The great outdoors (or how I fell in love with exercise)...


Anyone who has spent any amount of time with me will know that I am not an outdoor kind of person. I love the idea of spending balmy summer evenings sitting outside with a glass of wine or taking long walks through Autumn leaves but until now, you are much more likely to find me skulking inside doing everything I can to avoid the terrible trio of weather, bugs and exercise! Recently though, as part of my great exercise strategy/ weight loss programme, Mark and I have been spending any free time we have at the weekends going on walks around the beautiful countryside where we live and I have to say (whisper) I have been quite enjoying it! I have been walking to my lift in the morning and going to the gym at least once a week and I am pleased to say that I have lost about half a stone! :D Obviously I still have a long way to go but I have been quite motivated recently which is quite unlike me. I never believed the people who kept saying how exhilarating exercise was but recently I have definitely been getting 'the buzz' which has kept me going whilst my muscles are screaming out at me to stop...

Hoody: H&M, top: MiFit, trousers: MiFit, trainers: Dunlop Flash. I quite like this photo, I look quite tall!
Like most people, the thought of any kind of exercise is enough to put me off but by ignoring my grumbles and bribing me with promises of Fringe marathons, Mark has convinced me to get outdoors.
As with most things, I was most concerned with what the most appropriate things to wear were. The first time we went, I wore my beautiful Nike trainers and they ended up covered in mud so now I prefer my old trainers, my wellies or my new DMs (wipe clean rubber FTW!) paired with my rather snazzy new exercise gear. I love all of the various jazzy patterned running leggings you can get but I held off ordering any as I am hoping Father Christmas will be reading this blog! ;) Obviously it is getting pretty chilly out there so wrapping up warm is pretty important. If I am running, I tend to just wear my H&M hoody (I love the bright pink colour but I always feel like Elle Woods when I am wearing it!) as I warm up very quickly! Who would have thought that one day I would be feeling so enthused about both exercise and exercise gear?! Maria, you have changed!

What do you wear to exercise? How do you stay motivated?

6 comments

Sarah said...

So glad to hear you're loving it! I really need to get a good waterproof running jacket!
x

LillianZahra said...

I am an indoor girl at heart but nothing beats a good run on a cold (but not rainy) day - glad you're enjoying the running! x

Sophie in the Sticks said...

Really pleased that you are enjoying going out for a run! I need to stock up on warmer wear for winter, it's getting colddddd x

The Style Rawr said...

I think I'd exercise more if I lived in the country, I hate running along main roads!

Tara x

Chloe said...

So pleased for you- it's so much easier when you find a way to enjoy exercise rather than it always being a chore or something you loathe.

Looking like hot stuff out there, keep up the good work love.

Sherin said...

I went to the gym for the first time today in years. I actually enjoyed it. I love your work out outfit, especially the pink hoody.