I’ve always been a pretty active person in my every day life although I never exercise per say. As an eco warrior I try to use my legs more than the car which means I do exercise albeit by default. Well that was until we moved to America…
Since I’m now living in the sticks nowhere near a shop & the school bus collects the children at the front of our house, I barely walk! It’s terrible really. I can see the effect of inactivity on my body even after only 4 months. Crikey! It doesn’t help matters when my 50-year-old muscle tone is deteriorating naturally with age.
That’s not to say my age usually factors in anything I do. However there’s no denying maintaining a healthy body after 45 will benefit the octogenarian me of the future. If I’m honest I feel a bit disingenuous even mentioning that I’m 50 in this blog post. It’s so far from my daily thought process. Is age a hot topic in social media at the moment or am I just attuned to those conversations? Since more than half of my readers are over 38 I’ll play it safe & assume you’re interested. The truth is it doesn’t matter whether you have a specific exercise routine or are simply a very active person. The most important thing is to keep moving!
My Grandmother was 98 when she died & she walked every day her entire life. The woman was as strong as a mallee bull, it was the Alzheimer’s that got her in the end. Many years ago when she was a very young 75, I asked her how she stayed so fit. Her answer –
“Well dear I just keep moving. Oh and I have yoghurt every day!”
It goes without saying that I’m eating yoghurt every day since that conversation hehehehe
Now the time has come to start an exercise routine, but what type? I can’t get to a gym even if I could afford to join one, which I can’t. We have one car that Mark needs for work & public transport stinks in NJ. Obviously with fuel being so cheap in the U.S most people have several cars. We’ve only ever had one because a) they are the source of extreme pollution in the form of carbon emissions & oil. N.B. I’d be the happiest person on the planet if everyone went electric tomorrow. b) With public transport being so accessible where we came from we never needed two.
So until I can afford to buy a little plug-in car I have to workout at home. Fortunately that’s absolutely fine as there are plenty of online classes & mobile apps in the virtual gym. My problem lies in choosing the form of exercise that best suits my needs. Should I start running, shredding, lift weights or do an old-fashioned aerobics video? Hmm so many options…
Then my lovely friend Liz wrote a blog post about her new-found passion for Yoga & I knew that was it! I think Yoga is perfect for me because although strenuous it’s also calming, plus it builds core strength & improves posture. These are all new issues I face now mostly due to my job as a blogger. You see for the first time in my working life I spend most of my day sitting in front of a computer. My posture has really suffered because of this so I’m keen to get that sorted first.
SWEATY BETTY WORKOUT GEAR
I absolutely adore Sweaty Betty! Although I’ve never had reason to buy the workout gear before, I do have some beautiful pieces from their ski range which I’m keen to add to next Winter. The quality is second to none but more than that the funky designs drew me to this brand. Of course it’s imperative ski gear performs well otherwise you have a rubbish time it’s that simple. However until recently affordable ski “fashion” has been pretty thin on the ground, far too heavy on the performance aspect with little or no attention to the fashion side. Yes there is a huge high-end market but I certainly can’t afford to buy my salopettes & ski socks from Prada. Ya know what I mean?
Sweaty Betty changed all that with their sexy ski range. Yes being covered literally from head to toe is sexy! Their über stylish base layers are different themes every year. My favourites so far are the Bauhaus & retro style print. Unfortunately there isn’t much left online to show you from last winter’s stock. Although I will do a skiwear post along with a skiing family holiday post later in the year when we hit the slopes. We didn’t go skiing last season because of the big move so I’m really looking forward to going again. Mind you I’ve no idea where we’ll be skiing. All I know is it won’t be France! We have thrown around the idea of Canada & I hear New Jersey skiing is great for beginners – If you can recommend good places in the U.S please do share, I’m totally clueless at this point.
In any case it’s Summer now so let’s move onto swimwear. If you enjoy swimming laps but like some style with your practical (read – holds your tits in) cozzie Sweaty Betty has you “covered”. Check out this on-trend tropical design wetsuit for the funky surfer chick. Also terrific for protecting your arms from the suns harmful rays. However if that’s too much coverage for you try this elegant yet technical swimsuit design.
For my American readers who may be unfamiliar with this fabulous British brand here’s the edited back story.
Founded in 1998 by British Mum of three Tamara Hill Norton, Sweaty Betty is more than just high performing workout gear. Tamara wanted her designs to translate from studio to street which they do, brilliantly!
“you can leave your class and dress it up with a cool leather jacket or over-sized knit”
The new range is smokin’ hot, I love every single piece of this lilac look. Although as an Aussie Brit who recently immigrated to America how could I look further than the Union Jack leggings? I mean seriously? ICE COLD COOL RIGHT?
They come in 7/8 length are super stretchy & with the perfect amount of sweat wicking recovery. The fabric feels amazing on & the high waist holds all the excess skin three pregnancy produce without the hint of a muffin top. But wait get this… the best part of all? They are bum sculpting! I KNOW! You can sculpt this flat bum any day please. Did you see the lift of my pancake butt in the first shot? That’s miraculous to say the least. Now onto my top which is in fact just a bra.
This bra feels so comfortable & “safe” I’m wearing it as a workout top. Although I also have a lovely gossamer light tank to wear over the bra for the days I feel too exposed or slightly chilly.
If you’re interested in hearing how I get on with Yoga let me know in comments. I’ll happily do a catch up post on my progress, I’m here to please!
Lots of love my darlings xxx
*Thank you to Sweaty Betty for kindly gifting me this outfit
Comments ( 16 )
Emerald
You look great! I love the outfit. Sweaty Betty has some fab gear which I would probably just stay in all day.
Please do let us know about your yoga progress. I enjoyed Lizzy’s post too and it’s inspired me to do my own yoga post as well. If you’re looking for good online yoga then check out Movement For Modern Life (UK site) and/or Do Yoga With Me (Canadian). I have a subscription for both!
Having to drive everywhere would send me up the wall. Today I walked from one side of Glasgow to the other -4 miles! And there’s a canal near us that I go cycling along. How’s your area for cyclists? X
MT
O.k I will Emerald.
Yes Liz’s post was amazingly inspirational wasn’t it? I bet there are many more Women now taking up yoga because of her.
I think the driving thing is doing my head in the most actually. I need walking for my mind as much as my body 😉 I know you know what I mean xx
Lazy daisy Jones
Way to go MT I’m terribly unfit right now so I would love to know what apps etc you will be using !
Bestest
Ashley x
MT
Oh cool Ashley I’ll get on it!
No Fear of Fashion
This is a stunning work-out outfit. And you have a stunning figure. But we already knew that. Just hows very well in such gear. I always look for a little flared dress to go over the leggings otherwise I look like my shape: an inverted triangle. Not easy to find.
Like you I started excersing at 50. My body needs it with all the office and co puter work and driving the car. If I do not do fitness twice a week, I feel my body getting less supple.
I chose fitness because it is in the same building as my physiotherapist, whom I need regularly. But yoga is a very wise choice. That would have been my choice as well.
Greetje
MT
Well I have to say I almost went with Shredding Greetje. Something about the hard core workout that’s short & sweet appeals to me too. I may throw in a shred once a week but bare in mind I’m not keen on any of it so it’ll come down to convenience in the end.
No Fear of Fashion
Had to look that up… Shredding.. I had never heard of it before. My fitness is just yanking on instruments, riding a bike and such and doing classical abdomen exercises. Quite boring.
MT
Well here’s the thing about shredding Greetje, it’s fast to do & the results are quick. That’s why I may go back to it. Ugh I just get so bored xx
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
I think it goes without saying that you look amazing in that workout gear MT (LOVE Sweaty Betty’s stuff) – I can only imagine how incredible you’ll look once you’ve been doing yoga for a few months! I used to go to yoga classes regularly in my 20s and then do some regularly at home in my 30s… I really should do more again as I SWEAR it’s the best exercise in the world for general all-round health (especially as we age).
As for the walking, why don’t you just go for a fast walk every day anyway? I treat mine as my “commute” – go for a fast walk, then when you’re back you’ve arrived at “the office” and you start your day at work. You might even find some new locations to shoot…!! 😉
Catherine x
MT
That is a good idea Catherine & I have started taking a brisk walk with Blue of an afternoon. Although walking him is the kids job & I don’t want them thinking they can duck out of it because I’m doing it now. We had a deal 😉
Yeah right, yo know how those deals work right? 😉
Lisa Lennkh
I adore Sweaty Betty workout gear. As you know, I work out all the damn time because it keeps me from killing people, hahaha. The best pair of leggings I’ve ever had are Sweaty Betty. They have a few mesh panels in them to keep you cool and they REALLY support you in tough cardio classes.
You look AMAZING, and I bet you will really love yoga, especially if you find a good instructor online or otherwise, that you really resonate with. These Union Jack leggings are so fantastic!
MT
Yep not killing people is a pretty good reason to work out my friend. I feel ya babe 😉
Rhiannon Duffin
I love this Chelle!
Only you can look so fabulous exercising – I’m trying to get into yoga too. Maybe good workout gear will help!
xoxo
MT
Aw thanks mate. If it’s any consolation, exercising doesn’t come naturally to me. I really have to force myself xx
Penny
per SE, not per say.
Latin, meaning “ in or of itself”. I’m
MT
Yikes, thanks for correcting me Penny. It’s really important that I write as best I can especially as I didn’t finish high school. Out in the world, working at sixteen, traveling at twenty & making my own way without any handouts is an amazing learning curve but sometimes I just don’t know stuff xx