Are you even in the UK if you haven’t said this yet since September? Along with not knowing where to start, one of the biggest barriers to a fitness routine is it stopping and starting due to life, the universe, and colds. Whilst I’m not a doctor and this shouldn’t replace formal medical advice, I …
Author archives: iambeckyhughes
Should I be drinking protein shakes after a workout?
Other than, “what should I eat to lose weight?”, whether or not to drink protein shakes is probably the top nutrition-related question I get asked. And before I answer it, a disclaimer… I’m a personal trainer. Not a nutritionist, not a dietician. The amount of nutrition content that isn’t in the personal training question may …
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Trauma informed approach to exercise provision CPD experience
I recently took part in a training event which was the first of it’s kind in the UK! Mental health has always been a significant professional (and personal) interest for me, and with the public conversation continuing to bubble away, more educational opportunities seem to be popping up each day. But I’m picky, so let …
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Barriers to exercise: an apology
A recent article in Stylist hit me with a thump, and it’s time to say that I’m sincerely sorry. The publication posted a “beginners guide to exercise” and I read it shaking my head at the realisation of how wrong some advice I’ve previously shared is. The item I’m specifically referencing is at the bottom …
Mindful self-compassion: my deep dive weekend
I can’t quite believe that I finally attended this course. Booked way back in the depths of 2019 (remember it? “PPE” was a term few of us used; vaccines were only hotly-debated for the under 12s; we thought nothing of violently exhaling over a burning cake that we were about to share…), and understandably postponed …
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I’ve hit my goal weight – now what?
Firstly: fairly obviously, this post is going to discuss weight loss. If that’s something which isn’t a safe topic for you, or something you disagree with, please feel free to stop here… Whether weight or fat loss is the right thing to aim for or not is not the topic of today’s post – this …
Three easy ways to take care of your pelvic floor… and one thing to avoid
Big news: we all have a pelvic floor. Every single one of us. And having a strong and healthy pelvic floor isn’t just important for people who have been through pregnancy and/or birth. It’s important for everyone. Yep, that’s right – you need to work on yours too. In case you missed the news, the …
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Super Surgeons – the patient perspective
If it weren’t for my surgeon at the Royal Marsden, I wouldn’t be here. And I don’t mean that in a fatalistic sense – my tumour probably wasn’t going to kill me – but a more philosophical one; my experience with cancer is what pushed me to become a personal trainer, and inspired me to …
World Cancer Day 2022: “Moving Through Cancer” review
“Moving Through Cancer” by Dr Kathryn Schmitz has been written with cancer patients and their caregivers in mind. The following review reflects my honest thoughts, having paid for and read the book recently. Prior to reading the book, I didn’t realise that it has been written from the dual perspective of Kathryn being both a …
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Overcoming barriers to confidence in the gym
I recently asked my Instagram followers what questions they had about gaining confidence in the gym. One of my favourites was: “All the men. How to own it when it’s you and a load of men.” And here are my ideas (as someone who’s tried a variety of strategies during the last 5 years)… I …
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