This week our Community Champions Cleo and Ash have really stepped up their Move in May efforts. Despite the rain, both families have continued to be an inspiration to us all. Today they are shared more about their efforts as we near the final week of Move in May.
Cleo
It’s been a funny old May. So different to last year (mainly the weather) but we are as committed as ever to our family Move in May challenge. We’ve mainly been walking this year (in the rain!) with me chasing the children on their bikes. I’d love to put some more minutes in on my own exercise bike, but all that running is certainly boosting my fitness level. This year the children are older, so we’ve managed some lovely long afternoon walks without them complaining to be carried, or go home. Victory! Public transport is now an option for us too, so we’ve had outings to new green spaces which has been a huge boost to mental well-being. The kids really are an inspiration. They just love running and jumping about whether in the back garden, park or making “sand angels” in the local sandpit. We’ve been really happy to see the sports clubs reopen too, meaning that has helped, Zara and Joshua have been colouring in the Miss Milk for cricket and gymnastics after school clubs this year.
The children are loving the Milk Family again this year. I read them all the new characters’ details once at the start of the month and I’m impressed how they still remember each name. They keep reminding me who likes yoga, running around, and which are the milk twins!
Sadly, the wet weather has meant fewer options, but one rainy Saturday morning I found myself dancing with Zara to Channel 5’s Bop Box Boogie. I have to admit it was satisfying learning the routine! Hopefully next week will bring us some sunshine. We can only live in hope.
Ash
This week’s Move in May has seen sunshine, rain, and hail! Our walks have revolved around puddle jumping. One afternoon, my toddler jumped in so many puddles that by the time we got home, his socks were soaked and toes wrinkly! We’ve also enjoyed avoiding or walking on pavement cracks, and taking the longer route to destinations when time allows.
Even though my children are now 3 and 4 years old, I’ve joined an affordable postnatal exercise class run by a physiotherapist. The classes are super fun, and helping to keep my pelvic floor and abdominal muscles in check. Each class is only half an hour long, but by the end I’m as wet from sweat as my toddler was from jumping in all those puddles!
Looking back to the start of this challenge, I’m definitely noticing small differences in how my body and mind are feeling: I’m sleeping better, I’m eating and drinking more, and my jeans are fitting a little better around thighs that are growing stronger. I can’t believe we’re soon entering the final week of Move in May!