Why does this woman look so happy?

Surely she's on drugs or something...nope it's called runners high !

Food is the most over used anti depressant, exercise is most under used anti depressant.

Most of us turn to food for comfort; boredom, loneliness, low mood...all of these emotions and more send us to the fridge looking for sweet or fatty treats, the reason why we can't stop is because they aren't fulfilling that need and the reason why is because food is not the answer, food is only ever the answer for hunger so for any other problem it won't work. If you needed a screwdriver you wouldn't settle for a wax crayon would you?

Exercise releases happy endorphins, so low mood is instantly relieved, even tiredness can be alleviated with exercise.

The biggest hurdle to motivation is getting started, it seems so hard, so sluggish to get off the starting blocks but if you ask a reluctant exerciser they will always tell you they feel great after a workout, even if they started it feeling drained and tired.

The mind plays a massive part in how we function, if you aren't used to exercise, feel self conscious or dread it then you are mentally trudging through the thickest and stinkiest of swamps.

Change your mindset !

Instead of dreading your exercise sessions start seeing them as 'you time' , switch off from your doubts, if you're really struggling do a mental risk assessment, what's the worst that could happen? well you could try something and fail but then think about it isn't the biggest fail to never even try? Even failure gives you a starting point, if you try a plank and fail to hold it on your toes then take it from your knees and build up to toes, when you get there you will be so proud of yourself.

Stop suffering your own moods and doubt, don't think about exercise. schedule it then just simply get up and do it, you won't regret it, nobody ever regrets the exercise they do...only the exercise they don't.

I realised years ago that if I skipped a workout I would spend all day berating myself, and feeling self conscious, moody, criticising myself over everything I did or didn't do and everything I ate, whereas if I went for that workout even if it was just 20 minutes, I could just get on with the rest of my day and feel good about myself that I got up and did it.

Do you ever look at the gym bunny's and wish you had their motivation? I used to and now I am one ! People always say I wish I had your motivation and energy' well the secret is I'm not motivated, I NEED that workout time, it's like a drug but a good drug.

Ever looked at a runner out in the wind and rain and wondered if they were mentally ok? well the truth is they are more than mentally ok they are hooked ! Runners high is an actual thing and the good news is it isn't just running that gives you the high.

Exercise releases happy endorphins hence why you feel better after exercise, as well as relieving low mood, boredom, anxiety etc it also energises you and gives you a more restful sleep.

We weren't intended to be sedentary, our bodies are designed to move so if you can you should.

STOP seeing exercise as a chore see it as a tonic.

If I offered you a professional massage to energise, relax, make you happy and help you sleep you'd take it wouldn't you? and I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy it...so why, when you can achieve all of this from exercise, wouldn't you just do it? I tell you why it's because you think exercise will make you sweaty and it will be hard and you might fall off something or get sweat patches...well yes all of that could happen but stop worrying about that and just do it, do it to the best of your ability nobody elses...do you !

So my top tips for making exercise enjoyable;

1) Listen to your favourite music, on your headphones so you can listen guilt and embarrassment free to anything you desire, who cares if it's cheesy or soppy it's you time and nobody else can hear it !

2)Set the scene - if you're at home shut yourself away for some uninterrupted you time, maybe even light a candle, or find a quiet part of the gym, stick those headphones on and tune out to the outside world. If you want time to think or let your mind wander do it, it's amazing for relieving anxiety and worries.

See exercise time as 'you time' so incorporate whatever makes you happy and take away the stress factors, if nothing else just see it as time away from housework and/or the kids, yes we love them but they're bloody hard work at times!

3)Hate cardio? - download a movie or series to your phone. I used to hate cardio but a few years ago I downloaded Dexter and by the end of series 1 I was hooked on running !

4)Keep a progress diary- it's easy to forget where you started, keeping a few notes about how easy or hard you found something, new things you've tried, little victories etc can make you feel great

5) Reward yourself-Why not nip into the sauna after your workout, go for a relax in the pool or if at home have a nice hot bath and slather on some moisturiser after or paint your nails. Exercise makes you more aware of your body and it's worth looking after !