After 14 weeks, I’d lost a stone and was down to 7st 8lbs, and my tummy had shrunk back down. In addition, my biometric scales were also showing me how much fat I was losing and muscle I was gaining. My skeletal muscle mass has always been low – I’ve been warned about it before by my GP, and I knew that I was in danger of getting osteoporosis. Now my muscle mass is above average, and it makes me so happy to think that I’m future-proofing my body. I don’t want to be that little old lady that falls over and snaps. Pleasingly, the machine at the gym which measures metabolic age (body composition), tells me I’m down to 38 years old.

I’ve just bought the dress I’m going to wear to my daughter’s wedding this summer, and I feel amazing in it. It’s very unforgiving, and I wouldn’t have had the confidence to wear it before, but now I can’t wait to wear it and to thoroughly enjoy her beautiful day.

Exercise

Before, I walked and did a bit of yoga or Pilates, but not regularly. Now I have five resistance sessions per week, either with a personal trainer or using an app called Sweat; I do things like kettlebell swings, squats with weights, and weighted lunges. I do the odd Park Run, which I hadn’t done for 15 years, and have started doing a few 5k runs on the treadmill before a session. I also do lots of walking, which really helps clear my head.

Oona’s top tips

• Don’t fall into a guilt spiral: If you indulge in a treat, don’t waste time feeling guilty about it – as I used to – and then write the rest of the day off with mad eating. Just think, I ate or drank that, I enjoyed it, now it’s time to start again.
• A little bit of planning really helps you stay on track. That could be quickly jotting down what you’re planning to eat that day, to help you stick to it, taking a snack in your bag, or batch cooking some meals in advance.
• Visualise where you want to be, be that an event in the future like a holiday or feeling strong in your later years. It helps you stay on track when your motivation is waning.

 As told to Jessica Salter

HOUSTON – Getting in good workouts doesn’t mean going to a gym with heavy equipment all the time, Erica Hood, founder of HoodFit, said you don’t even need equipment!

“You literally can be in your hotel. You could be poolside, anywhere, and just get some movement in because you’re going to feel so good after moving,” Hood said.

Back lunge + jump

A fantastic move to work your legs and get your heart rate up.

Lunge back. Jump up. Step your feet together.

Tricep dip + toe tap

This exercise targets your triceps and core. It’s a simple yet effective move to keep you toned while traveling.

On a mat, dip down. Cross one arm across your body to touch the opposite toe.

Three pulse squat

Squat down. Pulse three times.

“We’re going to start at the back of our mat. We’re going to do some squat walk. So, we’re going to walk it to the front… and we’re just going to go up down. And then we’re going to walk it all the way back,” Hood explained.

Add water bottles

If you’re traveling or on the go, you can look for items you can use to add resistance (like water bottles).

“If you don’t have weights, you can use water bottles. Those work great, and you’d be surprised at how fast your muscles start firing up from just using water bottles or something that you have,” Hood said.

All of her workouts range in time from 10, 20 to 30 minutes so you can do them on their own or pair them together. Try 1 month FREE membership + a 14 day FREE trial when using code: TRAVEL4FREE when signing up on the Hoodfit website. Offer expires on June 30th.

By Lokmat English Desk | Published: June 27, 2024 01:38 PM2024-06-27T13:38:48+5:302024-06-27T13:45:59+5:30

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