Exercise. No doubt about it…it has been well documented that it helps our mental health.
To start I must stress that I am NOT a sporty gal. At school I wasn’t in any teams and on running days I always wanted my mum to write a note to say I wasn’t well. It gave me DREAD and filled me with all sorts of insecurities.
In adulthood, in my search for calm (namaste), I have thrown myself into all sorts of things. I get something into my head and that’s it….I buy alllll the gear. Yoga mats. Weights. Tops, leggings, sports socks, trainers, sports bras. I have never quite mastered getting a sports bra on and off gracefully. It’s always a fight that leaves me sweatier than when I’ve done actual exercise. I’m the same getting my swimming costume off. What a mess I get myself into all clammy and sticky.
Gym exercise classes leave me so red faced and dizzy that sometimes I’m not sure how I manage to drive home.
I’ve tried Youtube fitness classes at home including a few Victoria Secret model ones. Instructors looks incredible and sweat free. I, on the other other hand, am in my living room not looking so sexy. I once attempted a video with my pjs on clinging to my boobs as I didn’t have a sports bra on. I knew if I went to get proper gear on I’d probably just sit down and not get back up!!!!
Couch to 5k left me feeling I was going to pass out after the first minute of running.
SPIN classes…OUCH. I purchased on amazon a pair of pants that had huge bit of padding for my lady parts. They were about three sizes too big for me, bright pink and looked like a had a MASSIVE sanitary towel on. TERRIBLE LOOK.
Bikram yoga. I read online about yogas mental health benefits. So me being me thought to myself…yes I’ll try that…but not just a normal class….a yoga class in SWELTERING heat. At the time there was only one class available but it was in a flat in the suburbs of the city. Random but I thought I’d go for it not knowing what to expect. When the door opened to this flat I cannot tell you the smell of sweat that came out. A small group of people standing in a hall waiting to start. We were taken into a LIVING room. Windows were blacked out and basically there were portable radiators round all the walls to make it roasting. I didn’t know if I would make it out alive. So followed NINTY minutes of wild yoga moves (that I absolutely couldn’t do) and sweating. It STUNK. I left the flat after thinking to myself…WHAT just happened?
As you can see I haven’t quite mastered the art of sport. Problem is I give everything a go but never keep at it. At least I try and I will continue to try. No doubt about it…it makes me feel better and releases all sorts of good feelings. I however will not be the face of exercise for mental wellbeing. I am the one at the back of the class guzzling her new exercise water bottle and going for a drive through McDonald’s after.
My best bet is getting out for a walk with my boy in the pram. Fresh air. Nature. Seeing him smiling back at me. That gives me the best feels of all!!
Nappies and wings 