Health & Wellbeing Routine

Over the last few weeks, I have spent some time looking honestly at my own health and wellbeing routine. Not because anything was dramatically wrong, but because I realised that what had served me so well for a long time was no longer fitting quite as comfortably into my life. I think this happens to all of us.

We establish healthy habits and create routines that work, and for months, or even years, we follow them consistently. They become part of who we are, and that's something to celebrate. Routine provides structure, reduces decision fatigue, and helps us prioritise the things that matter most.

However, life doesn't stand still, because new commitments appear and work evolves. Family circumstances shift, or our energy changes and sometimes our priorities simply become different. None of these changes have to be dramatic, yet they can be significant enough to throw us off course.

I know that daily movement is non-negotiable for me. For the best part of thirteen years, I have been a member of The Gym Group. When I moved north from Bracknell to Sheffield, I simply changed my home gym and carried on with my usual routine of going two to three times a week, but as I've grown older, my own musculoskeletal system has become less forgiving. Then, nearly ten months ago, we made the decision to welcome Bramble, our gorgeous Labrador puppy, into our family. Anyone who has owned a Labrador will know they don't simply enjoy exercise, they need it and as Bramble has grown, so has her appetite for long walks, exploring the countryside and burning off her seemingly endless energy. When you have a dog, especially one who thrives on being outdoors, walking isn't something you simply fit in if you have time - it's part of everyday life.

So, at first, I tried to do both. I'd head to the gym for my workout, come home, shower, grab a coffee and then take Bramble out for an hour or more. On paper it seemed manageable, but the reality was, it was becoming a chore. Without really noticing, I found myself looking at the clock rather than take delight in watching Bramble loving her walk. Something had to give, and increasingly I found myself choosing the walk over the gym.

The interesting thing was that I didn't feel guilty about missing the gym, other than about paying money for something I wasn’t using! If you follow me on social media or read some of my previous blogs, you'll know how much joy I find in walking through the countryside, watching the seasons change, listening to birdsong and simply allowing my mind to settle. Those walks became about so much more than exercise - they became part of my wellbeing. It made me question whether I was clinging to a routine simply because I'd always done it, rather than because it was still the best fit for this season of my life.

As we approach August and begin moving towards my favourite season of all – Autumn, I have spent some time thinking about what the solution might be. Rather than trying to force an old routine to fit my current life, I asked myself what would work for me now?

The first decision was probably the bravest one. After more than thirteen years, I cancelled my gym membership. I have to admit, the website did its very best to persuade me otherwise, asking several times whether I simply wanted to pause my membership instead. But there was something incredibly satisfying about finally pressing the "Cancel" button. It wasn't a failure. It wasn't giving up. It was recognising that this chapter had come to an end.

The second question was even more important. If I was no longer going to the gym, how was I going to maintain my strength, protect my joints and give myself the very best chance of ageing well? As a former nurse, I know only too well that our muscles, bones and balance become increasingly important as we grow older. Strength isn't just about looking fit; it's about remaining independent. It's about being able to carry my own shopping, climb the stairs with confidence, get up from the floor with ease and continue doing the things I love for as long as possible.

This is particularly personal to me, because both of my parents are now struggling with mobility. They live in a beautiful rural part of Cumbria, but that also means the nearest town is around twenty minute’s drive away along twisty narrow roads and the closest large hospital is over an hour's drive. Watching them has reinforced that none of us can stop the ageing process, but we can influence how well we age. I don't want that to be me in twenty-five years' time if there is something I can do about it now.

So, after a great deal of thought, I've joined a small but highly respected physiotherapy and wellness centre here in Sheffield. Rather than simply being another gym, it offers an unlimited number of instructor-led classes each month, together with a monthly sports massage. Obviously the cost is more than my previous gym membership, but I've come to see it as an investment rather than an expense. I've made a commitment to myself to attend two Pilates classes and two strength/weights classes each week. Unlike my previous routine, these sessions will always come after my morning walk with Bramble, allowing me to enjoy our time outdoors without feeling that I have to rush home to fit everything else in. They will also fit around my coaching clients, making this routine feel far more realistic and sustainable for this season of my life.

More importantly, this isn't about replacing one form of exercise with another. It's about being intentional. Walking gives me fresh air, cardiovascular fitness and wonderful benefits for my mental wellbeing. Pilates will help improve my flexibility, balance and core strength, while resistance training will help protect my muscles and bones as I get older. Together, they create a routine that feels balanced, enjoyable and, perhaps most importantly, one that I genuinely believe I can maintain for years to come.

Sometimes the best health decisions aren't about doing more. They’re about choosing what works best for the life I am living now, while still investing in the life I hope to enjoy in the years ahead.