It is challenging to keep focus and start getting fit after an indulgent December and depressing January. Honestly, I always start January by saying that I want to start getting fit by exercising more after eating all the yummy food in December. Then, when January begins, the weather is always so miserable, dark and wet that I don’t feel like doing it at all!
Getting Fit & The Power of Recovery
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 believe 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 it’s then Summer and you, of course, want to be fit for that.
This is precisely the time I want to take action to get back into shape, exercise more, and eat 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 motivated me also to try to be fit, as I don’t want to arrive looking 10 kilos bigger and then have my friends not recognise me anymore, LOL! So, I have been trying to cut bad habits and get 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’m not the biggest exercise person at the moment, but I do believe you should at least try, right? I used to be that crazy fitness person back in my 20s. OMG, I could do two consecutive hours of spinning classes and then do some weights before going to work. Can you believe it? So I would wake up at ridiculous hours to achieve that! Now I think about it, it was probably a bit exaggerated. I remember feeling exhausted, but I was still super fit.
Getting Fit
Now, I am no longer able to do this. I don’t think I have the determination or the time. However, I do enjoy participating in certain activities that, in the end, will help me stay fit. I am not currently registered at a gym, as I know from previous years that I might fail to attend. Instead of wasting my money, I am trying to find other free resources to keep me fit.
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 it helps me clear my mind and escape from work.
2. Dancing
I love dancing. I am Latina, so you can’t see me without me constantly moving. It’s in my veins, LOL! My girls love Latin music, too, and we love dancing together. You won’t believe how good it is to do this! I can highly recommend it.
3. Fitness DVD
Follow some exercise routines from fitness DVDs or find them online. 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. When you are doing your exercise routines, you can add this extra weight to help you build muscle.
5. Use the stairs
It’s so tempting to use the elevator. I live on the second floor, but I still use the lift a lot of times. I know, how bad is that? So, I have promised myself that from now on, I will only use the stairs. Well, unless I have heavy bags with me.
The Power of Recovery
In addition to getting fit, it is essential to consider the importance of recovery. How to Get Your Body Back After a Hard Fitness Routine. You must take good care of yourself and your body.
After exercising, I enjoy activities that help my body recover. 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
It is always essential to cool down and stretch your entire body after exercising. You need to relax after that so that your body can return to its original state before you start the fitness routine.
2. Sleep
One of the things you are often recommended to do is get a good night’s sleep. Try to go to bed at a reasonable hour so your body can rest and be ready for a new day. Choosing the correct mattress is also very important, as it enables you to get a good night’s sleep and wake up with no pain. A good example of a mattress that can help you 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 put you in a state of complete relaxation and composure. It restores your body to its best and helps it prepare for the next day. Your body will stop aching after a good massage, and all your bones and muscles will feel like new afterwards.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to a truly relaxing experience, Opulence Thai Spa offers a range of authentic Thai massage treatments that are perfect for easing tension and promoting relaxation and overall well-being. It’s the ideal way to soothe sore muscles after a workout and give your body the care it deserves.
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 can make you feel fatigued, which in turn reduces your motivation 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 essential to take some rest days, which will give your muscles a well-deserved break from a rigorous fitness routine. This will help you rest your body and, consequently, facilitate a full recovery. 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.
*Disclosure: This is a collaboration with Tempur. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
PIN FOR LATER







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