This is a sponsored post.
Nadine Hill, blogger at JuggleMum and BritMums’ Blog Editor talks about the ‘afters’ of exercise!
I’ve completed two whole months of being a Nuffield member and I have thrown myself into this gym lark with gusto! Not only have I done things I’ve never done before (kettlebells for one… they are heavier than they look!) But I have discovered some new classes and made a few new friends – my ‘gym’ friends as I call them – plus I’ve been inspired recently to treat myself to some new workout clothes and I find that it makes me feel good when I’m working out and push myself harder, if I look the part!
Body, mind and spirit
Through committing this regular time to myself each week to go to my classes and do my sessions, I have actually surprised myself. I have more time than I think when I prioritise the exercise, and I am capable of much more physically than I may have given myself credit for. I feel in a different place mentally than I did when I started this journey, so working out has improved not only my body but my mind and spirit too. On the flip side, I have also found that I can ache in places I never knew I had muscles. I feel much more tired on a night these days. I’m having to go to bed earlier to get the sleep I need since I became a gym ninja! Have a look at the sort of Instagrams I’ve been posting lately to see the state of mind.
Nuffield is a health & wellbeing club
I refer to the “gym” but Nuffield is so much more than that. Gym could mean a “spit & sawdust” type establishment with beefy bodybuilders and Nuffield is the complete opposite – although there are of course, plenty of lean and fit people exercising next to you – both men and women! I enjoy the calmness I feel as I pass through my day now, I’ve always tried to be mindful in what I do but the act of being very much in my body and not just my head, means that I get the opportunity to work out my emotions on a physical level, and my self belief has increased with every rep I thought I couldn’t do or every time I lifted a heavier weight. The effects of this kind of holistic exercise are felt not just in my clothing but in all areas of my daily life – I’m doing something that is just for me, not the family or the home, and valuing myself enough to make the time. I’ve started to put myself first.
Before and after
But don’t let my thoughts on it convince you – let’s talk some hard facts! I have been tracking my progress and have a few “before” and “after” stats to share!:
- Weight: Since my first post in this series I have shifted 9 lbs. Notice that I don’t say “lost” – I certainly haven’t lost this weight as I’m not intending to find it again! It has been shifted!
- I have lost 19.5 centimetres from all over my body but the biggest achievements have been 5.5 cm off my hips and 4.5 cm off my waist.
- In my second Health MOT at Nuffield there was a very interesting win. My aerobic fitness has gone from ‘average’ in January to ‘excellent’ now! This means that my heart is working better and I’m fitter than before.
Here’s a graph of that statistic so you can see the achievement.
Nadine’s aerobic fitness from 31 in January to 48 in March 2016!
The figure of 31 at the left is where I started and if you look at the graph, for a woman aged 40-44 this is average. I am aged 41. But the second reading of 48 puts me in the ‘excellent’ bracket! (Any reading over 41 is excellent!)
Health MOT
The Health MOT is a key part of the membership at Nuffield Health. They encourage their members to take one every 3 months to see how they are improving both in diet and fitness, BMI, sleep and overall wellbeing amongst other things. If you improve upon three of the factors measured in your 3 month Health MOT then you even get a free one month membership as a reward! They are a great way to keep you motivated.
The video below shows me giving my top five tips for finding gym motivation – and as you can see, I am an ordinary working mum, not a health professional or gym bunny. These are the ways I have gotten myself to the gym four times a week since January and they are working for me!
I’ve enjoyed my Nuffield Health journey and you can click here to see all my posts in this series.
Take a step now to get fit for 2016
This post is part of the Nuffield Health’s sponsored campaign with BritMums, about breaking down barriers that stop people going to the gym to help them get fit and healthy for 2016. Nuffield Health believes it’s important that parents take time out to look after themselves and improve their health. There are times when it seems impossible, but Nuffield Health is on hand to help guide even the busiest of parents. Find out about gyms near you and how they can help you get fit. Nuffield on Facebook. Nuffield on Twitter.
About Nadine Hill
Nadine is a marketer, digital creator and ex BritMums Editor who started blogging in the mid 2000's whilst working from home around her young family. Her blog JuggleMum won an award for video and covered many lifestyle subjects from fashion to food to entrepreneurship whilst also inspiring content creation for her YouTube channel @MrsNadineHill. Nadine loves hanging out with her teenage children who keep her (mostly) current - although apparently no-one says 'hanging out' any more! When she's not with her family she's at the gym or in a coffee house in Yorkshire somewhere (she's been to most of them!) - photographing her cappuccino for the grid. You can find Nadine on Twitter and Instagram as @IAmNadineHill
Summer body: Made in winter | JuggleMum
Thursday 17th of March 2016
[…] Locating my inner motivation […]
Nichola - Globalmouse
Tuesday 15th of March 2016
This is really inspiring - I keep starting my fitness / health kick and then stopping, I wish I had stronger will power. I think I'd love the opportunity to actually leave the house to do something though, it's a good chance to clear the mind too isn't it?
Nadine Hill
Wednesday 16th of March 2016
It's definitely a great way to clear the mind, but maybe you are stopping not due to needing more willpower - maybe you just haven't found your 'thing' yet?! I think it is important to enjoy the workout we are doing, so you keep going back if nothing else!
Kara
Monday 14th of March 2016
I really should go to the gym and start exercising but I just don't have the motivation, or the time at the moment. I have broken my bike out of the shed though, so here's to some nicer weather and some cycle rides
Nadine Hill
Wednesday 16th of March 2016
That's great - cycle rides in the sun are a fab way to get your exercise!
Honest Mum
Saturday 12th of March 2016
This is so inspiring Nadine, I love running but workload and various stresses have meant slacking off over the last couple of months and I feel it, emotionally as well as physically. I've been getting back to the treadmill and walking more over the last week and I'm determined to get back to better habits. Thanks for the push x
Nadine Hill
Monday 14th of March 2016
Thanks Vicki, it is really easy to let our exercise slip when we have a heavy workload, but I have to find a way to make it happen, as exercise keeps me sane! It's only when I have not done any for a few days that I realise how true this is! Thanks for commenting x
Ness
Friday 11th of March 2016
I used to go to the gym with my husband years ago. I certainly don't need to lose weight (I weigh 7.5 stone!) but I know I could always be fitter. I think my trouble is not wanting to go alone but with the kids now my husband and I can't go together. I need a gym buddy!
Nadine Hill
Monday 14th of March 2016
A gym buddy is a great idea if it will help you to stay motivated! I confess, I actually prefer going alone so I can take off when it suits me and I worry that if I relied on a friend and they cancelled the date that I'd decide not to go myself! Thanks for commenting!