Posted on August 02 2024
August is all about a reset of mind, body and goals. Perhaps you had goals before the Summer started and now need a refresh, or perhaps you're new to fitness and want some guidance to get started. Here we invited ILU ambassador and PT, Eliza Flynn aka @thewarriormethod and founder of @healthylivinglondon to the blog for a boost of expertise and motivation!
Hi Eliza!
I’ve got fitness goals this summer, how can I fit it in with child care, work and quality time with my friends?
Summer can feel like the hardest time to work on fitness goals, especially if you’re the main carer for your child, or children. And it can also feel like a time where you’re constantly behind in your work and catching up with friends. However, there are some things you can do to have the best of both worlds with a little organisation:
- Include your fitness into your daily tasks. For example, if you’re dropping off a child off at summer camp, integrate a run from there to the office.
- Get others involved. Invite your friends to your fitness by doing a workout or fitness class together and then going for your catch up after. Or go for a massage or sauna with your friend and catch up then. When you’re time poor, you’ve got to be inventive!
- Join a summer fitness programme such as Summer Strong which you can do with your friends, and because the home workouts are short, you can easily fit these in.
I’ve hit a plateau, how can I level up my training this Summer?
Do something different. Often we hit a plateau because we’re doing the same thing and it just isn’t working anymore. For example, if you’re running regular 5kms and you’re not getting any faster, try changing something. Add in strength workouts if you’re not doing them. Get a running coach to assess your technique and put together a specific plan for you. Go to the athletics track and build in speed work.
In some cases, it may be something that feels totally unrelated to our training, such as eating better or getting more sleep.
Assessing your training is the best place to start. Look at what you’re currently doing and where you’re aiming for. And then determine what factors can help improve that. This often requires some trial and error if you’re doing this yourself. If you want to level up your training faster, think about working with a personal trainer or fitness coach.
I want to get started on my fitness journey, should I be prioritising cardio or strength?
For anyone who’s starting their fitness journey, congratulations!
Firstly, I’d make sure the foundations are in place. These are the things you absolutely need to have before moving into any type of exercise:
- Your pelvic floor function and ability to engage and release your abdominal muscles.
- Controversially, and regardless of your goals, I’d recommend starting fitness which you enjoy; if you enjoy it, you’re more likely to stick with it consistently. And this is the biggest stumbling block when it comes to starting out.
- From here, you’ll soon realise that it’s easier to add other things in, and also to know when you should then do.
Join Eliza's SUMMER STRONG programme
