My Current Exercise Routine

I can take one positive of being in lockdown - I have gained a better and more well structured exercise routine. Before the pandemic, I was doing the same routine everyday and it was becoming very monotonous. With the extra time I (as well as everybody else) was given when lockdown commenced, I decided to test what I could do to make my exercise routine a little, well, less monotonous. 


I didn't want to be in the position of completing the same workouts everyday on YouTube. It worked for a little while, but it got to a point where I wasn't feeling any real benefits. When you feel like that about your exercise schedule, you know its time for a change. 




I wanted to introduce more cardio based workouts to my weekly regime, introduce Pilates into the mix and even use my treadmill to its advantage. I do use the treadmill everyday, but I wanted to start doing interval workouts on there again as they do keep me on my toes and get my lungs feeling breathless. 


After careful planning and trying to figure out when hair washing day would come into the mix (you know, that is a priority) here is what my current exercise routine looks like - 



 DAY ONE - TONING 
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This day comes the day after hair washing day. This is the day I focus on my core, arms and legs and do a variety of toning videos to keep each of those areas in shape. I tend to do Blogilates workouts (prepare for a lot of Woo-Wooing) for toning as I have seen the best results from attempting those videos. I usually do 30 minutes on the treadmill before loading my laptop up and searching for the Blogilates video I want to do that session. I would have to say that I hate working on my core the most, it's the one I least enjoy and the core workout is the one I need the most encouragement to do (well, self-encouragement). One consolation is that it's easier to hide your belly than your arms and legs, especially in the Summer! 




DAY TWO - POSTURE 
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I like this day. It's a day where I can work on my posture. Since lockdown (kind of) ended, I've not noticed a noticeable sort of hunch in my shoulders. That's down to being sat on my arse for about six months (even though I exercised almost everyday) and not really mobilising much. So I've dedicated one day in the week to get my posture sorted. I wish there were more posture related workout videos online, but I'm keeping to the same 2-3 (alternate each week) and I'm hoping to see a difference in the coming weeks! 



DAY THREE - TREADMILL INTERVAL WORKOUT 
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Treadmill interval/HIIT workouts are easy to find through Pinterest. There's so many options on which ones you can try, they all range by intensity and can last between 20 - 60 minutes. The only issue I'm having with this is that I haven't got the incline option on my treadmill so I have to do them without the option of being on a slope. That's ok though, the vigorousness and different speeds get my lungs working and it does keep me attentive! You can't slack on these workouts, full concentration is needed! 



DAY FOUR - PILATES
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I tried, I really did try to stick to yoga, but I just found it wasn't helping me and I just wasn't enjoying the downward dog. I switched to Pilates recently and I enjoy that so much more! I tend to do Lottie Murphy videos as her Pilates videos are so simple but effective. I've definitely felt a difference since completing Lottie's videos. She's made so many videos so I'm never stuck for choice! 



DAY FIVE - INTENSE CARDIO
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Ah, it's hair washing day! Which means it's the day to go all out with an intense cardio workout! It's time to get my sweat on and work my lungs to their utmost with a Joe Wicks cardio workout. Joe Wick's workouts never fail to make me sweat, breathless and make me as red as a beetroot afterwards. Usually his videos last 20 minutes, I try to do all 20 minutes but if I need to, I will hit the pause button and have a little minute or two rest until I've stopped hacking my lungs up and hit the play button again. Then it's time to drudge upstairs and wash my salty, sweaty hair. 



I have stuck to this regime religiously since I created it and I hope to keep doing so now I'm back in work. I'm really thriving and enjoying exercise now thanks to this routine and I am starting to feel the benefits of it. Something which I haven't felt during exercising for a long time. 



Do you have an exercise routine? What's your favourite type of exercise to do?
42 comments
  1. I just think you're amazing! And it pays because you look great!

    I really need to be more on it with my exercise and get back in to a routine. I swim most days but aside from that I am feeling very lazy.

    I am working on my diet though so a step in the right direction. Thanks for sharing, Its really inspiring x x

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    1. Aww thank you so much Claire, that really means so much!
      Swimming is such a great form of exercise, I used to love swimming as a kid and it's something I would love to get into once it's safe enough for me to go to my leisure centre! x

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  2. It sounds like you've found a great routine that works for you. I really need to set one up for myself too.

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    1. Yeah it works well for me Kelly thankfully! I hope you manage to create an exercise routine that suits you x

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  3. This is such a great blog post. I am so unadventurous when it comes to my routine!

    Danielle
    https://www.thereluctantblogger.co.uk/

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  4. It's good that you have a routine that you stick to. I like your training outfit.

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    1. Thank you Anita, it's nice sticking to an exercise routine!

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  5. Hahaha, I plan my runs around hair wash day too! The longest ones on Sunday, the hardest speed workout on Wednesday or Thursday and then an easy paced middle distance and my stretching workouts on non-hair wash days. You have to consider these things. It's great that you've taken this time to work on a proper routine, and it's so important to mix things up from time to time so your body doesn't get too used to it and to stop you getting bored. I really need to add something to my routine to work on posture! x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. I'm glad it's not just me who does that too Sophie! You have a good system and routine going here, I love how planned and well thought out it is! You're right lovely, it's so important to mix things up once in a while and try new things, your body needs to try new things and it just gets boring sticking to the same things all of the time! I recommend doing posture workouts as the have benefitted me so much and I find them really enjoyable to do! x

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  6. I'm glad you've found a routine that works for you - clearly it does, you're glowing! I really need to find one for me too, lockdown has not been kind on the excess weight gain front :)

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    1. Thank you Lisa! Oh I had to do something about my routine, the weight gain from lockdown has been unreal!

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  7. Great routine! I struggle so much with fitting in workouts round work, I really need to make a schedule for myself and stuck to it!

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    1. Thank you Ellie! It's hard to fit in exercise while working, especially if you're working full time. I hope you manage to make a schedule for yourself lovely!

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  8. What a great variety you've got! I had such a great routine before March but it's all gone out the window. I need to get back into it. I also love doing Joe Wicks workouts! Well done!

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    1. I hope you manage to get back into the exercise routine you had before March, Ellie! Joe Wicks workouts are really good and always get me out of breath!

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  9. I love Lottie Murphy's pilates! And like you seem to be enjoying it more than yoga at the moment. Fab post, it's nice to see your workouts split up in a different way to what I've seen before

    Nicola | nicoladaletraining.com

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    1. Lottie's workouts are amazing and I always feel better after completing one of her Pilates workouts! Thank you so much Nicola, have a good day!

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  10. Sounds like a great exercise routine you have got going! I love Bloilates, her energy is infectious, isn't it? I must say though, my exercise routine has hit a slump (again) so need to get back on track!

    Thanks for sharing Lucy!
    Aimsy xoxo
    Aimsy’s Antics

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    1. Thank you Aimsy! Yeah her energy is infectious, it definitely motivates me to keep going when I feel like my muscles can't take anymore! I hope you manage to get your exercise routine back on track lovely x

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  11. I really need to kick into gear and sort out some exercise routine because as the weathers getting colder I'm not going to want to head out on long walks

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    1. I think it's the perfect time to establish an exercise routine as like you said, you're going to want to go out far less once the winter weather really hits!

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  12. That's a great workout routine! You look fab.
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  13. I'm in awe of people who stick to exercising regularly, I need to find a good exercise routine! I wish I could have a treadmill at home but it's not really possible with downstair neighbors :- D

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    1. Oh that's a shame! I love having the treadmill here as it's a great alternative to going to the gym right now!

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  14. I need to get back into my fitness! Having a routine is always a good idea. x

    Zoey | www.zoeyolivia.com

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  15. Wow this is such a great routine! It's inspiring to see how you've got this routine going despite everything that's going on. I definitely need to work on my fitness routine!

    Diana Maria & Co

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    1. Thank you Diana! As exercise is so important to my health, I knew I needed to make changes and I'm so happy with it now!

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  16. Ahhh well done girl! It seems like you have such a good routine going!

    https://www.emilyclareskinner.com

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  17. I love workouts so much, yoga has been my go to as well as cycling!

    Love, Amie ❤
    The Curvaceous Vegan

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    1. That's so good that you have found different forms of exercise that you love to do Amie!

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  18. that's a great exercise routine
    thank you for sharing

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  19. Thanks for sharing your exercise routine, mine is just walking!

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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  20. I love hearing about other people's workout routines! I love to do dance workouts and ab routines most days xx

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    1. They sound like great workouts and routines Della! xx

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  21. It sounds like you made great use of the lockdown time to really mix up your routines and throw in some new workouts! It's great to hear your posture improved, as I know that's something that didn't go as well for me in lockdown as I sat at my computer all day so naturally my shoulders would roll their way forward. I hope since lockdown has ended (again) you've been able to keep up with it!

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    1. Posture was becoming an issue for me and I'm glad that it's improved! x

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