We talked about travelling: interpreters may or may not travel a lot, and I’ve seen both categories. Translators though, are by definition, something more of a sedentary bunch of people, just as most freelancers who work in an office (or in any case, in a seated position for more than 1 hr a day…) Yet, one way to be really a #StylishFreelancer is by being aware: being aware that first and foremost we function because our body functions and we can only work if we make sure our body is in shipshape conditions to let us do so. Like burning the midnight oil? Are you an early riser? No matter what is the way you organise your working hours, there always should be room for what your body tells you. And mine, when I turned 30, told me I needed to be in better shape. A cry, a roar, that I for too long wanted to ignore then became unavoidable and painful to let go. That’s when I decided to start training after 15 years of next-to-zero exercise. It may not be for everyone and hey – I hear you! But it’s a need, just like eating or sleeping. The nature of freelancing gives us the power to be flexible. Trust me: if I wasn’t exercising before it was only because of the excuses I was feeding myself with. And I urge you to start now. Include it in your routine, take a stand, make a change and be a busylancer, freelancer and fitlancer.
Like burning the midnight oil? Are you an early riser? No matter what’s the way you organise your working hours, there always should be room for what your body tells you.
How do I keep fit? 9 tips.
1. I drink a lot. Like a LOT. Like in 3 litres per day.
2. I keep a diary – I’m using My Fitness Pal at the moment
3. I follow a gym plan for me – it may help seeing a trainer. Mine is able to teach, support and motivate me constantly to overcome my limits and myself. I’m not a competitive person, despite what others can think. In fact, I hate feeling the pressure with others but boy, am I tough on myself. I’ve been training for 3 years now, 5 times a week and my goal is very clear…
4. I know now that sleeping is a must-do. May sound clichey, but I need at least 8 hrs.
MAKE TIME.
5. My music motivates me: currently running and training with Kings of Leon.
6. I’ve established a routine – and I just do it. At the moment, it’s about training at 8.30 in the morning. Rain or shine.
MAKE TIME.
7. I have a goal – you can use Instagram for it. I suggest you follow Sara on #thehealthyfreelancer if you’re into yoga.
8. I have found exercises to do at work: the options are many and IG comes to the rescue again. My fave is Emily Skye but also Kayla is good – and after all, it’s just a start. Carve out 20 minutes a day and do IT.
9. I love results. I won’t tell you now about the weight I lost or if my body fat went down or up, or what foods I eat or steer clear from (hey, maybe in another post!) but if you establish results,… they drive you.
MAKE TIME. Did I say that?
And you? What do you do?
And I urge you to start now.
4 Comments
Dear Val, thanks for sharing your routine with us. This looks great and you’re an example. It’s easy to look at you and think that “you were born like that” or are “naturally hot” or “can eat whatever you want and not put any weight”. That’s just some type of excuses for other people.
I haven’t been able to write you an email or fb chat about this – and I think that we’re not only BFFs for a chance, since I believe we have a LOT in common 🙂 – but I have started my own fitness routine. I’ve actually called it “journey to hotness” (LOL). The thing is – I spent 31 years of my life without thinking what I was putting into my body. I ate like a child. If I wanted to eat a pint of Haagen Dasz I would do it. Or if I wanted to have a pizza 5 times a week I would do it.
I took a hard look at the mirror in May and realised that I couldn’t continue through that road. So I’ve established a goal: to get into shape. I wanna be able to pursue a thief if he steals my purse. I wanna kick his ass (provided he hasn’t a gun or a knife). I wanna lose 30 kgs (65 pounds). It’s a lot, I know, but that’s my goal.
So I started eating better (still have a long way to go, I need to steer clear of my cheat meals so I can increase my focus), I started working out. I can’t spend 3 days without hitting the gym. And I want also to exercise 5-6 times a week. I’ve lost 9 kgs so far and it shows, but I still have a long way to go. I think my weight loss journey will teach me a lot about life in general, specifically on focussing on what I have achieved instead of obsessing about what lies ahead.
So far so good. 🙂
Inspiring!Let’s kick a*** together! That’s the way. It starts from within – and trust me, not all that glitters is gold! Go get those kgs, and yes, we do share a LOT. :*
I totally agree!!! I have been attending dance lessons for years…I like to concentrate on my body, feel my muscles stretching, and lose myself into the music…after a day of work it’s the perfect way to free my mind…
Of course! Just find your own way
x