Fitness plays such an important part in my life. I enjoy running and working out at the gym and use the time to listen to music and to reflect on my day. As I’ve got older, I’ve realised the importance of not just keeping fit, but how exercise helps your mental health.
Having kids can actually be quite a lonely time for some people and although I would say I am quite outgoing there were times of feeling very alone and isolated. I was encouraged by a friend to play netball and it was really good for my self-esteem to have something just for me to look forward to. I’m really sociable so I love team sports.
When I was going through the menopause but I didn’t realise and I just thought I was going mad, walking and hockey saved my life, it's so important to look after your mental health during this time!
I really struggled to do my pelvic floor exercises after having my boys, I honestly thought as I was young they would just be ok and I would bounce back. Obviously that's not the case and combined with a hysterectomy and menopause, I found myself really struggling to hold my bladder together! Being older and wiser now, I have started to think more about how I can strengthen these muscles and I do reformer pilates and have one on one personal training sessions.
It is so important to look after yourself as you get older, both physically and mentally. Even simple things like putting on mascara and lipstick each day can help with self-esteem. I feel so much more confident when I have done my workout, I feel ready to take on the world!