I’ve been pondering the fine balance between being inspiring and being intimidating recently. The thing is, I think as we improve and smash our targets, as we progress in our health and fitness journeys, we often become intimidating and unrelatable without really meaning to. What we need is more and more people sharing their successes at all levels.
So, it’s done. All those months of training and previous blog posts and the Manchester Marathon 2018 is finally over! So how was it?
My son said to me, ” I don’t understand why people don’t exercise when it’s so much fun. Why would you not want to do it?” He has a really good point. Exercise is often seen as boring, a chore, as something you SHOULD do. A bitter pill that has to be swallowed in the quest for good health. If something is fun however, then you go back for more, you make time for it and it enriches your life. The need for constant motivation, inspiration and encouragement diminishes and the whole ‘keeping fit thing’ becomes so much easier. So, how can you make exercise fun?
I can’t wait to share this interview with you; it’s one of my favourites. Vickie just decided she wanted to make a change, she stubbed out her last cigarette and just got on with it. Here she tells her story and shares lots of great advice for those who want to make a change too.
It was actually a blog that Leigh wrote that gave me the idea to start this interview series. She’d posted a photo of her pink boxing gloves and explained how becoming active and punching stuff was helping her to improve her wellbeing and cope with all that life had thrown at her (and that’s more than most of us have had to deal with). To me she was a shining example of how finding the activity that suits you is crucial and how the benefits are huge. I love the way she has gone on to inspire others by posting lots of her exercise sessions online. Do pop over to her blog to have a look, especially if you’re lacking in motivation. Boy, she works hard! Tell us a bit about yourself Leigh I’m a communications professional, writer, wellbeing coach, and patient leader. In 2014 at just 24 weeks’ pregnant I was diagnosed with the rare, life-threatening pregnancy complication HELLP syndrome. Unless the baby is born, both mum and baby will die. Sadly, my son …
So many people start new fitness regimes with gusto and enthusiasm only to be struck down with illness or injury early on. New habits and routines go out of the window and it’s so hard to find the momentum to start over again. This is what happened to Tracy Barwell who has been writing a diary for the BBC about her efforts to improve her health. They asked me to advise her on how to get back into the swing of things after a nasty virus. Read my advice to Tracy.
