New Beginnings Part 5 – Natalie

With these wonderful new restrictions and back to home schooling I have found my motivation, my energy and usual positive nature understandably not as upbeat as usual.

Having to achieve the academic demands for my girls is one thing but having to deal with incredibly upset children questioning everything has been incredibly testing.

Staying mentally strong for them has been such an unbelievable strain that I never thought I would have to deal with for a 7 and 5 year old. It has made me see how we as adults are expected to stay so strong just because we are grown ups.

I have had to question my mental strength and motivation and channel ways in which to keep healthy for me and my family.

As an ex exercise instructor, fitness has always been a huge part of my life but this has never been so prevalent than today. I have always run 3 times a week and this has always been enough to fit around normal life. At the end of November I picked up a second hand spin bike (which would have been amazing 100yrs ago when I was teaching classes) and joined the online world of Peloton.

Peloton is an online community which unites fitness lovers through many different classes. I can jump on a full range of classes morning, noon and night and know that there are others enjoying the same disciplines as me. This has been brilliant for me because for the first time throughout lockdown, I have someone else motivating me! This has proved invaluable to my mental well being.

So, not only am I still running to make sure I get fresh air, I am also doing spin classes, strength, stretching and a new love every single night, meditation.

Even if exercise is not your thing, I urge you to take a look. They have anything from 5 minute classes to 1hour, so even when you are at your busiest, there is never an excuse to not make the time.