The unseen benefits to exercise

One of the hardest things about building a new health and fitness regime is getting started. It seems that there are so many things to think about – what form of exercise should you do? What equipment do you need? Which gym is best? Do you have the appropriate footwear? Who’s going to look after the baby? What if you can’t do it? 

Getting over the hurdles your mind willingly lays out in front of you in a bid to convince you that starting can wait until next week is tough. But my advice is this: don’t worry about all of the intricacies, just do something! Once you find what works for you - be it running, dance classes, swimming or weights - then you can invest in the right kit and make a proper plan about how your new hobby will fit into your life*

As the weather picks up for spring, you may find that your motivation is picking up too! But just in case you need an extra boost to get going, bear in mind these valuable and unseen, but often forgotten-about benefits to moving your body…

Headspace

Working out really does allow you to clear your mind. With how much we try to cram into our everyday it can be hard to find 5 minutes to stop and think – this is especially true if you’re a mum to young children! However carving out time to move your body gives you space to think solely about the present moment. 

Whether you head out the door for a solitary jog, join a class or recruit a trainer, during each session your focus is on the task at hand and you are your priority. Those thoughts about what you need to pick up from the shop, who you’ve got to ferry around at the weekend and who’s turn it is to cook dinner can be forgotten, at least for a short while. 

Better yet, the opportunity to step away and clear your mind often means you can approach things with a fresh perspective.. Perhaps after a gentle jog you’ll find the answer to the question you’ve been pondering all day…

Confidence

Often, starting a new fitness class, stepping into the gym or even heading out for a run in your local area means you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. It’s totally normal to be nervous, even if it’s not such a new thing but something you’re coming back to after taking time away. The important thing to remember is that ‘YES! I did it!’ moment once its over, and hopefully the ‘I can’t wait to do it again’ thought that comes immediately after. 

Achieving something that you were apprehensive about doing, or that you were putting off for time, rightfully makes you feel accomplished so you have every right to feel good about yourself and do feel free to tell anyone and everyone around you!

Pride

Think for a moment about how proud you are each and every time your little one achieves something. Now allow yourself to feel that sense of pride about your own achievement. Feel proud that you took that first step, and every step after that and then, once you begin to see and feel the results of your hard work, continue to feel proud because you’ve done something amazing and you’ve done it for you! 

Strength

Gaining physical strength is usually something you don’t realise until a sudden action demonstrates how far you’ve come. Maybe you’ve just lifted your little one off of the floor without straining, or you’ve pushed the pram up that particularly steep hill without the old thigh burn you’d come accustomed to feeling. Each time you notice these changes, smile and know that your hard work and continued efforts are paying off. 

Friendships

Exercise has the power to bring people together. No matter what form you choose you can always find new friends and welcoming communities.

If you join a class there are all of the other members to bond with - know that you have a common interest as you’re both there and maybe you’re working towards the same goal, or maybe you both have a shared hate for burpees! Alternatively, online communities can be incredible! Share your experiences online (hello sweaty selfies!), add a couple of relevant #hashtags and you’ll soon attract like-minded people with whom you can share tips, tricks, ideas and motivational quotes with! 

An endorphin kick

The natural high you get from exercise is amazing – there are no two-ways about it. Forget the wine or biscuits, or any other way you got your kicks before, there’s no beating the euphoria of having completed a sweaty workout. There are no negatives either…other than that you may be a little tender and sore the next day but we all secretly love that feeling, right?!

When you’re in the worst of moods and exercise is the last thing you want to do, it’s almost guaranteed that if you just get it done you’ll feel fab by the time you’re finished and walking back through the door. 

So what are you waiting for? The benefits outweigh any niggling doubts and I promise you, once you make a start I’m confident you’ll wonder what all of the fuss was about!

*Obviously please do make sure you have appropriate childcare sorted before heading out the door!!