Beyond Fitness PT

Save this for your next trip to the Peak District.

Making the most of the end of summer.. it was a balmy 9 deg when we woke up in the van on Sunday morning (the heating actually went on!)

I stayed here when I was doing my DofE work in June, and I wanted to come back as there were a few things on my list.

We did..

📍 Dovedale - absolutely beautiful but so busy! We queued about 10 mins just to get across the stepping stones
📍 Thors Cave - I was so impressed, but if you’re going in and out be careful as it’s like polished marble in there and so slippy
📍 Manifold Trail - and beautiful path running through the Manifold Valley, there’s a couple of tea rooms on the route. I didn’t do it all as I did a loop back to the campsite!

Please shout if you want any places to stay / where to park etc.

I’ve spent the weekend exploring some new places.. I never know whether to share my adventures on here 🤷🏼‍♀️

Would you love to see them or should I keep them separate?

LOVE this post if you would like to see more ❤️

I’m absolutely rubbish at making decisions 😂 (especially when you’ve been staring at something for so long)..

But which one do you prefer? Image 1,2 or 3

I forgot to mention this is for a logo design..

I will explain the meaning behind them when I’ve chosen, but I’d love to know which captures you more?

Ps sorry for the rubbish image screenshot

This was my lunch yesterday.

I used to find nutrition so complicated and fearful, until I stripped it back and started thinking about the basics.

I was skipping meals, and left walking round like a zombie because I had zero energy.

Now I chuck it all together, usually with leftovers or a fridge raid (I hate food shopping) 😂

This has everything that’s going to keep that energy going all afternoon, so you’re not going to walk through the door at 5:30pm raiding the cupboards because hanger hit!

The best part? This could easily be made ahead, packed up for lunch on the go and reheated, or simplified by swapping the egg for a boiled egg if that is what works that day.

It is not about getting every meal perfect. It is about having something that will actually keep you going through the afternoon, rather than leaving you hunting for coffee, snacks or anything sweet by 3pm.

When you start fuelling yourself better, you can feel the difference in what you have left for the rest of your day: more energy, a clearer head, and more confidence to do the things you keep putting off.

If you are eating healthy but still feel flat, hungry, or unsure what to eat, I have made a free 2-minute check-in to help you spot what may be missing.

Is your plate supporting your energy?

Take the Nourished Plate Builder here 👇🏻

https://energypate-pkmzyiky.manus.space

I don't think there's anything worse than feeling unfit, like when walking upstairs leaves you out of breath and everything feels a bit slower.

I had to give up running back in January after a herniated disc diagnosis.

Here's how I've actually been rebuilding my fitness since.. the structure I'm using, why 12 weeks isn't a deadline.

Read full blog here 👇🏻

https://open.substack.com/pub/beyondfitness/p/how-do-i-get-fit-again?r=21twh9&utm_medium=ios

Nothing will ever beat that feeling of the outdoors!

That immediate switch off.

The brain stops whirring for a few hours. There’s no signal on your phone. There’s no overthinking!

It’s just us and nature.

The birds chirping. The heather blooming. The water trickling.

The absolute calm from every day!

James loves waterfalls, so we headed for a new one for both of us (and only an hour or so from Shrewsbury)..

📍 Rhiwagor Waterfall

It's easy to lose motivation when you're injured.

That's why I started setting myself small goals.

These don't have to be big or life changing, just something to give me focus and purpose.

I wanted to improve my cardio fitness. I'd lost a lot of fitness after having to stop running in January, and I hated that feeling of being unfit.

So I set myself two small goals:

1. 1-2 Wattbike sessions a week, following a structured programme so I could see progress rather than just sitting on the bike. Once a week is the minimum, but if I can get two sessions in, even better.

2. Walk up and down Earls Hill twice. This is something I used to do running when I was training for Tour du Mont Blanc (I used to do 3–4 summits), so I've adapted it to where I am now.

It's also become a good excuse to catch up with friends, so if you ever want to join me, I usually share on Instagram when I'm going.

There's also been my strength training, which is adapted at the moment.

You still need a plan to make progress... that hasn't changed. But a good plan bends when life doesn't.

You don't need a race on the calendar to have a goal worth working towards. You just need structure that can move with you.. around injury, around busy weeks, and whatever life throws at you.

That's what these goals are for me right now.

That's what these goals are for me right now, to give me some purpose without losing my mind in this injury.

Also how cool is it listening to all the birds 😍

I wrote something today that feels like the most honest thing I’ve shared in a long time

https://open.substack.com/pub/beyondfitness/p/what-i-actually-believe?r=21twh9&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

This time 2 years ago I was running Tour du Mont Blanc..

Out of all the challenges I set myself over the years, this is one I’ve never managed to shake off!

Even now, I can’t find anything that lights me up as much as that!

It’s weird, because 2 years later I’m sat here questioning (and grieving) whether I’ll ever be able to run again!

It actually breaks my heart..

I guess I can grieve and adapt at the same time!

Because it was the way I challenge. My adventure. My freedom. A part of my identity.

Something I would come back to, even though I lost my running bug a fair few times over the years.

This is the longest time in 26 years that I’ve not run for!

But as I sit here with this frustrating injury (and that’s being polite), I’ve never given up on myself or my journey.

I guess I could have done. I could’ve said, what’s the point I can’t do it all how I used to, but I learnt a lot time ago how to adapt.

I would say I’m pretty bloody stubborn..

Because the goal isn’t to give up on ourselves at a hurdle, it’s about becoming inquisitive and saying ‘what can I still do!?’

I can’t run. I can’t lift weight the same way I used to.. but I’m here changing the focus.. I swapped running for my wattbike. I still lift weights, just adapted. I still focus on eating well. I’ve rested when it’s needed.

I always ask.. ‘what can I still do around this pain!?’

How can I move that still gives me what I need?

I used to absolutely hate gardening, and then one day it all just changed. Is that what happens when you hit midlife? 😂

Today I was rewarded with my first taste of homegrown fruit and veg.. and I can’t believe it!

My first ripe tomato and some strawberries on my breakfast!

Of all the things that are apparently easy to grow, it’s definitely not courgettes for me.. The thing I wanted the most and nothing!

But so excited to see my aubergines. Peppers. Sweet peppers. Tomatoes. Chill’s all growing fast!

I’m already planning how to do it all next year, and what to try for winter. I’m thinking some sweet potatoes, garlic, red onions.. maybe I’ll try courgette again.

How’s everyone else’s midlife crisis gardening / veggie patch going?