The Kids Are Back at School… so What Are You Going to Do with Your Freedom?

September! The month of new beginnings, fresh starts and school shoes, uniform and lunch bags mysteriously disappearing even though you definitely bought them all and put them somewhere safe!

The summer holidays have been lovely. Chaotic, noisy, expensive, slightly exhausting… but lovely. 😂

There have been late nights, lazy mornings, ice creams, days out, wet days, sunny days, “Mum, I’m hungry” every 12 minutes and enough snacks consumed to suggest your children are secretly training for an Olympic eating event.

But now…

THEY’RE BACK AT SCHOOL. 🎉

And before you start feeling guilty about being slightly excited about this, let us stop you right there.

You are allowed to be happy.

You are allowed to enjoy the silence.

You are allowed to drink a cup of coffee while it is still hot.

And most importantly…

You are allowed to put yourself back on the list.

The summer routine has officially left the building!

For the last six weeks, your usual routine may have gone completely out of the window.

Your alarm clock has been replaced by a child asking what’s for breakfast.

Your exercise routine has been replaced by trips to the park, beach, swimming pool, soft play and wherever else apparently qualifies as “fun”.

And finding 45 minutes to yourself?

About as likely as finding a matching pair of school socks.

But September changes everything.

The kids are back at school.

The house is quiet.

You can hear yourself think.

And suddenly you realise you have a few precious hours in the day that are yours.

So… what are you going to do with them?

Now, we’re not suggesting you must leap out of bed at 5am, drink something green that tastes like lawn clippings and run 10 miles before the school gates open.

Absolutely not.

We’re talking about something much more realistic.

Come and exercise with us.

Whether you want to get stronger, improve your fitness, lose a few pounds, feel better in your clothes or simply have 30 minutes where nobody asks you for anything…30 minutes just for you – it’s not too long that you can’t fit it into your day but it’s long enough to make a difference.

This is your time.

And there’s something rather lovely about exercising when you’re not rushing straight from the school run to the next appointment, activity, playdate or emergency snack requirement.

You can walk into the gym, put your phone down, switch your brain off for a while and concentrate on you.

And here’s the secret…

You don’t need to wait until you’re motivated.

Because if we waited until we felt like exercising, most of us would be lying on the sofa in our pyjamas watching Netflix while eating something we didn’t even particularly want.

Motivation is lovely when it turns up.

But routine is what gets you there.

Book your class or circuit session.

Put it in your diary.

Get your gym clothes ready.

Then turn up.

Some days you’ll feel brilliant.

Some days you’ll feel like a sloth.

Some days you’ll absolutely smash your workout.

Other days you’ll wonder why you voluntarily agreed to do squats :)

All those days count.

And please don’t fall into the September trap…

You know the one.

‘Right. Kids are back. I’m going to be GOOD’.

No chocolate.

No wine.

No treats.

Gym every day.

Salad for every meal.

Never eating a carb again.

And by September 17th you’re standing in the kitchen eating biscuits straight from the packet wondering where it all went wrong. 😂

You don’t need to go from zero to fitness influencer overnight.

You just need to start moving again.

A couple of gym sessions.

A class you enjoy.

A walk.

Some strength training.

A bit of cardio.

And gradually, you’ll start feeling like you again.

Because exercise isn’t just about your body

Yes, getting stronger is fantastic.

Yes, feeling fitter is fantastic.

Yes, losing weight or changing your shape might be one of your goals.

But there’s so much more to it.

Exercise can give you energy.

It can improve your confidence.

It can give you a little bit of headspace.

It can help you feel stronger and more capable.

And sometimes, quite honestly, it’s simply 30 minutes where nobody needs you.

No lunchboxes.

No homework.

No washing.

No ‘Muuuuum’!

Just you, your workout and a room full of women who are doing exactly the same thing.

So, when that school bell rings…

Don’t automatically fill every spare minute with chores.

The washing will still be there.

The dishwasher isn’t going anywhere.

And let’s be honest, you’ve probably already tidied that room three times this week.

Give yourself permission to take some of that time for you.

Come and get stronger.

Come and get fitter.

Come and have a laugh.

Come and sweat.

Come and make some friends.

Come because you haven’t exercised in months.

Come because you exercise all the time.

Come because you need a break.

Just come.

September isn’t about punishing yourself for what you did over the summer.

It’s about getting back into a routine that makes you feel good.

So, kids…

Back to school you go.

Mum’s got plans. 😉

Your time starts now. ❤️

Much Love

Caroline & Hannah xx