Respect!

This is a post about respect for one's body ,which is something I've been forced to learn about the hard way the last couple of weeks.

I got a cold after a particularly intense week training wise. I rested and it cleared up after three days so on Thursday I felt well again. With lots of abstinence I threw myself into the gym and the same night I went to boxing. Friday morning I went for a run. Friday night I stood out in the cold and...I got ill again!

I must have caught another virus and its not until today I'm feeling well again except a slightly blocked nose and some coughing in the morning. That is day 13 after I got ill the second time..So sure my doctor told me this virus would take 10-14 days to get well from.

But honestly I know I made some mistakes before it happened and along the way that weren't helpful to my immune system. So here is a list of not to do's:

• Don't do intense exercise until you've been well for a day. Give your body a break!


• Never, ever, do even light exercise with a sore throat. What goes around comes around..


• Don't diet or eat too little! If you are on a healthy diet and suddenly lose appetite and end up eating very little of the healthy (often low calorie) stuff you might not be giving your body enough energy...and trust me inspite of your "inactivity" your body is working hard for you.


• Don't get too little sleep! If you've slept badly, spend time in bed resting. Sometimes I got up at 7 or 8am because I woke up, even though I'd been up during the night because of coughing. Not smart -just lie down until you go back to sleep, you really are tired trust me.


• Don't run around pretending you're not ill! First couple of days are crucial, you can give your body the chance to fight off the cold or you can tire yourself out and allow a full on, bad ass outbreak. It's your choice..

So, this I learnt cause I made all the mistakes. And I won't do them again. I feel kind of well today but I'm intent on resting (even though inside I'm twitching with eagerness for the gym). But if I want to be able to start working out as I did before this bl*@#y cold I better give my body some Respect!

Love your body!

At first I wondered if I was really going to start writing this blog. I read several health and fitness blogs daily and many are written by people with "better" bodies, more results and far more experience than me. But it struck me as I flicked through page after page of diet-advise and workout programmes that many write about their bodies as if they are machines. Calories out, calories in, calories burnt, fat % etc. I have gone down the road of eating disorders and disrespect for my body and I know that (for most of us) its not that simple... If no one hasn't told you in a while, let me remind you: Body, Soul and Spirit are one! And you are not a machine but a beatiful, crafted piece of art. With an amazingly complex body which is yours and unique. What works for one person might not work for you. Therefore, the best advice you will ever get is to listen to your own body. What do you feel good eating? what type of exercise liftens your spirits and makes you feel just great? Know you might think that well, that works for you but not for me: I don't feel like doing any exercise. And if I could choose I'd live off chocolate and crisps! Truth is, to listen to your body will not work as well if you haven't been a good listener for a long time. For me years of dieting and overeating had messed up my system: I had a hard time judging how much to eat, when to eat and whether I was hungry or just emotionally in need of a "fix". It took me many months of a "no diet regime" and even longer of limiting myself to sweets once a week as well as getting back into a good exa lot nicer to live ercise routine until i finally started to "get it": being able to listen to my body and eat and exercise healthily as well as finally starting to tone u

I'm still on the journey but this I have learned:

1. After having some good, sensible routines like homecooked food, regular meals and self limitation with regards to sweets and "crap food" like chips, crisps etc., your body will give of louder signals and you will be a better listener!


2. Your body can tell you what is a good and healthy diet for You.


3. It is after a lot nicer to live after the -love your body and care for it- philosophy than the calori counting, tame my body to obidience one.


4. I want to feel great is ten times more motivating in the long run than I want to look perfect.

Ok, so this was a very long text. Promise to keep it shorter next time ;) Anyway this is my philosophy when it comes to diet and exercise: To find a a lifestyle I enjoy rather than a strict regime I can't imagine myself keeping to for more than a few months.

This blog is all about that enjoyable lifestyle as I discover more about what that means for me, and how I could inspire you to venture out on the same journey!

Love your body, the two of you are together for life ;)

xxx