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At this time of year we’re inundated with fitness challenges and ‘miracle diets’. But these messages are largely about how you look and the number on a scale.
With Gym Buddies, we’re keen to look beyond aesthetics: How does working out make you feel? How does it impact your health? What does exercise help you achieve?
People workout for a whole host of reasons: cancer survivor Jackie Scully, who got married the morning of the London Marathon and ran in her wedding dress, started running to reclaim her body after her first chemotherapy treatment; our fitness writer Amy Packham is bravely taking up cycling again after she broke two of her fingers in a bike accident as a teenager (ouch!); and I find yoga helps to keep my stress and anxiety at bay.
So next time you work out, take a moment to reflect on how you feel afterwards. Because what keeps you going might not be what made you start in the first place.
WTF: What The Fitness?
DOMS
This means “Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness” and refers to the discomfort or pain you get 12-48 hours after exercise. Ever struggled to walk down the stairs after a big session? That’s DOMS for you.
There’s a pretty long and complicated process as to why it happens (read here) but it’s nothing to worry about.