Getting into a proper lockdown exercise routine is a struggle

And if how badly I ache today after a half-hearted effort to get back into the groove is anything to go by then I’m going to struggle big time when we do get back to ‘normal’ – whatever that is.

Now I should point out at the start that we are an active family. We go out for walks and since the coronavirus-induced lockdown period came in I have got myself a bicycle so I can join the children in regular bike rides each week.

I’ve even got a bike shed now.

But the problem with going out with the children on bike rides and walks is that it tows the line of still being ‘active’ without ever crossing into proper ‘exercise’ territory.

Cycling at their pace just doesn’t quite raise the heart rate enough to be considered exercise. There is none of the unattractive sweat going on, only the unattractive messy hair hiding underneath the cycle helmet!

Having a job which makes you sit down at a computer all day is doing nothing for my fitness level, or waistline, and listening to furloughed friends compare step counts or doing daily classes is just making me feel worse about my lack of activity though I know it’s not their fault – they are just keeping busy.

And before anyone suggests it going out for a run isn’t an option for a list of reasons which firmly begin with the fact that I HATE it. It’s so dull (sorry to all you runners out there!).

I’m used to a routine of gym classes which forces me to actually exercise rather than slacking off and sitting in the garden at the end of a hard day with a glass of wine.

But this week I thought I had to get my bum in gear and do something. So I found one of my regular fitness classes on YouTube and last night decided to attempt some kind of routine.

In an attempt to ease myself in gently I went for a simple body balance class rather than a full-on cardio fandago or anything with weights.

A bit of stretching, a bit of flexibility and a bit of strength building to get me started. What could possibly go wrong?

Well of course it has been so long since I have done one that I completely forgot how evil it is if you have not done one in a while.

Any strength, balance and flexibility seems to have abandoned me, and less than 24 hours later my whole body aches after using muscles that have clearly been neglected for the past two months,

And so when I have finished uncomfortably shuffling in my chair at the end of the day to stretch out my achy muscles the dilemma will come – attempt another class or sit in the garden with the children and the paddling pool.

Erm, I’m not quite sure which option will win out yet but surely I should get points for trying!