Healthy Forever Fitness Motivation

  The Benefits of Positive Thinking Positive thinking? What does this actually mean? As much as we would all love to have a positive attitude to everything in life and see the world through rose tinted glasses, this is not actually the true definition of positive thinking. Positive thinking is a skill that some are lucky to be born with or have a natural aptitude for. Positive thinking means you approach life's troublesome times in a more productive and optimistic way.  Training our mind to be positive will take time as our minds are in constant 'chatter' mode. We have thousands of thoughts that pass through our minds daily. In fact a 2020 study  suggests that we have over 6000 thoughts running through our minds every single day. That's a lot of thoughts! The Benefits of Positive Thinking - How to Practice Positivity Start this process slowly. Trying to change all your thoughts into positive notions from day one will be overwhelming and nigh on impossible. Break down yo...

 What is a Home Retreat Think of the days you feel overwhelmed, stressed, over emotional or just not coping well. You feel that escape is your only option. A regular home retreat is a coping mechanism, a place to get away or a place for just you. This is your own space where you can lose yourself, sit with your thoughts and explore your feelings.  The practice of yoga and meditation are self care routines but your home retreat is just a step further. This is the next level of self care to really nurture yourself with love and kindness. This is something we normally put on the back burner for another day. I quite often spare a few hours or a whole day if I can find the time, to dedicate to my home retreat. There is some preparation involved and some thoughts to process to prepare yourself for your retreat. I have some pointers to share with you and a free PDF home retreat schedule to encourage you to make this a regular practice. Home Retreat - Set Your Intention Firstly you wi...

 The Netherlands and Gezelligheid The focus on well-being has increased over the last few years due to events of 2020. Well-being includes our physical and mental health and socialising is a big part of mental wellness. Isolation proved to be the biggest issue when it came to loneliness and the loss of personal interaction with family and friends.  Research has shown that socialising and companionship have a positive effect on mental well-being. It makes us feel happier, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as reducing our stress levels. I love to research other countries happiness levels and the hobbies or ideas that bring cultural happiness to a nation. The Netherlands are the 5th happiest country in the world according to 'The World Happiness Report 2022' . So why is this? One of the reasons that makes the Dutch a happy nation is that they know how to 'chill'.  In the UK our stress levels are high. We multi-task endlessly and never truly relax. We fill ...

  What is a Circuit Class? As a Class instructor and personal trainer I am often asked “What is the best class for fitness and weight loss?” My answer will always be circuits. The reason for this is a good circuit class will incorporate strength training, cardio fitness and core strength. The class “ punches a packet” when it comes to a full body workout and cardio health. The big bonus comes with the diversity and variety of this class. I do hear many of my clients say that strength training is boring or they hate cardio and core workouts. But by putting all these 3 elements into one circuit class it adds a bit more gusto to your workout and adds a little more interest. A circuit class makes for a quick and efficient workout with major results. How does a Circuit Class Work? A general circuit class will give you a full body workout, plus cardio, plus core strengthening exercises. Some circuit classes can be set to a specific discipline such as football or boxing to help improve pe...

Now that we’ve hit the over 50’s, let’s look back So, here I am….50 something and wondering what the hell happened?  Wasn’t it only yesterday that I was laughing at my mom walking into the lounge scratching her head saying “What did I come in here for?”........ Now look at me….. doing the same damn thing.  I remember thinking to myself as my mom entered the room a second time, still wondering what the heck she was doing …… “ This will never happen to me, I will never get old and I certainly won’t be anything like mom” rolling my eyes as she entered the room a third time, finally remembering what she had come in for!! Remember the time we thought that over 50 was old Another memory flashes by of me going into mom’s bedroom after she had just washed her hair. She had a towel wrapped around her head and was pulling and winding it tighter? What is she doing??? “Look” she said “Look at how this lifts my face! Is this how I would look after a face lift?” ……..My God, my mother is 50 ...