Ah, January. The month where I regret December’s wine-and-stilton combo and wonder wistfully what happened to my flat stomach. Come to think of it, I’m not sure I’ve seen any sign of it since approximately 2006.
January is the month I duck into the shower under the cover of a towel lest I catch a glimpse of errant thigh wobble. The month I just think “sod it”, and tuck into another warming jacket potato in front of the fire. The month I continue in the pattern of red wine and brie for dinner, because why not eh?
New year, new me? Not when it’s cold and raining, thanks.
The lack of January fitness motivation has never been more evident for me than in 2017. I have a marathon to run in less than 100 days (HOLY SHITBALLS etc etc) and, despite my best intentions – always the best intentions – I haven’t been able to get myself going.
Fitness Tips for January
Which is why I’ve roped in the advice of a pro. I met Adrienne working out at David Lloyd at the beginning of last year, and her Instagram is total fitness goals. Adrienne is a personal trainer, a fitness model and a mum, and she’s running the marathon as well this year (I’d wager way faster than me ;) ). Here are her tips to give yourself a good old kick up the bum this January.
Get Started! If your gym kit’s been gathering dust for a while, then the best time to start is now. Block out some time in your diary, pull yourself together and just get it done. The first workout is the toughest, but you’ll feel great after. If you’re really finding it tough to get going, grab yourself some nice new workout gear in the sales. That should give you enough motivation to get to the gym or in your trainers.
Set yourself a goal. I always encourage my clients to sign up for a winter 5k or a 10k race. Once you’ve signed up, create a training programme to get ready for the race day. Knowing that you have a race coming up will ensure that you continue to train though out the winter. It’s much more inspiring than setting a weight loss goal, plus you get a medal at the end!
Stronger together. Encourage a friend to get fit with you, it’s more fun to train together and you can help to keep each other on track. Often when a friend invites me out for a brunch date, I’ll suggest meeting an hour earlier for a yoga or barre class. You’re much less likely to skip your workout once you commit and make plans with your friend.
Do it for you. We all spend a lot of time working, looking after the kids and doing things for other people. It’s important to realise how important it is to take some time for yourself to go out for a run or spend an hour at the gym. Exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety and really boost your mood. Make it a priority and don’t feel guilty about taking some well-deserved time out for yourself.
That’s it, I’m off for a run, thanks Adrienne!
How do you motivate yourself to get fit in the face of the January slump?
Great post, Alice. While I’m not a runner, having a dog forces me to get out walking for at least an hour every day whatever the weather. Even on the days I don’t feel like doing it, I know my health and wellbeing is all the better for it. I suppose it’s similar to committing to meet a friend to exercise – when someone’s depending on you you don’t want to let them down. Good luck with the marathon training by the way, I’m sure you’ll do great! :)
I have been loving your fitness IG’s Alice! You are tempting me to do something similar, love the idea of training with a friend! X
Brilliant tips! I’ve recently got back into running (and when I say “got back into” I mean going for a gentle run two or three times a week – no marathon here!) and I’m genuinely amazed at how quickly you see results if you do it regularly. I’m not going to be the next Paula Radcliffe any time soon but I do love that I can run more than double the distance I could three weeks ago without feeling like I’m going to cough up a lung or my legs will buckle beneath me!
I definitely think that if you think of time in the gym as “me time” (no phones, no other people, just music/audiobook and concentrating on yourself) it makes it seem like a lot more of a luxury than something you just have to do! Remembering the reason that I go is because of all the endorphins and the good feeling it leaves me with is what makes me keep going.
I am desperate to get back into the gym post-Christmas but last week I was hectic as anything, and this week I have the world’s worst cold. I can’t breathe through my nose and walking to the kitchen to make my next lemsip has me panting… or at least I hope it’s the cold and not just a lack of exercise last month ;)
Ah I have followed Adrienne for ages on instagram- she is a stunner and look at that body. I have totally failed on my January mission, I haven’t even attempted to start exercising. But I have to be in the right frame of mind and at the moment I am not as I am knackered. Hopefully soon! x
OMG is she an actual human that you know? Wow, what a great inspiration to have!
I absolutely love Adrienne and have been following her for quite a long time now always thinking wow she is going to really make a difference with her positive attitude and basically being an awesome human – great tips from here! And good luck with your training Alice
Laura x
Wow, I’m so impressed that you’re doing a marathon Alice. Nice work!
Hey, you really inspire me!