Winter training

So darker in the mornings/early evenings and chillier temperatures – there is definitely a turn in the seasons. However there are still things you can be doing to keep motivation levels up and remember that regular exercise will strengthen your immune system during flu/cold season.

Here are my top tips to stay on track with training and keep your energy levels high in these winter months. 

  1. Hydration – just because you might not get as sweaty as in the height of summer it doesn’t mean we can neglect our hydration. Make sure you keep hydrated as our bodies use water to help maintain our core body temperature as well as improving memory, mood, focus etc. 
  2. Time of day – if you’re a morning person, set that alarm, have your kit laid out the night before and avoid that snooze button! If you’re not a morning person then make sure you have your gym kit to hand to squeeze that workout into your lunch break or the minute you finish work.
  3. Nutrition – yes we are less inclined to want summer salads but we can now embrace soup season. Who doesn’t love a hearty soup on these cold winter days. More on this coming to you in January so watch this space! Also regular exercise during these months where we tend to eat more comfort food will help stabilise our weight and encourage healthier food choices.
  4. Getting outside is still great for the soul – ask yourself truthfully is the weather really too bad to get outside? Fresh air, even if it is cold or wet,  does wonders for our mental health and staying positive. And if the sun is shining it’s the perfect time to get a dose of Vitamin D which will help keep our immune system strong. 
  5. Find a buddy – make yourself accountable by working out with a friend and suddenly it becomes much more fun than working out alone! 
  6. Finally – working out from home has a much bigger draw in these cold, wet months so come and join us at Caroline’s Circuits for 3 live classes a week that you can do with minimal equipment from the comfort of your own home! No need for gym membership fees and no need to commute to the gym plus you can jump straight in your own shower afterwards!

Now a bit about Caroline’s Circuits – I have long since been an advocate of strength training, particularly for women, and with this in mind I built my platform – Caroline’s Circuits. My workouts are 3 times a week for just 30 minutes. They focus on strength-based circuits which work different muscle groups and challenge the body, keeping the heart rate moderate to high with passive or active rest – they give the perfect mix of strength and cardio for the best results.

The workouts are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am (they are all recorded and available to you on demand within an hour of the session if you can’t make the live) and are available worldwide. Classes have been specifically designed to suit all fitness levels and create fitness habits which last & which produce results.

Intrigued to know more or have a go? Try a class for free here or read more about the platform here.

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

For more workout ideas and to find out more about me check out my Instagram or the website,

Caroline x

Exercise for midlife and beyond

Exercise at any age has amazing benefits both mentally and physically but exercise for anti-ageing – is it really a thing? Whilst I am a big believer in embracing the ageing process there are definitely many benefits to different types of exercise that can help you to feel stronger and fitter for longer and keep you healthy inside and out.

Ageing is a natural process and one we should all embrace but there are certainly some aspects to getting older that I for one would like to help my body combat. This week I will go through just some of the best exercises for anti-ageing that you can do.

Firstly, one of the best (and most cost-effective) ways to stay fit and healthy is to walk. Regular brisk walking can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes not to mention the wonders a good walk can do for your mind.

Next up running – this can be a little controversial as it is relatively high impact and therefore carries a slightly higher injury risk but the benefits are huge. Running is a weight bearing so is good for bone strength (providing you aren’t at risk of osteoporosis – see more about this here).  Running is great for heart health, maintaining a healthy weight and again the mental benefits are huge. My advice here is if you are a running – keep doing it and if you’re thinking about taking up running then be sensible, build up gradually to reduce the risk of injury. If you are worried about injury risk with running or running just isn’t for you cycling and swimming are excellent cardio alternatives.

Yoga and Pilates – these are brilliant as they offer conditioning for your muscles as well as flexibility and balance work without any impact. So incorporating a yoga or Pilates session into your weekly schedule is an excellent idea and I would highly recommend.

Resistance or strength traininganyone who knows me will be well aware that I am a huge advocate of strength training and here is why. From the age of 35 both muscle mass and bone density begin to decline and we become more at risk of osteoporosis. Strength training can play a significant role in not only maintaining the condition of our muscles & keeping physically strong but also encouraging new bone cell growth and therefore preventing bone fractures/osteoporosis risks. The drop in oestrogen in menopause exacerbates the loss of bone density – it is estimated on average women lose up to 10% of their bone mass in the first five years after menopause. Using resistance-based exercises has been proven to help significantly with this and I have had personal training clients whose bone scans have been reflective of this.

So what would my recommendation look like as your week’s exercise? I would recommend 3x a week of strength training workouts (just 30 minutes is perfect) alongside 2 of cardio – which can be just a brisk walk or a cycle as well as a yoga or Pilates class if you can or a good stretch session at home. Always take rest days to allow the body to refuel and recharge – this is key to success and long-term health. 

Intrigued to know more about Caroline’s Circuits? I run 3 online classes a week all based on strength on my fitness platform. They are all recorded so if you cannot make them live you can do them at a time that suits you.

Try a class for free here or read more about the platform here.

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

For more workout inspo and to find out a bit more about me check out my Instagram.

Caroline x

How to stay fit forever

Getting started isn’t always the problem when it comes to health, fitness and exercise. Often we start a new programme, join a new gym or set new goals but actually sticking with it can be problematic. So how do you stay motivated and stay on track when life is busy, the weather isn’t great or you’re not really feeling like it? 

Here are my top tips on how to stay motivated, on track and keep your fitness going long term:

  1. Find your why – Your reason for starting exercise has a huge impact on whether you will sustain it. Vague goals of “I want to get fit” or “I want to lose weight” won’t keep you at it long term – give yourself an achievable goal such as “I want to run 5k by Christmas” or “I want to do 3 workouts a week” You will also be much more successful at sticking with it if you can see or feel tangible, immediate benefits such as positive feelings of stress reduction, increased energy, better sleep etc. The best way to prioritise exercise and be sure it will happen is if it delivers a benefit that is truly compelling and valuable to your life. So you just need to find out what that is for you, and it might be different for everyone. 
  2. Be realistic – Don’t set out with unattainable goals such as “I will workout everyday, I will eat healthily, stop drinking and run 5 times per week”, not only will you lose motivation pretty quickly when you can’t do it but you’ll risk injury and leave yourself feeling pretty rubbish. Instead try committing to three workouts per week and have 4/5 alcohol free nights per week – when you achieve this over a period of time you can then build on these goals – set yourself up for success.
  3. Plan and prioritise – For many people time is precious, but so is your health. Plan your week on a Sunday, work out exactly where you can definitely fit in your exercise and stick to it. Maybe organise a plan together with a friend. Sometimes it is also helpful to have a contingency plan for if work or family life throws the schedule out of the window! 
  4. Keep it short and sweet – you don’t need to exercise for hours – 30 minutes three times per week for strength work is perfect. Often, people think that they need to spend hours and hours at the gym each week to make it worthwhile – this is a myth! 
  5. Work out your best time – if you’re not a morning person don’t commit to a 7am workout, if you know you flag in the evenings make sure you get it done before lunchtime. There’s no right time, just the right time for you.

I have long since been an advocate of strength training, particularly for women, and with this in mind I built my platform – Caroline’s Circuits. My workouts are 3 times a week for just 30 minutes. They focus on strength-based circuits which work different muscle groups and challenge the body, keeping the heart rate moderate to high with passive or active rest – they give the perfect mix of strength and cardio for the best results.

The workouts are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am (they are all recorded and available to you on demand within an hour of the session if you can’t make the live). Classes have been specifically designed to suit all fitness levels and create fitness habits which last & which produce results.

Intrigued to know more or have a go? Try a class for free here or read more about the platform here.

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

For more workout ideas and to find out a bit more about me check out my Instagram.

Caroline x

How to avoid injury

Injuries are a nightmare – you just feel like you’re getting somewhere with your training and fitness and boom, an injury rears its ugly head. So, how can you avoid getting injured? Here are my top tips for staying in peak condition:

  1. Don’t skip your warm ups and cool downs – we are all guilty of this every now and again, that age old excuse of “I don’t have time to warm up or cool down”, the question is do you have time to be injured? The likelihood of getting injured when you neglect your warm up and cool down increases dramatically. This is why I make sure I include a warm up of dynamic stretches and a cool down in all my online workouts. 
  2. Don’t run before you can walk! Start gradually and build as your strength and fitness grows. Going in too hard too fast is one of the leading causes of injury. It is great to hit the ground running and push yourself but there is a balance, push yourself but do so safely!
  3. Prioritise recovery – you can’t expect results if you don’t give your body the chance to recover, repair and grow. If you train arms hard one day, focus on legs or core the next, or give yourself a rest day between hard sessions. Use active recovery like walking the dog, Pilates, yoga or swimming to allow your muscles to recover and adapt and to allow them to perform the next time you ask them to.
  4. Focus on form – this is key for weight training. Having good, correct form is vital to stay injury free when strength training. Make sure you have been taught correct technique or follow a group programme which has all the important teaching points on exercises as you do them. Even better, workout in front of the mirror so you can see errors and correct them. This is definitely worth getting right before you start increasing weight, reps and sets as you can do some real damage if you’re not careful. 

I have long since been an advocate of strength training, particularly for women, and with this in mind I built my platform – Caroline’s Circuits. My workouts are 4 times a week for just 30 minutes. They focus on strength based circuits which work different muscle groups and challenge the body, keeping the heart rate moderate to high with passive or active rest – they give the perfect mix of strength and cardio for the best results.

The workouts are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (they are all recorded and available to you on demand within an hour of the session if you can’t make the live). Classes have been specifically designed to suit all fitness levels and create fitness habits which last & which produce results.

Intrigued to know more or have a go? Try a class for free here or read more about the platform here.

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

For more workout ideas and to find out a bit more about me check out my Instagram.

Caroline x

World Osteoporosis Day – let’s strength train!

World Osteoporosis Day (tomorrow – October 20th) has the tagline “Step up for bone health” this year – how apt. Step ups are just one of the exercises I advocate to help boost bone health, but how does it all work? Osteoporosis affects one in three women aged 50 plus. Osteoporosis causes bones to become brittle and weak so that they are prone to breakages, these fractures can be a major cause of pain and have a horrendous impact on daily life. But the great news is that there are things that we can do to help combat the drop in bone density which causes osteoporosis. 

First up – exercise. Strength training specifically is so important as we age. Our bone density naturally reduces as we get older from the age of 35+ (and especially post menopause with the decrease in oestrogen) along with muscle mass which is where the increased fracture risk comes in. Strength training (with weights, bands or body weight)  helps to build more bone tissue and stimulates our bone cells to produce bone resulting in stronger and denser bones. The loading we put our bones under during strength training enhances this effect when compared to non-weight bearing activities. Just 30 minutes 3 times per week of exercise has been shown to enhance brown cell growth and subsequently bone density. 

So how do we go about these exercises? As a strength training coach, I focus on devising workouts which really focus on building bone strength both using weights and without.  Examples of strength training with just bodyweight would be hill/stair walking, skipping, dancing and jogging, where the impact of movement can have bone strengthening benefits.  If you already suffer with weak bones or osteoporosis, you need to be careful of any high impact moves or sudden twists in the spine, so do consult your doctor regarding the correct exercise programme for you before getting started.

If you have weights or bands then incorporate these into your workouts to add extra resistance – for example weighted squats or lunges would be ideal. Press ups and planks also are great exercises with just bodyweight.

As well as being vitally important to our bone health, resistance training also helps us to build our muscle mass (and no we aren’t talking about bulking up here), helping with our overall balance, reducing the risk of falls and injury but also giving us a huge mood boost along the way!  It also helps with weight management, improves our sleep and our health…. the list is endless!

Secondly is nutrition – having a balanced, healthy diet is vital but particularly calcium, vitamin D and protein which are key to bone health. Also avoid smoking which will have an adverse effect on your bones.

If you think you are at risk of osteopenia you can have a bone scan which will show you exactly the current health of your bones if you are concerned. 

Intrigued to know more or have a go? Try a class for free here or read more about the platform here.

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

For more workout inspo and to find out a bit more about me check out my Instagram.

Caroline x

Functional fitness

This week we are talking all about functional fitness – what is it and should we be doing it? Is it just another fad or actually something fundamental which you should be trying to incorporate into your weekly fitness regimen? Definitely the latter!

Functional training can be a little confusing as you would assume that all training has some functional benefit which is true but we are specifically talking about movements which mimic key movements we do in everyday life – think about it as training for life. For example sitting – we sit down and stand up off a chair, off the bed, off the loo many, many times in a day but all too often we don’t actually train that movement. We have slightly fallen into the trap of training like an athlete – for performance, rather than training functionally for the movement patterns we do in everyday life.

Functional exercise can help prevent injury, trips, falls and generally enhance day to day living, especially as we get older. More often than not people get injured doing day to day activities e.g. lifting something heavy in the wrong way like dragging the lawnmower out of the garage or getting out of the bath rather than in the gym doing their workout. So whilst you might be strong at lifting a weight in a certain movement pattern or be a great runner it might not actually help you to take the bins out each week! That’s not to say there isn’t a place for running and other types of training but it’s important to get the functional work in too. 

So let’s take a look at some of the best functional exercises for everyday life. The very best are compound movements, those exercises which use more than one muscle group at once, engage the core and really mimic movements in our lives. If you think about it, we don’t just squat down to unload the washing machine, we squat down, lift the basket, twist with it at waist height then pop it on the side. So a machine at the gym which isolates the hamstring or quad muscles can’t replicate that movement at all. Compound movements as part of a resistance training regimen not only build muscle strength and enhance bone density (find out more about that here) but also work on stability, balance and mobility which really helps to injury-proof ourselves, especially as we age. 

The best part about functional training is that we really can do it anywhere – it primarily uses body weight and if you wish dumbbells or resistance bands rather than machines. A couple of great examples would be the squat with a press, press up and bicep curl shoulder press. Take a look here to see some great functional exercises you can try at home today. 

If you’re looking for a way to get started with functional and strength training my platform, Caroline’s Circuits, is just 30 minutes 3 times per week. They are interval training circuits which work different muscle groups and challenge the body, keeping the heart rate moderate to high with passive or active rest – they give the perfect mix of strength and cardio for the best results.

The workouts are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am (they are all recorded and available to you within an hour of the session if you can’t make the live).

Mondays and Fridays are workouts focusing on all the muscle groups. A strength-based class where you have the option of using weights or exercising without equipment.

Wednesdays are focussed on the lower body – legs and tummy toning. Using resistance bands if you have them but equally all the classes can be done without equipment.

Classes have been specifically designed to suit all fitness levels and create fitness habits which last & which produce results.

Intrigued to know more or have a go? Try a class for free here or read more about the platform here.

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

For more workout inspo and to find out a bit more about me check out my Instagram.

Caroline x

Marathon Recovery

There is always a lot of talk about how to train for a marathon, about fuelling your way round a marathon and nutrition strategies but what happens after you cross the finish line, how do you help your body recover from the 26.2 miles? 

Marathon training is a serious undertaking and runners set aside months, or even years to train for one, so the recovery must be taken seriously as well. Running a marathon puts serious toll on the muscles and body and results in some “damage” that extends beyond just sore muscles. This includes: 

  • Suppressed immune function – it is going to make it more difficult for your body to fight off bugs and infections in the weeks following a marathon.
  • Muscular strength is reduced – inflammation and cell damage are increased in the two weeks following a marathon so be mindful of this when returning to training (more on this to come).
  • Muscle memory and coordination are both compromised which means that repetitive stress injuries are more likely when running hard or fast in the two to three weeks post race.

Prioritising your marathon recovery is key to long term training and staying injury free. So, here are my top tips for returning to running and strength training after a marathon.

Step 1: When you cross the finish line

Don’t just sit down or stop, walk around and stay moving (even if you feel like you have jelly legs!). This will keep the blood moving around the body, delivering nutrients and removing waste product from the muscles. Usually, there will be food and fluids available as you cross that finish line, take advantage of these and as soon as you can start rehydrating and refuelling – your body will definitely thank you for it. You will definitely be dehydrated after 26.2 miles so get some fluids in asap and then focus on carbohydrate right foods (yes you can start with jelly babies!), then think about some protein to help rebuild those damaged muscles. 

Step 2: In the hours following the race

Here food is the key! As soon as you can stomach it, try to have a substantial, balanced meal – most marathon runners will swear by a burger and a pint at this point but whatever you fancy, you should go for it! Important things to note here are:

  • Try not to celebrate too hard – your body needs some rest and relaxation and lots of rehydration so too many alcoholic drinks aren’t wise! 
  • Wait a couple of days before having a massage as muscle damage can be increased if this is done too soon. 
  • An ice bath can really help your legs recover (followed by a nice warm shower!).
  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
  • Your next meal should be nutrient dense meal – fruit, veg, healthy meat, whole grains etc.
  • I also strongly recommend supplements to help with inflammation,  muscle recovery & joint support such as magnesium, turmeric and ashwaghandha.
  • Get an early night – sleep is vital to help your body repair.

Step 3: The next day

Get out and walk. Running isn’t recommended the day after the marathon but a gentle walk will help get the blood flowing. The goal here is to move not to workout! A gentle foam rolling session is a good idea on the day after the race – but be gentle!

Step 4: The week after

Be patient! 5-6 days off running is generally recommended following a marathon. This is a great window to do some non-impact cross training such as gentle swimming or cycling – remember your body is in recovery mode. Some light strength exercises and mobility work can be useful here to aid recovery but I am definitely not talking heavy weights! Some gentle core work, glute and ITB rehab work and light band exercises would be beneficial. 

The most important thing in the week post marathon is sleep to help your body and mind get back into the running zone. After 5 or so days you can head out for a 20-30 minute tester run to make sure there aren’t any aches and pains and see how your legs are feeling. You can then apply the reverse taper rule and gradually build back up to normal mileage and strength training over the next few weeks. 

Once you’re back to it post-marathon you can try one of the Caroline’s Circuits classes for free here or read more about the platform here.

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

For more workout ideas and to find out a bit more about me check out my Instagram.

Caroline x

Let’s Talk Fitness for Menopause

October is menopause awareness month – let’s talk fitness for menopause! One question I’m often asked is what would I recommend as an exercise plan once we hit the perimenopause/menopause stage and why? It’s such an important topic so here are some recommendations as well as my reasons why!

Menopause comes with a cacophony of symptoms and changes which, let’s be honest, are not at all welcome. These range from surreptitious weight gain, joint aches and pains, the dreaded flushes, general lethargy, anxiety and mood changes. But one thing that has been proven time and time again is how exercise can really help at this time and make a huge difference both physically as well as mentally. What is key to say at the start is to listen to your body and  that everyone is different.

So, firstly why does exercise help women at this time and what are the key things you need to know when it comes to fitness for menopause?

  1. Helps to maintain a healthy weight – especially at a time when putting on weight can seem to happen overnight. Once you hit the perimenopause your metabolism begins to slow down and there is a loss of oestrogen which results in a change in the way that fat is stored. Pre-menopause we store fat around our hips and thighs but with this drop in oestrogen we tend to store it more around the middle. Exercise, especially strength training, if done consistently can help prevent weight gain and reduce body fat.
  2. Secondly and so very key is how essential exercise is for muscle mass and bone density. From the age of 35 both of these begin to decline and we become more at risk of osteoporosis. Strength training can play a significant role in not only maintaining our muscles & keeping physically strong but also encouraging new bone cell growth and therefore preventing bone fractures/osteoporosis risks. The drop in oestrogen in menopause exacerbates the loss of bone density – it is estimated on average women lose up to 10% of their bone mass in the first five years after menopause. Using resistance-based exercises has been proven to help significantly with this and I have had personal training clients whose bone scans have been reflective of this.
  3. Anxiety and Stress – this is key in perimenopause & menopause. Exercise reduces stress levels, boosts mood, endorphins and generally makes you feel great (have you ever said “I really regret doing that class?!”). Exercise reduces cortisol levels and strength training as a whole is better than cardio for reducing these levels and putting less stress on the body in general.
  4. Helps us to sleep better. Menopause is renowned for interrupted sleep which in turn leads to poor food choices, low mood and low energy. Exercise helps us to sleep better in turn also boosting immunity levels.
  5. Strength and balance exercises are focused on improved posture, mobility and coordination which we reduce the risk of falls in later life and make us less prone to injury in general.
  6. Exercise will reduce the risk of other diseases such as cancer, diabetes etc. Alongside this is how key it is to heart health particularly when we incorporate cardio exercises into our workouts.

So what do I recommend when it comes to fitness for menopause?

I recommend 3x a week of strength training workouts alongside 2 of cardio – which can be just a brisk walk or a cycle. Always take rest days to allow the body to refuel and recharge. Strength training can be with or without weights & it’s key to build up gradually and focus on technique. It can be just 30 minutes so it’s easy to fit into your day!

I am also a huge advocate of Wild Nutrition and the way they support women through perimenopause and menopause. The team at Wild Nutrition are really great and I had the pleasure of meeting with them recently. “Over the years, Dr Harper and I have treated many thousands of women with a shared holistic vision, integrating nutrition’s exercise, sleep and, if apt, HRT. Together we’re curated two foundational trios to support women through every twist and turn of their perimenopause and menopause journeys.”  Henrietta Norton – Nutritional Therapist, founder and formulator at Wild Nutrition. Take a look at their recent perimenopause report here.

Intrigued to know more about Caroline’s Circuits? I run 3 online classes a week all based on strength on my fitness platform. They are all recorded so if you cannot make them live you can do them at a time that suits you. Try a class for free here or read more about the platform here.

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

For more workout inspo and to find out a bit more about me check out my Instagram.

Caroline x

This is an ad for Wild Nutrition.

Not seeing results?

It can be so frustrating and disheartening when you embark on your new fitness regime,  work so hard on lifestyle changes and yet you don’t see the results you want? It could be that you are not feeling stronger, not toning up as you had expected or maybe it’s a weight goal you were working towards or a new target in your running times.  It can hit your motivation levels hard and you start thinking why am I doing this? So, this week I am going to give you some ideas as to why you might not be seeing the results you want and what you can do to fix it.

1. Check your nutrition – are you eating enough protein (or maybe eating enough full stop!). You should be eating 1g of protein for every kilogram you weigh so if you weigh 60kg you should be having 60g of protein in a day. Plus, if you’re strength training you might want to add an additional 15-30g on top of that. You need to really think about fuelling your body correctly to get the best results as well as working out your intake vs how much you are expending through exercise.

2. Prioritise your weight training. Are you finding you’re slogging away doing your cardio each week but by the time it comes to your strength work you haven’t got anything left to give? Make sure, you prioritise that strength work!

3. Daily steps. Your non-exercise energy expenditure is too low. Now, here I am talking about daily activity not exercise specifically – so, walking, moving around and generally being active. The more you move, the more you will see results.

4. Rest days. Working hard is key to progressing on your fitness journey but so is rest, recovery and sleep!  You should be getting 8 hours sleep per night and incorporating 1-2 rest days every week when you’re training hard. You should also make sure you’re recovering properly and including active recovery is always a good idea – gentle walks, Pilates and yoga are always a big tick when it comes to helping your body recover from hard sessions. 

5. Lastly and most importantly of all – have you got your weights right? Are you lifting too heavy or too light? If you’re doing 10 reps of an exercise or you’re getting to the end of 30 seconds work and you still have more to give and could do a few more reps without too much trouble then it’s time to up those weights. You’re not going to see improvement if you’re not challenging yourself. Equally, if you are meant to be doing sets of 10 and you’re only managing 5 or 6 then you might have ramped that weight up too quickly and the chances are your form might be suffering as a result. 

There is one thing for sure though and that is consistency is key to success. If you are doing the above correctly, eating well and working hard in your sessions regularly then the results will come. Keep going! If you’re struggling for motivation or finding it tricky to stay on track take a look at my recent summer fitness blog with all my tips to keep you motivated towards your goals. 

Caroline’s Circuits is the online fitness platform I have built to help you build your strength and fitness, enhance overall health and wellbeing whilst bringing you the results you’re after. 

The workouts are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am (they are all recorded and available to you on demand within an hour of the session if you can’t make the live). Classes have been specifically designed to suit all fitness levels and create fitness habits which last & which produce results.

Intrigued to know more or have a go? Try a class for free here or read more about the platform here.

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

For more workout ideas and to find out a bit more about me check out my Instagram.

Caroline x

Roo Davies – The Mojo Coach on finding your September mojo

Roo Davies – the go-to coach if you want to find your passion, positivity and purpose shares some insights with us to help you find you September motivation and keep it! Roo has a wealth of experience across marketing, global team management giving her a unique ability to help you achieve your goals across life, business and career. Here’s what Roo has to say…

Tell us about yourself.  How did you get into life & mindset coaching?

Known as The Mojo Coach, I help people tap onto their passion, positivity and purpose aka rediscover their mojo.

Several years ago, a coach helped me wake up. I was literally sleep walking through life. I wasn’t unhappy but I was going through the motions whilst living a very busy life. I didn’t realise it at the time, but I was operating in autopilot. I had a successful career and was a busy Mum of three young kids but I wasn’t tapping to any specific purpose or passion which left me feeling adrift.

I began to ask myself questions I’d never really explored such as: What makes me happy? What is important to me? What do I want to achieve? How am I getting in my own way of making important things happen?

An incredible coach helped me navigate my way, connect with myself and my purpose and ultimately gain control and shape my next chapter. Part of that process was switching careers and becoming a coach myself. Whilst leaving my comfort zone, of a salaried job that I was good at, was daunting, coaching helped me switch gears – giving me not just the clarity but the confidence.

How much of a role does our mindset play in our daily lives?

Your mindset is EVERYTHING. Literally every thought you have, decision you make and action you take is influenced by your mindset.

The perspective that you chose to look at yourself, others, and the world around you shapes your daily life; for example, how you manage stress, adapt new habits, cope with setbacks and how confident and resilient you feel.

How important is mindset when it comes to fitness and working out?

Your mindset is as important as your physical ability when it comes to working out.

Motivation and discipline are referred a lot when it comes to fitness. You need both. Motivation is having a compelling reason why you to want to do something, and discipline will see you through the times when motivation wanes.

BUT another mindset superpower is flexibility. In other words, not being constrained with rigid thoughts. Watch out if you use the words ‘always’ and ‘never’. For example “I always get it wrong” “I’ll never be able to do that” and “I always lose motivation”.

What is self-sabotage?

It’s when you get in your own way. You trip yourself up with unhelpful thoughts and actions. This negatively impacts how you feel about yourself and the progress you’re making. Some typical examples of self-sabotage are:

  • Not having any boundaries or having trouble sticking to them. You say yes when you really want to say no because you want to avoid conflict or people please.
  • Making up fictious stories which you believe such as “I’m too old”, “People will laugh at me”, “I’ll slow the others down”, “They’ll think I’m rubbish”.
  • Comparing yourself to your previous self or others. This creates an artificial and unhelpful benchmark for which you will conclude you are not meeting.
  • Not being “good enough” aka imposter syndrome. Not fit enough, not motivated enough, not experience enough, not knowledgeable enough…

How can negative thinking/self-limiting beliefs hold us back?

You literally become a prisoner to your thoughts. They dictate your decisions, dampen your self-belief and warp your sense of self-worth and value.

This can hold you back by:

  • Playing it safe: you stick in your comfort zone and don’t try new things.
  • Procrastinating: go round and round in circles, second guessing and doubting yourself.
  • Catastrophising: you imagine the most disastrous scenarios that will most probably never happen.
  • Robbing your confidence: you don’t feel able to do things that are new or feel hard.

What are your top tips for someone struggling with motivation when it comes to working out?

  • Know your Why! Make sure that your reasons really matter to you.
  • Find something that you enjoy! If you hate running, don’t run. If you like working out with people, join a class or train with other people. If you love music, create a playlist full of your favourite tunes to work out to.
  • Make it part of your daily routine. If it’s hard to find time for exercise, schedule your workout as you would any other important activity.
  • Be accountable. Accountability is a great way to keep on track. Tell others what you intend to do, arrange to meet others or book in with a trainer.
  • Reward yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back after each workout and take notice the good feelings that exercise gives you. Also consider external rewards too, set yourself goals (small, short-term goals as well as bigger, longer-term goals) and when you reach them, treat yourself. Better yet, link your rewards to fitness, a new pair of leggings or workout equipment maybe.

Why is September the new January?

September really is a fantastic time to build new habits and get back into the swing of things after the summer break. The summer period whilst fun is generally quite chaotic with holidays, more socialising than usual and school holidays for those with young children. Often by September we are craving structure and a sense of routine. In other words, we are ready to kick start something new and have something to anchor our days.

Combine this with most of us having some time out over the Summer to reflect on where we’re at, how our year is going and what we’d like to achieve next means that it is a month bursting with mission and purpose.

Unlike January the September weather is still nice with plenty of light in the mornings and evenings so our mood is naturally lifted by our environment. Also, unlike January there is no pressure to create huge life changes and tell everyone what your resolutions are. There is no bandwagon for you to fall off… you can focus on doing your thing… and doing it well!

You encourage your clients to goal set regularly, what would your top tips be when it comes to setting fitness or performance goals?

  • Like any goal, make sure that it is SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time stamped). The way that you formulate your goals is so important, make sure you aren’t simply stating an intention. For example, you can intend to run faster, or you can set a goal to run 10k under an hour without stopping by November 14th. That is a SMART goal.
  • Whilst you may have a big meaty goal, create baby goals to help get you there. Taking small sustainable steps are the way to reach the top of the summit and try and do something every day which will move you one step closer to your goals.
  • Celebrate your successes. Don’t be complacent of the progress you are making. It can be tempting to only look forward and keep your eye on the prize. Remember to take stock of what you have achieved – it’s a great idea to do this each week and share it with your partner, friends or trainer.
  • Book an event. This is a great way to create a milestone (your summit) which will become the focal point for your training and help keep your motivation high.

Find out more about Roo, the mojo coach here

Intrigued to know more or have a go at Caroline’s Circuits? Try a class for free here or read more about the platform here.

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

For more workout inspo and to find out a bit more about me check out my Instagram.

Caroline x

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