by Harriet W (Yr 13 - Captain 1st XI Girls' Hockey)

Going from having organised sport at least four times a week to having no structure of when or what exercise to do was initially very difficult. I started off the first week not really knowing where to start. Do I go on a run? Do I go on a cycle? Do I do a workout? These are questions which I debated for days; however after a bit of research and using my PE A-level knowledge I soon found my feet with what to do. 

For the first few weeks of lockdown my daily exercise consisted of a Joe Wicks workout, this was a really good way to start as it got me into a good habit and meant that it was part of my daily routine. However, after a few weeks I started to feel like I wanted to push myself a bit more, so I took up running.

Although I play a lot of hockey and netball I find myself not being “running fit”, which in a technical term would be not being aerobically fit and maybe lacking muscular endurance in my legs. So I started running just 3k and did this about 4 or 5 times a week. Then the next week I still ran 3k but then incorporated one 5k run. Then the next week I did two 5k’s and then the week after I was running 5k each time I exercised. At this point I was running 3 to 4 times a week as I did not want to overtrain and cause a chronic injury such as runner’s knee or shin splints. Finally, the following week I reached my goal of running 10k. It was so rewarding when I was able to run this as I felt as I had achieved something challenging, which is difficult to feel during these times. 

During lockdown I have also been making sure that I have been having a good balanced diet by making sure I am incorporating all the right amounts of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. I am also especially making sure that I consume enough water, especially as the weather is warming up. 

My main tips for doing exercise in lockdown would be: 

1. Set yourself a goal - as when you achieve this goal it will be amazing. 

2. Do something you enjoy - exercise should be fun and should be something you look forward to doing. 

3. Plan your week - this means you are more likely to stick to it. 

4. Make it fun - maybe do a session with your friends on a video call or set yourself the same goal so you motivate each other.