Cabin fever has driven me nuts

I'm going a blog on gym stuff. 

Yes, you read that correctly - an area where my expertise is non existent.  This is my second day at home with a small boy who isn't really unwell anymore but was sent home from school yesterday morning having been sick (I've since deduced that it's because he said he drank half the swimming pool and it didn't agree with him.  There's a surprise).  48hrs off.  Just because he couldn't be bothered to wait for a drink.

So I'm currently watching Alvin and the Chipmunks with him.  For the second time.  Not just ever, oh no, for the second time today..... hence I am slightly losing my mind and the temptation to go wandering around the internet, credit card in hand, looking at the last sales "bargains" will only result in disaster. 

And so I'm doing something practical and useful.  I need new gym stuff.  In order to do some gym stuff.

However, it's up there with underwear, irons and hoovers in things that I loathe spending money on.  It's a necessary evil for me.  Actually it has to be a necessary evil for me in the next week or so as I have done nothing since giving up my gym membership in June.  The.  Shame. 

Have I missed it?  Not in the slightest.  The only thing I probably despise more than having to spend good clothes money on gym wear, is exercise itself. 

Alas though, needs must.  I hit 42 in the next couple of weeks and it's true what they say, the older you get, the more unkind gravity and your metabolic rate are.  In fact, unkind seems too insipid a word.  Not so much unkind, as downright cruel.  I'd go so far as to say mean and vindictive. 

I know people say that the more you exercise, the more you enjoy it.  Endorphines or something kick in... Well not here.  Nope, honestly I hate it.  I will admit that I feel a certain smugness after doing some but do I enjoy it at the time?  Absolutely not.  Do I feel better for doing it?  Not really, I feel smug and thankful that it's over.  And I avoid it at any cost.  If I don't do it first thing in the morning - oh forget it.  I have said I am Queen Procrastinator before but when it comes to Procrastination with regards to Exercise, there is no-one better. 

But unfortunately, what was once a mere muffin is slowly morphing itself into a Pirelli special.  And I am not in any way shape or form paying reference to the calendar.  No, I mean tyres.   Rolls of the buggers expanding around my midriff.  Thank you Christmas and New Year.   And age.  It appears that what God gives with one hand (my extra thick waist) he takes away with the other (my ability to read the bottom of any lipstick or nail varnish. I am going to need *those* old lady reading glasses soon to see a text)

I simply have to get back on the treadmill (not literally, I couldn't run to the end of the road without someone calling an ambulance) but back to some sort of exercise.

So very very unlike me, when I was in Matalan the other week on a wellie quest (don't ask but they do great wellies for kids), I did take note when I was confronted with a massive stand of Activewear (apparently this is the technical term....not *gym stuff*) 

And I was really impressed.  I'm even more impressed that now it's on 3 for 2.  Like I say I am no expert but having spent money on renowned sporty brands in the past, this looks and feels absolutely no different to me. 

To illustrate how much I hate spending money on this, I always buy a two in one top.  Now I appreciate that I am only able to do this as I have fried eggs for boobs but there has to be some upside to having no cleavage whatsoever.  

Activewear 2 in 1 vest from Matalan £14.00



Matching bottoms 

Capri Running tights £16 (their phraseology not mine.  Running and I are not friends)





This one I love as it's a bra attached to a looser style top.   One of the issues I find with lycra is that it has an annoying habit of showing every lump and bump.  Maybe it's supposed to be psychologically motivating.... (doesn't work by the way)

Yoga 2 in 1 Gather Cami top £14  I also like the way you could team this with a number of different bottoms - black or any shade of grey. 




But there are matching bottoms - probably wouldn't do Body Pump or anything more energetic in these, although yes, they'd be fine for Kettles... More for yoga or pilates I would say (do I sound vaguely like I know what I'm talking about?) 



My choice of bottoms for a cardio based form of exercise (snort) is a pair of 3/4 length leggings. 

These are ideal in black £14




Another set that I love would be this with the top in two colour ways. 

Yoga Cropped Leggings £12





Yoga Built up Vest £10 



Second colourway £10



And then to wear underneath it, the cami top (I would not, believe me NEVER wear this on its own in the gym cropped stylee.)  Yes, this would be enough support for me. (stop laughing at the back)  For those who need more scaffolding, then I'm sure you know where to go.

Yoga Strappy Cami Crop Top £6



Also available in black 


This one would provide more support (although I appreciate not enough for some - apologies!) 

Activewear Crop Top (for me = bra) £10




In fact, my advice would be rather than buying sets, be able to mix and match your outfits so you get a bigger range to choose from.   It makes doing exercise marginally more bearable..

These are a great option to team with plain black tops. 

Activewear Graphic Print Leggings £12



There are loads more options, including what looks like more specialist running gear, which I know can be really expensive (I know from what other people have said....) and so I would think the ranges they have are a great option.  Go forth and peruse all the activewear at Matalan.

Another place I came across, which I never knew and would never have suspected did gym stuff, is Mango.  And it's on sale at the moment. 

I would go so far as to say I really really like this.  (I know - steady on)

Incorporated bra t-shirt was £19.99 now £11.99



And in the pink 



These are surely a must... Slimming effect leggings - now that's psychologically motivating.

Slimming effect leggings were £34.99 now £16.99 in medium grey.



Or a plain black pair now £14.99



And now I'm bored.  I know there are probably loads of other places to buy Sportswear but any of the above would do for me and I honestly can't stand to waste too much brain power on it.  So long as they do the job, don't cost the earth and look good, I'll buy the first thing I find.  Which is the above.  Exceptionally rare for me, given the level of obsession I get to with most things I wear.  Something's gotta give folks. 

Whilst we're on the subject of Matalan though, a couple of absolute bargains I found which I have to share.  And no, they're not even for me.  Like I said, I have been genuinely angelic when it comes to any sales purchases pre or post Christmas. 

I got these for the 8yr old and they are fantastic.

Boys Faux Fur Line Hi Tops were £14 now £5.  Yes, a fiver!



And the other bargain wellies for the 10 yr old are these - although I can't find them online, they did have them instore (in the boys section... don't tell her)  All of £4.



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So there we have another slightly random one for me.  To be honest, it is something that I've been asked for in the past but have always shied away from as I have had a) so little inclination and b) so little experience.  The latter hasn't improved at all but at least I now have the inclination at the right price.  All I need now is to actually get around to doing some form of exercise.... Does anyone out there loathe doing it like I do?

Here is my totally can't be bothered outfit - to tell you the truth I am feeling very Mrs Blobby at the moment.  Bloated mcbloated, clearly from the onslaught of vegetables this week which has been a real shock to the system. (nothing to do with my lack of any form of abdominal exercise...)

A day at home with the allegedly poorly 6yr old (who can go back to school tomorrow - thank the lord, he's started asking if we have Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 on DVD.  We don't....), so a very casual outfit to do the school run in.  It was chilly out there! 

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Camel linen tee - Zara
Thin knit loose jumper - H&M
Nessa cardigan - Hush
Grey Baxter jeans - Topshop
Caitlyn biker boots - Seven Boot Lane
Blush and fuchsia Camel scarf - Virginia Johnson 
Diego bag - Alexander Wang. 

Tonight am off out for a school meeting and then, despite all my good intentions, I may have to have a glass of wine when I get back.  We're not out this weekend so no evenings of indulgence, all week I've been good as gold and that's with two days at home, surrounded by the tail end of the chocolate, cake and nut hurricane that is still hanging around in the larder. 

Just a tiny glass of red.... I can't face the thought of another vegetable......


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CONVERSATION

42 comentarios:

  1. Oh my, that is just the funniest post I've read in a long time, laugh out loud funny, great read whilst stuffing chocolates!

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  2. I swear that I would cave in to any of my children's demands - no matter how unreasonable - in order to avoid even ten seconds of Alvin and the Chipmunks. If it isn't already used as a form of torture, it flippin well should be!

    I'm an exercise evangelist, I'm afraid. I'm also a sucker for any sort of brightly coloured gym kit. What really annoys me though is that very few designs take into account that most women are looking to cover their bums once they have encased them in tight lycra, thus avoiding the dreaded camel toe, not to mention the buttock wobble. I love those Mango top/bra things, but there is no way on earth I'm going to put one of those on and get my bum out for public viewing. If they were a few inches longer, I'd be buying them in bulk. Why don't they understand that most people exercise to lose weight or tone up, they don't start off with a perfect body, and design accordingly??

    *Gets down off soapbox. Breathes*

    And I haven't even started on the stuff that Boden have come up with. How long have you got?

    Enjoy your child free day tomorrow!

    Becky x

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    1. I actually quite like Alvin & crew... I know I know...... But back to gym gear - this is a v good point. There are actually longer line tops at Matalan. I have to say I don't have that much of a problem with my bum being seen (horses for courses) but there is No Way I am getting the midriff out..... Haven't seen the Boden stuff. Gym stuff? really??!

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    2. Seriously Kat, don't look. Fun prints + gym wear = migraine city

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  3. Love your cardigan and scarf! We are freezing over here too...
    x Nina
    trendsurvivor.com

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  4. I was in Matalan 2 days ago looking at the gym stuff. I saw some fab pieces but they'd sold out of my size. They had a great hooded top, very long (covers the bum!) & the sleeves had thumb holes in the end with flip-over mittens for when it's freezing!! I also picked up the blue wellies for the 6 year old! ;) x

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    1. That hoodie sounds ideal - I take it all back! Now all I've got to do is find a Matalan...

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    2. So sorry, I didn't see this before! That top sounds great if you do outside exercise - the concept of which, alas, is totally alien to me.......

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  5. 'Nut-hurricane' I love it

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  6. I feel your pain, at 41 I've piled on the pounds this Christmas like no other year. It's so unfair! The Zumba workouts start tomorrow, it's the only exercise that I can say I've ever enjoyed. I would never buy cropped leggings though as that would mean shaving legs and fake tanning (something I try to avoid in winter). Good luck :)

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    1. Ah. This is a good point. I shave in the shower (TMI and lazy cow alert) but having white legs in the gym doesn't bother me at all. xx

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  7. Giggling away reading this Kat... gotta get myself back to the gym, been too long and I'm paying £££ for it! C

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  8. Properly laughing out loud at this Kat, I too have an aversion to exercise and never seem to be able to stick a any form long enough for it to become either enjoyable or for me to be good at it. Matalan gymwear is amazing prices, I have three old pairs of running leggings that still get dragged out if and when needed. Good luck tomorrow hope all returns to normal and you can get back to child-free fun xx

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  9. Glad I'm not the only nut laughing out loud reading this - must check out Matalan. Exercise is sadly a necessary evil to accompany the wine and crisp hobby.

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    Replies
    1. This true - gazes forlornly at kettle bell...... ARGH

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  10. Maybe would should start a Fat...sorry Fit club!!!!!

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  11. I have the Matalan app and they currently have 10% off Ladies Activewear. It's free to register..

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  12. I have 2 double drawers of 'activewear', in fact I even took up tennis a few years ago because I wanted a gorgeous Stella McCartney tennis top. I bought it, tennis lasted ermmmmm not very long. Took up running last year only because my friend had booked me on to a 5k run. It helped with the motivation but as soon as it was over the running shoes were thrown into the cupboard. What's a 2 in 1 top???

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    1. I couldn't run 5k if my life depended on it.. (well I could but.... inclination? Zero) a 2 in 1 top is a bra and vest top in one (you could almost confuse me with someone who knows what she's talking about.)

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  13. Glad to have found a like-minded soul. I also have zero interest in exercise. People say I will find the format that's right for me or get high off the endorphins. No. It bores me senseless. Luckily I walk pretty much everywhere so my heart gets a bit of a workout!

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  14. Dear Kat, please take this advies from an exorcisehater: don't do it!!!!! Find other ways to weave movement in some form or other info your daily life. Hoover, cycle, walk stairs more, walk, garden, diy, go dancing ( combines Well with wine). I just stick to one hour of pilates a week and a lot of walking and cycling everywere. and there is a glas of red at 17:30 when I get the dinner on. Bought a cheep outfit From primark, fine for my sort of use. When spring come i'll concider running....Please I beg you, do not do this to yourself, life is too short! ( but then again I am a sort of half saint with my eating dairy,,sugar and wheat/ gluten free)

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    Replies
    1. Ah. And there in lies the difference......

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  15. I found myself in Matalan this week as well, and also stumbled on the boys high tops for £5. My 8 year old loves them, especially as they are 'nearly' the same a Daddy's Ralph Lauren ones!
    Love the blog. x

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    1. They're absolutely amazing aren't they? I wish I'd bought them in the bigger size as well!

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    2. I laugh as I read your posts as its like looking at my very own wardrobe! You've got great style and a wicked sense of humour. Keep blogging! x

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  16. Whole of Jan? Are you insane??! I am doing it mid week (Mon to Thursday - I managed till Wed - it's an improvement....) But we are having a quiet Jan generally. I have looked at Gap sports gear in the past and actually excellent value with their 30% off gigs.xx

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  17. I need some new gym gear Kat, I'm there often enough so figured I can justify it - and yes you will think I'm a freak but I'm one of those that 'enjoys' my exercise - definitely get off on it! Don't know why I just do - plus it helps to stop my bottom going too far south! x

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    1. I don't think you're a freak, honestly, I'm hugely envious!! IT does squat for me. SOB. x

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  18. Maybe if I buy some gym gear I made might actually exercise?! I really need to this year as its my 42nd year too & I just can't gamble with the genes any longer! x

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    1. I can categorically state that you won't!!

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  19. Have you looked at M&S recently for gym gear? I was in there last week and some of it is lovely

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    1. I whizzed by it the other day but will explore it in more detail shortly! Can't wait to see their new other collections xx

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  20. You have shared beautiful clothes thanks for sharing.I achieved more knowledge for your blog.If you have time please check my relative page mens tank tops.

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