A show of hands then… who has been watching the Olympics and feeling inspired? Inspired to get off the couch? I have been. One of the things about exercise that I love is the feeling of strength. I can’t say I’ve ever been athlete standard of fitness of course, but at my best and certainly since taking up BMF (British Military Fitness), my fitness and strength has rocketed. I started BMF in January, just like many others, full of new years resolutions. I went ski-ing in February and noticed a vast difference in fitness, my legs held out so much longer, I could ski harder and faster for longer without feeling the burn. By the time I went on holiday in May I was positively antsy because I missed the exercise. Trust me when I say that has never happened before. Then came the rain.
I kept going in April, then the weather changed, the rain came and every single opportunity I had (my usual sessions for BMF are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday,) it was literally tipping down. At first it was easy to put off, I was about to go on holiday and gave myself time to prepare the blog and pack. I came back to more foul weather and through much of June the rain continued, day after day, night after night. Come July, I attended the odd session, whenever I could between work, Florence Finds and the weather. My fitness went through the floor. I never thought that returning to exercise would be so hard but when I started, I had nothing to miss. Going back after the best part of six weeks away and I was astounded at how much slower I was, how much harder every sprint was. The worst thing was that I started to hate it. The fitter I am, the harder I try. I spurs me on, I feel like I can take on anything. Instead, I left every session exhausted, I let the rain deter me.
Last week was a turning point. For the first time in months I’ve been to a full three sessions. For the first time I’ve felt my feet wanting to fly, I’ve enjoyed pushing myself. On tuesday it was warm but drizzling and I loved every second despite the rain because I started to feel the benefits again.
So what is the point of this waffle? Well, I thought I’d open the discussion up to hear about how you have been exercising through the poor weather this summer? Pre-BMF, normally come summer I’d be out running a couple of times a week if not more. The pull of BMF is always stronger and I know I would have exercised even less if I hadn’t had that and Pete dragging me there to motivate me. Have you been like me and totally skipped out on exercise or have you managed to stay motived? Have you tried BMF since hearing me talk about it? I’d love to hear your thoughts… Love, Rebecca xo
Hot yoga has been a godsend in the rain – because it’s indoors, and dry. However, as much as I try to kid myself that it’s a well-rounded exercise (because the heat makes it so cardiovascular), I know nothing beats proper running and propelling yourself forward. When it’s raining it’s really hard to do, but I love the smell of rain and running by myself – the key is to get the right kit that keeps you dry. I have my BMF days to thank for that – I invested in proper, waterproof sports gear and if you know your body will mostly stay dry, it makes running in the rain so much easier!
Good for you Rebecca – that feeling when you realise your body is over the worst and getting pwoerful again is just the best feeling x
I always struggle to motivate myself, rain or shine! But like you, I love the feeling of getting stronger and particularly love to see my arms getting toned.
I had been putting all exercise off for a while but last week I started Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 DVD. I had used the 30 Day Shred one in the lead up to the wedding and loved it. It only takes about 25 mins and you can do it at home so there are no excuses really (of course I still find some sometimes!).
It is a great workout, mixing strength and cardio, and there are different levels to progress to which help to keep me motivated…I would definitely recommend it for those rainy days!
I’ve still been going to the gym regularly, but I’ve hit a bit of a stumbling block.
I took up running – which was really working for me… hard, but working. Then I got shin splints. I’ve tried resting, new trainers, going slower/for less distance but each time I go back to running the shin splints return.
Does anyone have any ideas?! I was only doing about 5k a time, but at the moment, I can barely do 1k without the pain coming back…
xoxo
P.S I can totally second K’s recommendation of the 30 Day Shred – good for those days when you just can’t be bothered to leave the house and exercise!
Katie the same thing happened when I was training for my half marathon and it was devastating. Don’t try to run on them, you’ll only make it worse. You have to stop running until they heal. In terms of replacement cardio exercise, do fast uphill walking, set the treadmill to an incline and the speed at about 6.5k an hour (so as fast as you can walk without running). It’s not QUITE as knackering as running but it’s a good substitute until your legs get better. x
Thanks so much Anna, I’ll give this a go! x
I second Anna – don’t run! Avoid all high impact exercise. I used to get shin splints so badly I couldn’t actually walk. I swam til they completely healed, and then went back in really really slowly increasing pace and distance until I was back up to where I started. Frustrating, but the only way to do it!
Px
I’ve definitely been slacking on the exercise this year. I usually go to different classes at the gym 3-4 times a week and a run at weekends but then I got pregnant and was a bit too neurotic for my normal strenuous spin classes but didn’t really find a replacement. I’m into second trimester now so I’m feeling better and going to start swimming, I always love it when I’m in the pool but I hate washing my hair afterwards (which is a very lame excuse!). I definitely need to be in the habit where it becomes autopilot, once I stop going it becomes harder to go back for sure.
I really got into Zumba this year and went every week. It was great! And then I had a work thing and then something else and then it was wet… And I missed 6 weeks. I just got back into it and the classes stopped for the summer! I’m determined to find another class, though because I’ve realised I love the regularity of it. Plus you always feel great after Zumba!
Yoga twice a week, boot camp once a week and min. 10,000 steps walking daily plus hours and hours of heavy gardening.
Interesting! I do ultimate fitness which is pretty much the same as BMF but more flexible, no fixed contract etc. I only went along because a couple of friends dragged me but now I love it! It’s great realising that your body is capable of doing things you didn’t think it was, and the camaraderie is great.
Oh and I second everyone mentioning the shred/other Jillian Michels stuff – its a great workout too and you don’t have to leave the house
Now if someone could point me in the direction of where to buy some proper waterproof gear?
Rebecca, you may have a post for this planned…but if you do, I have some good tips! x
Actually no! I keep meaning to invest but powered through the ice etc from Jan onwards and have resigned myself to getting wet (or not gone at all as per this post) in the rain!
I will be buying some more gear come autumn though as I feel it’ll be a bit of a shock as the temperature dips!
All suggestions welcome Anna!
I remember reading about your military fitness classes and feeling so inspired! But I was in the final throes of my PhD and rarely left my desk, so the thought of making it outside to exercise was too much. I came out the other side feeling not just unfit but seriously weak. Just walking to the train station was enough to get me puffed and a bit shaky. I tried a bit of Zumba and it was fun to be dancing around, shaking away the blues and grinning like a cheshire cat. But I felt I needed something to make me feel stronger. Thankfully a Groupon offer popped up about 6 weeks ago and, after roping a few friends in, military fitness was on! It is seriously the best thing I’ve ever done andIt does feel like a bonkers PE lesson at times (and oh how I’d have hated it at school!), but it motivates me like nothing else, even when raining! I’ve never worked so hard or felt so drenched as I did a fortnight ago, but to feel exhilarated by it all has been the real surprise.
Huge thanks for planting the idea in my head in the first place and I hope you continue to feel the benefits as well
x
I have a stack of Davina and Jillian Micheals DVDs and I work my way through those 3-5 times a week. Some are 25-30 min sessions (30 day shred, ripped in 30, Davina’s 3 30 minute workouts) while some are a bit longer (Jillian’s leg one and problem areas – can’t remember the names – and Davina’s latest one if I add on some of the extra bits to one of the main workouts) but they all work your whole body super hard. Some people I’ve mentioned them to have said that a 20 minute workout isn’t enough to show any results……until they tried one of them! I keep setting myself little targets to keep myself motivated (e.g. I get to open the bottle of bubbly that’s in our fridge when I’ve done 25 workouts) and I alternate the dvds to stop be getting too bored. After a couple of months of doing these I can really see results (and have gained half of my wardrobe back as I can now fit comfortably into my clothes again) and I can actually get through them without pressing pause every few minutes to catch my breath! I have found that watching the Olympics has spurred me on a bit too. Jessica Ennis went to my school and she’s a real inspiration
Keep up the good work. Strong is the new skinny
xx
I read through an old post on here not long ago about running and invested in the books people mentioned to get started “Run fat bitch run” and also “running made easy”. They have been great in getting me motivated.
I joined a gym a few years ago and at first with the help of a trainer lost lots of weight and really changed shape for the wedding. But then post wedding slacked off, didn’t put weight on but definately changed back to being flabby and the weight stopped coming off completely. I clearly needed exercise in my life.
So me and my husband read the books and started running, we didn’t really follow it exactly as we could already run about a mile but steady. I am so not a speed runner, can do a 12 minute mile now but initially 14!
So we started running about 8 weeks ago and are now able to run four miles four times a week. We have slowly built it up from doing just one mile.
I can really tell a difference already and it makes me feel so good afterwards, it also helps me to make better decisions with food too.
I never thought I could run, I just didn’t think it was for me. I can’t say I love it while I am running, I don’t, but the buzz afterwards and the rewards physically are amazing. And seems to really help with my IBS too incidentally.
I have however had trouble with bad blisters on the sides of my inner foot. I am very lucky that my husband is a musculoskeletal specialist (physio) and helps with really good stretches and deep tissue massage for the aches and pains it brings. However he has looked at my feet and said there aren’t blisters but like corns, and that perhaps my trainers are not wide enough. I have just bought some aesics (is that the spelling?) ones today which feel much comfier and a size bigger so will see if that helps but if anyone knows this problem and what works would love to hear. I literally can barely walk after four miles simply due to the pain in the skin on the side of my feet.
I have also just purchased my first pair of proper lycra bottoms and vest to so I will be much more comfy than in my thick woolly ones. I would also love to hear about rain proof running attire too for winter! I much prefer running outdoors but at the minute our only trail is trans-pennine which means in the rain it is impassable. I am a bit afraid of road running, not just because it is not as good for your joints but mainly finding a route.
Sorry for the mega long reply!! Love hearing about this now I am into running!! I do perhaps need to also combine some gym work too for my arms etc ..
xx
I used to suffer really badly from blisters on the arches of my feet. Are your trainers new? Mine were very old so a replacement helped but the thing that changed my world was proper running socks, ones that have padding in the foot arches. x
My sister started running seriously last year and is doing her first half marathon this year. She swears by proper running socks to stop blisters. I am still trying to get into an exercise routine this year, the rain has been a complete pain!
Well I changed trainers and got a size up, I already wear running socks, and my feet felt fab!!
And get this…our mile time went to ten mins! All with new footwear and the right clothing!
I was ecstatic!!
x
The arrival of the summer hols has signalled a break in my regular Zumba and Body Conditioning classes so I too have taken up Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. So far I love it and am beginning to see/feel a difference. I’ve made a conscious effort to do it first thing each weekday morning and am hoping that I’ll carry on with it a few evenings a week when the summer hols are over. I spotted another Jillian Michael’s DVD with a focus on abs so might give that one a try next!