Celebrating 100 years of ‘keep fit’, health care organisation Benenden brought their new video to my attention and asked if I’d share it with you folks. I love the way they captured exercise trends through the ages, complete with fun hair and make-up! I thought it was a great opportunity to tell you about one of my favourite ways to keep fit which I never knew was actually a 1950s trend – Hula Hooping!

My Nan and Grandad used to have a hula hoop hung on the wall in their yard and I loved playing with it, although I could never keep the hoop going for longer than a few turns. Fast forward over 20 years(!!) and now I know why! Haha. Kids’ hula hoops are missing one important ingredient to good hooping skills – they’re not weighted!

Now I’ve got myself a weighted hula hoop I can keep momentum going for hundreds of turns and it’s still just as fun as when I was a kid, except now I have my own house I can hula hoop anywhere, including my own living room. I love how easy it is to fit into your daily routine.

My favourite ways to fit hula hooping into the modern day are:

// As my five minute break during the Pomodoro Technique

// While catching up on shows on Netflix

// Dancing along to a new record on the record player

// While waiting for my lunch to cook in the oven

I love making keep fit, fun – especially when it’s convenient too! Which is your favourite exercise era?
Loves x xx

So I started going to the gym at the beginning of this year for the first time in my life (I’m 28!). I’ve always loved swimming, but the idea of going to the gym has always been so daunting and a step into the unknown. It turns out – I actually quite enjoy it! Today I wanted to share a bit of advice for all those who are a bit apprehensive about going to the gym, not for working out, but for feeling comfortable and confident to walk in there and feel at home.

Clothing wise it’s important to wear something you feel good in, at least for the first few weeks. When I first visited I wore a tight training vest and I hated (still do!) they way it looks on my arms and across my stomach, even though it’s useful for working out. There are so many mirrors at my gym that I couldn’t hide from my own reflection and it made me feel more and more self conscious and uncomfortable. New Look sent me this grey loose fitting top and I find it so much better to wear with my gym shorts as it hides a million sins and I really like the look and feel of the fabric. It’s such a simple switch that has made the world of difference to my confidence in the gym.

I also picked out the grey jogging bottoms from New Look; They’re really soft & cosy and gentle around my stomach which is great because comfort is a huge priority while exercising. What I really love about these, though, is that whilst I prefer to wear shorter and more closely fitting bottoms for working out, if I can’t be bothered to shave my legs I can cover up and still feel good about myself.

Another way I’ve found to feel more at home in the gym is to make music my comfort blanket. Hearing certain songs or certain artists instantly makes me feel at ease so I put together a playlist of my favourite music to remind me of a TV show that I love or a weekend away with friends. Having something for your mind to wander and focus on also makes a workout fly by instead of watching the clock …and if I need some extra happiness I stick on an old band t-shirt instead of my gym top and it’s like a giant happy hug on my bad days!

I’m working towards feeling confident without all these little helping hands, but it’s all about the baby steps when you throw yourself into something new.

Jogging Bottoms | c/o New Look  // Grey Gym Top | c/o New Look
Black Gym Leggings | Similar  // Gym Trainers | Oysho

Loves x xx