I’m Actually Trying to stay Healthy!

I’m thinking right now I’m only going to do this by doing a home workout. Because another week has just flown by. Although the sun is still shining (hurrah) I’m home on this glorious Friday with yet a million and one things to do. However, that overwhelming feeling I get when I have a long ‘to do’ list means I’ll end up sitting around drinking coffee stressing about it all. Then by 4 pm I realise that next to nothing has been done.

That’s basically my life on a bad day. When it’s a better day I will plan things and I actually write lists! Real ones. There are no Excel spreadsheets involved. Nope. I have a notebook and a pen and I physically write my list, then hopefully cross things off when they get done. On bad days nothing gets crossed off. Apart from ‘drink coffee’.

Trying not to get overwhelmed

It’s my own fault that things gets so overwhelming though. I just like to cram everything in. I have to do the boring stuff like clean and tidy the house then think about meals I’ll be making. Cooking takes up time but I do enjoy all of that. I also have to plan out what I shall be putting on my blog, plus time for photo’s, editing and social media. Then there’s my family – I can’t really ignore them. So it’s all pretty full on.

So then there’s the whole exercising thing and making sure I’m not eating loads of junk food. I like to be mindful of these things (I’m not a health freak though – I do eat cake) – but yet again it’s finding that time.

If I can get down the gym to a class then that’s great. When I can’t or it’s just not fitting around the other things I should be doing, I’d miss my workout. However – not anymore! I’ve found another solution. But it does mean I have to motivate myself because now I’m starting to do a regular home workout. I started doing it properly last week and now I’m well into the second – and I’m feeling so much better! I guess that’s something to motivate me if nothing else will.

How did it all start?

If you’ve read any of my blog posts, you’ll see that I’m kind of obsessed with finding a way to eat better without it interfering too much with life (I think that’s what everyone wants to be honest) plus since having my second child I’ve found a love for exercise. My favourite being HIIT training – High Intensity Interval Training. And I don’t mean it’s my favourite because that’s where I’m seeing results (although that’s true). But I mean it’s my favourite because I’m a little bit crazy.

If it’s sprinting up and down then doing crunches, burpees, step-ups, kettle bells etc etc then I’m there. Circuits, Bootcamp, Insanity – that’s my style. Long distance running – no chance. But we all have to find something we enjoy right? My husband is the opposite to me – he likes Park Run, swimming, cycling… We are all different and that’s cool. It’s finding out what suits you so you like doing it.

Last Week

I finally had enough of the fact that I was eating slightly more sugar than I would normally and I wasn’t working out regularly. I was trying to get to an Insanity class on a Tuesday each week but it wasn’t always possible. Some other classes I enjoy are quite late in the evening (a time when I’m not at my best) or quite expensive so it was all hit and miss. One class I did do twice a week without fail was a local Bootcamp. The instructor stopped the classes because he had other commitments, but because I miss that class so much, I decided to do my very own ‘Bootcamp’ at home. Yep, as you can tell I have no problem with this home workout thing. Sounds crazy – but that’s because I am!

The Exercise

All I need is to allocate an hour of my day. Mornings are hectic so don’t work. Evenings are not practical if I want to sit and have dinner with my family. On days where I do go to the gym, I have a light snack and we eat at different times which is not what I want every night. So the best time is when work is done and I’ve collected Eva from nursery. I put on my workout gear, set out my weights, resistance bands, mat or any other equipment I might want to use. I have a timer on my phone and what exercise I’ll be doing written down.

If it’s good weather I’m out in the garden. Bad weather (which hasn’t happened yet! Unless you count working out in this heat..) I can clear space in the kitchen.

This is where I have to focus!

I’ll warm up for five minutes then do ten minutes of various sets. So I’ll run up the garden and back (the neighbours must wonder what is going on) then on my mat I’ll do ten reps of something. It could be jump jacks, mountain climbs, squats etc. I change it. I’ll keep going and either change the exercise after a few times or I’ll add to it.

After then I’ll do a circuit. One minute of each with a thirty second rest in between. I’ll do step ups, crunches, kettle bell swings, lunges – it changes.

I like to do two or three sets. Then a cool down. Sometimes I do more, sometimes less. An hour isn’t really necessary but it’s what I enjoy.

Last week I did this three times and this week so far I’ve done it twice. On the other days I’ve done some weights. I’ll work one muscle group then work on another the next time to allow rest and recovery.

This is me actually doing my home workout – it’s real!

It isn’t rigid though. I might do ten minutes of weights followed by fifteen minutes of cardio. The timings may vary too – depending on distractions going on! This week on Wednesday I did a Body Pump class in the gym then yesterday a friend came over and we worked out together. Choose the best exercise for you.

But so far I’ve stuck to it and that is the main thing.

Now the diet!

I mentioned I’d cut back on the carbs. Some days I may end up having a ‘carby’ lunch or dinner – depending on where I am and who’s prepared it, but I’ll cut back the rest of that day. I do eat some fruit but mainly vegetables and protein – either from lean meat, Quorn, eggs or fish.

I don’t think I can be too strict on myself!

For a while I felt as though I was eating quite well but something was stopping me from losing weight. I felt sluggish and my clothes were tight. Then I cut back on dairy thinking it could be that but it’s not something I’m happy to stop completely. Mainly because I like to eat high protein plain yogurt and cheese. Plus strawberries don’t taste the same without cream! But with cutting back on carbs it means I’m eating less cake, biscuits, scones, crackers, toast. So therefore having less sugar. So my calorie intake should be lower and my metabolism should be higher after working out.

Then eating more protein is good for building and repairing muscle. Those who follow a strict low carb diet such as the Ketogenic Diet, send the body into ketosis. The body is using fat for fuel rather than glucose from carbohydrates. But personally I’m happy to do what I’m doing – which is also practical in my everyday life. And I’m not starving myself.

Actually, I don’t think I could ever starve myself

The bottom line is – eat more good quality protein more fibre and less carbohydrates. But eat whole grains, lentils, sweet potatoes and cut back on cookies and pastries. Eat lots of vegetables for fibre and enjoy some fruit. But don’t beat yourself up if you eat pizza – I love pizza so I personally would never give it up!

In the time I’ve upped my exercise and cut the carbs, I look different. I don’t feel as though I’ve lost weight but something has changed because my clothes are looser on me. My shape is changing. I feel better…

please check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Especially if you have any health issues or changes. The other thing I will add is – speak to a gym instructor or personal trainer before doing exercises to check you are using the correct techniques. Or if you need an alternative technique due to your own individual capabilities.