Exercise IS fun (and good for you I hear...)

For about six months, I had done no exercise other than walking and the (very) occasional zumba class.  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't unhealthy or overweight, I was just lazy and very unfit!  I never thought I was a running person, after I tried to jog a couple years ago and ended up collapsing in my shower as soon as I got home (true story!).  However, getting out of breath when you've walked up a flight of stairs is generally not a indicator of good health, and nor is it very attractive, so I decided to change my lifestyle up a bit.  

I started running properly about, hmm, three months ago I think.  I do interval training (basically where you alternate running with walking in short bursts, which is supposed to be better for your heart) using an iPhone app called '5k runner'.  You can get a free version of this app called '5k free' which gives you 4 different running options - week 1 day 1, week 1 day 2, week 1 day 3, week 2 day 1.  I can't recommend this app enough!! It tells you when to run and when to walk, building the times up slowly for each run, and lets you listen to your music at the same time!

Anyway, technicalities aside, I found that I CAN RUN!! And more importantly, I freaking love it!! I exclusively listen to cheese, RnB, dance and hip hop while I run (makes a change from my usual pop punk and emo) as I find it gives me so much energy and enthusiasm.  I try and go 2-3 times a week, and sometimes it's mega easy, sometimes I hit the wall within 30 seconds haha, but the important thing is persevering.

And check out the gorgeous countryside I get to run through (there's a 30mile trail that goes past my house that I normally run on):

Another thing I've been doing, every night that I don't run, is yoga! I never used to be able to touch my knees let alone my toes (slight exaggeration, but you get the idea.. the perils of having 3ft legs!), but now I can nearly nearly touch the floor.  I find yoga really good for stress levels, as well as just unwinding and tuning in to your body after a hard day at work.

So yes, I'm back to being an exercise fanatic, but it really makes so much difference to my fatigue levels and my general happiness :)

What exercise, if any, do you do?

Xxxx