A while ago you may remember I asked you how often you had had sex in the last month after reading a report that showed the average to be far fewer than I had thought. It’s kind of comforting, being able to see how everyone else is (quite literally) making out and realising you’re doing alright really.

Today then, in the definitely very healthy spirit of seeking personal validation by comparing myself to others, I took a test to see how my lifestyle matched up to other women.

You can take it here if you fancy it.

The test highlighted a few issues for me, issues I’m very aware of but basically too lazy to do anything about.

Firstly, I do very little exercise. I’ve been to a few netball sessions in Taunton since I moved but have found it hard to stick with. Work and other things have got in the way and I don’t feel the same sense of camaraderie as I did with my team back in Bristol. I know that takes time though, so this is definitely something I need to make more of a commitment to.

I do try to make the effort to walk more than I might normally feel inclined to do, but I need to get sweaty. View Post

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As you know, last September I started running.

At first it was really tough. I was following a ‘couch to 5k’ app on my phone and it began with running for one minute, walking for a minute and a half, and repeating this eight times. After running for a whole minute I felt like I really might actually die, right there on the street.

I persevered though, to the point where I could run for 25 minutes without stopping. I say run, it was more of a bouncy walk, me just ricocheting off the pavement between steps, and in this 25 minutes we only managed to cover just under 3k. Not exactly a land speed record. I had stopped turning quite as beetroot red as in the early days though. You would think that by this point, after four months of practising, that I would have reached a point at which I got some tiny bit of pleasure out of it.

I did not. View Post

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Does your child have a favourite place or thing to do?

Belle does.

She has a particular corner of the sofa she likes to sit in, ideally with a blanket over her knees and a slice of chocolate chip brioche on a little plate. She likes to watch children’s programmes at the same time as playing on the iPad, designing her own candy floss or doing that thing where you warp your face to make it look like you are hugely fat.

It’s basically all kinds of wholesome.

She would happily sit like this for hours, if not days, on end if I let her, but then of course it would only be a matter of time before she wouldn’t need the fat app. View Post

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As much as I love Christmas, once the day itself is over I usually have a massive urge to pack everything away and start jogging. Obviously I don’t start jogging, but the thought is there.

I spend so long getting excited in the run up to Christmas that all my festivity is used up by Boxing Day, and I just want to get back to work. It’s a bloody good job really, as a lot of my work hours during December were spent buying presents and meeting friends for mince pies.

Such is my excessive love of all things Christmas, that it will be some weeks before we can plough our way through the piles of chocolates, biscuits and stilton, so while I’m still knee-deep in peppermint creams, waiting for netball to start up again, the only alternative is to get some exercise. Here then are three ideas for gentle sports to help you get rid of some of that stollen that has settled so unflatteringly on your hips:

Go for a walk
So simple, yet so effective. Walking not only keeps you fit, it’s also a great way to clear your mind, relax and get motivated. We’re not talking a stroll around the Debenhams sale mind – you need to put a bit of effort in. Layer up in all your wooly Christmas gifts and get yourself out on a hill somewhere for a bracing hike. Crank things up a notch by getting yourself a pedometer in the sales and challenging yourself to reach 10,000 steps every day.

Have a swim
In loads of places across the UK, people celebrate Christmas with a spot of sea swimming. This, in my opinion, is madness. It’s cold in the sea in December don’t you know? Instead, I’d recommend a nice warm indoor pool, where you can have a cup of tea afterwards. And maybe a mince pie. Swimming is brilliant all around exercise, working loads of different muscle groups at the same time as supporting your body weight.

Ride a horse
A little more decadent this one, but haven’t you always fancied yourself on horseback, galloping daringly across the countryside, thick dark hair billowing behind you? No? Just me then. If you’re not a natural horseman (me again there) then think of it not just as good exercise, but also as an opportunity to tick off that ‘try something new’ resolution. Plus it’s a great excuse to pick up a pair of sexy leather boots from equestrian clearance. I’m sure I’m going to look great on my horse. Who doesn’t want to see a chubby woman bouncing around in Jodhpurs?

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What do you reckon? Is the power of suggestion enough to rid you of food cravings and help you lose weight?

Apparently so…

For a few weeks now I’ve been trying out a new weight loss technique from Thinking Slimmer. The theory is that it’s not a diet at all, rather a shift in the way you think about food, which means you will lose weight without the need for willpower. This is a good job, because I don’t have any.

Every night for at least 21 days to start with, you have to listen to a recording – your ‘Slimpod’ – and over time you form new habits and new ways of thinking. According to the website, the Slimpod will “gently change your relationship to food and exercise by retuning the way your mind works, so you never diet again. There’s no calorie counting, no horrible tasting food replacements, no hunger pangs, no anguish, no guilt and no pain.”

There is the added bonus too that the man on the recording sounds a lot like Jude Law, and having Jude Law whisper how confident and lovely you are in your ear as you lie in bed every night is rather nice.

Sounds all too good to be true doesn’t it?

Well, I’ve listened to mine now for the initial 21 days and I must say I really have noticed differences in the way I think about food. Normally I think about food a lot, and I mean a lot, but it was less than a week into the trial before I began to find my thoughts less consumed with food than they normally are. It wasn’t a dramatic shift, just a gradual realisation that I was going for longer without thinking about snacking. When it does come to eating I seem to have a much more ‘take it or leave it’ approach, which makes it much easier to make the right choices.

Can you think yourself thin?

No thank you.

Saying no to puddings doesn’t feel like I’m depriving myself anymore, it feels like a positive choice, and this is a massive difference for me. I haven’t lost any weight yet (although I haven’t gained any either), but apparently this is OK, as it’s a long-term lifestyle change. I will keep listening, and let you know when the weight does start to shift.

Alongside my Slimpod, I’ve been listening to a Fitpod, designed to make you feel more inclined to exercise. To motivate me even further, I was given some fancy sportswear by Debenhams. My not very encouraging family took some pictures of me in it.

“Not like that,” said Boyfriend, “you look ridiculous. Just stand still! What’s wrong with your face?” Talk about pressure.

“Try and look sporty?” suggested Bee. So I did.

"Debenhams sports wear"

Me looking sporty

“Oh dear,” said Bee, “not like that. Try something else.”

“How about a bit of casual stretching?” I said.

"Debenhams sportswear"

Casual stretching

“Well, it’s better than the sporty look,” she admitted, “but still weird.”

We gave up in the end, and I went off to my netball match. My new sports gear does make me feel more professional on court than when I used to go in a pair of old pyjama bottoms and a Johnny Cash t-shirt, but to be honest I haven’t noticed the effects of the Fitpod as much as the Slimpod, and would still rather have a little sit down 95% of the time if given the choice.

I did wonder if it’s because the Slimpod comes first on my playlist, and I’m always snoozing by the second track, but I’ve been reassured it shouldn’t matter if I fall asleep.

Perhaps my laziness is just more deeply ingrained than my greed.

 

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Last week I turned 34. I may still get asked for ID to buy a bottle of wine*, but I am noticing a certain general achiness creeping up on me. Basically I am getting old.

If you are someone who has always been sporty, you are not likely to let wear and tear in your joints get the better of you.  If however, you are someone like me, who has, until my recent discovery of netball, been more of a ‘glass of wine up to mouth’ type of exerciser, then you might be a bit more wary of where to start.

Fear not. Light sporting activities such as the following, carried out regularly, can help keep joints healthy and mobile. If you have any aches or pains, try out CBD products to help relieve pain. There are plenty of products on the market, so make sure you do your research around the CBD oil UK options to find the best fit for you and your circumstances.

You could also consider kratom, a relative of the coffee plant, as a method of pain relief. Kratom can be bought in capsule form, or check out this article if you’re interested in how to make your own kratom capsules.

You could also consider CBD oil for weight loss if extra weight holds you back when it comes to sport.

Swimming

Movements that can be painful if done out of water can seem a lot easier when swimming. The resistance of the water ensures evenness of movement, and it’s a great way to relax the joints, loosen muscles and to avoid stress overload. Physical activity in the water helps to strengthen the heart, improve circulatory and respiratory functions, stimulate metabolism and relax the muscles.

sports to keep joints healthy

Going for a casual stress-free swim

Dancing

A personal favourite, dancing is not only fun, it also keeps you fit and is good for your health.  Movement and pressure on joints is controlled by the tempo, length of the steps and positions of the body.  Due to the low risk of injury, dancing is recommended even for people with arthritis in the knee, and really old people like me.

Walking and hiking

Walking keeps you fit. Fact. Nordic walking, which uses sticks, (to help you walk, not to knock slow people out of the way with), is a great way to relieve the pressure on the knee joints, and both walking and hiking are knee-friendly alternatives to jogging. Due to the fact that one leg is always on the ground, this means there is no shock impact to the joints and spine. Make sure you have all the correct gear too, to minimise risk. Check out Onlysportsgear.com if you need some inspiration.

Cycling

When cycling, your body weight rests on the saddle, (poor saddle), taking the pressure off the knee joints. Make sure you pedal round and evenly with not too much resistance. If pain occurs it means that you have overworked your knee and that the step resistance is too high. The best form of training is on an exercise bike because then you can adjust step resistance, height of the seat and handlebars according to your needs.

Whether cycling is performance-based or simply for pleasure, there is scarcely another sport that keeps the knee mobile and stress free. The seat height should be adjusted so that your leg is almost fully extended when the pedal is at its lowest point.

Pain relief

If you do find yourself suffering from any joint pain, Arnica is a great remedy, and will be familiar to many people as a treatment for bruises.  Pain relief in stiff muscles and joints can be soothed using a herbal remedy made from fresharnicaflowers in an easy-to apply gel form – ideal for muscle aches and pains, stiffness and after sporting injuries.

Of course, not all pain comes directly from working out. If your pain is the result of an accident that wasn’t your fault, it provides you with a few different options from which to choose. For example, in situations where a sports injury has caused you a great deal of pain, a personal injury lawyer might have the ability to get you some sort of settlement, in addition to rehabilitation support. Many lawyers will take your case on a no win, no fee basis, so you will not have to pay for these services unless you are awarded some compensation.

For more information about Arnica visit the www.avogel.co.uk/herbal-remedies/arnica-gel-atrogel/

*This actually happened to me yesterday. It was annoying but cool at the same time.

Photo credit – notsogoodphotography

 

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I was going to write something today about being rubbish at netball, but then I only went and scored a bloody hat trick didn’t I?? And I was only Goal Shoot for ten minutes.

I think it was a fluke though, and the moral of the story still stands.

At the beginning of this year I started playing netball. I was always hopeless at sports at school, so don’t know why I imagined I’d be any better 18 years and two children later. For some reason though, I thought the fact that I am now a grown up woman, running her own business and able to hold a conversation without blushing would make a difference.

It doesn’t.

I am still rubbish. (Apart from the hat trick. Did I mention that?)

I have decided though that being rubbish is OK.

That may seem like an obvious statement to make, but personally, I find it really hard to do, let alone enjoy, things I think I am ‘bad’ at. I tend to believe that if I’m no good at something, there’s either no point in doing it, or that the people I am doing it with won’t like me.

I know it’s silly and possibly a little pathetic – I certainly don’t dislike people just because they aren’t the best at things. If anything, I like them more because I’m not intimidated by them, or worried about showing myself up. You’d think too that I’d have learnt after years of getting all the answers right at school, but being virtually friendless, that no one likes a smartarse.

In my mind, not being good at something means people won’t respect me, which is why playing netball is so good for me. Imagine the episode of Friends where they are playing football for the Geller Cup, and everyone keeps telling Rachel to ‘go long’. Quite often I feel like that. ‘Here!’ I shout, and my team-mate will look at me, standing in a massive space, wince a bit, and instead throw the ball to the player half way down the court, who is being marked by three people.

This is OK.

*mild panic attack*

No really, it is.  Not being the best isn’t the end of the world. Not knowing the answer to something doesn’t make you an idiot. Missing the goal won’t make people hate you.

It’s a lesson I need to learn, even if it’s probably about 25 years too late – on court or off, it’s OK to sometimes drop the ball.

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I have a sports injury.

*dramatic pause*

OK, OK, I have a grazed knee, but still, I did it playing an Actual Sport, and it quite hurt at the time, (although I was very brave and didn’t cry), so I’m calling it a sports injury. Perhaps I should get a massage?? David from Future Focus says that “sports massages are critical to overcoming any kind of muscular injury, addressing your aches and pains all of the body.”

Friends and family will be laughing now at the idea of me playing any kind of sport, let alone putting in enough effort to sustain an injury, but they can laugh all they like, for I am pleased to announce that at the age of 33 I have finally found a sport that I enjoy. Never having been able to maintain any sort of physical activity for longer than a few weeks before, this is something of a revelation for me, and an achievement therefore to be celebrated.

My sport of choice?

Netball. View Post

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