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“Seeing what my body is capable of, I’ve been able to beat my body demons.”
Psyching yourself up to work out can take longer than the actual workout itself. We’ve all been there – we’ve got our fit kit on, we’ve had our coffee, but we just can’t quite seem to make it to the mat. There are plenty of reasons for this: Netflix is calling our name, it’s either too hot or too cold, we’re knackered from work – you know the drill. All of these are totally viable (#balance and all), but for the times when you know you’ll feel a million times better after exercise and you just need a little push, these fitness quotes could help you on your way.
Taken from the mouth of 19 former Women’s Health stars, they’re not the kind to tell you to force yourself no matter what – they’re the kind that remind you of how far you’ve come, the kind that reiterate that fitness is for life, not a quick fix, and the kind that remind us to take care of our mental health, too.
So, next time you find yourself struggling to get started, do yourself a solid and think of these words of wisdom.
“Now, exercise is almost more important to me mood-wise. The other aspects feel like a great side effect.”
“I don’t look as good naked as I did in my twenties. But I feel better when I work out, and that’s the difference. I walk around like a foxy minx now because I feel like a foxy minx.”
“I create my own schedule and give myself exercises that I feel like doing that day and will enjoy.”
“After a workout, I’m sweaty and red, but I love the way it makes my body feel. Sometimes I’ll go really hard, sweat balls and can hardly walk. Other times, I’ll just not really be feeling that and I’ll do some more abs or Pilates-style moves.
Consistency is the key, though. What works for me is squats as heavy as possible, lunges, leg presses, skipping. It’s very much a mixture of heavy weightlifting and HIIT. But it’s difficult and I’m careful not to recommend my program to others. I do this type of training because it works for me and my body – I love this kind of training and I like the way it makes me feel and the way it works for my shape.”
“I think exercise is magic when it comes to how you feel mentally. I love going to group classes because I have to leave my emails at the door and switch off.”
“I see exercise as an investment. I’m in my forties and my body has more definition now than it did in my twenties. It also gives me more energy, which is important when you have an active, growing family.”
“Seeing what my body is capable of, I’ve been able to beat my body demons. I respect it now and I’ve learned to try not to take criticism to heart. I’m proud of those abs because they prove I’m strong.”
“Training for me is very social. I confess, I’m not really a gym bunny, but I’ll work out three times a week, whether that’s with a trainer in my garden with friends, a HIIT session, or a Pilates class – I’ve been doing that for 10 years. I love reformer Pilates, too. It’s a great way to exercise, tone and lengthen your body. I always do it with friends.”
“I do a lot of weight training, dead lifts and weighted squats. I think a lot of women are intimidated by the big weights, but if you ask for help or do it with a friend, it all becomes much more fun. To a lot of people, “in shape” means having the perfect body. But to me, being in shape means feeling healthy within your own body.”
“Women don’t give themselves enough credit. For women who say to me, “I’ve had a baby so I’m struggling in the gym” – it’s like, you’ve done the hardest work you’ll ever do in your life. The gym’s a walk in the park. It’s about believing that you can do it.”
“The only way you can put your best foot forward is by being in the right frame of mind.”
“Results don’t happen overnight. They happen with dedication and hard work. It’s all about your mindset and being positive. You can’t get anywhere with a negative mind. Stay consistent with your workouts and never stop trying.”
“I’ve managed to sculpt a more womanly figure with exercise. I’ll never be super-curvy but I’m more muscular than I’ve ever been thanks to weighted squats and lunges. I’m finally content with who I am, inside and out.”
“I go on YouTube and do those “eight-minute abs” workouts. When I’m not filming full-time, I work out four times a week doing bodyweight exercises and weights. When I’m on set, I’m always waiting around for people to move the cameras so I can try to squeeze in press-ups and sit-ups between scenes.”
“I’m all about personal challenges. I train three to four mornings a week, with a mixture of running, HIIT workouts, Barry’s Bootcamp and BodyPump, and I ran the London Marathon earlier this year, finishing in four and half hours. My body can do anything if I put my mind to it.”
“I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t take drugs – I don’t do any of that stuff. People are like, ‘Live a little’ – but I do live, just in a different way.”
“People ask me, “Do you really eat all those cakes that you show on Instagram?”’ she says. The answer? ‘Yes, I do, but I don’t eat them every single day. I’ve found a balance that works for me.”
“My fitness has been a slow process but the rewards are for the long term. Now, my training schedule never changes – not even when I’m on holiday. My health and happiness are all that truly matter.”
“I want to build a body-confidence and self-esteem empire, to help other people. When people ask me where I get my confidence, I tell them I’ve literally grown into my body. If I can pass that feeling on to other women, I’ll feel like my job is done.”
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