“Let me preface this with… I am naturally lazy and I have a short span of attention! I love doing exciting things, if someone organises them for me and tells me I’m doing them, but I’m equally happy reading a book or nerding about on the internet” Claire Atkins.
Kick starting my fitness
Quite a few years ago some friends talked me into doing the Windsor Triathlon – the sprint (shorter) version which includes a 750m swim in the River Thames, 20km bike ride and a 5km run. I started my training in plenty of time, loved the open water swimming and the bike rides – hated the running. Managed to complete the triathlon, was super buzzing from it, determined to make this a regular event in my life to keep me fit and healthy.
Then a few weeks later I got caught up in regular family and work life again, and promptly forgot all my resolutions, training and the great feeling of accomplishment I had, and dropped straight back into my normal routine of drinking cups of tea and working. The only thing I dabbled in was some open water swimming still (not particularly far or super regularly) and played some tennis.
Ian and Paula helped keep me sane in Lockdown...
My lack of regular exercise continued until Covid really. Then to avoid being cooped up we got a dog which meant compulsory walks every day. I was also working with Paula and a lovely group of other people – with a lot of online meetings which kept our morale up. Paula was totally intent that we wouldn’t all stagnate at home and booked us in twice a day for a short exercise session. This was exactly what I needed.
I don’t need an excuse to avoid exercise, getting out of breath or getting too hot, but if I have someone making me turn up, ensuring that I can’t duck out of it, plus making it fun and enjoyable, and (on quite a few occasions) laughing at my efforts (in a good way – Paula knows me well!), then I’ll do it.
So every day, twice a day, we’d have an exercise break, with a short, varied routine of different moves, designed to get us loosened up, away from our desks, making us stronger, both physically and mentally.
Ian, Paula’s husband was often instrumental in helping devise ‘bonus moves’ to these sessions if he saw that we weren’t sweating enough, and would encourage us all, mainly by making us laugh a lot too!
It was also great fun to see everyone (and their living rooms) on Zoom and have a mini catch up too and see how everyone was faring during this strange time. Paula lived in her leggings ha ha!
I pretty much owe Lockdown sanity to Paula, Ian and these other friends.
As soon as driving was back on the cards I re-started the open water swimming – going to the Thames and Jubilee rivers. It was free and outdoor and allowed, so I really made the most of that with some other friends.
Paula also started up her online Animal Flow classes. These are really fun mix of movement and strength exercises designed around animal movements. Sometimes really strenuous (although you only do what feels right for your body) and other times really working on flexibility.
There’s also a drip feed of information about why you’re doing the exercises, the benefits they are promoting, how to ensure you’re doing them properly (and not cut corners (apparently that’s something I like to do – who knew?!)), but also bits about nutrition and what other sports can be supported by Animal Flow (such as swimming and tennis).
This regular set of online exercise breaks, Animal Flow, and swimming, plus walking in the countryside with the dog over the period of Covid lockdowns, has really changed how I approach exercise, and it has actually become a habit that I enjoy (mostly).
Now everyone’s work patterns have changed, we don’t do the twice a day online sessions anymore, but I try to make myself do something myself instead everyday. Animal Flow with Paula, tennis once a week, swimming (in a pool in the winter) at least twice a week, and I’ve also said yes to running with my brother in law at the weekend while we walk the dogs.
English Channel Relay ... whaaaaat now?!!
The really big deal is that my cousin in Australia messaged me out of the blue on Facebook, so say he’d seen that I did some open water swimming, and did I fancy joining a team for an English Channel relay. There wasn’t much hesitation before I sent a resounding “Yes please, count me in!” I really felt that, thanks to Paula, I had got myself in a position where I could start training, and the confidence that I would be able to complete this challenge and be a good addition to the team.
There are lots of times when I think to myself that I really can’t be bothered, and I may not be the most enthusiastic face when I first turn up, but after 5 minutes of whatever I’m doing, I really start enjoying it, can feel both the mental and physical benefit, and by the end I have a really smug glow of endorphins and a sense of achievement. I have never not been pleased I turned up, despite still needing someone or something to show up for (I’ve learned that I really need to be accountable to someone). And I feel like I’m as fit as I’ve ever been, definitely since I’ve had children 18 years ago, and confident, and up for new challenges. Bring it on!
