why do we do this exercise thing?

Nancy's WHY... "For years I did the classic yoyoing up and down in weight and in and out of exercise. After having my 3 boys I felt out of shape and was worried I'd be MUM CAN'T. As they grew older I was determined to be MUM CAN. 

So, I went about having a sensible and manageable gym programme along with a nice balance with my food (never a diet, just a good balance of healthy eating with the occasional blowout) and have done my best to be MUM CAN"!

Marianna's WHY... "I find it so much fun! I love the feeling of getting a new routine right, moving together with music, meeting up with new people in a class and chatting about life, it's really the social aspect. I love the feeling after a really good class.

These days I'm even enjoying lifting weights in the gym, I think it's to do with the endorphins, it's a bit of a break, a little time to yourself and it helps me relieve stress. I do feel that days I don't get to the gym or do a class I'm a lot more grumpy. It's a really great, natural way to improve your mood as well as your health".

Adams WHY... "I'm a big unit with a dad bod but I'm ok with that. I regularly workout not just because I'm a Personal Trainer but because I want to live longer, because I want to carry my kids around in both arms at the same time, because I want to chase my kids around the park without feeling like I've got gravy in my veins, because I want to win every single dads race, because I want to repeat all this when I'm a grandad".

Kellys WHY... "Exercise became a permanent part of my life a year after having baby number 3. I said to myself I don't want to be 40, fat and unfit! I couldn't do anything about turning 40 but I could do my best with the rest. I have said in the past that exercise saved me and I would still say that now. It's given me so much more than weight loss and I couldn't imagine life without exercise now. I continue to regularly exercise because I want to live in the best way possible for as long as possible. There are many adventures to come and I want to be fit and healthy to enjoy them".

Spencer's WHY... "To be honest I've never really thought about why I exercise, it's just something I've always done since a kid and the reasons have probably changed through the decades.

In my teens it was just sport sport sport!
In my 20's it was more about appearance and wanting a 6 pack (that never showed up).
In my 30's it was about times. How quick can I run a 10k, half marathon or a marathon.
In my 40's it was so I could do challenges. Climbing mountains, running 7 marathons in 7 days, taking part in Triathlons, running 100 miles and lots of crazy stuff like that!
Now in my 50's it's about longevity. I've got 3 active sons and I still run, ride, workout and bundle with them. I may not be as lean or able to run as fast as in my 20's and 30's, my hair may not be as thick and it's definitely not as dark but I can honestly say I feel fitter, healthier and stronger than ever".

"So, I think for me exercise is about keeping me as young as possible for as long as possible. I have no plans to grow up just yet and still have lots of mountains to climb, challenges to do and lots of bundles with the kids for years to come"!

Suzanne's WHY... "Exercise for me is my release, my head space, my happy place. Don't get me wrong I love what exercise has done for me physically over the years but it's not my why. I'm a mum of two boys in my mid 40's. I'm fitter and healthier now than I was in my 20's. I want to be a role model to my kids and hopefully inspire others to be active. I want to be the fittest version of me so I can enjoy my kids being kids and hopefully their kids one day. It doesn't matter how much, how hard or how long, just turn up and do what you can"!

Jacks WHY... "My why has changed over the years, it used to be because I was a small and skinny shy kid who wanted to be bigger and stronger to give me confidence in my daily life. Now I'm older my why is the fact there is no better feeling than what a great workout gives me, whether it's a PB lift or a gruelling circuit it makes me feel on top of the world, not to mention the better quality of life it gives me."