3 minute read
JAN MCCORD - HOW LOCKDOWN CHANGED MY LIFE
How lockdown changed my life J an McArd, our Past President discusses the personal impact of Lockdown, and how it wasn’t such a bad thing, and she provides us with some great Christmas health and fitness tips.
Many of you may know that I like to do a bit of running. Nothing too exceptional compared to some runners I know but having started running July 2015 (when I was dragged from lamppost to lamppost and usually ended up looking like a dishevelled Ribena berry) I have found myself Ladies Captain of Wallasey AC with a club place in the London Marathon in October 2022.
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Lockdown was kind to me as it gave me plenty more time to run (with my husband, with another runner, or in a small group depending on the rules at the time) and increase my weekly distance. With that came minor niggles – you can’t call yourself a runner unless you are carrying an injury – but nothing too serious.
But lockdown also brought the opportunity to do more home cooking. Whilst I never considered myself a fantastic cook – up until then I had never baked in my life but since March 2020 the house has been filled with soda bread, banana bread, and chocolate muffins amongst many other tasty things. As well as the fine dining experience Chez McArd, there was an increased wine and cocktail selection – running those extra miles I deserved it didn’t I?
And so the cycle of run / reward / repeat began, but soon the rewards became disproportionate to the amount of exercise and I soon found myself feeling sluggish and slowly piling a few extra pounds on. Fearing the inevitable middle-aged spread, I sought advice from the experts
With the help of www.trainer-jane.co.uk I started work on my core strength with a weekly strength band class, as well as following a healthy eating lifestyle plan. No diets, or counting calories, just sensible advice and goal setting around food and drink which has led to a mindset change and positive results.
And I have seen the benefits of feeling fitter, feeling healthier and running faster. In October 2021 I was 3rd placed lady in the Wirral 10k, knocking 6 minutes off my previous 10k personal best.
So as the Christmas season is already upon us, I thought I’d share a couple of things that I will be following over the holiday break to ensure I will be in top notch condition to face those January tax return deadlines.
Christmas Tip #1
Eat until satisfied, not stuffed. That way you will enjoy your food so much more and look forward to the next meal.
Christmas Tip #2
Keep some of your healthy habits (like drinking enough water each day) ticking along, it will make it so much easier to get back on track after the festive period
Christmas Tip #3
Think about your food environment. Having chocolates, crisps and other yummy festive snacks visible and close by means that you are more likely to eat more of them. Still enjoy them if you wish (it is Christmas after all) but put them out of sight afterwards
Christmas Tip #4
Include lots of the good stuff. Christmas is a great opportunity to boost your intake of delicious seasonal veggies that you might not usually eat such as brussels sprouts, turnips, parsnips red cabbage and swede.
Christmas Tip #5
Enjoy your Christmas food. Christmas can be a stressful time at the best of times for many people. The last thing we should be worrying about is the calories in our Christmas food. No guilt, no stress, just savour and enjoy but remember to keep your goals in mind.
