The First Steps to Fitness

Never ever quit

I’ve not spoken about exercise here before. D’ya know why? Because I don’t do any. Nada. Nothing at all. I used to do dance classes most nights as a teenager, completing ballet grades until I was en pointe, but then life/boys/the internet got in the way and since I’ve just not had the motivation. So you’ll understand that I was a little apprehensive to head off on a trip with Nike that involved spending an entire two days working out alongside girls with fitness blogs and pals that had completed half-marathons…I struggle to run and catch the bus!

If you read my post on body image, you’ll know that one of my main goals is to switch that around – introduce exercise and feel better for it, hoping that a few of my extra burger lbs will come off in the process. I accepted their invitation, making this trip the first (and as it turned out, very large) step towards my goal.

Failure is a teacher

We were shipped off to the island of Sark, a tiny place with a population of just 600 and no cars on the roads – the perfect setting for the challenges that awaited us. Our first task was a 1.5 mile run to our hotel; after beginning it soon became clear that despite there being girls of all heights/weights/sizes on the trip, I was the least fit of the lot. Trailing along at the back, I couldn’t see that I would ever be able to control my breathing well enough to run for extended periods of time. With a lot of encouragement from wonderful Nike master trainer Joslyn, we worked on small goals, stopping and starting until I made it to the end.

After a little recuperation, it was time to head off to a field for back-to-back HIIT classes…something I’d been dreading. I paced my way through the first class, but by the time we were asked to sprint in the second Barry’s Bootcamp session, the combination of feeling like I couldn’t breathe and being outlapped by every other girl there caused me to break down and cry, narrowly missing out on a full-blown panic attack. I’m not very good at being the worst at something, and had a horrible feeling creep over me – I just can’t do this. The support from the girls was everything I needed to suck it up and get on with it – even if I was completing things after everybody else, I was still working the hardest I possibly could, working on my own goals.

Leap first, look later

It’s easy for a confidence knock like that to put you off for good, but the next morning’s yoga session was the perfect way to help me gain it back again. Thankfully being naturally quite flexible, I was able to get myself into a few of the more advanced positions despite only taking a couple of classes previously. I might not be a runner, but seeing that I had potential in something else gave me a spark that helped me take on everything else that day with enthusiasm.

The rest of the day saw back-to-back challenges, from scaling hundreds of steps, pushing carts, rock climbing and cycling across the island in-between. I may have been right at the back for the most part (I’m also going to blame the fact I was attempting to take pictures!) but I made it through each challenge with a sweaty, red smile on my face. I was doing things I’d never thought possible, and my team were cheering me through it.

Whilst I know you don’t all have the option to be swept off to and island with Nike, I hope the first step in what is hopefully a successful story was enough to inspire a few of you girls who think you can’t do it to get off your bums and give it your best shot.

Just do it

What’s next for me? I’ve been wearing my fuel band every day, making sure I hit my target, even on days where I’ve been sitting at the computer. I’m not planning any marathons in the near future, but just starting to introduce regular classes into my routine and get my fitness levels up with a little help from the NTC app is next on the agenda. I have a long way to go, but I’ve heard enough inspiring stories to know that anything is possible. Cheesy as it sounds, ‘just do it’ couldn’t be more apt a slogan right now!

Thank you SO much to Nike for showing me that it is possible! I can’t wait to share the next stage of my journey.

For those of you with a similar story and not wanting to shell out on a gym membership in fear of quitting, I want to make sure you’ve heard about the wonderful free Nike Training Club classes that happen across London! Go ahead and test the waters, I have no doubt that you’ll leave feeling as inspired as I am right now!

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