Don't Rush Your Workout

I have been walking this week. I completed over 30,000 steps and I was walking at a steady pace but at a pace that I wasn't far away from my son who wanted to do the walk and I find if I take my time I get more out of it. 

I used to rush my workouts, but I like to feel every movement now. I did a bit of exercise tonight whilst my son had his bath. I did leg raises, squats and sometimes in bed I will do some leg raises, just taking in one movement at a time and it is a lot more enjoyable and since doing so, felt that I am a lot more flexible in my body, which helps with my walking.

It doesn't need be rushed through when you workout and resistant training like weights can really be good, whilst watching TV or playing music and using your own body weight. 

Swimming is good, that is where my son and I did this week and really helps to wake me up and take my time. I am not a fast swimmer and we have so much fun swimming together.

I am thinking of going back to Park Run since walking with my son and my walking has improved my and now would like to run part of it. What put me off was some of the runners going because I felt they slowed me down being a walker but I think its not their fault, as such but should split for runners and walkers or those that want to jog it which is my plan until I am ready to go faster.

It is what is good for your body. If you want to do high intensity then that is fine, I do a mixture but its getting the right signals that helps you enjoy it, to keep going and not too much so you dread it. 

Military fitness was very high intensity but too much for me.

Not saying it was bad. It may be suitable to others, but wasn't for me but felt good in giving it a try. Try out different workouts. I like doing my own workout but started to want to join a gym again. 

I miss doing the different weights and machines. It depends on affordability and how many times a week, if I do join again, will go. 

I'm thinking do swimming for definite once I know Henry has a school. We are still waiting as he is now due to go to Secondary School and wanting to book him swimming lessons again. 

Working out should be fun and therapeutic. If you not getting results or feeling defeated then it is good to take a step back, see what areas you need to build on and then go back. I have often done that and it is good to try different ways to keep fit. Listen to your body, gut and mind and what is good for you body and your mental health.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X  

If you don't feel like running

I like getting fit and being active because it gives me a good amount of energy. As a mum it can be non stop, because if your child is like mine, has tones of energy. So it is important to me to be active and look after myself, but you don't need to run, there are many different forms of fitness workouts out there. 

For me I find walking is better for me than running because I can do it wearing a dress, jeans and different comfortable shoes; I may eventually get back to running but not gonna rush it now and focus on strengthening my legs. I have put Parkrun a side for a bit, because I like watching my son do his football training and was feeling very self conscious and like walking through commons and parks, but in my own pace and not feeling pressurised. 

Many gyms offer classes but you can also search on YouTube and then there are workout DVD's one of the methods I used to get me started, aswell as going to the gym. 

I began to get serious about it and even kept up being active when pregnant but had to stop running because it caused me to be sick, so I did workouts suitable for pregnancy. Check out this video I have done for my Life Coaching programme, Summer Project 2025: Summer Project 2025: First video Habits I have applied in 2025

It is good to be active and I build up my steps doing weekly errands, like if I need to pick up something from a shop, such as food or toiletries and walking from the train stations to my home, picking my son up from school, when he does his afterschool club or taking my son out on his bike or scooter. 

I work it around my lifestyle and walking up and down stairs. Walking along the river to the shops and trying difference routes to where I live and just letting my legs stride and enjoy what is around me. 

You'd be surprised how many people train outside. Doing a class or with a personal trainer.

I'd like to workout in my garden so will consider this once the shed is sorted out as then I want to do this up to be my shed for crafting and clean table as I can write out there too. Where I live with my mum and step dad we use the playground and we play football and rugby.

Or indoors cricket and tennis. I do plan to book a tennis court in one of the parks local to play tennis and great way to be active and building your fitness. 

So if you don't want to run, then don't, so what suits you.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Staying Act All Year Round

I love being active. My love is walking and try to do a bit each day. Yes there are challenges and obstacles but I now always find a way to move my body and I have development some new training. It is mixed with Pilates and Yoga and doing dumbells and not rush but listening and getting Intune with my body.

Wimbledon Common on the places I do Parkrun

I don't do it everyday because I know it will become a chore, but twice a week and stretching is a must for after walking a lot and stops my legs and arms getting stiff. I do Parkrun and it is good but I have had an issue with getting a very dry mouth and throat, so doing all I can to prevent that and perhaps an orange for breakfast to help with hydration. 

It can also be how you feel seasonally. I find that I have more energy come Spring and Summer time, but many like the Autumn and Winter and like the crispy coldness and are able to, adjust well with the time changes and the darker mornings and evenings. I find I do get a bit of SAD. I do still stay active by going out during the warmer time of the day and indoors. 

I like walking through the local common during winter all wrapped up and having a nice large coffee and change my meals because in Autumn and Winter, affects my appetite. I find I eat more during the Autumn and Winter. This is not just because of Christmas but because I just tend to be a lot more hungrier, but still try to eat healthily like making Casseroles, soups and stews. 

In the Spring and Summer I try not to stay in the heat for too long and I do suffer also with Hayfever. So far it hasn't been too bad but this year I have been sick. I had a nasty cough and was bunged up and so illnesses can stop me in my tracks and affect me in being active. 

If you are ill then and you exercise it can be counterproductive and so it is good to rest the body until it is back to normal or it the illness is fading away. 

My son has a lot energy all year round and so no matter what the season likes playing some sort of sport, mainly football and rugby. In the summer we often go swimming in one of the local leisure centers near us and indoors too. 

At the end of the day. you've got to suit it to you and what will benefit for your body, along with your mind and on the season, if you find some of the year you just find it a fight rather than something that is natural to you. Some people can easily get active no matter what time of year it is and others you find example I take a break during winter until it becomes warmer.

Just to let you let you know I am going to be doing Race For Life near the Epsom Downs on the 22nd Of June. I am raising money for Cancer Research and so if you'd like to donate towards this cause then please check out my JustGiving page: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/carries-sponsorship-for-race-for-life

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

  

Let Your Legs do the talking

Normally on a Wednesday I usually walk to my sons school but his dad finished early so he drove and to pick him up instead. So to walk I used the treadmill and just let me feet walk. When walking I don't think about it and don't wear ear phones because of crossing roads but I do when I am on the treadmill. I will often listen to a podcast, a video on Youtube or listen to music and just adjust the speed as I walk and hide the time and say I only do 10 minutes but ended up doing 20. 

Steps count from last Saturday doing Parkrun. 

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/

When it comes to working out with my dumbells I slowly lift and again vision what I am going to do but pick my weights and start and not rush and but take each movement in, listening to my body. I like being active and walk everyday. So going to do another walk on the treadmill to prepare for when I do Parkrun Thursday and Friday.

I do this now on Saturday mornings. It is challenging but I really enjoy it. 

I look forward to it when weather gets warmer. It is good because last week I chatted to one of the Volunteer workers who helps guide us as we do the parkrun and you can run, but to build up the strength in my legs to eventually run I am going to walk it and enjoy it. 

I like to have a coffee as a walk and just enjoy what is around me. I try to walk 6,000 steps a day when I walk outside and there are some really good apps you can use for counting your steps. I use the APP that was already on my phone called Fitness and it measures it by rings and you can set targets. I set it to work off 110 calories a day and the other is StepsApp and that is the one I use to set 6,000 steps for the day and then gives you an overall count at the end of each week. 

There are walking workouts you can do. I have a few workout DVD's that I bought a long time ago that are really good. I just need to buy a new DVD player to use them, but there are some on Youtube too. 

So just allow your feet to do the work and go at your own pace. Make each step count and remember to do some stretching and cool down.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Working out in the Autumn and Winter

Yes it has turned cold now since for a while it has been mild and its like someone has pressed a switch. 

If it is possible workout later than usual or if you go out early morning when it is dark and icy or late at night you are wear visual clothing and wrap up still. 

Ashtead one place I love walking and route I take each week

Invest in good footwear if it is icy and you can get blades for trainers if you do running and I have hiking boots and a good pair of everyday training and have a different pair for walking on the treadmill. 

Use Youtube as there are a lot of workouts on there and it is free. 

I invest in good woolly clothes like jumpers, fleeced leggins and tights and thick socks. Check out hiking shops and charity shops as they have pairs and a good investment and I have invested in a pair of wellington boots. 

Investing good comfortable clothing doesn't mean blowing your budget, but on what will suit you and if they suit your needs and how much you want to get out of them. Check out my blog site: https://www.carriesversatilefashion.com  I go to Charity shops, hiking shops and Amazon. There was a time where I would use Sports Direct but they seemed to quite expensive and not much choice. 

Make sure you eat and drink, as when I went out in the morning would struggle to run and need food so would eat, like toast, porridge or cereal bar. Check sugar content. I found it hard to do any workout on an empty stomach and feeling thirsty, so would have a small cup of tea or some water, but not too much to avoid a stitch. 

I would try not to drink too much because being cold it always makes me needing the toilet more which would affect me running or walking so make sure I went to the toilet and can encourage you so if you are doing long distant, find out if there toilets anywhere and pre-planning can help and make you take your belongings like keys, phone and a bit of money. 

Yesterday when I did my walk to pick up my son from school as he has a after school club was cold but helped boost me on and it had warmed up, but by the time we were picked up to go back was cold again and that first strides battling with my walk and sit down, but carried on and the cold often be a good boost to warm your body up and so that inner critic still voices but have learned from continuing to walk or run, to ignore and push on. 

Keep yourself safe and lets encourage each other and still workout when it is cold and make sure you stay, if you can in a lit up area.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X  

Exercise on the go if you struggle with fitting into your plans

 Yes so if you think you have no time to exercise then guess what, I bet you do. I exercise a lot on the go, like doing running on the spot whilst waiting for the kettle to boil and when I am watching to see when my son comes back home from school, raise my heals so I am standing on tippy toes and help tone the back of my legs. 

I will when cooking do leg raises and doing housework, do some lungs or squats and I used to when my son was first born whilst I was waiting for his milk to cool down, in the morning, pick up my dumbells and do some training toning the arms. 

Dancing whilst doing the vacuuming with your headphones on and walking the dog. I often see parents when waiting for my sons taxi to arrive see parents taking their dogs and cycling and when my son has a after school club I will walk to his school. It takes an hour and a half but nice walk, and when I worked for at weekends for a company in Chessington I would walk there and back. 

This morning as I continue to write this blog did a ten min walk on the treadmill as I had time to kill, with my son dressed and ready for school and walking up and down the stairs and my next door neighbour walks around the block every morning as she works from home, and I have to move as I find I get more tired from sitting down for too long. 

Looking around the shops and walking with a coffee from a store or made from home, and through a local park. When I want to go to the shops in Colliers Wood, in London will walk via Wandle River and back. One of my sons favourite things to do and places to walk. It is good to be with nature and tomorrow going to do some writing in a coffee shop but also walk around the Garden Centre in Morden Hall. 

You can also do a workout seated. I use it to stretch and expand my muscles and love doing a floor workout and will be something I'd invest in is an exercise mat. I love mine and working on my muscles lying down, and do a mixture of yoga and Pilates. 

So you can still exercise without having to replan your plans to exercise, not changing your schedule but on the go.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Find your own time to workout

The idea of this blog came about when watching a Influencer called Victoria on Youtube and whilst watching I went on the treadmill and is Tuesday afternoon. I like morning walks outdoors too, but I also like using the treadmill, but once I have had lunch and finished on the computer for the day. 

For my own experience, it is what works for you that makes your life easy and doesn't have to be a hard struggle in fitting exercise into your life.

I used to do a Sunday run after I'd been out in the morning having a coffee and something that I enjoyed and is something I would love to do again, but need to focus on my walking and build the strength in my legs again by walking so I can eventually get back into running.

I enjoy building my steps and do a Sunday morning walk by a local river and just being with nature feels so therapeutic, and not sure if we can do this now, because my son has joined a rugby club which I am happy about, so going to fit it in to do on a Saturday morning or afternoon when my son finishes his swimming lesson. 

Some like to go for an evening exercise class or run, and I have done that too.

Because of lifestyle changes I now take on what I call the "Flexibility mode" so schedule it so me and my son can exercise together, do my indoor workouts in the week in Epsom as I have more space and it takes the pressure away and doesn't become a chore. 

Going shopping can help with walking and why I spread my errands like shopping each week like buying food to walk and get outdoors. Your time is your own. 

I even when my son was a baby and would waiting for the kettle to make my sons milk, I would do a workout with some dumbells and now we play sports, to exercise and going to be going swimming again to get fit and really looking forward to it and then going to see if can workout in the gym on Friday. 

I know a lot of people like working out in the morning, and I have nothing against that, my husband does his in the mornings, and I used to, but now I workout once I have woken up and concentrate on one thing at a time, and once I have a free moment will do a workout or like I say do some exercise with my son, and love that routine.

Its all about getting fit and getting active and enjoying it.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Getting fit for 2024

So Christmas day tomorrow and then it is another year over, and so it is time to set our goals.

I set my goals into three categories, Home, Work and Play, and was putting my fitness in Play but going to go into Home. Getting fit for the first time, is to start slow and then work your way up. Or if you already exercise, then it is progressing to the next level, which tests the body but not to over do it. 

Then it is choosing your workouts and location. I miss going to the gym, and so have a local pay as I go gyms, and so going to do once a week go, as the gym also has a swimming pool, and so will be taking Henry there too,  I will still be working out at home and walking, to continue to build my steps and then eventually return to running.

This year I did too much too early, instead of spreading it out, and caused me to stall, and the top of my right leg hurt and felt sprained, and so going to walk and build up my fitness, and just progress, by listening to my body.

Be realistic when it comes to your goals. What results do you want to see? And what results do you want?

It is important to be specific, so I want to exercise because I want to lose a stone, and so will workout every morning, before my kids wake up. I enjoy short workouts, and in the afternoon lunch and using my husbands treadmill, and walking around the local park, and love my Sunday morning walks with my son. I love walking by the river. So your goal could be, to jog along the river between Putney to Hammersmith bridge. Just an example, and I have done this and makes me feel a peace when walking or running along the river. 

Tomorrow, on Christmas day, I will be going for walk, and I like to do this each year, and so set this as a goal, to start my fitness journey on Christmas day and work up an appetite, and many people workout to prepare for Christmas, as we tend to eat a lot.

Go through them as you go through the year, and journal or log it in a notepad of your progression and building your fitness. Go through the year to plan your fitness, and mark of days where you won't be able to workout. Such as a family event or your travelling, and like me, a parent, school events going on, that it will be hard to fit in some exercise.

I create a Pinterest board each year: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/sports-and-fitness-coaching/

So, lets work together and if you'd like to share on setting fitness goals, you can leave a comment below.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Exercising in your slippers

So this week I had some bad luck, and on Thursday stayed in drafting blogs, including this one and and watching Adele in concert, on YouTube and even though I didn't feel like it, got up before my son returned from school, and did some. 

It really helps me wake up, as I can get after lunch fatigued, and I enjoy going for a walk in the morning when we don't have stormy weather, and do an afternoon workout, indoors.

I had no fitness gear on, I had a t-shirt, hoody, leggings, woolly socks and a pair of white slippers I forgot I had doing a declutter and if you wanted to know what exercise I did, did Bicep curls, Triceps, lap downs, leg raises, side crunches and squats. 

Its just getting up and doing something, no matter how long. For me it is just toning, taking my time with each exercise and boosting my energy. 

So, get your slippers on and lets workout together. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie x 

Love building my steps and short workouts

It has been so nice to go out building my steps and doing short workouts because it has taken the pressure off and I know I will do it and puts me a good mood and good amount of energy, and I am lucky in that, in Epsom where I am in the week, has a treadmill if like today, it is cold outside, and gonna increase my workout and do 15minutes. I will be still be walking outside but wasn't prepared enough to walk outside so going to make sure I am tomorrow. 

One of the places I love to walk in London the River Wandle 

Since starting this blog I did do my 15 minutes and at first I thought no, but once I was in a good stride carried on and next I want to get back into running again once my walking speed improves and gradually build up to run again. 

Exercise for me is good for the soul and when it comes to short workouts it really has helped me in making sure I do a mixture of do floor workouts and then with weights, and feel each movement rather then rush. 

When waiting for my son to come home from school and keep my eye out to wait for his taxi, I will do some leg exercises and I like doing leg raises, side crunches, circle my arms and with dumbells work on my biceps, triceps and pull downs and I gradually go into each movement and again take my time to really feel each move and do between 6, 12 and 24 reputations of each.

When I first started exercise on a regular basis, it would be "Lets get it over and done with" but I found doing a bit through the day can help, and would do this a lot to help me take my time. I would use Workout DVDS, but don't have a DVD player so not able to use them now, but learning from this I do a really lovely short workout and feels so good and helps keep my momentum going. 

I watched this video to day by Steph Pase talking about how she got into exercise and says not to make it complicated, but as simple as possible, check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psXqsEOZ--E

I know a lot of people workout in continuously each morning but for me I have to change it up, and so when walking outdoors I like to do this in the mornings, when walking on the treadmill and doing my short workouts I like to do this in the afternoon after I have had some lunch. 

It what works for you, and one thing that Steph Pase said was, if you don't like doing running or cardio, then don'[t do it. Its your body and everyone has their on preference, so never feel because others like to workout in the mornings, doesn't mean you have to do the same, just do it when it suits you and work into your life and do a bit each day, still counts.

So lets work together and its about enjoyment and when it becomes like a chore it can be hard to stick to staying fit. 

If you like reading, I have book out called Mum&Me it is comedy and when I would go to the gym, would see people on bikes reading, and you can do just that.Here is the link to it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mum-Me-Gucci-Tits-Virtue-ebook/dp/B0BGSS7H9K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LZILECROBKFM&keywords=mum+%26+me+carrie+holmes&qid=1697478967&sprefix=mum%26me+carrie+holmes%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Where I am at with my fitness

Sorry it has been a while since writing this blog site. I have been super active and been focusing on spending time with my son and doing my Life coaching programme check this blog I created; https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com 

Image of Youtube video linked below. We were walking through Morden Hall Park in London

I started running again, but had a few injuries so stopped, but been walking a lot more, along with some home workouts to gain strength in my legs as I think with running it caused a bit of a strain and then had injury on one side near by ribs and so had to take it easy. 

However I have been enjoying my walks and building my steps with home workouts. 

Enjoyment is important, because if not, you won't get the benefits from it and are likely to give up.

I like to do short workouts to work my legs and I will use my dumbbells again, but because of side hurting, and think I strained my side using to heavy weights, been a bit dubious in using them again, so going to pick this up next week. 

It has been super hot and it has been hard to walk far when it is boiling hot, but I do feel so good once I have done a walk and need to invest in thin size rucksack as would be easier to walk far, rather than my tote bag, so going to find one and also want to have more nice fitness clothing to wear for my walking. 

Investing in good comfortable clothing for walking is important as want to avoid chaffing and blisters. 

My son and I go for morning walks where we stay in Wimbledon, at the weekends, and walk along the River Wandle or through our local gardens, and be with nature. I have filmed a lot in my week in a life videos of places we like to walk and discovered new places to visit, and really would like to explore some more, and just go where my legs take me. Check out my most recent week in a life video: https://youtu.be/UZlq8tbCtgY

There are so many places I'd like to walk, like taking Henry to the South coast, and see friends whilst we do that, and so I have booked a trip to Bognor Regis so we can do that, and do more as the School Summer holidays draw nearer, and have more nice weather at the weekends. 

You find that there are others doing the same. It can be a good community and really am itching to get back in doing fundraising events again and so going to keep building so I am fit enough and then get back running again, but slowly this time. 

So have a good weekend. It is Friday the 16th June 2023, and I will be posting more.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Getting fit during half term

So not long since coming back from my walk being Tuesday the 14th February 2023, and Happy Valentines day, and feels so good and I love walking it really is nice and spending time with nature and seeing other parents and families walking too, makes me look forward to getting and measuring my steps and it just helps with my energy each day and the same with my son who came with me too. We weekly go for walks, when he spends the weekends with me and now he is half term, getting more walking done, and love fitting it in whilst I complete errands for the week. 

Southbank London 

Half term is a great time for the whole family to get exercise and I just find it so peaceful. I love doing trials and then getting a coffee or on the way to get hydrated and beats riding on a bus or train all of the time, or going out for the day to do a walk, and going to take my son to the English seaside and do more walking. 

It really is a good source of medicine and yesterday we went to another walking spot in London, The Southbank and took the Thames Link train to Blackfriars and walked to London Waterloo. I love being near water, it makes me feel so fresh and new. 

Half term is good to take your bikes out and if you don't want to go to get a coffee bring one out with you in a flask. and I am going to do this for more walks and for my son some water and take a packed lunch rather than going to a cafe or coffee shop all of the time. 

If you worry about needing the toilet then check before you walk what is near by and make sure even if they protest, make sure your children go to the toilet before they leave to walk and explore, and you can get portable potty's which I used for my son just in case, and was a great find and useful piece of equipment to avoid accidents.

Why not have all your kids do some dancing together and put on those tunes and create a playlist on Youtube of the songs you love, and if your child is at a holiday club, like my son is doing for the rest of the week, I am going to  use this time to do a run, tidy my bedroom which is good exercise and doing a indoor workout too. 

If they aren't have them all do a home workout too and have them help with chores great for burning calories and being active. Its about moving the body and great task for bonding and growing the relationship you have with your family and have them collect leafs as they can use them for arts and crafts and create scrapbooks of photos of your family going outdoors and at home to use fitness to build good memories and something they can do when they have children of their own, and it is good to do this whilst they are young as research has shown that if you have kids exercising whilst young they will stick to it and helps burn off the energy they have. My has so much energy and exercise helps me catch up and he sleeps so well when we do.  

So if you worrying about not getting exercise during half term it is possible and if they do sleep in exercise before they wake up, or when it is their nap time, depending on how old your children are. So we can get through it, without anyone getting hurt and avoid those tantrums. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Everyday Fitness

So as from Autumn my fitness took a back seat, yet thinking about that, reflecting I hadn't but was doing less. This is where I decided that I wanted to get back in walking long distances as I do love to walk, and build up to start running again, but like many trying to workout when I can begin. At the moment I make sure I do some walking each day and use the Crosstrainer at my son's home, where he lives with his dad, and play some football with my son, and just being active as much as possible. 

I like doing my own workout on some days in the morning after I have had my morning cup of tea and  take a break from my laptop doing some floor workout, like crunches, leg raises and using my dumbbell, mixed in with yoga and Pilates. I don't do long workouts but small ones to help give me a burst of energy. 

It helps with my legs and strengthening them ready to walk for longer and fit in some running, and it means starting from scratch but I don't mind that, as I know by building my walks up and strengthening I can get up and begin running again to a comfortable stride. 

When it comes to fitness you have to plan it out and I do set myself goals and this year it is doing fundraising events again, like Race for life for example because I really did enjoy them and love raising money for charity. 

So this means working on my fitness each day. I use what I have, and using the outdoors to walk and would like to join a fitness class, but I am fearing this at the moment, of booking it, but not going and so be a waste of money, so may start to use Youtube again as they have a lot of home workouts you can do and document it when I do to remember the buzz I feel. 

It is all about what you want and what you want to achieve and not making excuses but working around your everyday and get it done. 

Let me know what your goals are this year, and lets work together to e healthy and active. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

 

 

Getting fit around your children

Being a mum it can be a juggling act, so I workout around my son. Example today, as I pick up my son on Fridays for the weekend did a short workout indoors and did a bit of walking but have a sore ankle so couldn't do much but have fitted in some walking this week with the spare time I have, as it is a distance from the town where I live and train stations, and so fit it in wherever possible.

During the Easter Holidays we walked a lot, went swimming along with some football and exploring in Surrey and in London. Just getting out releases the boredom and that's if we don't go out my son will start jumping all over the furniture so it is good to have your kids be part of your fitness journey. Get them involved and do a fun home workout but in the summer why not get outdoors in the garden and do some exercise there too and get other kids involved and make it a thing you do each week. 

Even if it is dancing in the living room whilst you do housework and again get your kids to do the same whilst they do chores and put on a playlist and clean away.

I would often when taking son and I would do the same, is after I dropped Henry off would go for a run and other mums and dads would do the same. My son now gets a taxi to and from school because of the distance as he has had to change schools and so now when it is sunny play football out in the garden, or we would often do some dancing in the morning before I took him to school. 

When I go for a walk along the river or seaside it is great to see others doing the same or jogging and it is good to be part of that world and it took me a long time to get into running but glad I kept it up, but stopped when I was pregnant as it would cause me to be sick so had to stop, but when I was 8 week post pregnancy I started to get back into it, and would do a workout each morning. 

I know life is a juggle but when you work fitness around your life it is possible to get fit and have fun with your kids. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

 

 

Getting Fit During A Storm

Noone can change the weather but deal with it in a way you can still keep fit but safe at the same time.

I include all my walking weather it is visiting the shops in various places or going for a leisurely walk and include it into my weekly exercise as every step counts.

During the storm we had last week of so I just grabbed my weights in my room and did my six exercise workout, where I just do six exercises into my training and a method I am glad I have continued, and is working out for me and easy to make sure I get it done.

I do bicep curls, pull downs, leg raises, press ups, triceps and jogging on the spot and just moving and can do this when watching a film or whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, making dinner, whilst doing some laundry and just working the body and when I work indoors I make sure that the room is warmed up first as I don't like training in the cold and then turn it down once I have worked out and drinking plenty of liquids.

If you have stairs and chairs you can do a workout with and I bought the DVD of Davina McCall and she has a workout with a chair and really good for toning the legs and abs, and just making the most of being at home and why not get all your family involved, it can be great with bonding with your children and my son loves to join in. 

Having a good space to have a kick about indoors. Of course noone has that luxury to do that, but if you do, this is also good exercise. 

So I hope these tips are helpful and how you kept fit during the storms. You can comment below. 

Manu thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

Training when you are tired and got too much to do

This is the time of year that I usually take a break from exercise as it is a busy month. I feel shattered today and I think it could be with travelling a lot doing the school run, thankfully today is my son's last day of school before he goes back in January, and off for the Christmas holidays and boy it is flown so near that I can feel I can catch Christmas day in one hand. 

I did have goals for this year, which was to get back walking and do more home workouts which i did but wanted a dancersize and boxing class I wanted to find and do, but didn't happen. 

I feel a little disappointed in that, but I still kept with my workouts just not those. Having goals is beneficial to keep the energy of exercising regularly in place, but want to carry fitness goals over to the new year 2022.

I know that I will get those things in place, for me it does depend on when, and even if it doing exercise whilst my sons watching his tablet I will do some, and often if he sees me exercise he will join in. 

As I carry on this blog whicb is now the end of the week, from when I began, I thought I was too tired to write this blog and do any writing but no, I am using the rest of my energy I have left to complete this blog as it is important to me that I do, and I did do a workout yesterday whilst looking after Henry. 

Never train if you feel exhausted as it can be counterproductive and can be too much stress for your body and often working on the laptop whre I am sitting down a lot makes me do a workout and its when I have 10 minutes, I just make sure I continue to keep fit and healthy and so I walk a lot. 

Walking is so easy and free to do, and so I training when tired I will when I get that burst of energy I get a workout done, and you can too. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Getting fit Autumn and Winter as we get nearer to Christmas

Hello and sorry if you do not want to think about Christmas, but it isn't that far away. 

I usually take a break from my fitness to restart at Christmas, and there is a lot of things I need to do before the festive time of cheer, and so it is important to organize your fitness when you too have a busy season, come Autumn and Winter, and have many birthday's to plan for. 

This year I am not gonna take a break and September for me is a new year, as it is academically a new year so I go by that now and separate my year in to 4 quarters. 

Lastnight I did some exercise as I do six to seven exercises and mixed, so one day I will do squats, leg raises, boxercise kicks and sometimes will do floor training, with my dumbbells and use my own body strength. 

When it comes to clothes I wrap myself up and use layers, and make sure my trainers and other footwear are comfortable and good for walking as I walk a lot, and the thing I would invest is a thermal vest and walking bottoms. I do wear leggins almost everyday but sometimes these can rub, so if you do long distant walks or runs, invest in a good think pair of running bottoms.

If you go out like I did once upon a time, in the autumn and winter when the sun begins to rise, run with glasses or goggles for when the sunlight rises as it shines quite bright, but can effect your view. Layer up as it can be very cold still being up at the crack of dawn. 

Make sure you are hydrated even when it is cold outside, and remember to cool down afterwards and stretch. 

In the autumn and winter wear clothes that you can be easily seen by cars and other people using the footpaths and pavements.

Never let your guard down and run in busy areas and not where you can be vulnerable like parks and woodlands, but in town like areas and places. When running in the early morning or late evening, I never listened to headphones, as you should keep your witts about you and only do what you can and build up gradually.

Wear hats I wear a beanie when it gets really cold and even a scarf.

So I bope this blog helps you and many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Using fitness equipment and safely

When it comes to keeping fit there are many things that can really help and one is a Cross Trainer. These work the entire body, legs, bottom and for arms the rowing machine. These were my favourites. I did used to own an home one, but no longer, but is worth investing if you really gonna definitely use it. 

Then I disovered a step machine and loved it. Great to use to tone the body and I would at one point using everytime I went to the gym and is a great piece of equipment. If I were to have a home gym again, this would be an item I'd deffnitley buy. 

I also like the treadmill, and if you are taking up running, but be aware it is different when using a treadmill to running outside. Treadmills when on the right mode can help when running outdoors, in terms of building your fitness, as if new this is the place to start is to up your fitness first and then add different things into a workout, to then work on toning, muscle building, but gradually. 

At the moment I use dumbell, wrist and ankle weights and a exercise mat. This still helps me with exercise and I have written a new blog on my other site: https://sportsandfitnesspassion.wordpress.com 

If you like to try out different workouts it is good to learn from others who are qualified to teach about exercise and make sure get the technique right to prevent any injuries.

When it comes to using equipment then always follow instructions, but this is where joining a gym to start off, is good and having training staff to show you. There are great ones for arms, legs and full body, like the pull down machines and lateral press. They work for the entire top half of the body and try each one but safely and if they do an induction take them up on it, for your own safety. 

So keep getting fit and active and it is worth while when you do find the equipment you love using. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Working On My Fitness Routine

Hello and welcome! This blog is about Working on my fitness routine, as I have tried many and I have now started training in the mornings again doing 6 exercises, and this is with my dumbbells and exercising my legs through doing leg raises and have been walking too. 

I do like exercise otherwise I wouldn't do it. Yet have had to take some time off from training as its been the Summer Holidays, yet this has helped me stay fit also. 

You may have to adapt exercising to your life as life takes over, but as soon as I go back into it, I do enjoy and see it as my time to wake myself up and doing in the morning again, helps to make sure it is done and then I can go about my day, and then spend time walking and visiting my local or other places. 

Once you get a good routine to exercise it's sticking to it and that is by mixing it, I have before now done some exercise in the evening, but at the moment I want to continue doing morning workouts as I find it helps me accomplish more and then I can do more through the day if I feel like it. 

Try different times and schedule it in, so you have it there and do some finally to then tick off to plan to do more on other days. 

Life can be tiring especially when you have children but I have exercised when looking after my son and he would often copy me, and so you can get them involved and getting it done whilst they are a sleep is a good idea, but not always possible. 

Just find your stride and I have written on other platforms about fitness check out my site:

https://sportsandfitnesscoaching.wordpress.com 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Build your fitness to better yourself/Personal Development

Hello and welcome, so I have done another two lots of walking today, and so can you. I even spending time in a mental health hospital still exercised as they had a Activity Co-ordinator so you don't spend ages in your room all the time, and even did a walk they would do and it was so good to get outside, and so now I am going out walking in the morning and in the afternoon. I am really feeling the benefits of doing that.

Building my fitness helps me to feel better within myself and helps with creativity and raising my energy levels. I am no longer suffering from fatigue and just setting time for me is so important. I am loving my morning and afternoon walks. It is good to be in touch with nature and seeing other people enjoying the sunshine too.  

I even saw a fitness club take part in the gardens today, where I walk, and a lot of people to train outdoors now. So if you don't fancy doing that why not train out in your garden instead. I even managed and indoor workout today too. It doesn't have to too many exercise but just enough that helps keep you awake. 

I like to get my workouts during morning and daytime, because then I can properly unwind in the evening, and I have even been sleeping better. I am on a sleeping tablet, but for once I don't get that drowsy feeling anymore, so I am on good medication for my mental health, but using it to be back into daily exercise. 

So what have you been doing to keep fit, I did have video about how exercise can be your bestfriend so check out my youtube channel where I talk about my fitness a lot, and on a budget. I no longer use a gym as I do found them expensive. I like training at home and outdoors, but I would like to at some point find a boxing club to help get fit. 

It is important that you enjoy it, and if you aren't feeling the benefits, then it means you need to look for another form of exercise for you to feel the benefits. 

So I wish you good luck in getting fit and active and please share how you have gotten into exercise. You can leave a comment below.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X