So truthfully, my whole ‘exercise three times a week’ thing has gone off the boil this month. Life has been busy and a bit stressful, and we cancelled our gym membership. While I do miss it (especially the pool), the extra £100 back in the bank balance each month is nice, especially with our house move coming up. And I know we didn’t use the gym enough to justify the expense.
I’m feeling it though, the lack of exercise. I feel tired, more lethargic, I’m not sleeping as well, and my back is starting to get sore again. And I really don’t want to feel like this! SO, I’ve decided enough is enough and I’m putting together a brand new exercise plan…
Couch to 5k
I’m a truly terrible runner – no stamina whatsoever – but I really want to get better. Whenever I try to run for more than a couple of minutes, I end up looking like a tomato and I realise how unfit I actually am.
Back when Ethan was about three, I actually trained for a 5k followed by a 10k for Cancer Research UK, and to my surprise, managed to complete it (slowly!).
In a bid to boost my fitness levels, I’ve decided to start the Couch to 5k program, a free training app from the NHS. It promises to have you running 5k within 9 weeks. I’m only two runs in (hampered by all the rain – turns out I’m a fairweather runner!) but I’m feeling optimistic now that the sun’s come out.
I’ve realised I have none of the gear though. I need something to hold my ginormous iPhone XS Max in so I can listen to the trainer (I’ve picked Sarah Millican – I feel like she’s suitably motivating!). Sudio has kindly sent me some wireless earbuds for review so I’ll let you know how I get on with those. I also need a smaller running water bottle – my personalised Love Island one may be pretty but is huge and totally impractical for running! If you have any running kit suggestions, please do let me know in the comments!
Home workouts
As I need to run three times a week, that’s actually quite a commitment already but I know that I really need to balance out my body and stretch out my back. I’ve dug out a yoga DVD by Tara Lee that I used to do regularly, so I’m going to aim to do two twenty-minute practices each week. I always feel amazing after yoga – mind and body!
So that’s my plan for the next few weeks. I’m hopeful that I’ll start feeling the benefits soon and be back feeling much better and healthier overall. I’ll let you know how I’m getting on!
If you fancy doing the Couch to 5k with me, let me know in the comments.
We do also have a Mums Off Duty workout group over on Facebook where we chat about all things fitness-related and try to support each other in our fitness goals – please feel free to join us!
Natalie xx
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18 comments
Go you! I’ve heard amazing things about Couch to 5 k. I’m a total home workouts mama! Looking forward to hearing how you get on.
Thank you, I’m really excited to do it! Keep up the home workouts!
Good luck with couch to 5k. I tried and failed miserably. I’m so not a runner.
I’m doing the 30 day shred at home currently.
Although I’m a little odd, the mood exercise I do, the worse I sleep!!
I’m not a runner either, I think it’s going to be tough. That’s odd about the sleeping, I thought exercise would help!
I’m actually glad I stumbled across this today as it’s was something that I thought about starting and you have kinda inspired to me do it too.
Aah I’m so glad! We can do it together!
Go girl !! I am wondering why I am not able to do this, every time I try to do but fail miserably. It needs so much of determination. All the best to you.
I am anxious about being able to stick to it, but will give it my best shot. Thank you!
Looks like Couch to 5k is such a great app to plan for your running routine. I would love to see for myself how does it work,
I’ll keep you posted how I’m getting on with it!
I ahve heard so much about this app. My friends started to run fe months ago and using this. And I can see how helpful this was.
It’s meant to be great – I have a couple of friends who are five weeks in and really enjoying it.
Couch to 5k is such a great idea. I feel very much like you on the stamina front, I feel worn out very quickly!
My stamina is awful! I really hope this helps to improve it!
Good luck!! I’d love to run but I think I’m too self conscious to run outside
I totally know what you mean – I run round a fairly empty park!
Good luck! I’m not a runner. I’ve tried in the past but I have plantar fasciitis and even with the most supportive insoles my feet are in agony if I try to go running. I need to get myself to the pool more often though, as swimming works best for me.
Good luck with your run. The weather has been awful for running and now the rains gone we’ve got silly temperatures !