Finding What's Right For You, A Fitness Post...

Via

I'm absolutely stoked to be introducing my first ever guest post to you! As you know fitness isn't my speciality. Of course I love to move, get that blood flowing, burn baby burn, but... I do slip up from time to time. Last month I set myself a work out challenge to get fit, strong, sexy & motivated. Just like that Em appeared, bubbling with energy, passion & the desire to spread healthy body image far and wide.

A GUEST POST BY EM!

“A hit of daily induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, be at peace with yourself, and offsets stress” – Lululemon

I didn’t really know where to start this post, so thought it was best to kick it off with a quote that basically summarises my story.Health is one of those words that can mean a wide range of things, today let’s just focus on the physical aspect – fitness.

With so many messages out there and what seems like a new fitness fad coming out every week, an activity that should be simple can be turned quite quickly into one that may consume your mind with questions – Where do I start?  How much do I need to do?  Can I really look like her? Can I do this? Let me take you through these questions, reflecting on my experience.

Where do I start?

Think of what motivates you, what you love the most and whether any activities your friends, colleagues or partner do interest you.  Try and find at least one activity that gets your heart pumping and another that you find a little more relaxing (if your activities do both, then this is a bonus).  These activities could involve a walk or ride down to the shops, going to a dance class, joining a sports team, gardening, yoga… the possibilities are endless. 

For me, the turning point was when I got my first full time job.   I’ve always been more of a morning person and from my previous exercise experience, running and pilates were the two activities that interested me the most.  So I bought a pilates DVD so I could do this at home and started doing regular runs (aiming for at least 30 minutes each).  Note: My runs started out as a jog and progressed into runs as my fitness progressed.

How much do I need to do?

Coming from a health degree background, I knew that the ideal was ‘30 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity at least 3 times a week’.  So I started out with three runs and two pilates sessions a week (alternating between the two).  Weekends were (and still remain) my rest days.  By no way am I saying you should follow my lead, but use the items you selected above to help you work out your initial plan.  When opportunities arose I also mixed my fitness routine up and tried other activities, like boot camp and various group fitness classes.  I definitely encourage you to do the same, you may find another activity you love doing… I did.

Can I really look like her?

In short, No.  This has taken me a long time to realise and something I need to regularly remind myself.  In our current society we are continually surrounded by a certain body stereotype, which makes it hard not to compare ourselves, but you need to stop. Now.  No one is the same and this diversity is what makes us so beautiful.  It’s not about who you look like, because there’s only one you.  It’s about being the best you can be and feeling fantastic, these two things should drive your fitness choices and routine.

Can I do this? 

Yes, you can.  Here’s my story, in short - 

Growing up, I was by no means sporty… in fact I was usually last to be picked on school teams.  However, my parents (especially my father) encouraged me to pursue the various activities I took interest in over my high school years – soccer, basketball, running and surfing.
  

Seven months after starting my first full time job and getting into a fitness routine that I felt gave me balance and helped me kick start the day, I slipped on my apartment steps (taking the last empty box down after moving in) and fractured my ankle in three places.  Not the way I imagined I would meet my neighbours.  I was told in emergency that night that I wouldn’t be able to run again.  Big mistake.  Don’t tell me I can’t do something, I’m too stubborn, or what I like to call ‘determined’.   Plates and screws were placed in my ankle and after three months on crutches and backed by a lot of support from my amazing partner, family, friends and physio, I taught myself to walk again… and a couple of months later I started to get back into running.  

I needed a goal, I couldn’t just run because someone told me I couldn’t.  So I enrolled in a 4km, then 10km fun run.  I got my plates and screws taken out a year after my fracture and after getting rid of the beloved crutches a week after this surgery and a little more strength building I enrolled in a 14.2km run with my friends and used it as training for the half marathon later in the year.  

I like to be aware of my surroundings, so I don’t listen to music while I run.  This made training for the half marathon mentally challenging, to say the least.  I’m a consistent runner and nailed 10km in 50 minutes … but for the half marathon I knew I would take longer, so my goal was to complete it within 2 hours. 

The big day came and before I knew it I was running in the half marathon... half way and I was feeling good, three quarters of the way, not so much… My left foot was killing me, but I thought it was just a blister.   The last km was the hardest I had ever run in my life… I crossed the finish line at 2 hours and 50 seconds, I was shattered, 51 seconds over my goal.  A couple of days later I found out I fractured my foot in a couple of places and before I knew it was back on crutches for another couple of months.

Lesson learned, I’m not meant to run long distances, so what would my next goal be?  It was at this point that I decided to become a group fitness instructor.  Not only was this something I thought I could do throughout all stages of my life, but it would keep me fit, accountable and help me inspire others to achieve their goals. 

I’ve been teaching for just over 2 years now (in-between my full time job) and I love it.  I love seeing people continually achieve their goals and their smiling faces and commitment help me achieve mine.  I still do pilates once to twice a week and also do a short run once a week (providing it’s not raining or below five degrees) with my husband.  I’ve also been doing one PT session a week to build my upper body and core strength (I hate weights and wouldn’t do it by myself, so having a PT who knows what will work for my body is the ideal). This may all sound like a lot of exercise, but it’s right for me at this point in my life.

For me, exercise has become more than just fitness, it’s my outlet and a bit of a hobby.  It keeps me sane and helps me put things in perspective, I feel energised and ready to tackle whatever is ahead of me.  

Before I finish, I just want to let you know I am that by no means ripped or skin and bones.  I am a short curvy but healthy woman.  As mentioned at the start of my story, fitness it just one aspect of health and when we look at physical health, nutrition (what you eat) also plays another really important role.

To finish, I just want to leave you with these key fitness points:

♥Find what’s right for you,  make sure you enjoy it and it makes you feel good

♥Don’t be afraid to try new things – I can guarantee you, you will never be the first or last ‘new’ person, so don’t be scared

♥Keep balance, this is key.  Don’t overdo it or let it consume you.  It’s ok if you miss one or more of your exercise sessions 
♥Set yourself achievable goals both short and long term, reward yourself (not just with chocolate) once you achieve them

♥Remember, you are gorgeous

♥Have fun J

So where to from here?  Em will be bringing fitness and health stories to you once a month, if there’s a topic or query you’d like to discuss, let us know!

Emx

Em specialises in Marketing Communications, is a qualified Group Fitness Instructor, has a soft spot for fashion and is passionate about equality and healthy living, particularly healthy body image.  Her motto: Be the change you want to see in the world.  Connect with Em on Twitter here