I’ve been over-eating and drinking every evening, for weeks!
Way before Christmas started, clients were bringing me bottles of wine and I was enjoying a glass or two a night. I’m so ready to get back into the gym, eat less meat, much more veg and sleep without simultaneously digesting some ginormous midnight snack.
I’m ready to wake up rested, refreshed and full of energy. Rather than parched and puffy from the Chinese we ate at 9pm. I know from experience that lots of people feel the same.
READ MORE: 'I'm glad my son cut the head off his Elf On The Shelf'
Every January we see the gyms packed full of “new year new me” folk. But if I’ve learned one thing in my 39 years on this planet, it’s that exercising to punish yourself and with the sole aim of losing weight, does not work.
There are a million reasons to exercise and eat a little less, aside from weight loss, that will benefit you. My favourite is sleep! If I’ve eaten carefully and exercised well, my sleep is the first thing to improve.
I jump out of bed in the mornings full of energy and ideas. Closely behind that is immunity. I’m sick of catching every cough and cold that's going round. Pun intended.
Then, if on top of these, you look healthier, people start giving you compliments (my personal favourite), you'll find you’re enjoying the mirror rather than wincing every time you look in it, and smiling for the photo instead of running away. That’s where we all want to be.
What if you’re feeling the slump after Christmas but can’t jump back on your usual fitness classes as you’re expecting a baby, or recently given birth? It can be difficult to know where to turn for advice.
There’s far too much information out there to be able to make informed choices. So investing in yourself maybe the safest option. Rather than focusing on what your body looks like, you’ll want someone who can help you focus on what your body can do. With the bonus of meeting other local mums and pregnant women.
Get Pregnancy Fit is a first of its kind, clinically led, lifestyle service for prenatal and postnatal women. Based on the five pillars of lifestyle medicine - physical activity, good nutrition, quality sleep, the impact of substance misuse and healthy relationships.
Co-founded by Dr Victoria Hoyle, a GP and mum of two, who is passionate about women’s health, and Harriet McGuffie, an expert in pregnancy and post natal exercise. Get Pregnancy Fit also has a team of experts covering nutrition, diet, pelvic health and hypnobirthing.
Its selection of packages include £8 drop in classes with training that is sympathetic to both pregnancy and the after affects of birth, led by Harriet. They also offer a £100 eight week fitness program tailored specifically for you and your changing body.
Workouts focus on strength work and core restore, with some elements of cardio. And sessions are mindful that you’re training on a sleep deprived body. It's a place that welcomes babies, where you can bond with other mums like you.
2023 is the year we care for our incredible bodies, carefully. Without punishing diets and over exercising. Your baby doesn’t need to learn to swim underwater. It needs a mum who’s getting enough sleep, feels strong and healthy and takes care of herself first.
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