the things that I lo ✨Eating in Peru✨.One of the things that I love the most about Peru besides family and friends of course, is the food! Peruvian food is one of the best in the world! It really is! And eating in Peru is a must! Trying any dish even if it is not neccesary a peruvian dish, it is cooked in such a way that the taste is just incredible! 😋 .While I was there for a couple of weeks I really made sure to try my favourite dishes again as well as new dishes and visiting classic restaurants as well as new restaurants and cafes that have opened in the last 5 years that I haven’t been able to visit. .If you go to Peru and stop in Lima, I really recommend you to visit @elmercadorestaurante, @cafedelima, @bottega_dasso, @panchitasazoncriolla, @eltiomario_restaurant, @lacaffettedilonato, @churreriamanolope, @franklinrestaurante, @lalamiraflores, @osakanikkei, @elpandelachola, @mattoniperu, @laterrazadelpardo, @cafevictoria_barranco among others! We have a really good list of restaurants and cafes that are worth a try. Peru is one of the best culinary destinations in the world 😋 .I also went to #limamarinaclub for dinner and the food together with the sea view was such an amazing atmosphere. This is a members club but I had to mention it because I really enjoyed this place ☺️.Have you tried Peruvian Food or eating in Peru? .#peruvianfood #cocinaperuana #peruvianrestaurant #gastronomiaperuana #perufood #peruviancousine #peruvian #limaperu #limafood #loveeating #foodiegram #food #over40 #over40blogger #overforty
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Copyright © 2023 · A Moment With Franca · Privacy Policy