Fatigue is real at the moment, especially for those of us who like myself, find themselves in lockdown, once again! Our lives certainly aren’t as busy yet for some strange reason we feel more exhausted and unmotivated than ever.
This exhaustion we are feeling could be a byproduct of so many different things like anxiety, poor sleep, stress, lack of routine and just overall lockdown fatigue.
Although we may not be doing much, the thought of doing something, whether it be preparing dinner, taking the dog for a walk, calling a friend or working out can induce a lot of dread. I myself absolutely relate to this. Alongside this, I also often feel uneasy and disappointed in myself when I am feeling unmotivated, but I combat these feelings by being kind to myself and choosing to move my body in a more gentle way, for I know how amazing it makes me feel after.
You may or may not have seen my instagram post on Tuesday morning about the gentle steps I take when I’m feeling tired, foggy or low in lockdown. Here it is in case you missed it:
Off the back of this post, I thought I would share some of my other favourite KIC workouts which I love doing at those times when I’m not feeling overly motivated to move. So, here’s my list:
1. Stretch & strength with Christina
This workout only involves you, yourself and your mat, nothing more. Christina’s soothing voice guides you through a range of gentle bodyweight movements and stretches in an effort to leave you feeling tension free.
One of my favourite things which she reminds you of, is that you can take the movements at your own pace. The slow and controlled nature of this session makes completing this Pilates class super achievable on lower energy. I find that this is a great way to unwind after closing my laptop from work.
2. Cardio Resistance with Mari
Although coming under the Cardio Pilates banner, this workout with Mari is perfect for those times when you can’t be bothered moving. You won’t leave the mat but you’ll get a great ab and glute workout. The movements are small and controlled but have a big burning impact.
The best thing about this workout, is that if I’m feeling up to it, I can turn up the difficulty by incorporating a resistance band. In all honesty Pilates workouts are a serious winner for those days where you’re feeling deflated.
3. Serious Sculpt with Steph & Danny
My favourite thing about this workout is how uncomplicated it is and I love doing it at those times when I’m lacking mental clarity. All it involves is 2 rounds – the first focusing on 3 exercises for the lower body and the second focusing on 3 exercises for the upper body.
In comparison to Pilates, as a strength workout, this is slightly more intense, but there is NO JUMPING or crazy combinations that you need to follow. Another great thing is that you can take this workout at your own pace as you’re simply completing the exercise to time – meaning that you can take it as fast or as slow as you like.
(P.s. the workout does call for a set of dumbbells but water bottles will absolutely suffice!)
4. Keep It Mellow with Cecily
Yoga is something i don’t do too often but when I do, boy do I feel a whole heap better. This particular flow with Cecily is a lockdown favourite as it finishes with a few minutes of restful awareness. This is done by laying on your back and focusing on your breath and remaining present. It’s the perfect way to help relax and feel refreshed with minimal effort.
The flow part of this masterclass focuses on withdrawing from the external and turning into oneself whilst encouraging the lengthening of the spine.
I am always so comforted by Cecily as she emphasises that this flow is less about perfect shapes and more about the quality of your breath and attention.
This flow is perfect for helping you to take a moment for yourself to relax, reset and nurture and admire your strength and the wonderful person you are.
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I hope that if you haven’t already tried these KIC masterclasses that you give them a go. They have truly made a difference at the times when my mind feels foggy, my body feels tired and my morale is down but am still feeling up for a little bit of movement. These KIC masterclasses are more gentle and lower impact yet never fail to leave me feeling elated from the endorphin rush. I hope that you too find some comfort in completing these masterclasses too!
If you’re feeling a little sluggish and lacking motivation, rest assured you are not alone. Here are some tips that help me get up and go on those colder mornings – when I could quite easily hit snooze another ten times!
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