Exercise in times of isolation
Four weeks and an eternity since we've been working from home, and 3 weeks since the children stopped going to school and nursery. Has it been a challenge to juggle everything and keep everyone happy? Absolutely! Have we managed? Just! Is it getting easier? Not really, no! So looking forward to get back to normal, although I'm pretty sure life will not return to exactly what it was before this.
I have wondered how we will cope, but, luckily, few weeks back, Boris has spoken: we're allowed to go out for daily exercise! Oh joy!!! I have never seen so many people out walking, running, cycling. If this goes on for much longer, I think many of us will be in better shape than ever. Sure, I might not get back my pre-kids waistline, only a time turner can do that, but might finally get rid of any extra weight. I am doing so much exercise lately, compared to what I used to do up to a year ago (which was close to nothing). Over the last few months I joined all sort of fun challenges, that not only helped me physically but also mentally and socially. From 30 runs in 30 days in November to Red January and now Green Spring, felt amazing not only to challenge myself but also be part of a community where people just support each other’s effort. Love our Waterbeach community in particular, so many inspiring people offering all sorts of exercise and support. Big shout to Dr Claire for passing on her enthusiasm about running and trying new routes. She is one super speedy and superkind superwoman.❤️ A special discovery for me was YogaStrong, Lucy is fabulous, her sessions are very different and special. Bootcamp remains the highlight of my Mondays, I love that Nicola is working us so hard even via Zoom.
I can envision people coming out this of lockdown, all toned up, gorgeous tans on some, no haircuts in months though (saying that, I do cut Dan's hair , but it takes more than being isolated and a bottle of prossecco to let him cut mine). It will be interesting! Job done, Joe Wicks! Saying that, my children are not huge fans of him (I am, but for completely other reasons! 😉) - Ariana would rather do some outdoor exercise, so I started cycling and running with her, playing tennis, she even joined my home Bootcamp session.
My runs are very rubbish lately, because since I sprained my ankle I also sort of twisted it a couple of more times, so I have an elastic support for it that I use while exercising exercise. Sort of feels wrong, I know I should have probably listened to my body and stopped running for a longer time. So I am doing the minimum, at a comfortable pace and enjoying being able to do it. I keep planning for an early run - one morning Emma woke me up at 5, so I thought it's a sign, I'll have a coffee and go for it! Did not happen, because I fell asleep next to Emma. One day!!
With the social distancing rule, I have used the same route which is safe, but also getting slightly boring. So last week I tried a new route, around some horse fields, absolutely gorgeous and not a person in sight for part of it. However, it felt very strange to be out of my comfort zone, not be in control (ironic, as if I was in control of much lately!) and with my sense of orientation not being great, I ended up in front of a locked gate. I turned back and found my way, as one does these days. But just standing there in front of the locked gate, I felt like life was trying to teach me a lesson. Breathe and find your way, there is always a way.
Couple of days later, on Easter Sunday, I felt like I’ll go out for a short run in the afternoon. The forecast was rain, but it didn’t seem like it was coming this way. So off I went, ignoring Dan’s advice to just enjoy a glass of wine instead, and on the way back on Long Drove I was literally hit by hail. I never experienced hail on bare skin, but with only a vest and shorts one, it was not fun. My glasses being hit by hail, I could barely see anything, so quite scary. I panicked and called Dan to come and get me, but kept running towards home as I was not too far. Apart from being annoyed by the ‘I told you so’, I was gutted that it was actually not raining/hailing at all in the village. So if I would have kept going a bit more, not worrying too quickly, I would have made it back. And while it’s absolutely fine to ask for help, and I know he’s got my back even when I’m wrong, it feels great to manage a tough situation on your own.
Needless to say that I will keep running, in spite of my dodgy ankle, probably stick to my usual route for now. Feels like it’s the safe choice for now, but I am looking forward to venture further around the fields, live dangerously, get lost a again, but find my way back. In a few months time I will most likely look back and realise it was these runs that kept me sane.
Today I can barely lift my arms after yesterday ticking off Yoga, Bootcamp and tennis with Ariana. And some way too ambitious push up challenges. 😂🙈 But our mood shad definitely been lifted, so all worth it. I love to see her smiling when we play tennis together - well, she plays, I just try to hit the ball. Saying that, I’ve been thinking these days how as a child I was given an old wooden tennis racket, and had nobody to play with. So I found a wall where I would hit the only ball I had, being extra careful not to lose it, but I clearly remember having fun doing that. So I guess she’s still lucky to have us play with her, in spite of our questionable skills.
Need to be honest and admit I feel anxious sometimes and totally hate not being in control of things. My Mum being here is putting a lot of pressure on me (how unexpected!), mostly because I am worried about her not getting sick, so we are trying to not even going out food shopping. Trying to get everything online or click&collect can be another source of stress. Speaking of food and stress - I am probably not the only one who reacts to stress with eating more, particularly unhealthy food. However, this time I am determined to have that under control and stop the comfort food cravings. It's probably due to my desperate need of having control over at least some aspects of life, that I will settle for anything I can.
So here, already two things we can control: the amount of unhealthy food we eat and the time spent exercising. Totally feels like being on top of things, doesn’t it?
I have wondered how we will cope, but, luckily, few weeks back, Boris has spoken: we're allowed to go out for daily exercise! Oh joy!!! I have never seen so many people out walking, running, cycling. If this goes on for much longer, I think many of us will be in better shape than ever. Sure, I might not get back my pre-kids waistline, only a time turner can do that, but might finally get rid of any extra weight. I am doing so much exercise lately, compared to what I used to do up to a year ago (which was close to nothing). Over the last few months I joined all sort of fun challenges, that not only helped me physically but also mentally and socially. From 30 runs in 30 days in November to Red January and now Green Spring, felt amazing not only to challenge myself but also be part of a community where people just support each other’s effort. Love our Waterbeach community in particular, so many inspiring people offering all sorts of exercise and support. Big shout to Dr Claire for passing on her enthusiasm about running and trying new routes. She is one super speedy and superkind superwoman.❤️ A special discovery for me was YogaStrong, Lucy is fabulous, her sessions are very different and special. Bootcamp remains the highlight of my Mondays, I love that Nicola is working us so hard even via Zoom.
I can envision people coming out this of lockdown, all toned up, gorgeous tans on some, no haircuts in months though (saying that, I do cut Dan's hair , but it takes more than being isolated and a bottle of prossecco to let him cut mine). It will be interesting! Job done, Joe Wicks! Saying that, my children are not huge fans of him (I am, but for completely other reasons! 😉) - Ariana would rather do some outdoor exercise, so I started cycling and running with her, playing tennis, she even joined my home Bootcamp session.
My runs are very rubbish lately, because since I sprained my ankle I also sort of twisted it a couple of more times, so I have an elastic support for it that I use while exercising exercise. Sort of feels wrong, I know I should have probably listened to my body and stopped running for a longer time. So I am doing the minimum, at a comfortable pace and enjoying being able to do it. I keep planning for an early run - one morning Emma woke me up at 5, so I thought it's a sign, I'll have a coffee and go for it! Did not happen, because I fell asleep next to Emma. One day!!With the social distancing rule, I have used the same route which is safe, but also getting slightly boring. So last week I tried a new route, around some horse fields, absolutely gorgeous and not a person in sight for part of it. However, it felt very strange to be out of my comfort zone, not be in control (ironic, as if I was in control of much lately!) and with my sense of orientation not being great, I ended up in front of a locked gate. I turned back and found my way, as one does these days. But just standing there in front of the locked gate, I felt like life was trying to teach me a lesson. Breathe and find your way, there is always a way.
Couple of days later, on Easter Sunday, I felt like I’ll go out for a short run in the afternoon. The forecast was rain, but it didn’t seem like it was coming this way. So off I went, ignoring Dan’s advice to just enjoy a glass of wine instead, and on the way back on Long Drove I was literally hit by hail. I never experienced hail on bare skin, but with only a vest and shorts one, it was not fun. My glasses being hit by hail, I could barely see anything, so quite scary. I panicked and called Dan to come and get me, but kept running towards home as I was not too far. Apart from being annoyed by the ‘I told you so’, I was gutted that it was actually not raining/hailing at all in the village. So if I would have kept going a bit more, not worrying too quickly, I would have made it back. And while it’s absolutely fine to ask for help, and I know he’s got my back even when I’m wrong, it feels great to manage a tough situation on your own.Needless to say that I will keep running, in spite of my dodgy ankle, probably stick to my usual route for now. Feels like it’s the safe choice for now, but I am looking forward to venture further around the fields, live dangerously, get lost a again, but find my way back. In a few months time I will most likely look back and realise it was these runs that kept me sane.
Today I can barely lift my arms after yesterday ticking off Yoga, Bootcamp and tennis with Ariana. And some way too ambitious push up challenges. 😂🙈 But our mood shad definitely been lifted, so all worth it. I love to see her smiling when we play tennis together - well, she plays, I just try to hit the ball. Saying that, I’ve been thinking these days how as a child I was given an old wooden tennis racket, and had nobody to play with. So I found a wall where I would hit the only ball I had, being extra careful not to lose it, but I clearly remember having fun doing that. So I guess she’s still lucky to have us play with her, in spite of our questionable skills.
Need to be honest and admit I feel anxious sometimes and totally hate not being in control of things. My Mum being here is putting a lot of pressure on me (how unexpected!), mostly because I am worried about her not getting sick, so we are trying to not even going out food shopping. Trying to get everything online or click&collect can be another source of stress. Speaking of food and stress - I am probably not the only one who reacts to stress with eating more, particularly unhealthy food. However, this time I am determined to have that under control and stop the comfort food cravings. It's probably due to my desperate need of having control over at least some aspects of life, that I will settle for anything I can.
So here, already two things we can control: the amount of unhealthy food we eat and the time spent exercising. Totally feels like being on top of things, doesn’t it?
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