Exercise and Me

I've always had a love/ hate relationship with exercise. As a child I swam a lot, did the odd bit of netball for school but I didn't work my way through the BAGA badges or go to ballet. My exercise was mainly tearing up and down my road on my bike and running around with the other kids in the street. As I got into my teens I didn't really do anything exercise wise (apart from running about after boys!), it was only when I got to university that I started being more body conscious and that was as a result of going out with a Sports Science student who made me feel fat most of the time and wouldn't hold back from commenting on how I could do this and that to improve myself. I went to the gym on and off for years as a result of that relationship.

Eventually I realised that I was throwing my money away, I would join, go a lot for a month or two and then never go again. Instead of going to the gym I started to enter into fitness challenges, like 5k and 10k runs and a swimathon or two. And that kind of thing really is the way to float my fitness boat. I can safely say that my best motivation to get fit in my life was my wedding. I went to a personal trainer and did boxing and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The confidence it gave me and the way I felt about my appearance was brilliant. I didn't wimp out of my sessions with rubbish excuses and I found I could wear the clothes I wanted to.

Since then I've had two kids and in between having them I used the excuse that I was going to have another child at some point so there would be no point me getting into shape until I'd had baby number 2. Well now I find myself in that position. Child number 2 is on the scene and 6 months later I'm now urging myself to get out and do some exercise! And guess what in the last 3 weeks I have! I have Zumbaa-d!!! Three times!! And I've done 30 lengths at the local pool. I also bought some new running trainers so I have to get out in them and I've also signed up to this years Marie Curie Swimathon.

I intend to blog about my fitness and exercise achievements as and when, it won't necessarily be a weekly thing but I do think that making some commitment to write about it will make me do at least 1 thing a week.

What do I want to gain from exercising? To be honest, it's not really weight loss that I'm after. I'm 5 foot 11 inches and 11 stone 4lb if you really want to know, so well within the normal weight boundaries for my height. Obviously if I'm going to exercise and be healthy I probably will drop a few pounds, but what I really want is to tone up and *feel* fit. I want to get to the point that exercise makes me feel energised, pretty hard when my nights are interrupted by the baby and my daytime's are super busy running around after 2 kids. I want to fit into some jeans that have been in the back of my cupboard for a couple of years now. Favourite ones that I had to wave the white flag to. So there you go. I commit to get fit.

I'd love to know if you're also on a fitness drive and what you're up to, let's spur each other on - tweet me, facebook me. We can all do with encouragement sometimes when it's winter and the TV and comfort food are calling......let's do it together!

Davina for Next Collection!

What's the first New Year's resolution that you can think of?

Yes, it's that old chestnut about getting fit! Except this year I really mean it. Noah is 5 months old now and I've done well at shedding the pounds of baby weight but my aim really is to shed a bit more, get fit and tone up. I'm resolute that I'm done with child bearing and so I really want to get fit so I have the stamina to keep up with my lively children. Just in time for my declaration to work my booty, super fit (and super mum) Davina McCall has collaborated with Next on a shoe and fitness collection!

Davina for Next provides the ultimate workout and post-workout clothing along with a range of innovative everyday shoes featuring F.I.T technology to reduce load-bearing stress on joints and provide additional support.

Whenever I've undertaken a new fitness regime (and there have been many!) I've always been of the opinion that I NEED new kit to work out in. I'm only as good as the trainers/ leggings etc that I'm wearing. And looking at this range from Davina and Next there is so much choice and it would draw many a compliment. Here are my picks from the range, put together they would make a fab workout kit!

Firstly the trainers:

I love the look of these, I like the 'go faster' stripes, you wouldn't see me for dust running in these....

Next up the legs, I'd choose these cuffed joggers, they look comfy and knowing Next clothes as well as I do they'd fit my big womanly bottom!

I love the colour of this cropped bra top and I'd wear it underneath this:

And that completes my dream Davina for Next fitness outfit! As a complete outfit it would look quite retro and 80's I reckon and I've always admired that Olivia Newton John 'Let's get Physical' look, now if only they did headbands and legwarmers too....

My most successful attempts at getting fit have always been when I've had a goal in mind, including running Race For Life and the Marie Curie Swimathon, so I intend to sign up for a challenge (10k or a swim) to take place around March/ April time (nothing too serious, I don't want to punch above my weight) so that I have an event to train for. This is how I motivate myself best. Next are giving some lucky bloggers the chance to review the Davina for Next range and I'd love to be one of them. I'd put the kit through it's paces and share the blood, sweat and tears (and there are always tears!) with my readers!

Davina for Next will be available from selected stores, from the Next directory and online at next.co.uk from next Spring. Check it out and it could help you to keep your New Year's resolutions!